Introduction

Water security is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, impacting communities, ecosystems, and economies worldwide. To address this critical issue, we developed the GLOW tool—a cutting-edge service designed to deliver actionable insights into water availability and demand. Whether mitigating droughts, preparing for floods, or fostering collaboration across transboundary river basins, GLOW empowers water managers and decision-makers to make informed, timely decisions.

GLOW is available to be adapted to your area to transform water management by providing reliable forecasts, enhancing collaboration, and supporting sustainable development. The development of the GLOW tool was part of a project aimed at addressing water challenges in key transboundary basins.

The ‘Global Water Availability Forecasting Service to support Water Security’ (GLOW) integrates advanced forecasting technologies and user-friendly platforms to provide near real-time information about water availability. It combines weather forecasts, hydrological and water resource models (PCR-GLOBWB and WEAP), and the HydroNET visualization and data integration platform to deliver short-term (10 days) and seasonal (6 months) water forecasts. By leveraging this innovative combination, GLOW enhances water resource management, supports transboundary governance, and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 6, and 13.

Key Features

  • Weather Forecasts: Gain short-term (10 days) and seasonal (6 months) insights for proactive water management.
  • Reservoir Water Availability: Access real-time and forecasted reservoir levels to optimize dam operations.
  • River Discharge Predictions: Plan and manage transboundary resources effectively while meeting ecological flow requirements.
  • Water Demand & Supply Forecasts: Understand potential shortages across domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors.
  • Visualization and Data Integration Tools: Use user-friendly dashboards for near real-time data and improved decision-making.
  • Early Warnings: Receive timely alerts for droughts, floods, and water shortages.
  • Transboundary Governance: Facilitate collaboration for managing shared water resources.

Development

From the outset, the development of GLOW has been a collaborative effort, grounded in the needs of stakeholders in the Maputo and Umbuluzi River Basins. Key partners, including Eswatini’s Joint River Basin Authorities (JRBA), Mozambique’s Regional Administration of Waters in the South (ARA-Sul), the National Directorate of Water Resources Management (DNGRH), and South Africa’s Inkomati-Usuthu (IUCMA) and Pongola-Umzimkhulu (PUCMA) Catchment Management Agencies, have played a central role.

Through user requirement sessions, GLOW was tailored to address the specific challenges these authorities face. Regular engagements provided opportunities to share progress, gather feedback, and discuss future enhancements. This iterative, stakeholder-driven approach ensures that GLOW remains a practical and impactful solution for addressing real-world water security challenges.