CSIRO and HydroTerra working together on a solution to spot algal blooms sooner

HydroTerra is proud to announce we are now the licensee of CSIRO’s HydraSpectra technology bringing a proven algal bloom early-warning sensor to water managers right across Australia.

In June 2026, CSIRO published a fascinating piece on one of the most pressing challenges facing our waterways: Algal blooms explained: How scientists are helping spot them sooner.

It’s well worth a read.

A key insight is that blooms rarely appear overnight. The conditions behind a bloom warming water, accumulating nutrients, sunlight and calm conditions usually build gradually over time. The science is shifting from reacting to blooms after they’re visible, to predicting and preparing for them before they take hold.

A big part of that shift is combining field sampling, long-term collections and continuous monitoring; bringing satellite observation together with in-water sensors to build a clearer picture of water health.

The HydraSpectra is CSIRO’s in-water sensor, pictured here being installed on a coastal mooring as part of an integrated detection system.

 

Why this matters for HydroTerra and for you

 

HydroTerra has signed a licence agreement with CSIRO to commercialise the HydraSpectra technology. The agreement was fully executed in June 2026, and we’re already working closely with the CSIRO team to ensure a smooth transition.

So, what is HydraSpectra?

HydraSpectra a low-cost optical sensor that monitors water quality using spectral reflectance; the same principle satellites use, brought down to the water’s surface.
Deployed as a network of buoy or mooring-mounted sensors and coupled with satellite imaging, the HydraSpectra does the following:

• Detects the photosynthetic pigments that signal a developing bloom
• Estimates chlorophyll and suspended sediment concentrations with research-grade accuracy
• Feeds continuous, low-maintenance data into easy-to-read dashboards showing real-time bloom alert status
• Complements in-situ sampling and satellite coverage for a true state-wide view

For water authorities, councils, irrigators and environmental managers, that means earlier warning, better-targeted monitoring effort, and faster decisions before a bloom reaches precious drinking water intakes or popular recreational sites.

This is a natural fit for HydroTerra. It strengthens our role as Australia’s leading marketplace for environmental monitoring technology.

 

Harmful Algal Blooms: A Global Crisis. How AquaWatch Australia is advancing measurement, monitoring, and early warning systems

 

If you’d like to understand the science and the technology behind early bloom detection, please watch the webinar we hosted with CSIRO’s Tim Malthus and Duy Nguyen. We took an in-depth look at integrated algal bloom monitoring, covering dashboard developments, satellite-based detection, and the latest in bloom forecasting that combines traditional modelling with machine learning.

Watch the Webinar

If you are Interested in the HydraSpectra technology for monitoring your water bodies, please get in touch with the HydroTerra team.

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