Great Lakes Observing System(GLOS) is a non-profit organization that collects, safeguards and shares Great Lakes data. Its mission is to oversee the water quality and protect marine environment in the Great Lakes. GLOS is one of the 11 Regional Associations of Integrated Ocean Observing Systems(IOOS) which is also a non-profit organization. GLOS plays a crucial part in this integrated ocean and lake system and is mainly responsible for the water observation in the five Great Lakes. GLOS, in collaboration with water researchers performing their own studies, utilizes 42 buoys in this Great Lakers monitoring role. This is a critical responsibility as 40 million people rely on the Great Lakes for drinking water. On a smaller scale, GLOS’s data portal also provides near-real time data for people from different fields including fishermen, tourists, researchers, businessmen and more.