Australia's water data - past and present issues and problems, and solutions for the future

Abstract

This paper discusses issues and problems as well as possible solutions and actions for water data management in Australia. Measurement and monitoring of water and related data is important for engineers, scientists, policy makers and the general community, for flood and drought protection, surface water and groundwater management, water quality, wastewater, water trading, climate change and water infrastructure. Significant funding and effort to collect and archive water resource data until the 1980s gave way to a steady general decline. This decline has caused problems with many water-related issues despite solid research showing the importance of water data to growth and prosperity. Recently, there has been increased effort to develop solutions to address these problems. There have been many problems and risks, especially related to detrimental impacts on decisions, plans, policies, infrastructure design, management and operation and the environment. This has resulted in reduced confidence from stakeholders and poor understanding of uncertainty and risks. Future solutions and actions include: • Solutions developed in a coordinated, holistic and well planned and managed manner, recognising past lessons and long term objectives; • Baseline assessments of Australia's water resources, including assessment of water data collection and archiving systems (regular National report card); • National standards for water measurement and monitoring; • National accreditation of personnel, organisations and training courses; • Improved accessibility of data; • Centralised repository of metadata to assist coordination, including directories of stations and data details; • Continued support for research and development of data collection instrumentation and techniques. Without urgent actions to improve our water data monitoring and management, there will be ill-informed decisions in the future and subsequent impacts on the economy and the environment.