1 Chapter III Statistical Units International Recommendations for Water Statistics (IRWS) – Chapter III Statistical Units Expert Group Meeting on the IRWS United Nations New York, 4-6 November 2008

Location in IRWS PART I Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: Main concepts and the SEEAW Chapter 3: Statistical units Chapter 4: Data items PART II Chapter 5: Data collection strategy Chapter 6: Data sources compilation methods Metadata and data quality Chapter 7: Metadata and data quality Chapter 8: Dissemination Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Indicators ANNEXES Annex 1: Supplementary data items Annex 2: Link between data items and the SEEAW Annex 3: Link between data items and indicators of WWDR and MDG Annex 4: Link between data items and indicators of FAO GLOSSARY

Outline of Chapter Section A – IntroductionSection A – Introduction Section B – Statistical units of the environmentSection B – Statistical units of the environment Section C – Definition of institutional unitsSection C – Definition of institutional units Section D – Classification of establishmentsSection D – Classification of establishments Section E – Characteristics of statistical unitsSection E – Characteristics of statistical units

Question 1 – Is the definition of statistical units appropriate for the purposes of IRWS? The definition of statistical units used in the IRWS is “a statistical unit is an entity about which information is sought and for which statistics are ultimately compiled”.The definition of statistical units used in the IRWS is “a statistical unit is an entity about which information is sought and for which statistics are ultimately compiled”. In economic statistics this relates almost exclusively to institutional unitsIn economic statistics this relates almost exclusively to institutional units Some do not agree that statistical units cover the environment and the reason for having this units is not clear to othersSome do not agree that statistical units cover the environment and the reason for having this units is not clear to others

Section B – Statistical units of the environment Surface water (EA 131)Surface water (EA 131) Artificial reservoirs (EA 1311)Artificial reservoirs (EA 1311) Lakes (EA 1312)Lakes (EA 1312) Rivers (EA 1313)Rivers (EA 1313) Snow, ice and glaciers (EA 1314)Snow, ice and glaciers (EA 1314) Groundwater (EA 132)Groundwater (EA 132) Soil water (EA 133)Soil water (EA 133)

Question 2 – Do you agree with the definition of physical units of the environment? The physical units of the environment are the statistical units about which we want to collect information, i.e. lakes, rivers, artificial reservoirs, etc. (it is suggested to add wetlands)The physical units of the environment are the statistical units about which we want to collect information, i.e. lakes, rivers, artificial reservoirs, etc. (it is suggested to add wetlands) The information about those physical units in the environment has to be collected or compiled from institutional units who are responsible for their management.The information about those physical units in the environment has to be collected or compiled from institutional units who are responsible for their management. It is important that the register of the physical units is linked to the register of the institutional units that manage or collect data about the particular water resource.It is important that the register of the physical units is linked to the register of the institutional units that manage or collect data about the particular water resource.

Questions 3 – Should the large artificial reservoirs be separated from the small ones? (e.g. large dams from farm dams). A definition is available from International Commission on Large Dams: Large dams are defined as dams with a crest or wall height of greater than 15 metres, or as dams with a dam wall height of greater than 10 metres but meeting other size criteria as follows: having a crest more than 500 metres in length; creating a reservoir capacity of no less than 1,000 ML; the ability to deal with a flood discharge of no less than 2,000 cubic metres per second; or, being of unusual design

Section C – Definition of institutional units The main attributes of an institutional unit are:The main attributes of an institutional unit are: (a) It is entitled to own goods or assets in its own right; it is therefore able to exchange the ownership of goods or assets in transactions with other institutional units;(a) It is entitled to own goods or assets in its own right; it is therefore able to exchange the ownership of goods or assets in transactions with other institutional units; (b) It is able to take economic decisions and engage in economic activities for which it is itself held to be directly responsible and accountable at law;(b) It is able to take economic decisions and engage in economic activities for which it is itself held to be directly responsible and accountable at law; (c) It is able to incur liabilities on its own behalf, to take on other obligations or future commitments and to enter into contracts; and(c) It is able to incur liabilities on its own behalf, to take on other obligations or future commitments and to enter into contracts; and (d) Either it has a complete set of accounts, including a balance sheet of assets and liabilities, or it would be possible and meaningful, from both an economic and legal viewpoint, to compile for it a complete set of accounts, if required(d) Either it has a complete set of accounts, including a balance sheet of assets and liabilities, or it would be possible and meaningful, from both an economic and legal viewpoint, to compile for it a complete set of accounts, if required

Question 4 – Do you agree with using the term “institutional unit” in the IRWS? The IRWS follows the 2008 SNA and uses the terminology “institutional units” as opposed to “economic units” which was used in the SEEAW, which followed the 1993 SNA.The IRWS follows the 2008 SNA and uses the terminology “institutional units” as opposed to “economic units” which was used in the SEEAW, which followed the 1993 SNA.

Section D – Classification of establishments An industry is a group of the establishments within the economy that are engaged in the same, or similar, kinds of production activity The productive activity of institutional units is termed principal, secondary or ancillary activity:

Section D – Classification of establishments … cont. The principal activity is the activity whose value added exceeds that of any other activity carried out within the same unit and whose output must be suitable for delivery outside the institutional unit. A secondary activity is an activity carried out within a single institutional unit in addition to the principal activity and whose output must be suitable for delivery outside the institutional unit. An ancillary activity is incidental to the main activity of the institutional unit. It does not normally result in goods and services that can be marketed

Section D – Classification of establishments … cont.

Questions 5 – Is it necessary to present the classification of establishments by institutional sectors? The classification of establishments by institutional sectors is required for the compilation of national accounts.The classification of establishments by institutional sectors is required for the compilation of national accounts. SEEAW includes reference to the institutional sector but does not use the institutional sectors in the presentation of the accounts.SEEAW includes reference to the institutional sector but does not use the institutional sectors in the presentation of the accounts. For theoretical completeness in the discussion of institution units and because it could be beneficial, and would be possible for many countries to present water statistics according to institutional sectors it is currently included in IRWS.For theoretical completeness in the discussion of institution units and because it could be beneficial, and would be possible for many countries to present water statistics according to institutional sectors it is currently included in IRWS. At present it seems that no country compiles water accounts or water statistics by institutional sector.At present it seems that no country compiles water accounts or water statistics by institutional sector.

Question 6 – Are the most important industries relevant to water statistics identified? Currently included: Agriculture (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 01)Agriculture (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 01) Mining (ISIC Rev. 4, Div )Mining (ISIC Rev. 4, Div ) Manufacturing (ISIC Rev. 4, Div )Manufacturing (ISIC Rev. 4, Div ) Electricity supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 35)Electricity supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 35) Water supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 36)Water supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 36) Sewerage (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 37)Sewerage (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 37) Others industries mentioned: Forestry and fishing; Water transport; Accommodation; Food and beverage services; Sports activities and amusement and recreation activitiesOthers industries mentioned: Forestry and fishing; Water transport; Accommodation; Food and beverage services; Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities

Question 7 – Should the electricity industry be explicitly divided into hydro- electric producers and other types of producers? It has been proposed that because hydro- power generators use, but do not consume water, they are different from other types of electricity producers, and hence should be separately identified.It has been proposed that because hydro- power generators use, but do not consume water, they are different from other types of electricity producers, and hence should be separately identified.

Section E – Characteristics of statistical units Characteristics of inland water resources 1. Name1. Name 2. Identification code2. Identification code 3. Location3. Location 4. Type of water resource4. Type of water resource 5. Organisation responsible for management 6. Physical characteristics5. Organisation responsible for management 6. Physical characteristics

Section E – Characteristics of statistical units … cont. Characteristics of institutional units 1. Identification code1. Identification code 2. Location2. Location 3. Industry3. Industry 4. Type of economic organisation4. Type of economic organisation 5. Type of legal organisation5. Type of legal organisation 6. Size6. Size

Question 8 – Is the order of the characteristics of inland water resources appropriate? As it is important to link the physical units with the institutional units, to make this point clearer, should the order of presentation of the characteristics of inland water resources change to show as first characteristic the organization responsible for management?As it is important to link the physical units with the institutional units, to make this point clearer, should the order of presentation of the characteristics of inland water resources change to show as first characteristic the organization responsible for management? Note that at present the order is consistent with the order of the characteristics of institutional unitsNote that at present the order is consistent with the order of the characteristics of institutional units

Question 9 – Should Characteristic 5 be changed to explicitly allow for multiple organisations management to be identified? It is recognised that that in water many agencies can be responsible for the management of different water resourcesIt is recognised that that in water many agencies can be responsible for the management of different water resources Apart from allowing for the recording of multiple agencies of management, how else could this be reflected in the characteristics of the inland water resources?Apart from allowing for the recording of multiple agencies of management, how else could this be reflected in the characteristics of the inland water resources?

Question 10 – Are any important characteristics of inland water resources and institutional units missing? Statistical units may be characterised by a number of descriptive data items that help uniquely identify them and facilitate the process of producing water statistics, in particular the survey design and sample weighting for estimationStatistical units may be characterised by a number of descriptive data items that help uniquely identify them and facilitate the process of producing water statistics, in particular the survey design and sample weighting for estimation The characteristics of institutional units are well articulated in the 2008 SNA (which is based on country practices), however, the characteristics of inland water resources have apparently not been described in this way before.The characteristics of institutional units are well articulated in the 2008 SNA (which is based on country practices), however, the characteristics of inland water resources have apparently not been described in this way before.

Question 11 – What are the country practices in establishing a frame, and, by extension, the identification of the characteristics of inland water resources? This is related to the previous question as well as to Part II Chapter VI, Data source and methods, but is also relevant hereThis is related to the previous question as well as to Part II Chapter VI, Data source and methods, but is also relevant here For example, to what extent are area frame frames used for this purpose?For example, to what extent are area frame frames used for this purpose?

Questions to the EGM on Chapter III 1.Is the definition of statistical units appropriate for the purposes of IRWS? 2.Do you agree with the definition of physical units of the environment (and should wetlands be added?) 3.Should the large artificial reservoirs be separated from the small ones (e.g. large dams from farm dams)? 4.Do you agree with using the term “institutional unit” in the IRWS? 5.Are the most important industries relevant to water statistics identified? 6.Should the electricity industry be explicitly divided into hydro-electric producers and other types of producers?

7.Is it necessary to present the classification of establishments by institutional sectors? 8.Should Characteristic 5 be changed to explicitly allow for multiple organisations management to be identified? 9.Is the order of the characteristics of inland water resources appropriate? 10.Are any important characteristics of inland water resources and institutional units missing? 11.What are country practices in establishing a frame of inland water resources? Questions to the EGM on Chapter III (cont.)