In the TRUST project, planning and problem solving tools are developed to achieve the United Nations "Sustainable Development Goal" concerned with water and sanitation (UN SDG No. 6). Generic models, that are developed in the scope of this project, are applied exemplary to the catchment of the region Lima/Peru.

At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (IPF) and the Institute of Water and River Basin Management (IWG) are in charge of both monitoring the water balance variables and applyling a hydrological model. The three overall objectives are a) the combination of terrestrial observations and remote sensing data for the representative study of water balance variables, b) the hydrological system analysis and regionalization of water balance variables, especially the precipitation and soil-moisture dynamics, and c) the comprehensive derivation of land use, soil and geometric data.

At the IPF, we are responsible for the following tasks:

• Developing a digital terrain model, from which correct watersheds, river courses and catchment areas can be extracted automatically. Furthermore, their temporal change will be monitored.
• Developing and implementing a (spacial- & temporal-) context-based classifier, from whichthe general type and the temporal change of the land use can be monitored.
• Developing and implementing descriptors specifically designed for irrigated areas.
• Developing a image analysis methods to derive the soil type in the project region.
• Characterizing the water hygiene by deriving parameters of spectral signatures from hyperspectral data.

In terms of hardware, hyperspectral cameras (e.g. in the SWIR spectrum, 950nm - 2500nm) are being used statically and on flexible small platforms like drones. Furthermore, there are plans to expand the local measurements on a global scale through the EnMAP satellite mission (400nm - 2500nm).

Further information:

• Official project website of Trust
• BMBF 07/2017: Sauberes Wasser für alle - aber wie?
• Website of the 'Global Ressource Water’ (GROW) joint projects