iWaGSS South Africa

DIE GEWÄSSER-EXPERTEN! contribute to combating rising global water stress and participate in the sustainable management of water resources.

Within the framework of the BMBF project „GROW“ (Globale Ressource Wasser) the GEWÄSSER-EXPERTEN are cooperating with German and South African project partners in the joint project „iWaGSS“ (funding code: 02WGR1424H).

This research project aims the development of an innovative water governance system (iWaGSS). Based on modern technologies and tools this system will alleviate water stress and lead to a sustainable management of water resources.

Within the project, the GEWÄSSER-EXPERTEN take on work package 8 – remote sensing.

Work package 8 covers the following tasks:

  • Development and programming of a userfriendly and practical drone system which includes several sensors and sampling systems to ensure a broad environmental monitoring.
  • Development of a comprehensive multiparameter sampling system which allows a combination of water and aerial sampling, measurements in and along water bodies as well as IR and visible light recordings.
  • Performance of test flights with recordings of the relevant parameters at different water bodies in Germany (calibration).
  • Hands-on training in South Africa of the local project partners.

The Phalaborwa region, the surrounding area and the Olifant River have been selected as a pilot region because it is one of the most demanding water management regions in South Africa. Under the given local conditions, the innovative drone system is used and tested to ensure a monitoring of water resources.

Project partners:

South African partners:

The official project start was the first of May 2017, the project duration will be 3 years.