Federal Institute of Hydrology

What Federal Institute of Hydrology does

The Federal Institute of Hydrology (Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde, BfG) is a German federal government institution headquartered in Koblenz that hosts the International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC), a UNESCO Category 2 Centre which in turn operates GEMStat, the global freshwater quality database that forms the operational backbone of the UNEP GEMS/Water Programme. GEMStat aggregates water quality monitoring data submitted by national environmental and hydrological agencies, scientific institutions, and UN member states into a standardized archive covering 622 water quality parameters across approximately 23,000–30,000 monitoring stations in 42–90 countries, with historical depth extending back to 1906. The platform serves as the designated supporting mechanism for UN Sustainable Development Goal indicator 6.3.2 reporting on ambient water quality and as a research data source for global freshwater quality analysis.

The core technology consists of a relational water quality database accessed through a web-based Data Portal, with visualization delivered via ArcGIS services — Dashboard, Interactive Maps for parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrogen, pH, and Phosphorus, and StoryMaps covering GEMS/Water overviews and SDG 6.3.2 methodology. Interoperability is built on OGC standards including the WaterML suite, the SensorThings API, and the Observations, Measurements and Samples standard, and the organization participates in the OGC Water Quality Interoperability Experiment to test global platform connectivity. A complementary open-data distribution channel is provided via a Zenodo-published archive containing over 50 million measurements under a CC BY 4.0 license.

The entity has no commercial revenue model: GEMStat data is provided free of charge under Creative Commons open licenses (CC BY 4.0 for OPEN data, CC BY-NC 4.0 for LIMITED data), with the institute publicly funded through the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) and supported by UNEP programme allocations. Ancillary revenue-like activity consists of capacity-development workshops and technical assistance delivered via the GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre at UCC Cork. The customer base is therefore institutional — UN member state governments, environmental and hydrological agencies, academic researchers, and international bodies such as UNEP, UN-Water, and the European Environment Agency — rather than commercial accounts.

Name

Federal Institute of Hydrology

Legal name

Federal Institute of Hydrology

Website

https://gemstat.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Federal Institute of Hydrology (Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde) operates GEMStat, the UNEP GEMS/Water global freshwater quality database, serving UN member states, national environmental agencies, and researchers with standardized water quality data covering 622 parameters across 42–90 countries for SDG 6.3.2 reporting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Quality Data Platform

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Data Management, LIMS & Compliance Software (ELN, eDMS, reporting automation) (EUANAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Quality Monitoring (Surface Water, Stormwater, Drinking Water) (EUAHACAC), Watershed/Source Water & Raw Water Quality Monitoring (intakes, reservoirs, groundwater) (EUANAJAH), Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG)

Keywords

• Water quality monitoring
• Freshwater quality database
• Hydrology research services
• Environmental data infrastructure
• Water resources management

Headquarters

HQ city

Koblenz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Open Data Access: GEMStat provides data under two policies: OPEN data (CC BY 4.0) freely available for download via Zenodo; and LIMITED data (CC BY-NC 4.0) available for non-commercial purposes via portal or email for larger requests
2. Capacity Development Services: Training workshops and technical assistance for water quality monitoring and data management for member states and partners

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Federal Institute of Hydrology operates the GEMStat global freshwater quality database on behalf of UNEP's GEMS/Water Programme, providing open access to scientifically validated water quality data from over 100 countries. It hosts the UNESCO Category 2 Centre ICWRGC, delivers national hydrology services for the German federal government, and produces the official SDG Indicator 6.3.2 monitoring datasets. Complementary offerings include data visualization tools, capacity development services, and curated spatial data products.

Product overview

The Federal Institute of Hydrology, through its ICWRGC in Koblenz, Germany, operates GEMStat (The Global Freshwater Quality Database), which is the operational part of the GEMS/Water Programme under UNEP. GEMStat is a comprehensive water quality data platform consisting of a core database, a web-based Data Portal for exploring and visualizing water quality data, Water Quality Indicators with classification maps, Statistical Reports, and a Data Submission System. The platform also includes ArcGIS-based services (Dashboard, Interactive Maps, and StoryMaps) for advanced visualization. Supporting initiatives include GEO Aquawatch for earth observation applications and the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA) for global stakeholder coordination. The UNEP GEMS/Water Global Freshwater Quality Archive on Zenodo provides open access to the dataset.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GEMStat Global Freshwater Quality Database Centralised relational database of validated freshwater quality data from over 100 countries, providing the operational backbone of UNEP's GEMS/Water Programme and supporting SDG 6.3.2 global monitoring.
• GEMStat Data Portal Public web portal enabling free interactive access to GEMStat water quality data, variable statistics, indicator reports, and metadata for researchers, policymakers, and the general public.
• GEMStat Data Submission and Reporting System Authoring environment for national GEMS/Water focal points to submit freshwater quality data, apply standardised methods, and access password-protected reporting interfaces.
• GEMStat ArcGIS Services and Interactive Maps ArcGIS online dashboards, story maps, and interactive map services that visualize GEMStat water quality variables, monitoring stations, and trends globally.
• SDG 6.3.2 Indicator Reporting Service Production of the official UN SDG Indicator 6.3.2 datasets and reports measuring the proportion of water bodies with good ambient water quality worldwide.
• ICWRGC Capacity Development Services Training, technical assistance, and knowledge-transfer services delivered through the International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change to support UN member states in water quality monitoring and reporting.
• UNEP GEMS/Water Global Freshwater Quality Archive DOI-minted, citable archive of curated global freshwater quality datasets, published in compliance with FAIR data principles for reuse in scientific research.
• German Federal Hydrology Services for BMU Scientific and advisory services delivered to the German federal government on hydrology, water resources, and waterway management, including flood forecasting support and pollutant monitoring.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - GEMS/Water ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEMStat is the operational part of the GEMS/Water Programme under UNEP. The programme provides scientifically-sound data on global water quality and serves as the supporting mechanism for SDG indicator 6.3.2.
• International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICWRGC is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre that hosts the GEMS/Water Data Centre (GWDC) where GEMStat is operated. Located in Koblenz, Germany.
• GEO AquawatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative establishing and developing global applications of water quality data based on earth observation. Calibration of algorithms for reliable observations in remote areas.
• World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal multi-stakeholder network promoting recognition of freshwater quality's central role. Provides cooperative platform for water quality assessment and custom-made services.
• Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) - Water Quality Interoperability ExperimentmajorTechnology or IntegrationTesting interoperability and connectivity of water quality platforms using WaterML suite of standards, OGC SensorThings API, and OGC standards on Observations, Measurements and Samples.
• GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre (UCC Cork, Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity-based centre providing training workshops and educational programmes on water quality monitoring and data management for national focal points.
• European Environment Agency (EEA) - WaterbasemajorTechnology or IntegrationIntegration of European water quality monitoring data from 32 EEA member countries into GEMStat. Over 3 million samples from 1,550 stations integrated.
• Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerData submission from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania for Lake Victoria monitoring.
• Earthwatch EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on citizen science monitoring integration with national monitoring programmes, particularly in Sierra Leone.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UN-Water: UN-Water coordinates UN entities on freshwater and sanitation, including SDG 6 monitoring. It is the SDG 6.3.2 custodian-coordination body and a strategic peer in setting the global water quality agenda that GEMStat operationalizes.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS) - National Water Information System: USGS operates the National Water Information System (NWIS), the largest single-country water quality and quantity database in the world. It is a direct structural peer in national-scale water quality data management, though its scope is US-centric whereas GEMStat is multilateral.
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - Hydrological Monitoring: WMO operates global hydrological monitoring programmes and the Hydrological Operational Multipurpose System (HOMS), addressing related surface-water quantity and quality dimensions. It is a UN-system peer in global water information governance.
• European Environment Agency (EEA) - Waterbase: EEA's Waterbase is the European water quality information system covering 32 member countries. EEA is both a major data source for GEMStat (3M+ samples integrated) and a regional peer in standardized water quality data provision.

Emerging players

• British Geological Survey - National Borehole Archive: BGS operates water quality monitoring and groundwater data archives in the UK. It is a national peer in water quality data collection and contributes to GEMStat through UK focal-point submissions.
• Copernicus Global Land Service / Sentinel Hub: Sentinel Hub and Copernicus Land Service deliver remote-sensing-based water quality proxies at global scale. They are an emerging peer in the earth-observation-based water quality monitoring space that GEO Aquawatch also targets.

Direct peers

• U.S. EPA Water Quality Portal (WQP): The Water Quality Portal is an open-access US water quality database integrating USGS, EPA, and NOAA data. As an open, harmonized, multi-agency water quality database with public APIs, it is the closest functional analog to GEMStat, though confined to the United States.
• UNEP-DHI Centre for Water and Environment: UNEP-DHI is a UNEP collaborating centre delivering water quality assessments, modelling, and country support. It is a direct multilateral peer in the UNEP water quality ecosystem, with overlapping mandates in capacity development and global water monitoring.

Regional players

• Water Research Commission (WRC) South Africa: South Africa's WRC funds and curates water quality research and monitoring data across Southern Africa. It is a regional peer contributing to GEMStat through African national submissions and pursuing SDI-aligned water quality data management.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada - National Water Quality Data: ECCC's water quality monitoring programme is a major contributor to GEMStat (2.16M+ samples, 300+ stations). It is a national-government peer that both consumes and supplies GEMStat data, sharing methodology and standardization goals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/federal-institute-of-hydrology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federal Institute of Hydrology