SPACE-O had a clear-cut approach on co-designing and co-developing its services in close collaboration with real end-users. Through a series of consultation workshops with the case study partners as well as with external water utilities from across Europe, end-user requirements were consolidated into the functional and architectural design of the system, so that the developed SPACE-O functionalities are matching their real-world needs.
The SPACE-O platform includes 5 different tools: the Water Information System that combines in situ measurements, satellite images and modelled hydrological, hydrodynamic and ecological data to fill in the information gaps in space and time about water quality, and to produce short term forecasts (up to 10 days) with high spatial and temporal resolution; An Early Warning System that indicates incidences of water quality deterioration with potentially high impact on downstream water utility services; A tool for Water Treatment Plant Optimization, which provides specific water treatment options based on forecasted raw water quality and advanced machine-learning algorithms that allow for improving efficiency in both effluent drinking water quality and financial performance; A tool for Catchment Risk Assessment, providing a method for water managers to identify hazards within the upstream catchment area and asses the level of risk to their water systems; and Improve My Water, a citizen science platform to report, administer and analyze local water issues.
The EO and modelling components of SPACE-O service line were tested and validated in the 2 project case studies, in Aposelemis reservoir in Crete (GR) and in Mulargia reservoir in Sardinia (IT) in close collaboration with the end-users. The results from the validation activities were communicated to potential end-users through a series of evaluation workshops which were held in Belgium, Singapore, Sweden and Austria. These workshops offered a hands-on experience to the participants and allowed them to judge the applicability and the usefulness of the SPACE-O products, while at the same time provided in depth information about the scientific background, the strengths and limitations of the service line, thus helping to establish confidence to potential end-users.
