Overview
The Water Institute is undertaking an initiative to bring together data end users and data collectors in the water arena to make current and future water data and information more accessible to the public, interest groups, researchers and other interested parties. This is in direct support of the Water for Life outcome, Albertans have the knowledge, tools and motivation to implement actions that will maintain or improve the province’s water resources.
Finding new and creative means to aggregate existing data and knowledge and to provide a participatory platform for individuals and organizations to share data and experience is a vital part of creating a culture of conservation and gaining enough understanding to support collaborative decision-making.
AWRI has contracted Alberta WaterSMART! and the Alberta WaterPortal to begin this initiative. While still in the early phases, the project has already identified more than 1,000 sources of water data – making it accessible from a single point of access will enable Albertans to craft new solutions faster.
Research Team
Alberta WaterSMART, Calgary: Kim Sturgess, Mike Scarth (lead)
Investment
The Alberta Water Research Institute in investing a total of $325,000 in this initiative.
Timeframe
The timeframe for this project is over 16 months commencing September 1, 2008 with completion scheduled on or before December 31, 2009. A beta, or pilot, version of the water data module that is part of this initiative is expected to be launched the week of December 1, 2008 to allow for review and testing by stakeholders and the public.