Handbook on Water Information Systems

3 www. inbo-news .org | www. unesco .org/water/ TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF BOXES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF CASE STUDIES ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 TABLE OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.1. Context ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.2. How to use this handbook? ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 2 Challenges and importance of good water data management ................................................................................... 15 2.1 Challenges and domains of application ............................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1 Water-related data and information needs ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.1.2 Why is organizing access to water-related data so complex? .......................................................................... 18 2.1.3 Consequences of the lack of easy access to data and information necessary for water management ........................................................................................................................................................................ 21 2.1.4 Conclusion: significant need to develop data production, rationalize access to existing datasets and information, and enhance their visualization and use ............................................................ 23 2.2 Selecting the right water data management tools – avoiding common mistakes ......................................... 24 3 Main components/processes related to water data management ........................................................ 27 3.1 Water data governance ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.1 Main principles of water data governance ......................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.2 About financing of WIS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 32 3.2 Data production ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 33 3.2.1 About in situ monitoring ................................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.2.2 Data production through remote sensing .......................................................................................................................... 41 3.2.3 Data production through crowd sourcing .................................................................................................................................... 45 3.3 Integrated data management and data-sharing organization ............................................................................................ 47 3.3.1 Elements of strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................. 48 3.3.2 Diagnosis of the existing situation on data management ..................................................................................... 51 3.3.3 A common language for data comparability .................................................................................................................... 53 3.3.4 Developing interoperability between information systems .................................................................................. 56 3.4 Data processing, information production and visualization ............................................................................................... 62 3.4.1 Water data processing and analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 62 3.4.2 Transforming datasets into useful and understandable information: dashboards, indicators, maps, graphs, etc. ...................................................................................................................................................... 63 3.5 Information dissemination/ sharing knowledge ........................................................................................................................... 66 3.5.1 Tools and methods for disseminating information .................................................................................................... 66 3.5.2 Case studies ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 67 4 Main domains of application ............................................................................................................................. 71 4.1 Integrated water information systems for iwrm and planning at basin and national levels ................... 71 4.1.1 Stakes and data/information needs for IWRM ............................................................................................................... 71 THE HANDBOOK ON WATER INFORMATION SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION, PROCESSING AND EXPLOITATION OF WATER-RELATED DATA TABLE OF CONTENTS