H2020-SPACE-2019 / Research and Innovation Action. Delivering Advanced Predictive Tools from Medium to Seasonal Range for Water Dependent Industries Exploiting the Cross-Cutting Potential of EO and Hydro-Ecological Modelling

This policy brief highlights the potential of Earth Observation technologies for improved water management and presents areas of improvement for uptake by EU decision-makers. PrimeWater (Horizon-2020 project funded by the European Union) ran until 2022 and it was aimed at improving water management through the integration of Earth Observation technologies.

The project has been successful in developing a robust platform for monitoring water quality, quantity, and distribution using satellite imagery and ground-based sensors. This policy brief provides an overview of current gaps in the EU policy, especially in relation to the Water Framework Directive and relevant programmes and strategies, such as the Digital Strategy, the Green Deal and Space Policy and Copernicus.

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 870497.