Action4Water — AI-Powered Water Pollution Monitoring

About Us

Science That Serves Communities

Access to clean, reliable water is one of the most critical challenges facing communities worldwide. At Action4Water, we bridge cutting-edge AI innovation with real-world impact.

We develop AI tools for water pollution monitoring, making advanced science accessible to researchers, governments, educators, and concerned citizens alike.

At Action4Water, we believe that science only creates change when it is clearly communicated. We don't just collect data, we translate it into stories, maps, and tools that move people to act.

Our Mission

Empower communities with near real-time water quality data to make informed decisions about water safety.

Support decision-makers and resource managers with large-scale pollution monitoring tools.

Educate students and the public about water pollution and the role of AI in environmental protection.

Drive innovation in environmental monitoring by transforming satellite data into practical solutions.

Our Tools

Two Tools, One Mission

Both tools use the same approach, using free Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and machine learning, to detect different types of water pollution.

LAKE WATER

Northern Lakes Watch

View lake conditions by place and date

Select a lake area and choose a date to view satellite-based water condition maps. Estimates chlorophyll-a levels using Sentinel-2 imagery and a Random Forest model, designed for local awareness, education, research, and early screening.

Estimate chlorophyll-a level
Watch algal signals
Export maps for research and reporting
Covers lakes across Canada's North

Launch Lake Tool

This tool complements, but does not replace, field testing, local observations and knowledge, community monitoring, or official water safety guidance.

OCEAN WATER

Ocean Floating Plastic Detection

Mapping visible debris signals in coastal waters

Detects floating plastic debris across large coastal areas using Sentinel-2 imagery and a machine learning classifier, covering areas impossible to monitor by boat alone. Supports cleanup planning, policy, and marine pollution awareness.

Large-scale ocean coverage via satellite
Automated AI-powered detection
Supports cleanup planning & policy
Protects marine biodiversity

Request Free Service

Web tool in development. Available now by request, free for communities and organizations. Not all plastic is visible from satellite data.

How It Works

Research Behind the Maps

Action4Water grew from research on visible water pollution signals, lake algal conditions monitoring and floating debris detection in coastal waters. The goal is simple: turn complex water data into maps and explanations people can understand, question, and use.

Satellite Capture

Sentinel-2 satellites orbit Earth every 5 days, capturing free high-resolution images of oceans and lakes.

Image Processing

Raw satellite bands are processed using Google Earth Engine to calculate water quality indices.

AI Analysis

Our machine learning models analyze spectral signatures to detect plastic or estimate algae levels.

Results & Action

Color-coded maps show pollution levels clearly, for scientists, governments, and the public.

Education

Learning About Water Pollution

Understanding water pollution is the first step to protecting it. Here are the key concepts behind our tools, explained for all ages.

🌊 Ocean — Plastic Pollution

🌊

What Is Ocean Plastic Pollution?

Millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. Much of it breaks into tiny pieces called microplastics, harming marine life, entering the food chain, and persisting for hundreds of years.

🐟

How Does Plastic Harm Marine Life?

Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Seabirds feed plastic to their chicks. Fish absorb microplastics into their tissue. Plastic pollution disrupts entire marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

🛰️

How Do Satellites Detect Ocean Plastic?

Plastic floating on the ocean surface reflects sunlight differently than water. Sentinel-2 satellites capture these spectral differences, and our AI model learns to distinguish plastic from seaweed, foam, and waves.

🔬 Lakes — Algae & Water Quality

💧

What Is Lake Water Quality?

Lake water quality describes the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that determine its safety for drinking, swimming, fishing, and supporting aquatic life. Good water quality is clean, clear, and safe.

🟢

What Is Chlorophyll-a?

Chlorophyll-a is the green pigment in algae and plants. In lakes, and oceans, high levels mean too much algae is growing. These blooms can make water unsafe for swimming and harm fish and wildlife.

🌿

What Are Harmful Algal Blooms?

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) occur when algae grow rapidly and dominate a water body. They produce toxins dangerous to humans, pets, and aquatic life, and are becoming more frequent due to climate change and nutrient runoff.

🤖

How Does AI Measure Algae from Space?

Algae reflect specific wavelengths of light detectable by satellites. Our Random Forest model analyzes these spectral signatures to estimate chlorophyll-a concentration, without anyone needing to collect a water sample.

🌏

Why Do Northern Lakes Matter?

Canada's northern lakes are among the world's cleanest, but climate change is warming them faster than anywhere else. Rising temperatures fuel algal blooms, threatening drinking water and the communities and ecosystems that depend on these lakes.

📊

What Can You Do With This Data?

Satellite-derived water quality maps help communities monitor their lakes, help governments make informed policy decisions, and help researchers track long-term changes. Data communicated clearly drives real action.

Our Impact

Real-World Results

Satellite-derived Chl-a maps for Yellowknife Bay 2020-2025

Satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) maps for Yellowknife Bay in July (2020–2025). Some warmer years, such as 2021 and 2024, show higher algae levels in parts of the bay. These maps are designed to highlight patterns and changes over time and are not a replacement for water quality testing.

Satellite-detected floating plastic debris map 1

Satellite-detected floating plastic debris map 2

Satellite-detected floating plastic debris in coastal waters, mapped using our AI model trained on Sentinel-2 imagery. These maps identify visible debris signals that are difficult or impossible to survey by boat alone.

Recognized By

Top Climate Change & Environment Project ORSF award

Most Innovative & Outstanding Project ORSF award

CMOS Special Award in ORSF CMOS award

Governor General Ingenious+ Innovation Regional Award Governor General award

Monitor Lake & Ocean
Water Quality

Science That Serves Communities