When we think about space, we often imagine satellites and astronauts-but for the water sector, the connection may not be immediately obvious. How are water and space related?
Currently, two billion people around the world live in water-stressed environments. Climate change is accelerating global risks of water availability, water quality and equitable water access. By 2050, more than half the world’s population could live in water-stressed areas if urgent action is not taken to achieve global water resilience. Space technology has to offer a lot in such climate crisis; without it, monitoring essential areas and acting effectively to mitigate climate challenges like water stress becomes less feasible. Space based data can contribute in several ways to make the water sector more efficient and responsible. Space-based data can transform inefficient practices into smart, responsive systems, providing up to the minute data to manage variations in supply and demand to protect our valuable water resources. Securing safe water supplies in Europe and beyond is crucial and space technologies can be of big help. Moreover collecting data on the health of water bodies and the changing sources of water risk is key to building water resilience.
Earth observation and satellite data are increasingly used to monitor climate change, droughts, and water quality. How can space-based technologies concretely support us in making better decisions?
Satellite based data and digital technology advancements present an opportunity to exponentially advance solutions on water stewardship. Space data are powerful decision-support tools because they can provide consistent, large scale and (nearly) real-time data. Satellites have been orbiting Earth for decades continuously collecting data that can be used to perform long-term climate trends which are essential to analyse the effect of climate change on our Planet including droughts and flooding. Satellite-based information is also valuable for assessing water quality, including the detection of harmful algal blooms. Satellite communications ensure robust and reliable data transmission. Satellite communications guarantee asset tracking and efficient responses also in remote areas and during emergencies situation to deliver water management data. Satellite navigation provides positioning, navigation and timing which are needed for efficient water resource management. Satellite imagery combined with satellite navigation data can contribute to identifying network anomalies and facilitate maintenance scheduling and coordination.
From your perspective at ESA, where do you see the biggest opportunities for collaboration between the space community and the water sector?
The establishment of partnerships is an integral part of the work we do in the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme in ESA. Thanks to the engagement with major stakeholders in different non-space market segments, including water, we are able to gain valuable insights that underpin the launch of initiatives aimed at the development of space-enabled commercial services addressing relevant needs and challenges of the wider economy. As part of this effort, ESA BASS has launched the Bioeconomy Task Force which includes Water Europe as one of its member. Partners support us in the identification of identifying priority areas, facilitate the uptake of innovative user driven projects and generate both green and economic impact. Digitising water basins to improve water resilience, large scale monitoring solutions, water sustainability, reduced water footprint, improved resource efficiency and net positive water impact are just a few of the key focus areas addressed by the Bioeconomy Task Force. In the context of water, I would like to recall our initiative with the CEO Water Mandate to leverage space technologies and innovative digital tools for advancing water security and resilience. The “Digitising Water Resilience in Basins” initiative addresses the urgent global challenge of insufficient data and shared understanding of freshwater resources, including water stress, quality, and accessibility.
Water Europe is committed to building a Water-Smart Society- resilient, secure and sustainable. Looking ahead, how can space-based solutions help advance and accelerate this ambitious goal?
ESA BASS share the same vision as Water Europe and we are extremely proud to have Water Europe as member in the Bioeconomy Task Force. Following consultation with several stakeholders (including Water Europe), listening to their demand and needs, ESA BASS has decided to launch a new Call for Proposals called Digitalization of the Water Sector. This Call-which is not competitive- will provide an opportunity for European based companies to develop innovative solutions to strengthen water security, sustainability and resilience across all societal functions while fully safeguarding the environment. Selected proposals will receive support and funding from the ESA BASS Programme. The Call for Proposal will be announced during the ESA BASS Water Day taking place on 12th May 2026 at European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands. Water Europe will contribute to the panel on new thinking on water resilience sharing its direct experience and lesson learned from initiatives aimed at delivering reliable and safe water services in an increasingly uncertain context. The event is for both companies and stakeholders willing to tackle water related challenges from different angles and discuss how technology and space can be a part of the solution. The event is for free but registration is required.
