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