Harnessing AI and Remote Sensing to Prevent Water Catastrophes

A visionary Argentinian medical doctor has returned to his home country with a groundbreaking mission: using AI and remote sensing to assess the risk of water-related disasters. Dr. Nicolas Wertheimer, who was recognized as one of Forbes Argentina’s 30 Promesas Forbes in 2029, embarked on this project based on his personal experiences and observations within local communities in Argentina.

Driven by his medical journey, Dr. Wertheimer was compelled to address one of the most critical issues affecting the region, which is also the second leading cause of death for children under 5 years old: waterborne diseases. He realized that relying solely on antibiotics and anti-parasite medications was insufficient. Moreover, he couldn’t ignore the detrimental impact of deforestation and excessive water usage in Latin American agriculture. To truly tackle this complex problem, he recognized the need for a comprehensive approach.

Out of this vision, Dr. Wertheimer co-founded Waterplan, a pioneering startup that aims to train people and inspire collective action to enhance water access and hygiene in local, vulnerable communities. The company’s mission is to demonstrate to organizations the business case for mitigating water disasters, encouraging them to save water, combat water pollution, and preserve vital watersheds.

Using advanced technologies like remote sensing, Waterplan now has the capabilities to analyze critical factors such as water quantity and quality, reputational risks, regulatory issues, and infrastructure constraints. This innovative approach allows Waterplan’s partners to establish and monitor targets, leveraging global data sets to prioritize actions and safeguard vulnerable ecosystems and communities.

Embracing Latin American Perspectives

Dr. Wertheimer, a native of Argentina, embarked on his medical career at the distinguished Universidad Austral of Buenos Aires before specializing in cardiac and trauma surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Although Waterplan’s focus is on global impact rather than solely emphasizing its Latin American roots, Dr. Wertheimer acknowledges the invaluable expertise and experience of local talent who have dealt with and continue to face challenges ranging from extreme droughts and deforestation to vulnerable communities and infrastructure limitations within Latin America.

Dr. Wertheimer believes in the importance of Global South science, as it brings unique perspectives and specialized knowledge to the table when investigating solutions for global challenges. By tapping into this expertise, similarities, approaches, and tools can be identified and applied worldwide to regions experiencing similar issues. Scientific advancements and technological innovations developed within vulnerable communities, predominantly located in the Global South, can serve as a catalyst for addressing and preventing these challenges on a global scale.

Like Dr. Wertheimer, other remarkable individuals, such as Rwandan mechanical engineer Christelle Kwizera, have transitioned from STEM fields to entrepreneurship. Kwizera, who grew up in post-genocide Rwanda, is leveraging a network of boreholes and purified water microgrids to provide water access to over 100,000 people, particularly crucial during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

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