Prediction & Early Detection of Algal blooms in Lakes & reservoirs (PEDAL)
Challenge
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) degrade water quality, disrupt supply, and harm ecosystems. Addressing HABs is essential to ensure safe, affordable water and protect natural spaces for community enjoyment and ecological health. HABs present a significant challenge to the global water sector, since they cause heavily degraded water quality, requiring expensive treatment to be safe for consumption. Further, HABs suppress ecosystem functioning, losing biodiversity and creating hypoxic ‘dead’ zones.
HABs also prevent and disrupt safe access to leisure activities such as fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching.
Research
The project will focus on using satellite and drone remote sensing, Artificial Intelligence, high-frequency monitoring, conventional water quality monitoring, and input from citizen science to build a digital twin that can forecast Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), enabling the water companies to take preventative action faster.
Research
Impact
The project’s predictive tools will enable water companies to mitigate HAB impacts early, reducing treatment costs, and minimising disruption to water supply. For water customers, this translates directly into fewer interruptions to drinking water supply, enhanced water quality, and lower bills by preventing costly treatment escalation. Healthier water bodies will promote opportunities for recreational activities, enhancing quality of life around water bodies and attracting visitors.
The project also provides broad societal value, promoting environmental stewardship through citizen science and preserving natural spaces. Since HABs occur frequently across the globe, this project will benefit the entire sector.
Project team
Dr Diego Panici
Project Lead
Dr Alan Puttock
Co Investigator
Professor Richard Brazier
Co Investigator
Dr Bob Brewin
Co Investigator
Dr Garry Codling
Co Investigator
Dr Gareth Bradbury
Research Associate
Dr Ben Jackson
Research Fellow
Dr Jess Kitch
Research Associate
Dr Jaeyoung Lee
Research Fellow
Dr Mandy Robinson
Research Fellow
Chris Watson
Project Officer
Olivia Hawtin
Research Technician
Abbie Chamberlin
Research Technician
Project Partners
Lead by
Industry Partners
Research Partners
University of Exeter; Plymouth Marine Laboratory; South West Lakes Trust; Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water); Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water; Anglian Water; Severn Trent Water; Northumbrian Water; Wessex Water; Affinity Water; Westcountry Rivers Trust; Cardiff University; CSIR, Environment Agency; University of Waikato; NexusBit Integral; Western Cape Department of Water and Sanitation; NASA BioScape; Korea Environment Institute; Northern Ireland Water; Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.