Hydroinformatics Platform Pilot Data Validation

Reliable data required

Water utilities have traditionally based a considerable part of their decisions on the experience and expertise of their employees. But a transition is currently under way, whereby decisions are increasingly being based on data and/or information. This makes reliable data indispensable, even if pilots and studies indicate that data-quality requirements cannot always be met. There is room for improvement in the application by Dutch water utilities of validation and quality-assurance mechanisms. Moreover, the extent of their application can be increased.

Raising data quality to a higher plane

Existing techniques offer the opportunity of raising data validation and quality assurance to a higher plane. This project’s objective was to elaborate several generic methods to this end. The methods were then applied in specific cases at water utilities, with a focus on flow-volume and water-quality data. With a grasp of data quality and the effectiveness of the approach, the water utilities will be able to take their next steps toward quality improvement. The project also aimed to determine whether, and how, effective knowledge co-creation can take place in the field of hydroinformatics research within BTO.

Better decision-making through better data

Higher data quality results in better information and strengthens the foundation of data- and information-based decisions. This leads directly to decisions of better quality. The project’s results have been included in an advisory note to the CO about the position of hydroinformatics research within BTO.