The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument, carried by the NOAA-TIROS/N series of operational meteorological satellites can, on a routine basis, provide observational data which allow interpretation in terms of parameters related to water quality. In principle, some, though not all of the algorithms applied to Coastal Zone Colour Scanner data can be transformed for use with AVHRR observations. In combination with the operational character of the NOAA satellites this opens up the way to applications in monitoring of open sea and inland waters. Algorithms and results for some examples of such potential applications are presented.