BC Hydrometric Program Business Review

The British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM) recently completed a business review of the hydrometric program. The report titled “Water Quantity Monitoring in British Columbia: A Business Review of the BC Hydrometric Programs”, assessed the ability of the existing network to provide the data that users in the private sector and government need to make business decisions.  The process also acted to inform the user community of the challenges faced in maintaining the network and assessed how that community can participate in obtaining and paying for their data requirements.

The business review used focused consultations with users and service providers selected for having their fingers on the pulse of their sector. These people provided high-grade information and commentary on water quantity-related business needs and the essential underlying data requirements.  As well, over 50 water management professionals were consulted at a workshop sponsoured by the BC Branch of the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA). This workshop provided additional insight into the various sectors through the eyes of the engineers who provide clients with water management services.

The report has five parts. Part I covers the business review purpose, the need for water quantity information and data, and the networks used to gather data.  Part II provides a unique and innovative look at the economic benefits of hydrometric data.  Part III describes how major sectors use hydrometric data for business decisions, and the economic benefits of data to the sector.  Part IV provides an assessment of how users’ business needs are being met by existing programs. And Part V provides recommendations to renew the hydrometric program and make it a more effective, client-focused operation.

The hydrometric program has many problems — some consider it to be “broken” — and the report’s recommendations focus on program renewal.  MSRM is called upon to reaffirm its commitment to the hydrometric program and provide the critical leadership needed for renewal. A renewed program would be more business-oriented and user-focused and actively promote its benefits to users and other supporters.  To consolidate and then expand the network size and available data, mechanisms are required to develop funding support from private-sector and government users.  The implementation of a standards management system is also recommended to capture, quality-assure and disseminate the considerable amount of non-WSC data being collected in B.C. To make all this happen, a Hydrometric Program Management Board is recommended to oversee the direction and management of “whole” system.

This report can be found on the EcoCat website here. For more information, please contact Bruce Letvak, Senior Hydrologic Engineer, Aquatic Information Branch, BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management.

Revised December 18, 2006 / Updated September 27, 2007