Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 data are being used to monitor water bodies in the Netherlands. These measurements allow the regional water boards, especially the Noorderzijlvest water board, to monitor the quality of water in lakes throughout their region to a degree that is not possible using traditional in-situ water sampling and testing.
Using satellite data is especially helpful in a country like the Netherlands where intensive agricultural practices combined with high population density and shallow lakes are critically affecting water quality. Sentinel data therefore helps authorities to improve water quality at a lower cost, which in turn improves the quality of life for citizens, aids in the protection of biodiversity and helps.