Editorial: Achieving SDG 6: Remote Sensing Applications in Sustainable Water Management
Abstract
This collection in Frontiers in Remote Sensing highlights innovative applications of remote sensing and Earth Observation (EO) that support the realization of SDG 6. We present four articles that span a diverse spectrum of technologies, methodologies, and geographic contexts, collectively showcasing the growing maturity and impact of remote sensing in sustainable water management. While the broader discourse around SDG 6 has often emphasized the quantitative aspects of water (such as availability and access) these contributions notably centre on the quality dimension of SDG 6. This focus is both timely and essential, as water quality has historically received comparatively less attention despite its critical role in achieving sustainable water outcomes. The first contribution, by Saranathan et al., (2024) introduce probabilistic neural networks to retrieve water quality indicators with associated uncertainty estimates, enabling confidence-based decision-making in data-scarce environments. Whereas, Balasubramanian et al., (2025) leverage machine learning and multi-mission satellite archives to reconstruct long-term water quality trends, facilitating retrospective assessments, essential for monitoring policy effectiveness and environmental change. On the other hand, Atton Beckmann et al., (2025) demonstrate the power of highresolution satellite imagery to monitor algal blooms in small, under-monitored inland lakes, significantly expanding the scope of water bodies that can be…
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