Page 67 - CIWA Water Data Revolution Overview Report

the usage of RS technologies are due to limited financial and human resources and lack of
adequate technical capacity (n = 10 and n = 9, respectively). Four organizations also stated their
ability to work with RS data was hindered by challenges related to data accessibility, availability,
and accuracy, and three organizations mentioned internet connectivity and equipment (e.g.,
hardware) as causes limiting their usage of RS data, data products, and analytical tools using RS.
During a follow-up interview, one organization highlighted previous attempts in utilizing global
RS data but lack of accuracy to downscale the data sets hindered further investment and
discontinued its use. Furthermore, an interviewed organization described how the constraints
listed in Figure 12 compounded, through an example where improving technical capacity via
trainings was challenged by internet connectivity for online workshops or hindered by funding
requirements to attend or facilitate in-person events.

Lack of equipment (e.g., hardware, internet
speed)

RS data accessibility, availability, and
accuracy

Technical capacity

Financial constraints

0 2 4 6 8 10 12
No. of Organizations

Figure 12: Constraints identified by respondents that inhibit working with tools using RS data for WRM.

Organizations were also asked to provide an overview on the capabilities of their technical staff
to utilize RS data and tools. When asked about in-house staffing capacity to collect, manage, and
analyze RS data, roughly half of respondents stated they had staff to perform these duties.
Organizations were also asked if they had staff trained specifically to use RS data or data
products; 5 reported having more than 1 person, 6 reported having 1 person, and 4 reported
having none. From the interviews, organizations indicated the importance of having more than 1
person on their staff with technical skills. Running basin-wide data analytics while maintaining
databases or information systems that span multiple countries, in addition to other
responsibilities and duties, often becomes cumbersome for one staff member. Thus, increasing
the number of technical teams among RBO or RO staff can vastly change the quantity of basin
monitoring analytics that are possible within the organization.

The constraints identified by organizations can be partially overcome through capacity building
and institutional development. The technical capacity constraint can be mitigated through

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