An Integrated Water Resources Planning (IWRP) perspective Information needs for Water Resources Management to be addressed by WRIM Information Systems

Monitoring, recording, assessing and disseminating information on water resources is critically important for achieving the objects of the Act. Part 1 of this Chapter places a duty on the Minister, as soon as it is practicable to do so, to establish national monitoring systems. The purpose of the systems will be to facilitate the continued and co-ordinated monitoring of various aspects of water resources by collecting relevant information and data, through established procedures and mechanisms, from a variety of sources including organs of state, water management institutions and water users. NWA Chapter 14 - Monitoring, Assessment and Information

Part 1: National monitoring systems 137. Establishment of national monitoring systems (1) The Minister must establish national monitoring systems on water resources as soon as reasonably practicable. (2) The systems must provide for the collection of appropriate data and information necessary to assess, among other matters- (a) the quantity of water in the various water resources; (b) the quality of water resources; (c) the use of water resources; (d) the rehabilitation of water resources; (e) compliance with resource quality objectives; (f) the health of aquatic ecosystems; and (g) atmospheric conditions which may influence water resources. NWA Chapter 14 - Monitoring, Assessment and Information

138. Establishment of mechanisms to co-ordinate monitoring of water resources The Minister must, after consultation with relevant- (a) organs of state; (b) water management institutions; and (c) existing and potential users of water, establish mechanisms and procedures to co-ordinate the monitoring of water resources. NWA Chapter 14 - Monitoring, Assessment and Information

Part 2: National information systems on water resources Part 2 requires the Minister, as soon as it is practicable to do so, to establish national information systems, each covering a different aspect of water resources, such as a national register of water use authorisations, or an information system on the quantity and quality of all water resources. The Minister may require any person to provide the Department with information prescribed by the Minister in regulations. In addition to its use by the Department and water management institutions, and subject to any limitations imposed by law, information in the national systems should be generally accessible for use by water users and the general public. NWA Chapter 14 - Monitoring, Assessment and Information

139. Establishment of national information systems (1) The Minister must, as soon as reasonably practicable, establish national information systems regarding water resources. (2) The information systems may include, among others- (a) a hydrological information system; (b) a water resource quality information system; (c) a groundwater information system; and (d) a register of water use authorisations. NWA Chapter 14 - Monitoring, Assessment and Information

140. Objectives of national information systems The objectives of national information systems are- (a) to store and provide data and information for the protection, sustainable use and management of water resources; (b) to provide information for the development and implementation of the national water resource strategy; and (c) to provide information to water management institutions, water users and the public- (i) for research and development; (ii) for planning and environment impact assessments; (iii) for public safety and disaster management; and (iv) on the status of water resources. NWA Chapter 14 - Monitoring, Assessment and Information

Information needed by Planning – Explaining the Pyramid

1. The role of IWRP is to ensure the availability of adequate water that is fit for use through holistic planning for the management and development of water resources and systems 2. NWRP – developing national strategies and procedures for the reconciliation of water availability (and resource quality) and requirements to meet national social and economic development objectives 3. OA – identifying and evaluating management options/projects to meet future water requirements and for multi-disciplinary project planning to implement these options 4. WRPS – evaluating strategic water resources management challenges, developing resource oriented policies, strategies, programmes and assessment tools IWRP – Strategic objectives

1. Sampling Audits 2. Compliance results 3. Trends & Tendencies 4. Status reports 5. Load calculations 6. Modelling 7. Climate change (predictions and effects) IWRP – Business functions & decisions

1. Water Network information 2. Spatial data (GIS) 3. Stakeholder information 4. Hydrological data (incl. Climate) 5. Demographic data (Population, Economic, etc) 6. River Health data 7. Measured Water Quality and Quantity of the Resource 8. Measured Water Quality and Quantity of Effluents discharged into the Resource 9. Measured Water Quality and Quantity of Interbasin Transfers 10. Objectives and Standards applied to protect the Resource 11. International Obligations and Agreements 12. Raw data 13. Reports 14. Photos and Video IWRP – Data to be managed

1. Water Network information 2. Spatial data (GIS) 3. Stakeholder information 4. Hydrological data (incl. Climate) 5. Demographic data (Population, Economic, etc) 6. River Health data 7. Measured Water Quality and Quantity of the Resource 8. Measured Water Quality and Quantity of Effluents discharged into the Resource 9. Measured Water Quality and Quantity of Interbasin Transfers 10. Objectives and Standards applied to protect the Resource 11. International Obligations and Agreements 12. Raw data 13. Reports 14. Photos and Video IWRP - Does current information systems provide in this?

1. GIGO 2. Garbage In = Garbage Out 3. This Implies that Quality Control is not a nice-to-have 4. NINO 5. Nothing In = Nothing Out (Think of ATM) 6. It will require Resources to do it properly - 7.Operational Issues is probably more important for success than Technical Issues – Also Roles & Responsibilities 8. User Friendly Interface 9. A Complex business = a Complex Information System Lessons learned the Hard Way

1. Questions? Finito