Detecting Illegal Construction in Hazard-Prone Areas

An operator of hydroelectric dams needs to locate illegal homes built downstream from its facilities.
Following two dangerous collapses of mining dams, a major energy provider of the country has taken the extraordinary steps of relying on satellite imagery to ensure public safety around its hydroelectric dams. 

It is illegal in this nation for homes and other structures to be built within a certain proximity to a dam on its downstream side. Such structures would be swept away with destructive results should the dam fail.
Construction of small shacks, however, occur in these danger zones, which are extremely remote, often heavily vegetated, and usually not accessible by road. Patrolling these downstream dam areas would be extremely time-consuming and expensive.

After witnessing the violent downstream impacts of the mine dam disasters, the hydroelectric operator sought a cost-effective yet reliable method to monitor its own dams.

Earth Monitor detects new structures so that authorities can determine if they have been built illegally in danger zones near dam sites so occupants can be relocated. 

The company has improved the public safety of its hydroelectric dams spread across an expansive and remote region without the considerable expense of mobilising personnel to patrol the areas.