Data to action: Enabling user engagement through accessible hydrological information
By Dr. Khalid Hassaballah and Collison Lore
Background
Water is essential to the survival of Eastern Africa, a region well-known for its stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural heritage. However, it’s also a region where the availability and management of water are constantly evolving challenges, exacerbated by a changing climate and growing populations. In this context, hydrological data — information about the availability, quantity, quality and distribution over time and space — is an invaluable resource for making informed decisions about water resources.
Efforts like the Down2Earth (EU Horizon 2020) Project aim to address these challenges by improving access, management, and utilization of hydrological data in the Horn of Africa drylands. Through this project, data is being collected and analyzed to help stakeholders at various levels make decisions related to social adaptation, policy development, and resilience to water scarcity.
The data produced enables users to estimate how particular seasonal weather forecasts might affect water balance components such as soil moisture, streamflow and groundwater storage. This information is obtained through the creation of new data sets, the analysis of hydrological model outputs, as well as interviews, focus group discussions, and feedback from rural communities and journalists.
Hydrological treasure trove
Eastern Africa possesses an extensive network of water bodies vital for agriculture, drinking, ecosystems, and industries. Yet, it grapples with diverse water challenges, including droughts, floods, pollution, and scarcity.
Hydrological data is crucial for comprehending this situation. While the region is blessed with significant water resources, achieving water security requires addressing several important regional challenges:
a) Water availability: Although water resources are available, they are not evenly distributed nationally and regionally.
b) Access to water: Efficient storage and transportation of water is crucial, especially given the region’s water availability and the need to address issues related to flooding. These shortcomings are particularly evident during extreme events such as floods and droughts.
c) Water quality: Human activities, including the discharge of untreated industrial and domestic wastewater, as well as improper solid waste management, are leading to a decline in water quality. Agricultural run-off and domestic wastewater discharge are also contributing to high levels of eutrophication.
Engaging potential users of hydrological data
Having access to hydrological data and information is one thing; however, making it accessible and understandable to stakeholders who need it most is another challenge altogether. In Eastern Africa, various communities, such as pastoralists and urban populations, require hydrological information to make informed decisions about their well-being. This includes accessing hydrological observations and forecasts, such as seasonal forecasts, flood forecasts, and early warning systems.
Hydrological observations and forecasts, including seasonal forecasts, flood forecasts, and early warning systems,provide essential and timely information aimed at protecting people lives and property, flood plain mapping; monitoring environmental/ecological flows in case of hydrological drought, managing water rights and transboundary water resources, monitoring water quality, design of highways, culverts and bridges. Various stakeholders, including government and research institutions, the private sector, civil society, NGOs, and local communities, can benefit from this data. Therefore, it is essential that data and information are made readily available and accessible when needed.
The Down2Earth project is actively working on expanding remote sensing capabilities and installing automated weather stations to enhance in-situ observation practices. Additionally, a data management strategy is being developed to facilitate the accessibility and utilization of climate and hydrological data in support of more effective water resource management.
Empowering Communities
In rural areas, accessibility to hydrological information is crucial for empowering communities to cope with evolving water patterns and make well-informed decisions regarding water usage. It plays a vital role in supporting farmers in planning optimal planting and harvesting seasons, assisting pastoralists in effectively managing their livestock, and ensuring households have a secure water supply. To further enhance the usability of hydrological information, it can be beneficial to incorporate hydrological forecasting into Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP), a seasonal forecasting approach that currently focuses on rainfall and temperature. By including hydrological forecasts, stakeholders can gain valuable insights into seasonal water availability, including stream flow, soil moisture, and groundwater levels.
Informing Policy Makers
Accessible and comprehensive hydrological data and information are crucial for formulating effective water policies and disaster preparedness plans. They serve as the cornerstone for making informed decisions, such as water resource management, infrastructure development, water allocation, and climate adaptation strategies. It is imperative to establish effective communication and feedback channels to facilitate the access and application of hydrological data by regional policymakers. This will enable efficient, equitable, and sustainable development and management of limited water resources, as well as the ability to cope with conflicting demands and challenges posed by climate change.
Strengthening Civil Society/NGOs
Civil society organizations play a critical role in advocating for equitable water management and environmental conservation. Access to hydrological data and information enables them to build evidence-based arguments, formulate, design and implement together with government institutions adequate water-related projects,whether it concerns irrigation development, drinking-water supply, sanitation, hydroelectric power, or flood control, conduct community awareness campaigns, and hold governments and industries accountable for sustainable water use and practices.
The Road Ahead
Regional data sharing
Making hydrological data openly available to the public, researchers, and organizations in real-time or near-real-time is essential. Transparent data sharing facilitates collaboration and innovation in the field. Moreover, it is crucial to develop user-friendly tools and platforms that enable easy access to and visualization of hydrological data and information. To address this, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) and Down2Earth have developed customized platforms such as the East Africa Hazard Watch, East Africa Drought Watch, East Africa Agriculture Watch, and Open Data Sources.
Additionally, the GeoSFM (Geospatial Stream Flow Model) has been implemented, while the MIKE-Hydro Basin and CUWALID (Climate into Useful Water and Land Information in Drylands) hydrological forecast model are still under development. Sharing hydrological data has not always been common practice across institutions and national boundaries. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards fostering transboundary exchange of hydrological data and information.
Partnerships
Collaboration between development and research projects such as Down2Earth, CONFER, ClimSA, as well as engagement from governments, NGOs and the private sector, is crucial for establishing a robust system for hydrological data production and utilization. This collaboration also serves as a mechanism for exchanging data at national, regional, and international levels.
Conclusion
Unlocking hydrological data’s engagement potential
Water is more than just a resource; it is a fundamental necessity that connects communities, ecosystems, and economies. It sustains life and drives progress. Water plays a central role in sustainable development, supporting socio-economic activities, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and ensuring human survival. Additionally, it is a critical component in adapting to climate change, linking the climate system to human society and the environment.
Currently, nearly half of the global workforce is employed in water-related sectors, and virtually all jobs depend on water and its safe management. As a result, Eastern Africa’s journey from data to action represents a tale of hope, resilience, and collective responsibility. It is a narrative that urges all stakeholders to work together towards a sustainable and prosperous Eastern Africa, leaving no one behind. Let us join forces to navigate this path towards a brighter future.
