Implementation of the Water Sensor Web for Floods and Droughts in South Africa

Abstract

The Sensor Web is a relatively new class of information system that provides a continuous, embedded monitoring presence. By synthesizing collected temporal information over large spatial areas, the Sensor Web obtains environmental self-awareness and literally becomes a thinking presence within the environment. This new approach is transforming the way we explore, monitor and manage environments and is impacting many fields, including hydrology, agriculture and ecology, as well as disaster risk reduction. The Water Sensor Web provides a dynamic infrastructure for the spatial and temporal monitoring of atmospheric, surface and groundwater. It is a macro-instrument that allows for the spatio-temporal understanding of an environment through coordinated efforts between multiple numbers and types of instruments that can be fixed as well as mobile. Each pod contains one or more sensors and communicates (more and more wirelessly) within the network, distributing information to the end users. Specific portal pods provide end-user access points for the information flow both into and out of the Water Sensor Web. In South Africa Water Sensor Web is in operation since 2000. The South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Department of Agriculture and South African Weather Service are the main nodes in this network. An effort to continuously monitor, collect, store and analyse an atmospheric, surface and groundwater data was synthetised through the South African National Hazard and Vulnerability ATLAS. From the user prospective special attention was made to the implementation of Water Sensor Web data and information in regards to droughts and floods. Various flood and drought related indicators have been calculated continuously collecting input data via Water Sensor Web, and utilising ail Internet / Intranet as a user's front end.