Objectives of the service
Data4Water addresses the multifaceted water management challenges in the Godavari River basin, a pivotal area designated as a Water Resilience Coalition priority. Farmers face uncertainties in irrigation, hydropower companies navigate river discharge fluctuations, and fishery activities seek consistent resources for the continuity of the livelihoods. Local authorities manage water resources amid seasonal variations and climate change impacts.
Data4Water aims to enhance water resilience by providing accurate river discharge forecasts through the services provided by BWI. Tailored solutions address specific challenges faced by users, such as mitigating water scarcity risks, managing low water levels, and optimizing water-related practices. By leveraging Earth Observation data, in-situ measurements, and advanced machine learning algorithms, the service ensures precise insights into water-related dynamics. At BWI, integrating diverse data sources, coupled with advanced hydrological modeling and machine learning techniques, strengthens our services providing real-time data and forecasts for informed decision-making to address climate-induced water challenges.
The project strategically engages in Customer Identification, Value Proposition Definition, Technical and Commercial viability Assessment guiding the project towards the development of a proof of concept and the preparation for service implementation through continuous user engagement. By understanding user challenges and integrating advanced technologies, Data4Water aims to be more than a feasibility study. It represents a commitment to transforming water management in the Godavari basin through technology, collaboration, and sustainability.
Users and their needs
In India, our targeted users span vital sectors, including agriculture and farming, fishery management, food production, and water advocacy in the Godavari region. Through user engagement and a workshop held in April 2024 with potential users we have identified the main challenges faced in the Godavari River basin:
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Frequent drought events: Low River discharge levels intensify water scarcity, posing significant challenges to water availability for agricultural and other essential uses.
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Inefficient water pumping practices: Over-extraction during low water periods exacerbates the strain on water resources, adversely affecting ecosystem health and sustainability.
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Poor water quality: The deterioration of water quality threatens agricultural and food water productivity, impacting both human health and ecosystem integrity.
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Disrupted fishery activities: Fluctuating River conditions disrupt fish reproduction cycles, leading to declines in fish populations and reduced income for fishers, further exacerbating livelihood challenges.
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Inter-district conflicts: Political and socio-economic factors contribute to tensions between districts, including power struggles, resource inequalities, and historical grievances, which impede effective water management and allocation.
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Lack of real-time data: The absence of comprehensive, real-time data hampers the deployment of a robust decision-making system, hindering efforts to address the complex challenges facing the Godavari River basin effectively.
These identified challenges underscore the critical need for tailored solutions to address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of our target user communities. By addressing these challenges head-on, we aim to contribute to the resilience and sustainability of water management practices in the Godavari River basin, ensuring equitable access to water resources and fostering environmental and socio-economic well-being.
Service/ system concept
Data4Water Capability and User Information:
Data4Water delivers accurate river discharge estimates and forecasts over the Godavari River basin, empowering users with crucial insights for decision-making. Key features include:
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Optimal Pumping Times: Users can identify the optimum time for pumping and releasing water, minimizing the risk of low water levels, maintaining pollutant concentrations, and positively impacting water quality.
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Spatial and Temporal Resolutions: The system provides river flow estimates and forecasts at user-defined points with adapted spatial resolutions, aligning with the frequency of weather forecast updates adapted for hydrological applications.
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Data Consistency: Ensures reliable data products by harmonizing information from various sources, weather data, and historical river discharge, enhancing the overall accuracy.
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Web Portal and API Accessibility: Users can access data through the system's user-friendly web portal and API, facilitating the visualization, access, and download of river discharge data. This system offers an intuitive interface for interaction, advanced functions, and facilitates ease of use and integration with external systems.
System Operation in Simple Terms:
Data4Water operates as a smart water management decision-making tool for the Godavari River basin. It combines weather forecasts, satellite data, and in-situ data to predict river discharge behavior. Users, such as farmers and authorities, access the information through a user-friendly website or even more “sophisticated” information systems.
System Architecture Overview:
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Data Foundation: Utilizing Amazon S3, the Data Foundation efficiently manages raw data in a cloud-based Data Lake, while Mapbox's Tiling Service organizes georeferenced data. A structured database (PostGIS, PostgreSQL) ensures consistency and efficient access.
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Model: Data Collectors periodically gather external data using Python and Kubernetes, Pre-processors transform raw inputs into catchment-specific data, and Modelling Services, powered by neural networks, estimate river discharges.
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Interface: FastAPI-driven API Server exposes data with modularity, and Clients, employing web components and Vue, provide intuitive user interaction, facilitating data visualization and access.
Space Added Value
The system relies on essential space assets such as SRTM, Copernicus, ASTER, and EUMETSAT data to achieve its goals. Leveraging space assets provides unparalleled advantages compared to traditional methods employed by potential competitors. Satellite-derived inputs, including DEM and numerical weather forecasts, offer a comprehensive and real-time understanding of the hydrological system. This access to dynamic and high-resolution data enables accurate modelling and forecasting of river behaviour, enhancing the precision of discharge estimates. The interconnectedness of river basins demands a holistic perspective, which space assets uniquely provide, ensuring a thorough understanding of complex hydrological dynamics. The competitive edge lies in the system's ability to harness the power of space data, enabling more informed and timely decision-making for water practices. This integration of space assets not only enhances accuracy and reliability but also offers a cost-effective and scalable solution, setting it apart from potential competitors relying on conventional approaches.
Current Status
Discussions with potential users and stakeholders in the Godavari region have highlighted defined use cases, focusing on decision-making support for optimal pumping times in agriculture and food industries. These include determining optimal reservoir filling times, advising on pond filling and grey water release, optimizing fishing times while monitoring discharge for fish habitat, and monitoring critical points in conflict districts for water availability decisions. Additionally, the project aims to address legal disputes, including those brought before water tribunals, concerning water resource management between districts.
The Data4Water project, initiated in July 2023, aims to enhance water management practices in the Godavari River basin. Beginning with a kick-off meeting in October 2023, the project progressed through a business assessment phase, identifying agriculture and agri-food sectors as champion users by December 2023. Currently, the project is focused on technical and commercial viability assessments, with the Proof of Concept (PoC) scheduled for March 2024. The PoC aims to validate precise river discharge predictions and technical feasibility, with initial results indicating strong stakeholder interest and commitment. Following the PoC developed and presented in April 2024, feedback was gathered to refine the service and evaluate identified use cases, that will lead to a final workshop for end-of-project feedback in June 2024. With project outcomes anticipated in July 2024, the transition to the operational phase is expected, marking the potential start of service deployment.
