AI and satellite data for improving water quality and strengthening nature conservation policy

The project focuses on different rivers, lakes, transitional waters and coastal zones across Europe. Asia, Africa and Latin America are also participating in the research to facilitate global knowledge exchange.

Within the project, Deltares is co-leader of the Integrated Solutions for management of Aquatic Ecosystems work package and leads the application of the water models. In this way, Deltares co-leads and keeps track of the development of open-source AI algorithms, thus playing a crucial role in translating scientific innovations into operational applications for water managers and policymakers.

A consistent picture of water quality

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a key instrument within the European Green Deal for protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Water quality measurements are essential for this. However, current water quality measurements are limited in scope and time and therefore do not provide a consistent picture. By utilising satellite observations and AI models, we can map water quality more consistently, more frequently and across borders. We are doing all this in anticipation of proposed updates of the WFD implementation strategy by the ECOSTAT working group (led by the EC Joint Research Centre). Rijkswaterstaat is also part of ECOSTAT.

Application with end-users

An important part of the project is co-creation with end-users. Rijkswaterstaat Water, Transport and the Environment (RWS-WVL) is actively involved and funded a pilot in 2025 and 2026 in which chlorophyll concentrations derived from satellite data of Lake IJsselmeer were translated into WFD maps. They remain involved in OASIS.

Deltares is co-creating with end-users on three applications:

Satellite maps for the Water Framework Directive

Deltares and various other partners are developing and testing satellite maps for potential application under the Water Framework Directive. We are using data from the European Earth observation and monitoring programme Copernicus. The underlying idea is to investigate whether the quality of large (national) water bodies can be monitored more effectively and efficiently by monitoring water quality from space and linking this to the WFD assessment. Together with in situ measurements and model outputs, this represents an important step towards the sustainable management of lakes, rivers and coastal waters.

AlgaeRadar

Deltares is utilising existing tools such as AlgaeRadar for cyanobacteria forecasting. The tool will soon be deployed in various OASIS pilot areas. This digital solution, as it were, gives ecosystems a voice and supports evidence‑based decision‑making in water policy. The tool has already proven itself both nationally and internationally, and the link with satellite imagery is now being strengthened.

AI model for seagrass distribution maps

The third application concerns the coastal ecosystem and specifically mapping the seagrass Zostera marina, an important indicator of water quality and biodiversity. Building on the EU project OBAMA-NEXT, Deltares will be using AI, satellite and drone data to create distribution maps of seagrass for the Wadden Sea region. The AI model is being refined to increase resolution and reliability.

OASIS impact on various policy frameworks

With, amongst others, the Deltares contribution, OASIS will develop a platform that accommodates several policy frameworks, such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Nature Restoration Regulation, Natura 2000, and cross-border water management. In this regard, we collaborate with the EuroGEO (Group on Earth Observation in Europe) community, GEO AquaWatch (Group on Earth Observation Water Quality) and GEO BON (Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity) and there is knowledge exchange with other continents.

OASIS (Observation and AI-powered System for Intelligent Water Solutions) is an EU Horizon project (OASIS, GA 110293392).