Invisible threats, intelligent responses: monitoring water for a resilient future

As climate change intensifies and pressures on water systems increase, good water quality is crucial for climate adaptation and sustainable water management. This deep dive explores the next generation of water monitoring, from contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) and microbial pollution to non-revenue water (NRW) and wastewater treatment. It features innovative tools—remote sensing, drones, AI-based analytics, and advanced lab diagnostics—transforming water quality monitoring across environments. With practical case studies and scientific insights, including contributions from the Water4All Partnership, this session fosters collaboration toward safe, resilient, and high-quality water systems in a changing climate.

Ensuring water quality is not just a technical challenge; it is a shared responsibility that has direct impact on the achievement of the SDGs, particularly those relating to health, water access, and climate resilience. The closing panel discussion will highlight how Africa and Europe can mutually benefit from each other’s innovations and lessons learned. By combining cutting-edge technologies with local knowledge and needs, we can co-develop intelligent monitoring systems that will safeguard communities, ecosystems, and water security for future generations.