Planning, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of all programs related to Water Management through the utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
| Stage | Activities/Programs | ICT Utilization | Evidence | Timeline | Responsible Team/Department |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planning | Develop water conservation strategy, set targets | Water usage analytics software | Strategic plan documents, water usage reports | Jan 2024 - Feb 2024 | Sustainability Office, ICT Dept |
| Implementation | Install water-saving fixtures, promote awareness | Smart meters, water-saving app | Installation logs, awareness campaign reports | Mar 2024 - Apr 2024 | Facility Management, ICT Dept |
| Monitoring | Track water usage and savings | Real-time monitoring software | Water usage reports, savings analytics | Ongoing | Sustainability Office, ICT Dept |
| Evaluation | Assess effectiveness of conservation programs | Data analysis tools, feedback systems | Program evaluation reports, stakeholder feedback | Annually | Sustainability Office, ICT Dept |
Sustainability is a crucial and at the same time vital approach for satisfying future generations’ rights on natural resources. Toward this direction, global policies, supported by international organizations such as UNESCO and its international science programs, foster sustainable development as a principal concept for the management of various thematic areas including the environment.
The present work promotes the integration of information-communication technologies (ICTs) in the water resources management field as a state-of-the-art concept that sets the basis for sustainable development at global scale. The research focuses on the ICTs contribution to the evolution of scientific and technological disciplines, such as satellite earth observations, real-time monitoring networks, geographic information systems, and cloud-based geo-information systems, and their interconnection to integrated water resources management.
Moreover, selected international research programs and activities of the UNESCO International Hydrology Programme (IHP) are presented synoptically but comprehensively to demonstrate the integration of technological advances in water resources management and their role toward sustainable development.
Without accurate, intensive, and long-term data acquisition and exchange, the state of the world’s water resources cannot be adequately assessed, effective preservation and remediation programs cannot be run, and program success cannot be properly evaluated. The continuous emergence of information- communication technologies (ICTs) has set new standards in the collection, management, and dissemination of water-related data. The coupling of ICTs with mathematical models is proposed as an adjuvant tool for implementing the IWRM concept in different socioeconomic environments.
The increased efficiency of telemetry monitoring networks—providing real-time measurement of environmental parameters, enhanced data storage, improved power autonomy, and reduced cost—combined with Web-based information systems that facilitate spatial data, descriptive information, and observation data sharing over the cloud, accessible through common Web browsers, has transformed the sector.
The availability of free, high-resolution remote sensing data, the direct or indirect in