Another project sponsored by 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 Nov 2009 Water Sector Leadership Group A Water Sector Initiative

Another project sponsored by Improving National Water Information and Data Management: A Sector Initiative 2 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.

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

Another project sponsored by Summary of Outcomes and Recommendations - Gaps in data & information management 4 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

Another project sponsored by Gaps (continued) 5 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

Another project sponsored by Gaps (continued) – knowledge management 6 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

Another project sponsored by Proposed way forward 7 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

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