Open Data Standard for Recreational Water Quality

Session: 32. - Long-Term Monitoring: Achievements, Challenges, and Solutions

Gabrielle Parent-Doliner, Swim Drink Fish Canada, [email protected]

Abstract

This presentation will introduce the open data standard project for automated recreational water quality data exchange. Hundreds of Great Lakes municipalities, park organizations and nonprofits regularly test water for indicator bacteria, algae, and/or other harmful pollutants. The data should be shared quickly (within 24 hours) and with as wide an audience as possible in order to help people avoid waterborne illnesses; yet, there is no technical standard for doing so.

Due to poor public disclosure, an estimated 400,000 Canadians and 3.5 million Americans get sick each year. Since 2011 Swim Guide spends thousand of hours each summer manually compiling water quality information from websites (some using legacy technologies), phone hotlines, spreadsheets so that 2 million people can access beach water information.

Swim Guide, with support of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, is currently developing the first-ever open standard for automated data exchange of recreational water quality information. The open data standard will increase data exchange, improve public awareness of water quality, and aid researchers trying to protect recreational waters. The initiative will reduce the number of people getting sick from contact with polluted water and increase the number of environmental protection plans for communities affected by pollution.

1. Keyword
data storage and retrieval

2. Keyword
impared water use

3. Keyword
water quality

4. Additional Keyword
Open Data standard

5. Additional Keyword
Recreational water quality

6. Additional Keyword
Great Lakes beaches