Keeping watch over our recreational and commercial waterways
Arawhata River, Westland, New Zealand
WATERSHOTis the global first for monitoring water quality and health, with accuracy from computerized, satellite data, to high tech algorithms.
WATERSHOTis a gift Dr Andrew Taylor, Paul Brown and I can give to Earth, and is a culmination of our beliefs, experiences and determinations.
WHERE RIVERSLAKESOCEANSCOASTLINESMARINE RESERVESAQUACULTURECORAL REEFSMINING SITES AND VOIDS
WHAT
WATERSHOTis an innovative environmental logistics company that has developed a revolutionary package of water monitoring tools that can provide rapid sampling of water data across a complete spectrum of water sources, from remote coastlines to the most isolated rivers and lakes, quickly and cost-effectively.
WATERSHOTis an intelligent approach to water quality that is data-driven, highly directed, inquisitive and comprehensive in its commitment to learning and understanding.
WATERSHOTuses a combination of satellite-based spectral analysis and direct water sampling to help industry, communities and environmental agencies effectively monitor and identify changes in river water quality.
WATERSHOTportrays water quality by continuously tracking the extent of Nitrate, E. coli, Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity and Chlorophyl-a concentrations in waterways.
WHY
Sustainability -WATERSHOTcontributes to a sustainable river eco-system that benefits everyone. This contribution provides a smarter and better way of focusing attention, resources, effort and impact on the water quality of river eco-systems.
Contamination -WATERSHOTdifferentiates between the natural order of things and the contamination introduced by human activity on selected rivers.
Monitoring -WATERSHOThelps industries, communities and environmental agencies monitor and identify changes in river water quality by quantifying, benchmarking, defining and communicating the river water quality.
Regulatory -WATERSHOTenables authorities to act swiftly to enforce short term corrective measures to protect water quality; in the longer term they can target structural improvements affecting water quality through discharges from industrial or agricultural processes.
Safety Status -WATERSHOTassists local authorities and civic administrators to inform citizens of the safe status of surface water for recreational purposes.
Commercial -WATERSHOTempowers businesses to communicate to customers and stakeholders evidence of their environmentally compliant and sustainable operations as an integral part of their brand values.
HOW
1. Satellite flyovers occur at least every five days - cloud permitting
2. Data is analysed within 24 hour of a satellite overflight - allowing water quality issues to be rapidly identified
Advantages - WATERSHOTcan be applied to most waterways.Improvements - WATERSHOTimproves river quality monitoring by pinpointing where and when to test, resulting in improved use of limited resources. More accurate and frequent data, presented promptly, allows agencies to use the data instantly.
Management - WATERSHOTdata improves the understanding of a river's natural order and assists management of the river’s ecosystem.
Ethics - WATERSHOTadheres to a strict code of ethics that governs how data is collected, tested and presented. This ensures objectivity and conclusions that are firmly evidence-based.
Nitrogen analysis
Longitudinal Studies
River health analysis
Hotspot Detection
WATERSHOT he wai tūtei – the water sentry
WHO
Julie - Writer - Promoter
Andrew - Teacher - Astrophysicist
Paul - Farmer - Innovator
Andrew, Paul and I familiarly thrive in New Zealand’s backcountry in our play and in our work, as individuals, as families, and as professionals.
The three of us attainably access New Zealand’s coastlines, rural expanses, backcountry and alps, from coastlines for fishing, diving and shellfish gathering, to lakes for picnicking and sailing, to marine reserves for swimming and snorkeling, to the foothills and backcountry for hunting and tramping, and to the high peaks for snow sports and mountaineering.
In all those locations, water is the word, and clean water the imperative. Such is our pursuit, made viable by our complementary skills of stories and promotion, space science and mathematics, and agricultural innovation.
Julie Brown
Founder
WATERSHOT SATELLITE SCIENCE
