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    If You See Dirty Water, Don't Just Gripe. Talk To The Cloud!

    Scientists and activists in India are training citizens to collect information on water issues like contamination — and upload it so it can be used to push for change.
    by Chhavi Sachdev Jun 07, 2017 5 minutes
    The Yamuna River, which flows through Delhi, is polluted by industrial discharges and domestic sewage. / Barcroft Media / Getty Images

    Water stagnating at a construction site. A dwindling number of mangroves along the shore. Lakes choked with algae and hyacinth. Sewage pipes leaking into the sea.

    These are common sights in India.

    Until recently, the best people could do to try to draw attention to such problems was to tweet pictures to the government or write letters to the newspaper — hoping someone with the power to make changes would take note.

    Increasingly, scientists and activists are enabling citizen observers to collect data and upload it to the cloud with the aim of pushing all stakeholders — government agencies, corporations and citizens — toward change. One of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals is free, drinkable water for all by 2030.

    "These initiatives are very important for empowering citizens, making more data available, an NGO in Germany.

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