International Recommendations for
Water Statistics (IRWS) –
Chapter II Main concepts and frameworks
Expert Group Meeting on the IRWS
United Nations
New York,
4-6 November 2008
1
Location in IRWS
PART I
Chapter 1: Introduction.
Chapter 2: Main concepts and the SEEAW
Chapter 3: Statistical units
Chapter 4: Data items
PART II
Chapter 5: Data collection strategy
Chapter 6: Data sources compilation methods
Chapter 7: Metadata and data quality
Chapter 8: Dissemination
Chapter 9: Indicators
ANNEXES
Annex 1: Supplementary data items
Annex 2: Link between data items and the SEEAW
Annex 3: Link between data items and indicators of WWDR and MDG
Annex 4: Link between data items and indicators of FAO
GLOSSARY
Outline of Chapter
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Section A – Introduction
Section B – Main concepts
Section C – SEEAW
Section D – Spatial and temporal references
Question 1 – Is the description of the
environment appropriate for the purposes
of IRWS?
In IRWS water within the environment is defined as:
Water on land (artificial, seas and oceans,
artificial reservoirs, lakes, rivers, snow, ice and
glaciers, etc.), below the lands surface (in
groundwater or soil water), in the seas and
oceans, the atmosphere (e.g. as clouds), and in
living organisms (i.e. in plants, animals and
other life forms).
=> General consensus
Question 2 – Does IRWS need a
more detailed definition of inland
water resources?
Inland water resources are defined as:
all types of water [within the territory of
reference] regardless of quality (e.g. this includes
freshwater, brackish water, saltwater and polluted
water [sea water is excluded]
=> Some ask whether wetland is included as it is
included in the classification of land and
associated water – one of the item is major water
bodies
Question 3 – Is the description of
the economy clear?
Economy is defined in line with 2008 SNA, as:
the sum of economic activities of production,
consumption and accumulation undertaken by
entities within an economic territory. The
entities include the institutional units that can
engage in economic transactions and are
capable of owning assets and incurring
liabilities on their own behalf. The total
economy of a country is defined as the entire set
of resident institutional units
=> Some felt it could be clearer for non-national
accountants
Question 4 - Is the description of
social-demographic statistics
clear?
Defined in the IRWS as:
Number of people resident in a country
using improved water sources and
sanitation facilities
=> Some considered that the definition needs
to be improved
Question 5 – Is the description of
the SEEAW clear?
• IRWS presents a short summary of the
SEEAW and one of its diagrams.
=> General agreement
Question 5 – Is the description on
spatial and temporal reference
clear?
Spatial reference include:
• River basins
• Administrative regions
• Service areas
• Accounting catchments
=> General agreement
Question 6 – Is the description on
spatial and temporal reference
clear? Cont’ed
Temporal reference includes:
• Calendar year/financial year
• Hydrological year
• Sub-annual data (more frequent than
yearly)
=> General agreement
Questions to the EGM
1. Is the description of the environment appropriate
for the purposes of IRWS?
2. Do we need more details in the definition of
inland water resources?
3. Is the description of the economy clear?
4. Is the description of social-demographic
statistics clear?
5. Is the description of the SEEAW clear?
6. Is the description on spatial and temporal
reference clear?