A water balance can be mathematically complete and still operationally fragile. Data Riders addressed data reliability itself as a management problem.
A water balance can be mathematically complete and still operationally fragile if confidence in its data is unknown. Data Riders created a formal analysis layer for the reliability of data used in water balance calculations, linking this diagnosis to instrumentation priorities, governance routines, and reporting quality.
Each collected variable is classified into three levels, using structured technical assumptions to generate a reliability table with confidence percentages:
High
Automated measurement, calibrated, with redundancy and consistent history.
Medium
Partially automated measurement, with known uncertainties and adequate frequency.
Low
Estimate, sporadic manual measurement, or proxy data.
- Identification of existing measurement points.
- Determination of reliability level per point.
- Proposal of actions to improve current reliability through instrumentation.
- Prioritize automation and sensor installation where marginal value is highest.
- Review collection frequency and update monitoring and control plans.
- Influence the annual budget with objective criteria.
- The proposed improvement introduces a formal analysis layer for the reliability of data used in water balance calculations.
- Each collected variable is classified as high, medium, or low reliability using PNR-000035 assumptions, generating a reliability table with percentages.
- The diagnosis supports prioritizing automation, sensor installation, higher collection frequency, and updating monitoring and control plans, directly informing the annual budget.
- The "accuracy statement" work identifies existing measurement points, determines reliability levels, and proposes instrumentation actions to increase current reliability.
Sources: water resources optimization report and presentation materials (internal Data Riders material, client kept anonymous). Aligned with the Water Accounting Framework (WAF) and the ICMM Water Stewardship Maturity Framework.
Greater transparency, traceability, and better-substantiated environmental reporting. Aligned with the Water Accounting Framework and the ICMM Water Stewardship Maturity Framework.
Talk to Data Riders about data reliability, accuracy statements, and instrumentation roadmaps.
