Post on 30-Jul-2018
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Surface Water First-level surface-water effort (minimum necessary to provide the most
rudimentary assessment) Surface-water hydrography
Map based on historical ground surveys
Natural and man-made storage
Delineate based on historical ground surveys
Discharge Cumulative Distribution Function
Delineate based on historical anecdotal records
Flooding districts/reaches
Delineate based on historical anecdotal records
Drought district/reaches
Delineate based on historical anecdotal records
Surface-water quality
Delineate cities and agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local surface-water
quality
Product Map - one or several maps showing all surface-water features, areas of perennial ice and snow
cover and natural lakes, man-made impoundments, areas prone to flooding, areas
prone to drought, and location of cities and agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative
of local surface-water quality
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Surface Water Second-level surface-water effort (Basic) Surface-water hydrography
Confirm historic ground surveys through DEM, LiDAR, satellite, etc
Delineate and catalogue watersheds
Assign stream order based on best data
Estimate/survey channel geometry where possible
Natural and man-made storage
Estimate/measure/calculate storage areas
Estimate/measure/calculate storage volumes
Estimate/measure/calculate storage fluxes
Discharge Cumulative Distribution Function (to add for this level)
Delineate based on historical anecdotal records
Flooding districts/reaches
Paleo-reconstruction of major floods
High-water-level mapping
Flow estimates of historical wet events
Estimate of recurrence interval for floods of different magnitude
Initiate targeted discharge network
Drought district/reaches
Paleo-reconstruction of major droughts
Low-water stands or desiccated regions/reaches, dry lakes
Flow estimates of historical dry events
Estimate of recurrence interval for droughts of different magnitude
Initiate targeted discharge network
Surface-water quality
Compile historic water-chemistry data
Relate quality of surface water to anecdotal use
Initiate targeted surface water-quality testing for human health concerns
Product Map - detailed but static representation of surface-water hydrography (watersheds, stream
order, and selected channel geometry);
Map, detailed presentation of storage and fluxes represented by perennial ice and
snow, and natural lakes; perhaps showing range of observed fluctuations
Map, a full accounting of man-made impoundments (identified as flood control,
hydropower, etc), their volumes, and fluxes;
Map, areas prone to flooding showing inundation of historical events and recurrence interval
(10/50/100 year flood);
Map, areas prone to drought showing location and severity of historical events and
recurrence interval (10/50/100 year drought);
Map, water chemistry/quality data and relation to historical land use; human health concerns
relating to natural water chemistry or pollution.
Databases – data compilations of geographic data, storage data, discharge data, surface-water
quality and isotope data
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Surface Water Third-level surface-water effort (Medium) Surface-water hydrography
Advanced understanding of hydrography through remote and land-based techniques
Watershed delineation completed
Stream order designation completed
Targeted channel geometry assessment in critical areas
Natural and man-made storage
Complete inventory of natural and man-made storage areas, volumes, and fluxes
Discharge Cumulative Distribution Function (to add for this level)
Delineate based on historical anecdotal records
Flooding districts/reaches
Broad discharge network is in place (design criteria established)
Compilation of discharge data is routine and standardized
Calculation of fundamental flow statistics is routine and standardized
Historical floods are understood in relation to flow statistics
Recurrence interval for floods of different magnitude is calculated
Drought district/reaches
Broad discharge network is in place (design criteria established)
Compilation of discharge data is routine and standardized
Calculation of fundamental flow statistics is routine and standardized
Historical droughts are understood in relation to flow statistics
Recurrence interval for droughts of different magnitude is calculated
Surface-water quality
Full understanding of historic water chemistry data and relation to historic human health crises
and patterns of human settlement, agriculture, etc
Broad surface water-quality testing for human health concerns
Targeted surface water-quality testing for known or suspected contamination sources
Surface water-quality networks in place, design and implementation for selected criteria
Product Map, complete and evolving understanding of surface-water hydrography (watersheds, stream
order, and channel geometry); some routine updates may occur
Map, a full and detailed presentation of the inventory of storage and fluxes represented by
perennial ice and snow, and natural lakes; the range of observed fluctuations is documented
Map, a full accounting of man-made impoundments (identified as flood control,
hydropower, etc), their volumes, and fluxes; relation of storage fluxes to discharge in downstream
reaches
Map, detailed flood-hazard map showing inundation and discharge for selected recurrence
intervals
Map, detailed drought-hazard map showing scope and discharge for selected recurrence intervals
Map, historic water-chemistry data and relation to historic human health crises and patterns of
human settlement, agriculture, etc.
Map, detailed presentation of water-quality network data or targeted water-quality testing relating
to natural water chemistry or pollution.
Databases, advanced data compilations of geographic data, storage data, discharge data, surface-
water quality and isotope data, enhanced data management and serving capabilities
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Surface Water Fourth-level surface-water effort (Complete) Surface water hydrography
Expertise developed in applying remote and land-based data techniques for continuing program in
watershed delineation, stream characterization, and quantifying channel geometry
Natural and man-made storage
Monitoring network covering inventory of natural and man-made storage and advanced numerical
simulation of storage fluxes
Discharge Cumulative Distribution Function (to add for this level)
Delineate based on historical anecdotal records
Flooding districts/reaches
Advanced and continually evaluated discharge network is in place
Design for future network needs, including climate change, have been established
Advanced analysis of high-flow statistics
Advanced and continually evaluated flood-discharge network is in place
Drought district/reaches
Advanced and continually evaluated discharge network is in place
Design for future network needs, including climate change, have been established
Advanced analysis of low-flow statistics
Advanced and continually evaluated drought-discharge network is in place
Surface water quality
Broad and robust, fully implemented surface-water-quality networks intersecting science
expertise with human health, government, and business/agricultural communities
Targeted and anticipatory surface-water-quality testing for known or suspected contamination
sources
Product Maps and data serving, complete and routinely updated data set of surface-water hydrography
Maps and data serving, complete and routinely updated data set of storage and fluxes represented
by perennial ice and snow, and natural lakes; advanced analysis, numerical modelling, and input
parameters for broader hydrological modeling
Maps and data serving, complete and routinely updated data set of storage and fluxes represented
by man-made impoundments; advanced analysis, numerical modelling, and input parameters to
hydrological modeling
Maps and data serving, detailed flood and drought hazard map showing discharge and
inundation/desiccation for selected recurrence intervals, advanced analysis based on broad
discharge-network data sets
Maps and data serving, detailed distribution of water-chemistry data and advanced analysis of
broad trends and acute problems; simulation of the effect of water-quality changes on availability
Databases, advanced data compilations of geographic data, discharge data, storage fluxes,
surface-water quality and isotope data, expertise in data management and serving capabilities,
extends value of data and provides enhanced analysis capabilities
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Groundwater First-level groundwater effort (minimum necessary to provide the most
rudimentary assessment) Hydrogeologic setting
General geology and presence of aquifer units based on historical geological ground mapping and
little or no borehole data
Aquifer characterization
Productivity of aquifers (hydraulic character) based on anecdotal response to historical use or
suggested by degree of groundwater support of surface water
Groundwater storage (volume)
Estimates based on extrapolation from hydrogeologic setting and aquifer characterization
Groundwater quality
Delineate cities and agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater
quality; anecdotal, not data
Product Map - one or several maps showing surface geology indicating porous and permeable units,
location of the few boreholes or wells with data and presentation of those data, best extrapolation
of groundwater storage based on hydrogeologic setting and aquifer data, and location of cities and
agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater quality
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Groundwater Second-level groundwater effort (Basic) Hydrogeologic setting
Confirm historic ground surveys through updated geologic mapping, geophysics, and remote
sensing
All historic borehole data have been compiled and analysed, hydrogeological data collected for
targeted recent drilling, borehole geophysical surveys completed, rock cores taken and analysed
Aquifer characterization
All available aquifer-test data compiled and analysed (slug test, pump tests, interference tests,
municipal pumping and drawdown records), program instituted for reporting of aquifer-test data
to central authority
Groundwater storage (volume)
Groundwater-level data compiled, historical changes documented, initial assessment of relation to
weather/climate and water use
Groundwater-monitoring-well network established but loosely organized and supported (not
centrally funded or directed)
Groundwater quality
Compile historic groundwater-chemistry data
Relate quality of groundwater to anecdotal use
Initiate targeted groundwater-quality testing for human health concerns
Product Map, detailed but static map showing surface geology identifying aquifers and aquitards in
outcrop
Map, subsurface map based on borehole data and geophysics, data are represented as cross
sections, isopach maps of aquifers and aquitards, structural surfaces, etc
Map, spatial distribution of primary and secondary aquifers, delineation as
unconsolidated/consolidated and water table or confined
Map, spatial distribution of aquifer hydraulic properties (porosity, hydraulic conductivity,
transmissivity, isotropy, storage/storativity)
Map, groundwater-monitoring-well network (location and aquifer, length of record)
Hydrographs, groundwater-monitoring wells, historical data, basic QA
Map, estimate of groundwater storage (resource volume), by aquifer, by area
Map, groundwater chemistry/quality data and relation to historical land use; human health
concerns relating to natural water chemistry or pollution
Databases, compilations of hydrogeologic data, geophysical data, aquifer-test data,
discharge data, groundwater quality and isotope data
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Groundwater Third-level groundwater effort (Medium) Hydrogeologic setting
Advanced understanding of hydrogeologic setting through recent geologic mapping, surface
geophysical surveys, and remote sensing techniques
Comprehensive approach to compilation and analysis of borehole lithologic/stratigraphic data,
geophysical surveys, and drill cuttings and rock cores
Aquifer characterization
Comprehensive program in place for reporting aquifer-test data to central water authority
Data are analysed using standard approaches to estimate aquifer hydraulic characteristics
Aquifer hydraulic characteristics are incorporated into regional aquifer and aquitard framework
Groundwater storage (volume)
Thorough evaluation of historical groundwater-level data completed and ongoing effort to
understand hydrographs in relation to weather/climate and water use
Groundwater-monitoring-well network is well established and organized
Groundwater-monitoring-well network centrally funded and directed by a detailed network
design (objectives, data management, expertise in interpretation)
Groundwater quality
Full understanding of historic groundwater-chemistry data and relation to historic human health
crisis and patterns of human settlement, agriculture, etc.
Broad groundwater-quality testing for human health concerns
Targeted groundwater-quality testing for known or suspected contamination sources
Groundwater-quality networks in place, design and implementation for selected criteria
Product Map, surface geology based on thorough understanding of relation of aquifers and aquitards in
outcrop to the subsurface
Map, subsurface geology based on broad and deep dataset of borehole data and geophysics, data
are represented as cross sections, isopach maps of aquifers and aquitards, structural surfaces, etc
Map, comprehensive representation of spatial distribution of primary and secondary aquifers,
delineation as unconsolidated/consolidated and water table or confined
Map, comprehensive representation of spatial distribution of aquitards and relation to aquifers
delineation as unconsolidated/consolidated
Map, comprehensive representation of spatial distribution of aquifer hydraulic properties
(porosity, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, isotropy, storage/storativity)
Map, comprehensive and interactive groundwater-monitoring-well network map (location and
aquifer, length of record, hydrograph, lithologic and aquifer test data)
Hydrographs, groundwater-monitoring-well historical data, full QA and analysis, interpretation
on relation between hydrograph and weather/climate or withdrawals in selected areas
Map, estimate of groundwater storage (resource volume) using best available data above
Map, groundwater-chemistry/quality data and relation to historical land use; human health
concerns relating to natural water chemistry or pollution
Databases, data compilations of hydrogeologic data, geophysical data, aquifer-test data,
discharge data, groundwater quality and isotope data
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Groundwater Fourth-level groundwater effort (Complete) Hydrogeologic setting
Comprehensive expertise developed in characterizing hydrogeologic setting through geologic
mapping, surface geophysical surveys, and remote sensing techniques
Comprehensive expertise developed in analysis of borehole lithologic/stratigraphic data,
geophysical surveys, and drill cuttings and rock cores
Expertise leads conceptual model development
Aquifer characterization
Aquifer-test data are expertly compiled, analysed, and incorporated into accessible data sets by a
central water authority
Data are analysed using state-of-the-art approaches to estimate aquifer hydraulic characteristics
Aquifer hydraulic characteristics are made easily accessible to the science community for use in
regional aquifer and aquitard framework
Groundwater storage (volume)
Comprehensive expertise in place to evaluate hydrographs in relation to weather/climate and
water use
Groundwater-monitoring-well network is broad and robust, fully implemented and well organized
Groundwater-monitoring-well network is centrally funded and directed by a detailed network
design (objectives, data management, expertise in interpretation)
Hydrologists and other practitioners continually provide input on network needs and design
Groundwater quality
Comprehensive and evolving understanding of historic groundwater-chemistry data and relation
to historic human health crises and patterns of human settlement, agriculture, etc.
Broad, routine, and directed groundwater-quality testing for human health concerns
Comprehensive and adaptive groundwater-quality testing for known or suspected contamination
sources
Comprehensive groundwater-quality network intersecting science expertise with human health,
government, and business/agricultural communities
Product Map and data serving, complete and routinely updated maps and data set of surface geology,
advanced methods of serving data
Map and data serving, complete and evolving dataset of subsurface hydrogeology (borehole data
and geophysics), mapped data are presented as cross sections, isopach maps of aquifers and
aquitards, structural surfaces, etc., advanced methods of serving data
Map and data serving, comprehensive mapped representation of spatial distribution of primary
and secondary aquifers, advanced methods of serving data
Map and data serving, comprehensive mapped representation of spatial distribution of aquitards
and relation to aquifers, advanced methods of serving data
Map and data serving, comprehensive mapped representation of spatial distribution of aquifer
hydraulic properties (porosity, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, isotropy,
storage/storativity), advanced methods of serving data
Map and data serving, comprehensive and interactive groundwater-monitoring-well network map
(location and aquifer, length of record, hydrograph, lithologic and aquifer test data), advanced
methods of serving data
Hydrographs, groundwater-monitoring-well historical data, full QA and analysis, interpretation
on relation between hydrograph and weather/climate or withdrawals in selected areas, advanced
methods of serving data
Map and data serving, estimate of groundwater storage (resource volume) using best available
data above, estimate of historical and current fluxes, advanced methods of serving data
Map and data serving, groundwater-chemistry/quality data and relation to historical land use;
human health concerns relating to natural water chemistry or pollution, advanced methods of
serving data
Databases, comprehensive, evolving, and accessible data compilations of hydrogeologic data,
geophysical data, aquifer-test data, discharge data, groundwater quality and isotope data,
advanced methods of serving data
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Water-Budget First-level water-budget effort (minimum necessary to provide the most
rudimentary assessment) Water in the atmosphere
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM)
Precipitation
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM), anecdotal information on seasonal and spatial distribution of rainfall, and extreme
events (wet season, monsoon, dry season)
Runoff and groundwater recharge
Bounding estimates for runoff coefficients derived from precipitation and discharge CDF,
recharge estimates based on extrapolation from hydrogeologic setting and aquifer characterization
Evapotranspiration
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM), difficult parameter to quantify in the best of circumstances
Exchange between surface water and groundwater
Analytic element model with conjunctive solution at course scale representing hydrological
system to extent known
Conceptual model of system and water budget
Integration of the components of the system into a water budget based on best professional
judgement
Product Map - one or several maps showing surface geology indicating porous and permeable units,
location of the few boreholes or wells with data and presentation of those data, best extrapolation
of groundwater storage based on hydrogeologic setting and aquifer data, and location of cities and
agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater quality
Numerical model, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling approach
to compile data and simulated the hydrological system
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Water-Budget Second-level water-budget effort (Basic) – refine for this level Water in the atmosphere
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM)
Precipitation
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM), anecdotal information on seasonal and spatial distribution of rainfall, and extreme
events (wet season, monsoon, dry season)
Runoff and groundwater recharge
Bounding estimates for runoff coefficients derived from precipitation and discharge CDF,
recharge estimates based on extrapolation from hydrogeologic setting and aquifer characterization
Evapotranspiration
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM), difficult parameter to quantify in the best of circumstances
Exchange between surface water and groundwater
Analytic element model with conjunctive solution at course scale representing hydrological
system to extent known
Conceptual model of system and water budget
Integration of the components of the system into a water budget based on best professional
judgement
Product Map - one or several maps showing surface geology indicating porous and permeable units,
location of the few boreholes or wells with data and presentation of those data, best extrapolation
of groundwater storage based on hydrogeologic setting and aquifer data, and location of cities and
agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater quality
Numerical model, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling approach
to compile data and simulated the hydrological system
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Water-Budget Third-level water-budget effort (Medium) – refine for this level Water in the atmosphere
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM)
Precipitation
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM), anecdotal information on seasonal and spatial distribution of rainfall, and extreme
events (wet season, monsoon, dry season)
Runoff and groundwater recharge
Bounding estimates for runoff coefficients derived from precipitation and discharge CDF,
recharge estimates based on extrapolation from hydrogeologic setting and aquifer characterization
Evapotranspiration
General meteorological information from international sources and input/output from climate
models (GCM), difficult parameter to quantify in the best of circumstances
Exchange between surface water and groundwater
Analytic element model with conjunctive solution at course scale representing hydrological
system to extent known
Conceptual model of system and water budget
Integration of the components of the system into a water budget based on best professional
judgement
Product Map - one or several maps showing surface geology indicating porous and permeable units,
location of the few boreholes or wells with data and presentation of those data, best extrapolation
of groundwater storage based on hydrogeologic setting and aquifer data, and location of cities and
agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater quality
Numerical model, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling approach
to compile data and simulated the hydrological system
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Natural Water System Water-Budget Fourth-level water-budget effort (Complete) Water in the atmosphere
Specific and advanced understanding of atmospheric water in the region based on detailed
meteorological information from international and local sources, sophisticated real-time site data
network for temperature, pressure, and humidity; weather computer models and data/simulations
from the most current climate models (GCM) have been downscaled to provide best-resolution
information for atmospheric science studies. Radar and satellite imagery also incorporated as
appropriate. Database management and data serving of these metadata specifically to support
hydrological studies.
Precipitation
Specific and advanced understanding of precipitation in the region (spatial, temporal) based on
detailed meteorological information from international and local sources, sophisticated real-time
site data network for all forms of precipitation (rain, snow, dew, fog drip); weather computer
models and data/simulations from the most current climate models (GCM) have been downscaled
to provide best-resolution information for precipitation studies. Radar and satellite imagery also
incorporated as appropriate, advance studies should corroborate anecdotal information on
seasonal and spatial distribution of rainfall, and extreme events (wet season, monsoon, dry
season)
Runoff and groundwater recharge
Runoff coefficients well established for range of natural landscapes and land use based on site-
specific studies under actual or appropriately simulated precipitation conditions, state-of-the-art
approaches employed, rainfall-runoff modeling employed for site-specific studies; Advanced
understanding of groundwater-recharge rates and relation to spatial distribution of surface
geology, natural landscape and land use. Corroboration by low-flow studies on surface discharge
and models coupling rainfall-runoff to groundwater system (GSFLOW)
Evapotranspiration
Advanced investigation into spatial and temporal distribution of evaporation; methods may
include site-specific studies using evaporation pans, lysimeters, or micrometeorological
techniques (eddy correlation; Bowen ratio/energy budget, aerodynamic profile) to measure of
estimate vertical flux of water vapor; modeling potential evapotranspiration by PRISM model
(Hamon method); climatological methods (i.e. Thornthwaite, Penman-Monteith); and emerging
technologies like LIDAR (measuring sensible and latent heat).
Exchange between surface water and groundwater
Specific and advanced investigation of interaction between surface water and groundwater using
field techniques (seepage runs, seepage meters, solute-budget) and hydrograph separation
approaches. Analytic element modeling with conjunctive solution at appropriately detailed scale
calibrated to groundwater levels and stream fluxes. Measured gradients between surface and
groundwater are important calibration points in finite difference modeling, often the next step in
the step-wise approach.
Conceptual model of system and water budget of the Natural Water System
Advanced development of a conceptual hydrological model that is the foundation of numerical
modeling and determines the components of the water budget. The water budget is the formalized
means for evaluating availability and sustainability of supply in the Natural Water System and
can be expressed simply in terms of exchange between hydrological compartments or represented
in the framework of a numerical model. The budget of the Natural Water System will be
incorporated with the budget of the Infrastructure Water System during Integrated Water-Use
Science.
Product
Maps - one or several maps showing surface geology indicating porous and permeable units,
location of the few boreholes or wells with data and presentation of those data, best extrapolation
of groundwater storage based on hydrogeologic setting and aquifer data, and location of cities and
agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater quality
Data sets, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling approach to
compile data and simulated the hydrological system
7_IWAVE_detail.doc Conceptual models, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling
approach to compile data and simulated the hydrological system
Numerical models, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling approach
to compile data and simulated the hydrological system
Water budget, analytic element model representing first step in step-wise modeling approach to
compile data and simulated the hydrological system
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Infrastructure Water System Water-Use First-level water-use effort (minimum necessary to provide the most rudimentary
assessment) This is mostly a top-down assessment of water use; that is, very little detail at the point of use to be
aggregated upwards. Estimates of total use projected downward with assumptions of use by category and
spatial distribution.
Total water-use estimate comes first
Total water use based on cursory evaluation of population, agriculture, and industry
Withdrawal by category is estimated from the total water use
Categorize total water-use using methods most appropriate for the country/setting
Conveyance losses
Estimate conveyance losses on the basis of industrial profile and irrigation practices
Consumptive uses
Distinguishing and quantifying consumptive and non-consumptive uses
Reclaimed wastewater
Estimate reclaimed wastewater on the basis of treatment facilities and industrial profile
Product Map, summary tables, and charts, map of centers of use categorized to the extent possible. Map
showing points of withdrawal, conveyances routes, and points of use for potential conveyance losses, use
summarized in tables and charts.
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Infrastructure Water System Water-Use Second-level water-use effort (Basic) – refine for this level Total water-use estimate comes first
Total water use based on cursory evaluation of population, agriculture, and industry
Withdrawal by category is estimated from the total water use
Categorize total water-use using methods most appropriate for the country/setting
Conveyance losses
Estimate conveyance losses on the basis of industrial profile and irrigation practices
Consumptive uses
Distinguishing and quantifying consumptive and non-consumptive uses
Reclaimed wastewater
Estimate reclaimed wastewater on the basis of treatment facilities and industrial profile
Product Map, summary tables, and charts, map of centers of use categorized to the extent possible. Map
showing points of withdrawal, conveyances routes, and points of use for potential conveyance losses, use
summarized in tables and charts.
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Infrastructure Water System Water-Use Third-level water-use effort (Medium) – refine for this level Total water-use estimate comes first
Total water use based on cursory evaluation of population, agriculture, and industry
Withdrawal by category is estimated from the total water use
Categorize total water-use using methods most appropriate for the country/setting
Conveyance losses
Estimate conveyance losses on the basis of industrial profile and irrigation practices
Consumptive uses
Distinguishing and quantifying consumptive and non-consumptive uses
Reclaimed wastewater
Estimate reclaimed wastewater on the basis of treatment facilities and industrial profile
Product Map, summary tables, and charts, map of centers of use categorized to the extent possible. Map
showing points of withdrawal, conveyances routes, and points of use for potential conveyance losses, use
summarized in tables and charts.
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Infrastructure Water System Water-Use Fourth-level water-use effort (Complete) This is a bottom-up assessment of water use; that is, detailed and site-specific water-use data are collected at
the point of use to be aggregated upwards. Water-use estimates should be based on a complete inventory of
significant water-use sites in a region; in practice however, compiled water-use estimates will consist of a
combination of direct observation, random sampling, modeling, and statistical estimation. Statistical methods
are expected to yield rigorous estimates and quantitative confidence limits for aggregate water use.
METADATA (data about the structure, context and meaning of raw data) are an integral component of
the databases and are a part of the enhanced data serving capabilities of the water authority. Complimentary
data sets (demographic, employment, discharge permits, well drilling permits, etc.) are integrated with the
water use data to provide a broad understanding of the movement and use of water.
Water use takes place within the infrastructure water system. The natural water system is comprised of
lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and aquifers. These two systems interact at points of withdrawal and points of
discharge. The understanding of the interaction of the natural water system and the infrastructure water
system is provided by integrative water-use science. Water-use reports (descriptive data compilations and
summaries and status and trends information) and Water resource assessments (characterize the impacts of
water use on the reliability and sustainability of groundwater and surface-water resources and their associated
aquatic and riparian ecosystems (NRP, 2002).
Withdrawal by category site-specific data collection comes first
Water use by categories accomplished by broad and standardized reporting requirements for
appropriate categories of use, robust and advanced statistical approaches used to estimate water-
use where first-hand data are not available and to rigorously evaluate the reported data for trends
and problems. Statistical approach will identify demographic, economic, geologic, hydrologic,
and climatic indicators that are correlated with water use and that can be used to supplement
existing water-use data. Advance statistical approaches are implemented to enhance analytical
interpretations of water-use. Points of withdrawal are known and quantified. Water-quality data
associated with site-specific water withdrawals are compiled and tracked. Metadata have become
an integral component of the water-use data compilation process from site-specific data collection
forward.
Total withdrawal is aggregated from the category summaries of site-specific water use
Site-specific water-use data collected in categories undergoes QA/QC at the local level, then
through a standardized and documented process is aggregated to produce water-use data
representing larger spatial scales, some aggregation is direct and arithmetic, other aggregation
makes use of advanced statistical approaches. Water-quality data are aggregated using advanced
analytical or statistical approaches. METADATA
Conveyance losses
Conveyance losses are comprehensively known or estimated. Monitoring programs have been
implemented to improve estimations or statistical approaches. Variations in losses due
fluctuations in weather/climate, conveyance rates and timing, and degradation and/or maintenance
of conveyances is measured or otherwise accounted for. METADATA
Consumptive uses
Consumptive-use coefficients have been explicitly evaluated across the site-specific summaries of
water use by category. Advanced statistical approaches have been applied where appropriate.
The consumptive use has been quantitatively tracked through to the aggregated totals.
METADATA
Reclaimed wastewater
Points of discharge of reclaimed wastewater are explicitly known and the rates and timing of
discharge are quantified. Distinction is made between surface water discharge and groundwater
recharge. Water-quality data for reclaimed wastewater are compiled and tracked. Advanced
statistical approaches are applied where appropriate. METADATA
Product Databases and data serving, enhanced national water-use database providing ready access to
water-withdrawal, conveyance, and return-flow information (consumptive and non-consumptive
uses), outcome is a comprehensive national water inventory, METADATA are an integral
component of the databases and are a part of the enhanced data serving capabilities of the water
7_IWAVE_detail.doc authority, Datasets and analyses used to elucidate connections between water-use and water-
quality data as basis for policy and planning relating to human impacts on water and ecological
resources.
Map, Map showing points of withdrawal, conveyances routes, and points of use for potential
conveyance losses, use summarized in tables and charts.
National Research Council, 2002, Estimating water use in the United States: A new paradigm for the National Water-Use
Information Program, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
Water quantity For each of the following a), b), c), d) identify as
Abundant beyond current or projected need,
Sufficient for current demand,
Projected to become insufficient,
Currently insufficient, or
describe in detail
a) Domestic (municipal or private supplies)
b) Industrial
c) Agricultural
d) Ecosystem
Points of water-supply conflict between users intra national
Points of water-supply conflict between users inter national
Water quality Natural water-quality problems
o Prioritize each of the following with respect to impact on a), b), c), d), and describe trends
Total Disolved Solids
Radionuclides/radon
Arsenic
Heavy metals
Mercury
Others
o Are natural water-quality problems believed to be increasing or decreasing?
Man-made water-quality problems
o Describe each of the following with respect to legacy and active pollution impact on a),
b), c), d) and describe trends
Pesticides
Herbicides
Fertilizers
Industrial waste
Mining waste
Petrochemical waste
Landfill
Waste water treatment
Others
o Are man-made water-quality problems believed to be increasing or decreasing?
Vulnerabilty of resource Prioritize concerns about the vulnerability of the water resource. Provide details and specifics on the the
vulnerable resource and the documented, perceived, or anticipated stresses.
Sustainability of resource Prioritize concerns about the sustainabilty of the water resource. Provide details and specifics on the the
current use of the resource in any or all categories and the trends that may or will be unsustainable. Also
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
provide details on the changes in population, industrial development, land use, etc, that will affect the
future sustainabilty of the resource.
Resource management Prioritize recognized needs in managing the national water resources. What capabilities are currently not
a part of the regulatory or management structure of the water authority? What identified problems above
have a management component?
7_IWAVE_detail.doc
Integrative Water-Use Science Linking of Natural and Infrastructure Water Systems
Refine
First-level water-budget effort (minimum necessary to provide the most rudimentary assessment)
Precipitation
Runoff
Groundwater recharge
Evapotranspiration
Exchange of surface water and groundwater
Product Map - one or several maps showing surface geology indicating porous and permeable units,
location of the few boreholes or wells with data and presentation of those data, best extrapolation
of groundwater storage based on hydrogeologic setting and aquifer data, and location of cities and
agricultural areas whose locations may be indicative of local groundwater quality
Second-level water-budget effort (Basic)
Third-level water-budget effort (Medium)
Fourth-level water-budget effort (Complete)
Numerical simulation, regional groundwater-flow modelling, step-wise approach, begin with
analytical element model, calibrate using standard practice plus uncertainly analysis
THE
Integrative Water-Use Science
IS INTEGRAL TO THE
National Water Assessment
WHICH WILL FOLLOW
Outcome – comprehensive National Water Assessment; IWRM policy and management recommendations; enhanced and targeted hydrological information base, capacity, and expertise for continuing and integrated hydrological science activities.