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Improving National Water Information and Data Management: A Sector Initiative

Explore gaps in water data management and propose strategies for better collection, sharing, and utilization of water-related information.

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Improving National Water Information and Data Management: A Sector Initiative

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  1. Improving National Water Information and Data Management: A Sector Initiative Dr Heidi Snyman, Water Research Commission MP Nepfumbada, Dept of Water Affairs M Ginster, WSLG EXCO • 18-19 Nov 2009 • Water Sector Leadership Group

  2. Improving National Water Information and Data Management: A Sector Initiative Recognizing that there are shortcomings (in some cases major gaps) in data and information management, the DWA, WRC and WIN-SA organized a workshop on 2 Sept 2009 to: • Establish the sector knowledge and information requirements • Establish the sector requirements regarding monitoring and other data such as water balance data • To develop the terms of reference on the way forward for knowledge sharing and data management • Establish a National Water Knowledge Reference Group tasked to steer the implementation of National Water Information and Data Management strategy.

  3. Sector representation (> 50 participants) • SALGA • eWQMS • Chamber of Mines • SAICE • WISA • eWISA • TCTA • Dept of Social Dev • IMESA • P-Systems • DWA – Water Services and Water Resources • WRC • WIN-SA • SASOL • BUSA • SAEON • NRF • DBSA • ESKOM

  4. Summary of Outcomes and Recommendations- Gaps in data & information management • The group recognised that some of the sector role players were not present and these need to brought on board as soon as possible. • The sector identified gaps in data and information management that need to be addressed. These include: • The long term requirements for hydrological data are not addressed adequately. • Long term needs are not addressed and therefore a lack of well planned monitoring plans • Data that is collected is not readily accessible • Not realizing the value of data for other purposes other than own and not centralizing it to make it available • It is not only data accessibility but also the quality, incompleteness, reliability and lack of spatial representatively of data

  5. Gaps (continued) • Users often have to purchase data that has been collected using public money- resulting in researchers using old information • Problems related to rainfall data input and rainfall data management • Different institutions have different mandates which are not optimized. Data scale and compatibility is therefore problematic • Concern over duplication and data quality related to services information and data: National government, researchers and consultants rely on data from WSP and WSA . • A serious concern related to the allocation of resources to sustain good monitoring (short to long term) and data management. IT budgeting is a challenge – should be in the order of 10% a knowledge rich environment such as the water sector. • Lack of data stewardship and clear communication in some instances such as: • Metadata at country level • common data/information repository • Verification not done at correct level • Inconsistent data collection and data verification needs improvement

  6. Gaps (continued) – knowledge management • The sector identified gaps in information and knowledge management that need to be addressed. These include: • Access to information (books and reports) as well as where these knowledge products are located. • Packaging of information • Loss of old material that was not electronic. • Gap between water science and application i.e. information not well communicated to the citizens. Poor information uptake • Fragmentation of research topics ( different organizations doing the same research) leading to waste of resources • Transfer of knowledge and skills development. Capturing of tacit knowledge and ageing of researchers. • Losing institutional memory • Availability of data/ information in time • Encourage the culture of sharing • Technical products must be repackaged to enable decision makers to take proper decisions • Use of various and correct media to disseminate knowledge

  7. Proposed way forward • It is clear that the sector requires intervention and more resources to manage our data and information better. • The following was proposed: • A task team consisting of DWA, WRC and one representative of the WSLG (BUSA representative) was nominated to oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to: • Improve knowledge, information and data collection, management and sharing • Create closer links between knowledge rich institutions • Centralise or enhance access to data for further “mining” and interpretation • Develop mechanisms to enhance the flow of information in and between institutions • Present the initiative and challenges to the WSLG and request commitment from the sector leadership to improve data and information management in the sector • Feedback to the sector in Feb 2010

  8. Thank you for your attention

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