STATUS REPORT ON WA TASK DESCRIPTION: “Organize workshops on water observations, encompassing space-based, airborne, and in-situ observing systems, and focusing on (i) water quality, including fresh, estuarine, and marine water quality, (ii) ground water, (iii) precipitation, soil moisture, surface water, and (iv) hydrological ensemble-based prediction and new observing techniques and products.”.

STATUS REPORT ON WA TASK DESCRIPTION: “Organize workshops on water observations, encompassing space-based, airborne, and in-situ observing systems, and focusing on (i) water quality, including fresh, estuarine, and marine water quality, (ii) ground water, (iii) precipitation, soil moisture, surface water, and for WA (iv) hydrological ensemble-based prediction and new observing techniques and products.”.

Opportunities for monitoring inland water quality have not been exploited. A plan is needed to to realize these possibilities. Development of a coherent groundwater observational capability Development of observational systems for precipitation, soil moisture and surface water. TOWARD CONVERGENCE IN THE WATER SECTOR

“Experts” Workshop on Water Quality Monitoring using Remote Sensing Techniques” LEADS: Steve Greb (IGWCO), Antti Herlevi OBJECTIVE: to collaboratively chart a course for the future use of remote sensing for water quality quantification. The workshop format will address the functional components identified by the GEOSS Implementation plan for water quality. Elements: Interface with the user community and their DSSs Collection of earth observations (RS, IS)/ infrastructure issues Data Management Capacity enhancement and maintenance (R&D, training, etc) Information delivery (tailored information) (GEOSS WA-06-01)

“Experts” workshop on remote sensing of water quality Scientific steering committee formed. Currently working on the workshop format and content Tentative date and location chosen February 27 –March 1, 2007 WMO, Geneva, Switzerland Partially funded by GEO Sec. Organizers continue to pursue financial support for workshop (Budget requirement: US$35,000) Progress to date:

APPROACHES BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE SURFACE WATER WORKSHOP OPTION 1: SUPPORT A POSSIBLE GEO/WMO PROPOSAL FOR UPGRADING THE HYDROMETRIC NETWORK IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. OPTION 2: HOLD A WORKSHOP TO CHART A COURSE FOR ADDRESSING TASK WA TASK LEADER’S PREFERENCE: PROCEED WITH OPTION #2 BUT DEVOTE A SESSION TO THE NEEDS OF THE HYDROMETRIC NETWORK. WA-07-02: DEVELOP AN OPERATIONAL MECHANISM FOR WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS... PRODUCE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR A BROAD GLOBAL WATER CYCLE DATA SYSTEM THAT COMBINES IN-SITU, SATELLITE AND MODEL DATA.

GROUNDWATER WORKSHOP PROGRESS This workshop is being planned by the new IGWCO-GARS-UNESCO Groundwater Working Group. Leaders: Matt Rodell (NASA), Jay Famiglietti (UCI) and a UNESCO rep. Proposed purpose of the Workshop: : 1) Remote sensing technologies that may be useful and how to promote these to the various national space agencies 2) Review ground based well observation networks in existence, and how, if possible, to make data from these networks available for scientific studies 3) Role of intensive groundwater field campaign. Potential participants: Groundwater resource managers, Academics, Remote sensing experts, Industry users, Agricultural users, Data providers and hydrologic services, Representatives from regions that are highly dependent on groundwater, Policy experts

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS RELATED TO THE TASK * European Hydrological Workshops in 2006/2007 may contribute to the objectives of this task. * Capacity building activities by Germany deal with many aspects of water resources. * A IGWCO/GEO water cycle capacity building workshop for southeast Asia will be held in Bangkok in September * A US workshop on water cycle observations from space will be held at the University of California, Irvine in March * CEOP/IGWCO Annual Meetings will be held in Washington, DC in March * Numerous scientific sessions being held at AGU and EGS meetings on water cycle measurement systems and ensemble predictions.

RECOMMENDATIONS: 1.The UIC support the plan for the Water Quality and Remote Sensing workshop and assist the leaders in identifying funds to implement the workshop. 2.The UIC encourage the Groundwater group to quickly move its planning forward. 3.The UIC support the proposal to pursue a workshop that will support all the goals of Task WA UIC encourage nations and organizations to step forward to provide financial support for these workshops. 5.UIC ask that the continuation of WA into 2007 be noted in the GEO Plan