1. Expert Group Meeting on the IRWS
International Recommendations for Water Statistics (IRWS) – Chapter II Main concepts and frameworks
Expert Group Meeting on the IRWS
United Nations
New York,
4-6 November 2008

2. Location in IRWS PART I PART II ANNEXES 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
Chapter 7: Metadata and data quality
Chapter 8: Dissemination
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

3. Outline of Chapter Section A – Introduction Section B – Main concepts
Section C – SEEAW
Section D – Spatial and temporal references

4. Question 1 – Is the description of the environment appropriate for the purposes of IRWS?
In IRWS water within the environment is defined as:
Water on land (artificial, seas and oceans, artificial reservoirs, lakes, rivers, snow, ice and glaciers, etc.), below the lands surface (in groundwater or soil water), in the seas and oceans, the atmosphere (e.g. as clouds), and in living organisms (i.e. in plants, animals and other life forms).
=> General consensus

5. Question 2 – Does IRWS need a more detailed definition of inland water resources?
Inland water resources are defined as:
all types of water [within the territory of reference] regardless of quality (e.g. this includes freshwater, brackish water, saltwater and polluted water [sea water is excluded]
=> Some ask whether wetland is included as it is included in the classification of land and associated water – one of the item is major water bodies

6. Question 3 – Is the description of the economy clear?
Economy is defined in line with 2008 SNA, as:
the sum of economic activities of production, consumption and accumulation undertaken by entities within an economic territory. The entities include the institutional units that can engage in economic transactions and are capable of owning assets and incurring liabilities on their own behalf. The total economy of a country is defined as the entire set of resident institutional units
=> Some felt it could be clearer for non-national accountants

7. Question 4 - Is the description of social-demographic statistics clear?
Defined in the IRWS as:
Number of people resident in a country using improved water sources and sanitation facilities
=> Some considered that the definition needs to be improved

8. Question 5 – Is the description of the SEEAW clear?
IRWS presents a short summary of the SEEAW and one of its diagrams.
=> General agreement

9. Question 5 – Is the description on spatial and temporal reference clear?
Spatial reference include:
River basins
Administrative regions
Service areas
Accounting catchments
=> General agreement

10. Question 6 – Is the description on spatial and temporal reference clear? Cont’ed
Temporal reference includes:
Calendar year/financial year
Hydrological year
Sub-annual data (more frequent than yearly)
=> General agreement

11. Questions to the EGM
Is the description of the environment appropriate for the purposes of IRWS?
Do we need more details in the definition of inland water resources?
Is the description of the economy clear?
Is the description of social-demographic statistics clear?
Is the description of the SEEAW clear?
Is the description on spatial and temporal reference clear?