CyanoAlert · Project

Satellite-Based Toxic Algae Detection Service for Water Safety and Compliance

environmentPilotedTRL 7

project.cyanoalert.com

Imagine you manage a drinking water reservoir and one morning a massive green slime appears — toxic algae that can poison people and kill fish. Right now, you'd only know about it after someone reports it or after expensive lab tests come back days later. CyanoAlert built an automated warning system that uses Copernicus satellite images to spot these dangerous algae blooms from space, in near-real time, across any water body on the planet. Think of it like a weather forecast, but for toxic algae — environmental authorities and water companies get alerts before the bloom becomes a health crisis.

By the numbers

consortium partners across multiple disciplines

countries represented in the consortium

SMEs involved in commercialization

57%

industry partner ratio in the consortium

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers are a growing public health and economic threat — they contaminate drinking water, kill aquatic life, and shut down recreational areas. Current detection relies on manual water sampling and lab analysis, which is slow, expensive, and reactive. By the time results come back, the damage is already done.

The solution

What was built

CyanoAlert delivered a fully automated satellite-based monitoring service that uses Copernicus Earth Observation data to detect and assess toxic cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater resources globally. The system includes professional monitoring tools for commercial and government users plus a free public alert service via mobile telecommunications, with 11 deliverables completed including active social media channels.

Audience

Who needs this

Drinking water utilities managing reservoirs and intake systemsEnvironmental agencies responsible for water quality complianceAquaculture and fish farm operators near inland watersTourism and recreation operators at lakes and beachesEnvironmental consulting firms serving municipalities

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Water Utilities

mid-size

Target: Drinking water supply companies managing reservoirs and intake points

If you are a water utility dealing with unpredictable cyanobacteria contamination in your reservoirs — this project developed a fully automated satellite-based monitoring service that detects toxic algae blooms before they reach dangerous levels. Instead of relying on manual sampling and lab tests that take days, you get near-real-time alerts based on Copernicus Earth Observation data. The system was built by a 7-partner consortium across 6 countries, including both European and South African expertise.

Aquaculture & Fisheries

SME

Target: Fish farms and aquaculture operators near inland water bodies

If you are an aquaculture operator losing stock to sudden toxic algae events — this project created a monitoring service that uses satellite remote sensing to track cyanobacteria across freshwater ecosystems. Early detection means you can take protective action before toxins kill your fish. The service includes both a professional monitoring platform for commercial users and a public mobile information system.

Environmental Consulting

SME

Target: Environmental monitoring and compliance consultancies serving municipalities

If you are an environmental consultancy helping municipalities meet water quality regulations — this project built a global service for assessing toxin-producing cyanobacteria using Copernicus satellite technology. The dual dissemination system provides user-specific reporting for your professional monitoring needs, plus a public-facing mobile service. With 4 SMEs and 4 industry partners in the consortium, the service was designed for commercial deployment from day one.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this service cost compared to traditional water monitoring?

Specific pricing is not disclosed in the available project data. However, the service was designed as a commercial offering with a sustainable business model, targeting both environmental authorities and the commercial sector. Satellite-based monitoring typically reduces costs by replacing frequent manual sampling and lab analysis.

Can this work at industrial scale across multiple water bodies?

Yes — the system was explicitly designed as a global service. It uses Copernicus Earth Observation satellites, which provide continuous coverage worldwide. The fully automated application can monitor multiple water resources simultaneously without needing on-site equipment.

What is the IP situation — can I license or white-label this technology?

The coordinator is Brockmann Geomatics Sweden AB, an SME. With 4 SMEs and 57% industry ratio in the consortium, the IP is likely held by commercial entities rather than universities. Contact the coordinator for licensing terms. The project website at project.cyanoalert.com may have current service availability.

Does this meet regulatory requirements for water quality reporting?

The service was specifically designed for environmental authorities handling monitoring and reporting. It provides user-specific information formatted for compliance purposes. Based on available project data, the system addresses EU Water Framework Directive monitoring needs, though specific certifications should be verified with the provider.

How quickly does the system detect a bloom compared to lab testing?

The service delivers fully automated assessments using satellite imagery, meaning detection happens at the speed of satellite revisit times (typically daily to every few days with Copernicus Sentinel satellites). Traditional lab-based methods require physical sampling, transport, and analysis — often taking 3-7 days. The project also built a mobile telecommunication channel for public alerts.

Can this integrate with our existing water management systems?

Based on available project data, the service includes a dual dissemination system — professional monitoring tools for customers and a public mobile service. The 7-partner consortium included IT and geomatics companies across 6 countries, suggesting integration capabilities were built in. Specific API or data format details should be requested from the coordinator.

Consortium

Who built it

The CyanoAlert consortium of 7 partners across 6 countries (CH, DE, IT, RO, SE, ZA) is heavily tilted toward commercial execution — 4 out of 7 partners are industry players, and all 4 are SMEs. There are zero universities, which is unusual and signals this was a market-driven project from the start. The coordinator, Brockmann Geomatics Sweden AB, is a Swedish SME specializing in geomatics. The inclusion of South African partners indicates the service was designed for global deployment, not just European markets. With 2 research organizations providing scientific backbone and 57% industry ratio, this consortium was built to deliver a product, not publish papers.

BROCKMANN GEOMATICS SWEDEN ABCoordinator · SE
INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE DELTA DUNARIIparticipant · RO
BROCKMANN CONSULT GMBHparticipant · DE
ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITAparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

Brockmann Geomatics Sweden AB (Swedish SME) — reach out via their company website or the CyanoAlert project page for current service status and licensing

Order a report on this consortium See BROCKMANN GEOMATICS SWEDEN AB profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the CyanoAlert team about licensing their satellite-based algae monitoring for your water bodies? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you evaluate fit.

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