J. C. Rodda: On The Problems Of Assessing The World's Water Resources
27
For the comparison of evaporation measurement and estimation which was
conducted in the 1960s ([54]), a large amount of data was collected from national
tests and by means of a questionnaire. For Phase 1 of the intercomparison of
water level recorders and current meters, tests were conducted by the several
nations involved of their own instruments, while several other instruments were
tested against detailed test specifications which had been previously agreed ([55]).
For Phase 2 of this intercomparison, which also included data loggers, suspended
sediment samplers and several categories of water level and velocity sensors, the
US Geological Survey made available a number of US P61 sediment samplers to
participating countries for tests against national samplers ([56]).
Unfortunately, many different interests mitigate against the formulation of the
results of these intercomparisons in the manner of a consumer report on the 'best
buy'. So no clear preferences for devices of particular types are stated in the
conclusions. Nevertheless, for the discerning reader, it is usually obvious which of
these instruments performed most closely to the specifications of the tests, but it
was not found possible to include in the results a statement of the errors of
measurement for the variables concerned. However, the tests themselves, through
the transfer of technology they promoted, help to raise the standard of
performance of the Hydrological Services involved, which in turn assist in error
reduction in the long term. The same applies to the transfer of technology
facilitated by HOMS ([57]) (the Hydrological Operational Multipurpose System),
the WMO technology transfer system which achieved more than 3000 exchanges
of components between hydrologists in developed and developing countries
between 1981 and 1995. But neither as a result of these comparisons, nor in
HOMS does WMO, nor any other UN organization, advocate the use of a
particular type of instrument, so that observations might be made in a uniform way
world-wide. If this were the case, and all the subsequent data management
procedures were also harmonized, then there would be fewer difficulties in
ascribing errors to the estimates of water balances. This type of observational
homogeneity is what the GEMS Water Quality Programme ([36]) aims to achieve.
It is what has been achieved by certain national programmes in water quality, for
example: in the United States National Water Information System ([45]).
7
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Perhaps the time is approaching when similar initiatives should be adopted
globally so as to embrace the concept of total quality management which is
embodied in the ISO 9000 series of standards ([58]). These offer an integrated
global system for optimizing the quality effectiveness of a company or
organization. By adhering to defined standards, an organization ensures that its
product is "fit for the purpose for which it is intended", a hydrometeorological
data set being one such product.
This is the approach that has been adopted by New Zealand's National Institute for
Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) ([59]) for its environmental data activities,
including hydrological data. The reasons given were:
27
For the comparison of evaporation measurement and estimation which was
conducted in the 1960s ([54]), a large amount of data was collected from national
tests and by means of a questionnaire. For Phase 1 of the intercomparison of
water level recorders and current meters, tests were conducted by the several
nations involved of their own instruments, while several other instruments were
tested against detailed test specifications which had been previously agreed ([55]).
For Phase 2 of this intercomparison, which also included data loggers, suspended
sediment samplers and several categories of water level and velocity sensors, the
US Geological Survey made available a number of US P61 sediment samplers to
participating countries for tests against national samplers ([56]).
Unfortunately, many different interests mitigate against the formulation of the
results of these intercomparisons in the manner of a consumer report on the 'best
buy'. So no clear preferences for devices of particular types are stated in the
conclusions. Nevertheless, for the discerning reader, it is usually obvious which of
these instruments performed most closely to the specifications of the tests, but it
was not found possible to include in the results a statement of the errors of
measurement for the variables concerned. However, the tests themselves, through
the transfer of technology they promoted, help to raise the standard of
performance of the Hydrological Services involved, which in turn assist in error
reduction in the long term. The same applies to the transfer of technology
facilitated by HOMS ([57]) (the Hydrological Operational Multipurpose System),
the WMO technology transfer system which achieved more than 3000 exchanges
of components between hydrologists in developed and developing countries
between 1981 and 1995. But neither as a result of these comparisons, nor in
HOMS does WMO, nor any other UN organization, advocate the use of a
particular type of instrument, so that observations might be made in a uniform way
world-wide. If this were the case, and all the subsequent data management
procedures were also harmonized, then there would be fewer difficulties in
ascribing errors to the estimates of water balances. This type of observational
homogeneity is what the GEMS Water Quality Programme ([36]) aims to achieve.
It is what has been achieved by certain national programmes in water quality, for
example: in the United States National Water Information System ([45]).
7
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Perhaps the time is approaching when similar initiatives should be adopted
globally so as to embrace the concept of total quality management which is
embodied in the ISO 9000 series of standards ([58]). These offer an integrated
global system for optimizing the quality effectiveness of a company or
organization. By adhering to defined standards, an organization ensures that its
product is "fit for the purpose for which it is intended", a hydrometeorological
data set being one such product.
This is the approach that has been adopted by New Zealand's National Institute for
Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) ([59]) for its environmental data activities,
including hydrological data. The reasons given were: