OPEN WATER FOUNDATION

Many organizations invest in software to study and manage water resources, ranging from complex Excel workbooks to custom software tools written in various languages. Often these tools are developed by individuals for a specific purpose and there is no plan for maintenance. In other cases, a useful tool may have been maintained for some time within an organization but the organization is no longer able to continue supporting the tool. OWF provides services to maintain, enhance, and integrate such tools. OWF will also work with organizations to move tools to open source licensing and public code repositories to ensure accessibility.

Analyzing water resources issues is complex and requires the use of extensive data and powerful software tools, including geographic information systems (GIS), models, and visualization tools. The financial investment needed to purchase software and the time commitment to learn how to use software can be prohibitive for many organizations, in particular for small businesses and nonprofits. OWF seeks to leverage open source software for application to water resources. In addition to our own offerings, we utilize “best of class” open source tools to increase access and decrease cost, which will allows more organizations to analyze water resources problems.

Water resources data can be difficult to access and understand. Federal, state, and local organizations provide varying levels of data access in a variety of formats. Data users often are expected to understand data details based on limited explanation from data providers. OWF synthesizes data from multiple sources, while providing context so that data users can understand and apply data for their questions. To do this, we implement technologies to access and visualize data, and provide context for data within the larger system. OWF uses open data standards to promote transparent data sharing. The results of this initiative are leveraged in other initiatives.

OWF recognizes that understanding natural and human-impacted aspects of river systems is the key to understanding challenges and opportunities with those systems. For example, the Cache la Poudre River (the Poudre) in Northern Colorado is unique in its transition from high mountains to agricultural plains. Its history as a working river in addition to a portion being the only Wild and Scenic river in Colorado speaks to the complex challenges on the river. OWF is applying technologies from various initiatives to develop a system-wide visualization of the Poudre and other river basins, including online maps and graphs of historical and real-time data. The technologies and approach will support ongoing discussions about competing interests for water in river basins, and serve as a platform for innovation.

The OWF initiative for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture seeks to use technology and information to support sustainable irrigated agriculture. We feel that there is a need to understand broad issues facing agriculture, such as urban growth onto agricultural lands, increasing municipal and industrial (M&I) demand for water, impacts of climate change on agricultural practices, interactions of agriculture with the environment, socio-economic impacts on agriculture (such as aging workforce), impacts of federal programs, changes in laws, regulations, and policies. OWF is working on tools to help understand large system issues and provide context in a way that individual farmers and ditch companies can make personal and business decisions, and government can align policies and programs to support agriculture.

The OWF initiative for Sustainable Natural River Systems seeks to use technology and information to maintain and enhance natural river systems while considering other water demands and impacts of climate change. Rivers are the lifeblood of nature, civilization, and commerce, and historically are at the center of conflict over natural resources. OWF is increasing access to data and information in order to improve transparency on complex water issues and encourage interest-based dialogue.

Municipal water providers are seeking new water supplies from agriculture, groundwater, and other sources in response to increasing demand due to population growth and climate change, and for drought reserves. At the same time that municipal water providers ask their customers to conserve water they also ask for rate increases because much of the service cost is for fixed capital costs and commodities that are rising in price. Every water provider is impacted by different demand and supply drivers. These complexities require transparent access to information so that water providers can make good decisions and the public understands why decisions are made. OWF helps municipal water providers and their customers gain a better understanding of water use through improved data analysis, visualization, and open data.

Industry as an economic driver is directly impacted by water issues such as drought, disasters, cost, quality, and regulations. Industries such as energy development and manufacturing often pay a premium for water and are active in understanding impacts of water issues on operations. Industries also have an important role in sustainable practices and can lead by example. OWF helps industries understand their water use and impacts resulting from such use, in order to help ensure wise use of water resources while encouraging economic benefits to society. We also help provide transparency through open data standards and reporting so that industry can interface with government and public.

Many water organizations are challenged in that the complexity of water issues makes it difficult for new board members, city council, staff, and the public to understand an organization’s relationship with its water resources. OWF implements information packages and websites that educate an organization’s people about water issues. Examples of organizations that can benefit include municipalities, ditch companies, water boards, utilities, conservation organizations, etc. Onboarding materials utilize open technologies, can be leveraged for multiple organizations, and be updated over time.

Other initiatives emphasize the unique mission and capabilities of the OWF, which focuses on technologies, data, and information. However, technologies have little meaning without application to important social issues. Additionally, the OWF recognizes the great challenges and opportunities for today’s youth, who are searching for purpose and impact. Consequently, OWF seeks out opportunities to engage students at every level to develop and apply data and analysis tools in order to tell the story of important water issues and make progress towards their solutions. We want to incubate social entrepreneurs that will have great impact in solving problems in water resources and areas that touch water.

OWF helps water and environmental nonprofit organizations by providing technical and subject matter expertise, including development and management of datasets, geographic information systems, websites, online stories, etc. Investment in tools made for one organization is often transferrable to other organizations. OWF also provides services to maintain tools so that organizations do not need to devote in-house resources to these activities.

OWF’s mission areas provide unique opportunities to contribute to STEM education by providing access to data and tools that can be used in education programs. Students can learn about complex issues such as climate change and drought and help to address these issues. Technology skills that are learned, such as programming and data science, can be applied in school and careers. OWF also supports women in tech by providing paid internships and hiring women on staff while providing flexibility for family commitments. OWF seeks to amplify its impact by providing education and opportunities.