Self-sustainable Multisensor System for Monitoring Water Quality in Inland Waterbodies

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro

Date of latest update: 2025-02-07

Description

Description (EN):

Inland waterbodies and wetland habitats are extremely important in terms of biodiversity conservation. Thanks to the abundance of water surrounded by karst-hilly terrain, the biological diversity in Vrana Lake in Croatia, Deran Lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Skadar Lake in Montenegro is extremely valuable. As exceptional habitats for numerous plant and animal species and areas of special specificity and biodiversity, all three lakes and the surrounding areas have been declared as protected areas - Vrana Lake and Deran Lake as Nature Parks, and Skadar Lake as National Park. The purpose of the SMART-Water project is to preserve biodiversity through water quality monitoring by hybrid data collection from different sensors. The water environment serves as a source of food and drink, allows for agriculture, production, recreation, and tourism, and accepts large amounts of water, potentially preventing floods. Water quality is deteriorating as a result of technological advancements, industrial production, agricultural activities, and rapid urbanization. Anthropogenic exploitation, eutrophication, inorganic and organic pollutants, morphological changes, population growth, and the effects of climate change, such as acidification or rising water temperatures, increased nutrient input and primary output, deteriorated water quality, reduced biodiversity, and jeopardized the ecological functioning of inland waters globally. Main cross border territorial challenges are: 1. absence of cross-border coordination 2. overexploitation and pollution of aquatic environments in one country might threaten ecosystem in another 3. data gaps for monitoring transboundary waterbodies and their connections to the sea Climate change's impact on lake water quality, lake ecosystem health, and lake ecology is a growing stressor for lakes. Lake eutrophication threatens the ecological, social, cultural, spiritual, and economic benefits provided by these ecosystems. There is no life without water, and the demand for water is increasing. However, the number of polluters is also increasing, so it is critical to ensure strict monitoring of water quality and, in the case of pollution, enable prompt decision-making by the authorities in charge of managing lakes, such as Public Institution Nature Park Vrana Lake, Public Enterprise Hutovo Blato Nature Park for Deran Lake, and National Parks of Montenegro for Skadar Lake. Water quality is determined using a variety of sensors, and as part of the SMART-Water project, a hybrid model of data collection from a variety of sensors will be developed. SMART-Water intends to improve inland water quality monitoring and inspection procedures through the use of artificial intelligence models and multi-sensor integration with geospatial data. By developing a collaborative web GIS platform, all decision makers for research areas in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro will be participating. By integrating various data sources and models into a unified platform and promoting joint cross-border cooperation and communication, SMART-Water takes a unique approach. SMART-Water also includes community engagement activities to raise citizen awareness and participation in water quality monitoring and protection. Main SMART-Water outputs are: 1. Inland water quality monitoring database updated for three research areas 2. Joint activity plan for data collection and processing for inland water quality management 3. Online satellite remote sensing product - AI/ML predictive model for inland water quality monitoring in near-real-time 4. Web GIS platform with geospatial data at three research areas 5. Guidelines for implementing climate change water monitoring techniques 6. Education for public and training for lake authorities for new monitoring and inspection procedures. SMART-Water takes a novel approach by combining multiple data sources and models into a unified web GIS platform to provide comprehensive and real-time water quality data. SMART-Water addresses several common water quality challenges in the cross-border region, such as insufficient monitoring and data collection, a lack of stakeholders cooperation and communication, and the need to strengthen water management legislative and regulatory frameworks. SMART-Water seeks to establish a common framework for monitoring and managing the inland water quality, which requires cross-border cooperation. Water pollution is transboundary, and preventing and controlling transboundary water pollution requires a coordinated approach to monitoring and managing water quality. SMART-Water will facilitate the exchange of data and information on water quality among the region's countries, allowing them to work effectively together to address the issue of transboundary and interregional water pollution. A variety of socioeconomic and environmental factors that affect the quality and management of water resources are unique to the SMART-Water karst region.

Expected Achievements (EN):

S.o.1 aims to enhance the current level of data related to water quality, which will contribute to the achievement of the SMART-Water overarching goal of maintaining the health and safety of inland waters. This will be accomplished by improving the resilience of the management and monitoring systems. Project Participants (PPs) will be responsible for reviewing and assessing inland water monitoring policies and plans, conducting data analysis from various sources, identifying any significant gaps or limitations in the existing data and monitoring programs, and implementing advanced distant water quality monitoring and prediction technologies as part of the WP1 implementation. S.o.2. is to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach to predict and monitor water quality in the three lakes using various technologies and data sources. By implementing WP2 activities PPs will: 1. create model the prediction of water quality through the use of remotely sensed imagery, 2. acquire water samples and in situ measurements at the three lakes, 3. integrate many sensors which provide data in real time, including radar and meteorological data, as well as data on water temperature, turbidity, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. PPs will develop a web GIS platform based on a prediction model, data, and the integration of software. PPs will analyze the integration of hydrodynamic modeling and remote sensing in Vrana Lake. WP2 activities will contribute to enhancing the geospatial data infrastructure related to water quality monitoring and prediction. This will ensure the availability of accurate and reliable data for ongoing and future water management initiatives. S.o.3. is to assess and enhance water quality management and preservation efforts by focusing on various key aspects: 1. Determination of future impact of climate change and anthropogenic influence on water quality for inland waterbodies 2. Public perception - Communication, demonstration, and education for public 3.Guidelines for climate resilient water management in cross-border area at the regional level WP3 strive to improve water quality management and conservation through comprehensive approaches, encompassing the assessment of future climate change and anthropogenic effects, public engagement and awareness initiatives, and the establishment of climate-resilient water management guidelines across international borders at the regional level, completely in line with SMART-Water OO and Programme specific objective.

Project outputs: Inland water quality monitoring database updated for three research areas(EN)
Online satellite remote sensing product - AI/ML predictive model for inland water quality monitoring in near-real-time(EN)

Thematic information

Water management Waste and pollution Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-A_HR-B-ME_2) Green investments in environmental protection and efficient risk management

Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: Institut Ruđer Bošković

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 69715301002

Department: Division for Marine and Environmental Research

Address: Bijenička, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Ribarski institut, 22000 Šibenik, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.irb.hr

Total budget: EUR 375 129.99

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 318 860.49

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 56 269.50

Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine

Name: Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 896508048

Address: IV Proleterske, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Department address: IV Proleterske, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://epa.org.me

Total budget: EUR 203 546.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 173 014.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 531.90

Zavod za hidrometeorologiju i seizmologiju

Name: Zavod za hidrometeorologiju i seizmologiju

Department: Sector of hydrology and water quality, Department of water quality

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 30/31-11528-8

Address: IV proleterske, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Department address: IV proleterske, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website (not verified): http://meteo.co.me

Total budget: EUR 237 216.84

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 201 634.31

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 582.53

Javno poduzeće Park prirode Hutovo blato d.o.o.

Name: Javno poduzeće Park prirode Hutovo blato d.o.o.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4227274940009

Address: Karaotok, 88307 Višići, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Karaotok, 88307 Višići, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://hutovo-blato.ba/

Total budget: EUR 192 855.04

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 163 926.78

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 28 928.26

Sveučilište u Zadru

Name: Sveučilište u Zadru

Department: Center for geospatial technologies and Department of geography

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 10839679016

Address: Ulica Mihovila Pavlinovića, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Department address: Ulica Mihovila Pavlinovića, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.unizd.hr

Total budget: EUR 523 902.12

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 445 316.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 78 585.32

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Self-sustainable Multisensor System for Monitoring Water Quality in Inland Waterbodies

Project acronym: SMART-Water

Project ID: HR-BA-ME00330

Project start date: 2024-08-01

Project end date: 2027-07-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

STREAM (EN) | STREAM Interreg project, Italy Croatia CBC Programme, Specific Objective 2.2 - Increase the Program area's safety against natural and man-made disasters, Strategic subject 3-Flood danger. SMART-Water is leveraging equipment acquired through the STREAM project, such as specialized UAVs outfitted with multispectral cameras for high resolution mapping over large areas, radar sensors for measuring water level, wave height, flow, and so on; and hydro cameras for monitoring water quality (turbidity, etc.). Also, through workstations outfitted with specialized software for analysing large amounts of data at various degrees of detail. (EN), 3 WATCH OUT (EN) | The Interreg Italy-Albania-Montenegro project 3 WATCH OUT (Trilateral model of civil protection: WAys, Tools, and CHallenges for OUr safeTy) aims to develop a trilateral/cross-border intervention model in the field of civil protection in order to overcome existing barriers in the event of an emergency with reference to three types of risk (hydrogeological, seismic, and fire). 3 WATCH OUT undertook various pilot initiatives including the use of bioengineering techniques in coastal areas that are vulnerable to hydrogeological hazards. These projects make use of characteristic Mediterranean plant species that are important for boosting soil surface protection as well as ecological function. This study can be used to help SMART-Water define erosion risk and hypothesize mitigating solutions. (EN), GAL (EN) | Geospatial Analysis Laboratory (GAL) was established and funded by the Croatian Science Foundation Installation Research Projects UIP-2017-05-2694. GAL is an interdisciplinary laboratory in the Department of Geography at the University of Zadar that is meant for scientific research implementation, junior scientist education, and the application of new, current knowledge and technology in the development of new research methodologies. GAL conducts and advances scientific research through the use of geospatial analysis from the GIS and remote sensing domains. SMART-Water capitalizes on the experience and results gained by researching geospatial technology in a variety of environmental areas. SMART-Water also makes use of geospatial equipment obtained through the GAL project, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) outfitted with a very-high resolution RGB camera. (EN), CHANGE WE CARE (EN) | Climate cHallenges on coAstal and traNsitional chanGing arEas: WEaving a Cross - Project Adriatic Response (CHANGE WE CARE) is an Interreg Italy-Croatia project. CHANGE WE CARE promotes cross-border concerted and coordinated measures to adapt to climate change. The project improves understanding of the influence of climate variability change on water regimes, salt intrusion, tourism, biodiversity, and agro-ecosystems in the cooperation area. The major goal was to provide an integrated, ecosystem-based approach and collaborative planning opportunities for various climate change-related concerns, as well as adaptation solutions for vulnerable areas with stakeholders who may benefit the most from them. Adaptation measures for collaboration with local governments are being developed and will be explored with other stakeholders. By harmonizing procedures and data standards and bridging knowledge gaps for end users, the project’s aim was to define a paradigm for the transfer of successful methods of analysis, development, and implementation of adaptation measures from pilot locations to other systems facing similar cross-border problems, which can directly benefit to the SMART-Water. SMART-Water will make use of researched stressors that impact coastal vulnerability in the cooperation region, namely Nature Park Vrana Lake and linkages to the Adriatic Sea which determines larger scale processes such as sea level rise, current circulation, and cyclogenesis. (EN), ePATH (EN) | The ePATH (Endemic Pathway) is an Interreg IPA CBC Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2014-2020 project with PPHB as a lead partner. This project aims to develop a diversified tourism offer based on the sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region. Nature parks and other protected natural areas attract a considerable number of tourists from all over the world and create important economic opportunities for local communities. The partnership is geared towards enhancing and promoting three protected natural areas that are home to many rare and endemic species of flora and fauna: Hutovo Blato Nature Park (BA), Kotišina Botanical Garden (HR), and Solila Nature Reserve (ME). The project improves a range of tourism supporting facilities in the sensitive ecosystems, creates joint thematic paths dedicated to endemic species, and promotes the preservation and appreciation of natural heritage. Thanks to the ePATH project, Biokovo Botanical Garden Kotišina, Hutovo Blato Nature Park and Tivatska Solila Nature Reserve strengthened their capacities, got new facilities and equipment, improved educational and tourist activities, and developed a new tourist offer. SMART-Water will employ researched sustainable use of natural and cultural resources in the cross-border region to identify sensitivity to water quality and ecosystems due to increasing tourism and anthropogenic influence in Hutovo Blato Nature Park. (EN), PA.CON (EN) | The Interreg Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro project PA.CON (Pannonia-Adria Connection) aims to strengthen the potential of unused natural resources in the cross-border region and contribute to the development of sustainable tourism. Project partners are in charge for improving three natural assets and developing the regional birdwatching route PA.CON. The route includes three accessible bird habitats: National Park Skadar Lake (ME), the Sopotac site (Nijemci, HR) and the forest Ilinčica (Tuzla, BA). PENP is responsible for improving natural assets and bird habitats at the National Park Skadar Lake. The bird habitats are marked and connected with the complementary tourism supporting facilities and infrastructure. Project partners are procuring 50 bicycles for visitors to use. In addition, 6 trainings for target groups in tourism are organized (2 in each country) on destination management and quality assurance to foster the communication and collaboration mechanisms among all relevant stakeholders. SMART-Water capitalizes on the experience and results gained by researching the development of sustainable tourism in the cross-border region to identify sensitivity to water quality and ecosystems due to increasing tourism and anthropogenic influence in National Park Skadar Lake. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 532 649.99

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 302 752.48

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 1 302 752.48. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Data collection activity plan
Internal workshop on monitoring policies and the current state of inland water quality
GIS water quality satellite database
Multispectral UAV digital data (example of Vrana Lake)
Conceptual framework for assessing inland water quality and mapping risk indices
Maps of identified most endangered areas on an internal web GIS platform
An initial version of water quality AI/ML prediction model based on remote sensing
Enriched GIS water quality database
A refined version of water quality AI/ML prediction model based on remote sensing and in situ data
A workshop and training for stakeholders with presentation of detailed GIS data and prediction model
Radar sensor data
Meteorological sensor data
Additional sensor data (water temperature, turbidity, salinity and dissolved oxygen data)
Web GIS platform – prediction model, data, and software integration
A hydrodynamic model of Vrana Lake in Croatia
Workshop on the impact of climate change and anthropogenic influence on future inland water quality
Workshop and educational courses for children and public
A framework for sustainable water monitoring and protection
Research areas’ demonstrations of new aquatic monitoring systems for public
Communication strategy
Three scientific papers
Participation in conferences
Creating materials for public perception of water quality for three research areas
Technical report on social aspect of water quality
Guideliness for climate resilient water management in cross-border area at the regional level

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal Since the EU is implementing a Green Agenda to the Western Balkans, SMART-Water will help the European Green Deal agenda in a variety of ways. For starters, by increasing water quality monitoring and management, SMART-Water can aid in the protection and preservation of aquatic habitats, which are an essential component of a healthy environment. This can contribute to Europe's goal of establishing a zero-pollution environment, as defined in the European Green Deal. Furthermore, the initiative can promote the adoption of sustainable technology such as satellite remote sensing, which can assist to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster a circular economy. Through the establishment of frameworks for water quality management in urban areas, SMART-Water can also serve to promote sustainable urban development, which can support the goal of constructing climate-resilient cities. Finally, SMART-Water can help to foster a more sustainable and inclusive society by encouraging community involvement in water quality monitoring and management, as well as developing educational materials and tools to raise awareness about the importance of protecting water resources.
Other SMART-Water will contribute to the South East Europe 2030 strategy agenda by focusing on enhancing capacity to improve detection and risk reduction of natural disasters to minimize their impact on economic growth. The EU focuses on three pillars/dimensions as part of the SEE 2030 strategy: (1) prosperity; (2) people; (3) peace and partnerships. The initiative will help to achieve the region's goals of promoting sustainable economic growth and protecting the environment and cultural heritage. The activities of SMART-Water, such as the construction of a predictive model for water quality monitoring and the use of satellite data to monitor the aquatic environment, can give significant information to support regional decision-making and policy development. SMART-Water can assist in identifying possible risks to the inland waterbodies and enable the development of effective mitigation plans by enhancing the quality and accuracy of environmental monitoring data. SMART-Water also encourages the adoption of innovative environmental monitoring technologies and methodologies that can help with the achievement of the SEE 2030 strategy's goals for sustainable tourism and improving detection and reducing natural disasters risk. Overall, SMART-Water's contribution to strengthening the region’s preparedness to natural disasters and its collective capacity to mitigate relevant socioeconomic disaster risk drivers can aid in the achievement of the SEE 2030 strategy's targets and help to the region's long-term development.
Other By providing citizens and stakeholders with the capability to use satellite-based Earth observation (EO) data, SMART-Water will also help to the marketing and usability of Copernicus, the EU's EO program data and services. SMART-Water will provide feedback on the limitations and opportunities of satellite-based remote sensing for inland water quality monitoring by utilizing satellite data from various sources and rigid evaluation of the outcomes of water quality monitoring.
Other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. SMART-Water will contribute to broader environmental and sustainability policies, such as the SDGs of the United Nations. The actions of SMART-Water contribute to SDGs Goal 6, which strives to protect and restore water-related ecosystems. SMART-Water can help to attain this goal by promoting sustainable water management techniques and reducing pollution in inland waters.
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The SMART-Water project will contribute to the EUSAIR (EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region) strategy by focusing on improving the environmental monitoring of the inland waters. As part of the EUSAIR strategy, the EU focuses on four thematic pillars: (1) Blue growth; (2) Connecting the region (transport and energy networks); (3) Environmental quality; (4) Sustainable tourism.
The SMART-Water project will contribute to the aims to promote sustainable economic growth and protect the environment and cultural heritage in the region. The project's activities, such as developing a predictive model for water quality monitoring and using satellite data to monitor the environment, can provide valuable information to support decision-making and policy development in the region.
By improving the quality and accuracy of environmental monitoring data, the SMART-Water project can help to identify potential threats to the environment and support the development of effective strategies to mitigate them. The project also promotes the use of new technologies and approaches for environmental monitoring, which can support the implementation of the EUSAIR strategy's objectives related to sustainable tourism, blue growth, and marine protected areas. Overall, the project's contribution to improving the environmental monitoring can support the implementation of the EUSAIR strategy's objectives and contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion SMART Water project aligns with several EUSDR priorities:
Priority Area 4: Water Quality: The project's main focus on assessing and enhancing water quality management aligns directly with Priority Area 4 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, which aims to improve water quality in the Danube River and its tributaries. By addressing the future impact of climate change and anthropogenic influence on water quality, the project supports the objectives of this priority area.
Priority Area 7: Knowledge Society: The project's emphasis on data analysis, knowledge exchange, and the development of a web GIS platform aligns with Priority Area 7, which focuses on enhancing the region's knowledge-based economy, research, education, and ICT development. By promoting data sharing and knowledge exchange, the project contributes to the goals of this priority area.
Priority Area 5: Environmental Risks: The project's efforts to develop climate-resilient water management guidelines and address climate change effects on water quality are in line with Priority Area 5, which seeks to improve environmental risk management in the Danube region. By enhancing the region's capacity to adapt to climate change and mitigate associated risks, the project supports this priority area's objectives.
Priority Area 10: Institutional Capacity and Cooperation: The project's focus on cross-border cooperation and the development of guidelines for climate-resilient water management in cross-border areas aligns with Priority Area 10. This priority area aims to strengthen institutions and foster cooperation among countries within the Danube region. The project's guidelines can provide a framework for effective cross-border collaboration in water resource management.
Other The overall objective of EU water policy is to ensure access to excellent quality water in sufficient quantity for all Europeans, economic sectors, and the environment, and to ensure the good status of all water bodies across Europe. The priority is to move towards a water-efficient and water-saving economy.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-02-07

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

34 / 34 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

143 / 147 (97.28%)

Notes on the data

The end dates of project: - RACE 2 - APOLLO - CODES - SMART STEP are an approximation based on the programme's List of Operations available on the programme's website on 2024 -09-18. There the end date is marked in quarters. Combined total of all projects partnerships (11764705.89) in field total_budget is larger than projects total (1499618.4) of total_budget.

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Self-sustainable Multisensor System for Monitoring Water Quality in Inland Waterbodies

Description

Thematic information

Partners (5)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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