1. From data collection to reporting - experiences and boundary conditions for an aggregating reporting system
Michael Nagy
Umweltbundesamt Wien
Experience with “WasserBLIcK” and interesting aspects in the context of WISE
Brussels,
15 February 2005

2. Purposes for reporting
Common vision
Information Users
Policy
Effectiveness
Public
M S
EEA
Intern.
Conv.
Useful
Information
COM
SoE
Trends An.
Data treatment
/ aggregation
Compliance
checking
Member States
Data
Purposes for reporting
Drivers for data collection
© DG ENV

3. Drivers for data collection – Austrian view
Correct implementation of EU Directives? etc.
WasserBLIcK etc.
Heterogeneous
Homogeneous
Aggreg.
Federal Ministry
+ related institutions
Overview for political measures, etc.
Data for every day use
Data for reporting purposes
Regional Aut.
Regional Aut.
Emission values according to national law?
Regional Aut. DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA
Process optimisation
Operators of UWWTPs and IWWTPs

4. Structural frame Heterogeneity on every level
Contact points (persons) for each level needed
Quality assurance on each level required
Problems with data aggregation
Changes lead to financial and legal consequences
Drivers for data collection: local / regional / national water management  not reporting!

5. Example WFD 2000/60/EC
Identification of pressures (Annex II 1.4); Data which should be collected and maintained by the Member State
Significant point sources
Significant diffuse sources
Significant water abstraction
Significant water flow regulation
Significant morphological alterations
Other significant anthropogenic impacts
Land use patterns

6. Terms which are not defined in WFD
Example WFD 2000/60/EC
Terms which are not defined in WFD
POINT SOURCE
DIFFUSE SOURCE
SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA
Point sources
Diffuse sources

7. Austrian Example – Established Data Flow
Data input by different regional bodies
Data transfer via or floppy disc
Data collection and validation by regional authority
Internet access
Data transfer via or floppy disc
Data storage and evaluation by the BMLFUW / Umweltbundesamt

8. Austrian Example – Legal basis
Austrian Water Act (2003)
WISA – general electronic reporting system
EMREG / UWWTP-database – point sources / diffuse sources
Ordinances: Detailed (legally binding) description of
„why“
„what“
„how“
„who“
„when“

9. Austrian Example - Conclusion
Answering of the question: What do we need to know?
Legal basis
Data policy – binding rules
Administration of data flow
Quality assurance
Appropriate technical solution for electronic data exchange

10. General conclusion – Emissions (Env.) data is usually a by-prduct
Economic needs (e.g. accounting of treated waste water volumes or pollutants)
Operation of treatment plants (measurements for finetuning of processes)
Enforcement data:
Permitted water discharges
Surveillance monitoring (water inspectors, self-monitoring)
...
Involvement of many national institutions required:
Authorities
NSI
Universities
Operators
Environment Agencies
...

11. The role of the database and the applications in the reporting system
A reporting system needs clear rules for responsibilities, reporting deadlines and a common understanding of the relevant terminology.
A database and the related applications are important tools, but can only work properly, once the following questions are clarified:
Why?
What?
How?
Who?
When?

12. Thank you very much for your attention! Michael Nagy