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Adnan Abu-Mahfouz, PhD Networks and Media Competency Area CSIR Meraka Institute 03 December 2015

Network Introduction: Scene Setting

Water Resource Management Network (WRMN)

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Outline

• Water challenges

• Water resource management

• Why WRMN

• Cooperation approach

• WRMN structure

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Water challenges

Scarcity • Low level of rainfall • High level of

evaporation • Water pollution • Inefficient use

Quantity • Erratic runoff • Shallow dam basins • Fresh water deficits

by 2025

Surface water • Accessible fresh

water • Ecological Reserve • Dam maintenance

(lack of funding)

Ground water • The use is only 26% • Lack of knowledge

and information

Quality • Mining • Industries • Agriculture

Finance • Inadequate

financing • Poor financial

management

Human resources • Shortage of critical and

scarce skills • Lack of institutional

knowledge, experience and competency

Insufficient appreciation • Value of water • Water situation • Water sustainability • Waste, pollution, etc…

WRM

WRM

WRM

WRM

WRM

WRM: water resource management

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Water management challenges

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An efficient water resource management

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Alignment: National strategies and roadmaps

Water RDI Roadmap ICT RDI Roadmap National

Development Plan

Irrigation Strategy Energy Efficiency

Strategy

Tshwane 2055 Vision Thirsty City scenario

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Why WRMN

Ideas

Models

Systems

Techniques

Etc…

Algorithms

WRMN

Short-term solutions

Long-term solutions

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Why WRMN Multidisciplinary

WRM

Engineering

Physics

Biology

Chemistry

Hydrology

Climatology

Geology

Social science

The future WRM is not a single

discipline but rather is truly

multidisciplinary and inherently

interdisciplinary

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Why WRMN Different institutes with different maturity levels

Institute 1

Institute 2

Solution

Institute 1

Institute 2

+

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WRMN: Real collaboration for potential opportunities

Challenges

• Lack of standardization • Lack of policies • Lack of Proper ICT governance • Lack of incentives/funding • Lack of awareness

Opportunities

• Real-time monitoring • Improvement in water access • Reduction in water consumption • Reduction in operational costs • Integration of smart water management in

smart sustainable cities • Environmental flow integration • Greater public involvement

WRMN

Stakeholders

• Who have influenced WRM • Who have a direct impact on WRM • Who have an indirect impact on WRM

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Possible cooperation approaches

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Possible cooperation approaches

Unstructured approach • Mostly, at the institute level • Limited resources and competences • Limitation in terms of problem perspectives, methodological and technological approaches and solutions offered • Lack the ability to analyse, evaluate and optimise the entire complex water system. • Therefore, it is unable to adequately meet the water challenges

Decentralised approach • Multi institutes or research groups • Targeted long term joint projects • Does not include every research field • Requires some kind of “Research Master Plan” that need to be prepared in advance • Mostly, it is not possible to include other interested institutes after finalizing the master plan

Centralised approach • National water research centre to conceptualise, organise and direct the cooperative research. • It may consider only a set of research areas • It requires a continuous and significant fund. • It may not consider the implementation that need to be conducted by different entity • Some research community may not fully agree with the finding and recommendation of such centre.

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Water Need Clusters Approach (WNCA)

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Water Need Clusters Approach (WNCA)

Emphasis on the water need instead of insisting on a fixed

structure

Enables a multidisciplinary interaction within each cluster

Gives the opportunity to any interested and competent institute

/ group to participate

The focus may varies based on the requirements and the approach to

achieve the cluster’s outcomes

Interlinks the competent groups in a complementary way

Allows groups to participate in more than one cluster

Developed systems/techniques may used across different clusters

Each cluster try to solve a complex water problem

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Identifying the needs

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Network Management

WRMN structure

Network Chair

CoT representatives

Clusters leaders

Clu

ster

1

• Active members

Clu

ster

2

• Active members

Clu

ster

3

• Active members

Clusters committees • Leader • Committee Members

• Leader • Committee Members

• Leader • Committee Members

Task Groups

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WRMN

WRMN: Future clusters structure

Domain 1

Cluster 1 Cluster 2

Cluster 3 Cluster 4

Domain 2

Cluster 5 Cluster 6

Domain 3

Cluster 7 Cluster 8

Cluster 9

Domain 4

Cluster 10 Cluster 11

Cluster 12 Cluster 13

Task Group

1

Task Group

2

Task Group

3

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Thank you

Dr Adnan Abu-Mahfouz (AAbuMahfouz@csir.co.za)

If you would like to improve the water future

then join

WRMN

Join the LinkedIn group: Tshwane Water Resource Management Network https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7036812