Breaking down barriers to better water data

As pressures on water systems continue to grow, accessible and interoperable data are becoming increasingly important for supporting informed decision-making and developing solutions that can be applied across regions and scales.

More than 120 members of the global water community gathered on October 1 for an international webinar on hydrological data interoperability and water quality data standards. Organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in collaboration with the University of Waterloo’s Water Institute, the Global Water Futures Observatory (GWFO), DataStream, the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science (CUAHSI), and government partners, the event explored practical approaches to making hydrological data easier to discover, access, share and reuse. Discussions focused on strengthening the foundations for data sharing, advancing common standards, and supporting knowledge exchange across organizations and regions.

Moderated by Philippe Van Cappellen, the webinar highlighted the WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS) and demonstrated how data brokering approaches can connect systems using different formats and technologies, reducing barriers to data sharing and reuse. Participants also emphasized the importance of collaboration and practical guidance to improve the collection, accessibility and use of water data, while strengthening connections between research, operational and government communities. The webinar provided an opportunity to advance more open and interoperable approaches to hydrological data management in support of water sustainability and resilience.

Read the full news post here: Breaking down barriers to better water data | Water Institute | University of Waterloo

Watch the webinar recording using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOJRFZ8TUgo&feature=youtu.be