MED-HYCOS INITIAL COORDINATING GROUP

FOURTH MEETING
report
 
Montpellier, France December 1 - 6, 1998

MED-HYCOS PRC
C/O ORSTOM
BP 5045 - 34 032 - Montpellier - France
Tel: (33) 04 67 63 64 28 Fax : (33) 04 67 41 21 33
Email: Marc.Morell@mpl.ird.fr

OPENING

1. Organization of work

2. Overview of MED-HYCOS implementation and activities

3. Objective 1

3.1. Presentation by the Co-ordinator

9. Closure of the meeting

10. APPENDIX 1 : List of the participants

11. APPENDIX 2 : Addresses of the participants

12. APPENDIX 3 : Agenda

13. APPENDIX 4 : MED-HYCOS Web Site

14. APPENDIX 5 : The CD-ROM Project

15. APPENDIX 6 : Presentation of VERSEAU

16. APPENDIX 7 : Experts Proposed by the countries

17. APPENDIX 8 : List of the Acronyms

OPENING

The fourth meeting of the Initial Co-ordinating Group (ICG) of the MED-HYCOS project was held in the premises of the Pilot Regional Centre (PRC) in Montpellier (France) from 1 to 6 December 1998.

The list of participants is given in Appendix 1 and their complete addresses in Appendix 2.

Mr A. Nianios (Greece), Mr V. Konovalov (Uzbekistan) and Mr S. Fonbonne (VERSeau) were invited to participate to the ICG Meeting.

Mr Geoffroy Matthews (World Bank), and the representatives of Albania (Mr. A. Selenica), Turkey (Mr H. Ozguler), Medias-France (Mr M. Hoepffner), Friend-Amhy (Mr M. Lang) and IRD-ORSTOM (Mr JM Fritsch) were unable to participate.

Mr Marc Morell, Co-ordinator of the PRC, welcomed the participants and thanked them for their continuous support to the implementation of the project.

Dr A. Askew, Director of the Hydrology and Water Resources Department of the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, Switzerland took advantage of his presence in Montpellier to attend the opening session of the ICG on Tuesday 1 December 1998. He provided the participants with a brief introduction to the involvement of WMO in the field of water and to the WHYCOS Programme, launched by WMO as a response to the Dublin and Rio Conferences. He stressed the need for accurate and timely data for integrated water management, as well as for the establishment of an adequate water knowledge base. He emphasised the importance of the role to be played by the countries to ensure a successful implementation of the MED-HYCOS project. He also highlighted the fact that the meeting was called to take important decisions, notably concerning the future of the project. Finally he expressed his thanks to the participants and to IRD, formerly ORSTOM, for its continuous support of MED-HYCOS.
 
 

1.Organization of work

The meeting adopted the agenda as reported in Appendix 3.

The meeting elected its chairmen for the various session A. Muzic (Slovenia - Overview of the MED-HYCOS implementation), G. Ganev (Bulgaria - Objective 1), Ms L. Fugaciu (Romania - Objective 2), Mr S. Bouzaiane (Tunisia - Objective 3), Mr J. Mangion (Malta - Objective 4) and Mr I. Iacovides (Cyprus - Future perspective of the project).
 
 

2. Overview of MED-HYCOS implementation and activities

The co-ordinator of the PRC recalled that the MED-HYCOS project is aimed at contributing to address the outstanding issues concerning water resources availability and management in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean and possibly the Black Sea by:

• encouraging the co-operation between the hydrological services
• promoting the use of modern technologies in hydrology
• providing a sound information base to contribute to the evaluation and management of water resources in the Mediterranean countries.

The MED-HYCOS project was addressed to the following countries of the Mediterranean Basin :

Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, FYR Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian National Authority, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Yugoslavia (24).

Until now, fifteen eligible countries of the Mediterranean basin have signed the Project document: Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Slovenia, Tunisia, Turkey. Only two eligible countries (Syria and Bosnia-Herzegovina) have not yet signed the Project Document.

Twenty-five countries have collaborated in the MED-HYCOS project at different levels of commitment, including Black Sea countries and territories :

Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, FRY Macedonia, Malta, Moldavia, Morocco, Palestinian National Authority, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Yugoslavia.

Mr M. Morell finally recalled the five main objectives set out in the project :

Objective 1: Installation of a network of key stations of multisensor-equipped Data Collecting Platforms (DCPs) for the collection and transmission of several variables related to water resources monitoring

Objective 2: Development and implementation of the MED-HYCOS Information System

Objective 3: Improvement of national hydrological services and networks notably through provision of new equipment and development of related training programmes

Objective 4: Creation of an information infrastructure to provide connectivity between the MED-HYCOS project and other development initiatives within the region.

Objective 5: Implementation of a regional computer network for the monitoring of the regional waterresources.

3. Objective 1

3.1 Presentation by the Co-ordinator

Within the framework of the project a total of 38 DCPs has been purchased, in three different lots, respectively of 20, 5 and 13 DCPs. The hydrological stations equipped by the project are part of the national hydrological networks and should be compliant with the established WHYCOS criteria.

The first lot the 20 DCPs was delivered to the PRC in August 1996. Eighteen DCPs have already been shipped to the countries and 2 are still available at the PRC. Out of these 18 DCPs received by the countries, 10 are currently in operation.

3.1.1 DCPs shipped and operational

A second lot of five DCPs has been delivered to the PRC in October 1998. A further lot of thirteen DCPs has been ordered in July 1998 and is to be delivered in January 1999.

Bulgaria, France, Romania and Slovenia are also providing to the Regional Data Base near real time data from about other fifteen hydrological stations. Some six Italian stations are to be equipped soon with EUMETSAT DCP for near real time satellite transmission. Spain will provide the PRC with near real time daily discharges from about five stations.

Training courses on DCP operation and maintenance have been organised in 1996 at the PRC and in 1997 in Croatia. All the country partners participated in these training courses except Syria and Palestinian Water Authority.

The National Hydrological Services of the participating countries and territories are committed to ensure that the stations forming part of the MED-HYCOS network are installed, operated (including gauging) and maintained to the required standard. The operation and maintenance costs should normally be borne by the countries, although the project may provide support within the available funds (spare parts, support missions).

Mr Morell indicated the following as immediate objectives :

• A network of 25 to 30 MED-HYCOS DCPs in operation by May 1999 (not including the six DCPs from the Italian network which should be transmitting in the coming months).
• Other 25 to 30 stations from national networks providing near real time data to the Regional Data Base, by May 1999.

The ICG undertook an in-depth review of the status of the implementation of the network and considered the different problems and solutions to overcome them in order to reach the objective which is to have all the DCPs bought by the project installed and in operation mid-99. The ICG agreed on the following recommendations:

3.2.1 DCPs shipped to the countries but not installed yet

• Before the 15 December 1998 the PRC shall send a letter to Albania and Macedonia to express the concern of the ICG about the delay in the installation of the DCPs in these countries. The letter shall also propose to these two countries a mission by the PRC or by a member of the ICG aimed at a better understanding of the local situation in order to adequately support these countries.
• WMO shall urge Jordan and Morocco to install their respective DCPs and consider with these two countries the ways and means to do so.

3.2.2 EUMETSAT Internet Site

3.2.3 Allocation of the new DCPs

• Algeria: 2
• Palestinian Territories: 2
• Lebanon: 2
• Cyprus: 1
• Slovenia: 1

• Bulgaria: 2
• Cyprus: 1
• Croatia: 1
• Slovenia:1
• Tunisia: 2
• Turkey: 2

The ICG agreed that each beneficiary country shall send, before the end of December 1998, a letter of intention to the PRC. This letter shall: (i) indicate the willingness of the country to install the DCP (s) within 2 months after receiving it; (ii) provide the EUMETSAT Information Form duly completed and signed; and (iii) provide brief information about the expected use of the data to be acquired by the platform(s) and indicate any foreseeable problem which might delay the installation (including financial ones).

3.2.4 Request for DCP presented by Greece

3.2.5 Other DCPs

3.2.6 Additional sensors

3.2.7 Proposal of the French representative

4. Objective 2

4.1 Presentation by PRC

During the last year the MED-HYCOS hydrometeorological regional data base has been developed towards an Information System integrating heterogeneous information (text, hydrological data) and various graphical and cartographic tools.

PRC carried out the development of the system interfacing the Regional Data Base administrated under the ORACLE Data Base Management System (DBMS) with Internet. The MED-HYCOS Information System is sited on MED-HYCOS Web Site as well as on CD-ROM (see Objective 4).

Three types of data are currently available in the MED-HYCOS Information System:

• Real time data from the MED-HYCOS DCPs (raw data and validated data).
• Near real time data from other stations, volunteered by the countries.
• Historical data from 4 to 5 stations in each country, including preferably those of the stations were the DCPs have been installed.

Over the 25 countries active in the MED-HYCOS project, 13 of them have provided historical data to the PRC :

Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Yugoslavia

By May 1999, the project co-ordinator indicated as immediate objective to improve the Information System composed by:

• Detailed Information on National Hydrological Services
• Demonstration projects presentations
• Hydrometeorological Real Time Data from 25-30 DCPs
• Hydrological daily data from other 25-30 Near real Time stations
• Historical daily and/or monthly data from one hundred stations
• Data Base Regional Management Tools
• Numerical tools to deal with Hydrometeorological Data
• Maps and Cartographic navigation tools

Mr Mike Horner, Knowledge Management Consultant, delivered a paper prepared with Mr G. Matthews from the World Bank. In his presentation Mr Horner focused on certain ideas and concepts such as : (i) the need for sharing of water-related information by involving all the stakeholders in a non threatening environment ; (ii) the need to transform data into information and information into knowledge ; and (iii) the need for sufficient and timely available information. He stressed the fact that the information assets may include databases, documents, policies and procedures as well as the uncultured, tacit expertise and experience resident in individual workers and that the WHYCOS programme launched by WMO and the regional HYCOS were developed in the line of establishing knowledge systems for water resources at the regional and global levels.

The ICG noted with interest that the Update system aimed at unlocking community productivity as described by Mr M. Horner would be of great interest in the future development of the MED-HYCOS project. The ICG requested the PRC to follow up on this matter.

4.2 ICG recommendations

The ICG discussed the achievements in the implementation of Objective 2. The Co-ordinator stressed that most of the activities of the PRC during 1998 were undertaken under this objective. The Co-ordinator and François Chevenet also informed the ICG that the Regional Data Base (RDB) architecture was specifically structured to ease connectivity with the Web and facilitate the portability of data and tools with the CD-ROM. The ICG agreed that the architecture used was meeting the countries requirements.

The ICG noted that the next steps for the development of the MHIS shall be oriented along three main courses of action:

• Data Base Management Tools;
• Internet Interface; and
• Client Tools.

4.2.1 Regional Data Base

4.2.1.1 Data Base Management Tools

• Develop software for importing DCP data from EUMETSAT Web site in RDB ; this task shall be undertaken by the PRC with the support of Bulgaria which will second an expert to the PRC.
• Increase the number of Near Real Time (NRT) data in the RDB. All the participating countries are invited to provide these additional data on a continuous basis.
• Send to RDB validated data (DCP and other NRT stations). The countries supplying data to the RDB shall provide the validated data on a yearly basis.
• Develop a standard format for the exchange of large amount of historical / validated data. The PRC shall develop such a format in co-operation with experts from Italy.
• The PRC to develop tools for converting DC data on water level into discharge. The countries shall provide the relevant rating curves to the PRC.
• The PRC to develop modules for metadata file management. The countries will provide the necessary information.

4.2.1.2 Data Internet Interface

• Modify the MED-HYCOS Web site structure along the guidelines as approved by the ICG, notably by introducing semilog representation for low flow data and improve the readability of information displayed (station name, unit of measure, etc.). A detailed description of the proposed new structure is attached as Appendix 4. The ICG recalled that the purpose of the Web site was mainly for information and raising the interest of large number of users for the project.
• Develop simple cartographic tools to ease navigation and access to stations descriptions and data. This task will be undertaken by the PRC with support of seconded experts from the countries.

4.2.1.3 Client Tools

• Develop tools for exporting data from RDB into standard formats, for inter station correlation and other simple statistical analysis. The PRC will develop these tools with the support of the experts seconded by the participating countries. The participating countries shall inform the PRC by January 1999 of their immediate requirements in terms of formats and tools.

4.2.2 Web site improvement

• Transform as necessary the descriptive pages on the NHS of participating countries into NHS Web sites. For the countries which do not have yet an Internet server, these sites will be hosted by the MED-HYCOS server, but maintained and updated by the relevant NHS. PRC will only provide technical support.
• Maintain and regularly update the French version of the MED-HYCOS Web site for the francophone community, which is requested to contribute to this activity.
• Many countries demonstrated high interest in the possibility of having their national databases in the format and with the tools available in the CD-ROM prepared for the RDB. The PRC will prepare by January 1999 a prototype version of this CD-ROM, using the historical data already available in the RDB, or other national data set, as required. After the evaluation of this prototype, a training session will be organised by the PRC for the transfer of this technology. A detailed description of the development of this activity is given in Appendix 5

5.1 Presentation by the Co-ordinator

The co-ordinator recalled that, in order to identify the needs of the National Hydrological Services a questionnaire was circulated by the PRC in 1997 to assess the present status of hydrological practices in hydrology and telemetry, and the countries' needs in these fields, particularly concerning equipment and software.

As a follow up to the findings of this survey, a plan for supplying the National Hydrological Services of eligible countries with computers, software and different hydrological measurement equipment has been prepared. As first step of the implementation of this plan, a PC dedicated and configured for MED-HYCOS project will be delivered in the coming months to each eligible country.

Needs were also expressed by the participating countries for training courses and training aids (handbooks, guidelines, etc.) especially for data collection and processing, as well as for discharge measurement and establishment of rating curves.

The co-ordinator also indicated that the immediate objective was to respond to the most urgent and common requirement of participating countries, particularly with respect to equipment and training in advanced techniques in hydrology.

5.2 ICG recommendations

The ICG was informed that, in accordance with the decisions taken by the RTF 3 meeting in Malta in November 1998, a PC computer dedicated and configured for MED-HYCOS needs was being purchased for each eligible country. This equipment is expected to be delivered in the forthcoming weeks.

A mission is also planned to Palestinian Territories to prepare the participation of Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) in the project. A second mission may also be carried out by a project expert to support the installation of the two DCP earmarked for PWA. PRC in co-operation with Tunisia will approach PWA to speed up the implementation of these actions.

The ICG considered the most urgent actions to be undertaken for the implementation of this objective and made the following recommendations:

5.2.1 Additional Sensors

5.2.2 HYDATA

6. Objective 4

6.1 Presentation by Co-ordinator

The development of the information infrastructure has been carried out along four courses of action:

• Development of the Web site (including linkage with the Regional Data Base) ;
• Production of CD-ROM bundles ;
• Establishment of contacts and co-operation with other projects in the Mediterranean region ;
• Publication and distribution of the MED-HYCOS brochure.

In September 1998, the production and dispatch of CD ROM displayed the first products of the project for users not yet connected to the Web or with low speed connection. The CD-ROM will be regularly updated and sent to the countries between two and four times per year according to the progress of the Project.

Contacts were established in 1998 with the Blue Plan, the Mediterranean Water network, the European Joint Research Centre in Ispra (Italy), the European Task Force Water and co-ordinators of European Programmes (HYDROMED, MAST, etc.). These contacts can result in collaboration projects between MED-HYCOS and other programmes as well as between MED-HYCOS partners and research teams and Directions of Water in the Mediterranean basin. MED-HYCOS, through RID is also involved in the implementation of the EC funded programme ESIMEAU, on the application of the information technology in modelling water resources management in semi-arid areas.

The MED-HYCOS brochure was distributed in September 1998 to national MED-HYCOS focal points, research institutes, international organisations, etc. in 1000 copies.

These immediate objectives were set for the project:

• To develop information products such as processed data, training aids, technical papers, thematic hydrological analysis, software, reports.
• To improve the quality and quantity of the information and data available on the MED-HYCOS Web site, the ease of their use and hence the visibility and recognition of the project.
• To start the implementation of the demonstration projects.
• To strengthen operational collaboration links with other networks and institutions active in the field of hydrology and water resources in the Mediterranean Basin area.

6.2 ICG recommendations

After having considered the status of the implementation of the objective as presented by the co-ordinator, the ICG made the following recommendations :

6.2.1 Web Site

• The ICG endorsed the proposal by the Co-ordinator to improve the MED-HYCOS Web site to make it more attractive, and to disseminate an updated version of the CD-ROM at least twice a year ;
• Establish a discussion forum for the MED-HYCOS partners on the Internet. The role of moderator of this forum should be held by the MED-HYCOS focal points on a rolling basis (6 months period).

6.2.2 Internet access for participating countries

• Having noted that it is now possible to retrieve DCP's data from the EUMETSAT Internet site use the funds previously earmarked for the establishment of GTS connections for equipping with Internet access and e-mail those NHS not yet provided with such facility.
• In this connection the PRC in conjunction with WMO shall carry out a survey of the present status of Internet and e-mail access in the participating countries and shall provide the necessary equipment provided the agreement of the receiving countries.

7.1 Presentation of the co-ordinator

7.1.1 Status of funding

France, through RID – formerly ORSTOM - has been supporting 80% approximately of the cost of the PRC over the 1995 to 1999 period (running costs and staff salary), representing an amount of about US $ 1,650,000. The remaining costs are covered with the funds of the World Bank Grant, under a special financial arrangement established between WMO and RID - ex ORSTOM -, as host institution of the PRC. Beyond the cost of staff salaries, the yearly running cost of the PRC is around 40,000 US $.

WMO as the Executing Agency of the project contributes notably through the provision of personnel dedicated to the project (professional expert and secretarial support). WMO is also responsible for the procurement of equipment.

The contribution of the participating countries is mainly represented by the expenditures incurred for the installation and maintenance of the DCPs and the salary of the staff affected to the project activities.

7.1.2 Project co-ordination and functioning of the Pilot Regional Centre

• one co-ordinator,
• one administrative assistant,
• one computer engineer in charge of MED-HYCOS Information System development,
• one electronic engineer in charge of the DCPs network and related training (50 %),
• one hydrologist technician in charge of data base administration (50 %).

More than one hundred missions have been organised by the PRC to allow representatives of the countries to participate in several MED-HYCOS activities (training events, RTF, ICG and other meetings and conferences). PRC staff also carried out ten missions for co-ordination and development purposes and presentation of the program.

7.1.3 Mid range perspectives

7.2 ICG recommendations

7.2.1 Extension of the project

As far as the extension of the project beyond the 31^st of December 1999 is concerned the ICG noted the proposal by the co-ordinator to maintain the PRC in Montpellier taking into account the fact that IRD will continue to provide support to the PRC in terms of offices and human resources (at least 2 people) until the end of 2001.

The ICG expressed its interest for this proposal but requested WMO to prepare and circulate a letter to all the participating countries seeking their advice and proposal in this matter with a dead line for the response as of the end of February 1999.

7.2.2 New members of the ICG

7.2.3 Status of the PRC

7.2.4 Support to the activities of the PRC

7.2.5 Date of the next meeting

8. Approval of the report

The participants considered and adopted the draft final report of the meeting with its Appendixes. The meeting requested the PRC to undertake all editorial changes deemed necessary to finalise the report and to circulate it to all members of the Initial Co-ordinating Group and to all the participating countries.

In their closing addresses, both the representative of the WMO Secretariat and the PRC Co-ordinator thanked IRD (previously ORSTOM) for their warm hospitality and the excellent facilities provided, joined their voices to thank all the participants for their strong support and active involvement in MED-HYCOS.

The meeting was closed on 5 December 1998, at 13.15 hours.
 

10. APPENDIX 1 : List of the participants

List of the participants

ICG meeting - Montpellier - December 1 to 6, 1998

ICG Meeting	COUNTRY OR ORGANIZATION	First name	Surname
Member	BULGARIA	GANEV	GEORGI
Member	CYPRUS	IACOVIDES	IACOVOS
Member	FRANCE	ODIER	MICHEL
	FRANCE	CLAUDET	ROLAND
Member	ITALY	RUSSO	MARIO
	ITALY	MONACELLI	GIUSEPPINA
Member	MALTA	MANGION	JOHN
Member	ROMANIA	FUGACIU	LILIANA
Member	SLOVENIA	MUZIC	ANTON
Member	SPAIN	RODRIGUEZ-FONTAL	ALBERTO
Member	TUNISIA	BOUZAIANE	SLAHEDDINE
Member	WMO	PIEYNS	SERGE
	WMO	ABRATE	TOMMASO
Member	PRC	MORELL	MARC
	PRC	CHEVENET	FRANCOIS
	PRC	CHICK	CHRISTINE
	PRC	PERRAUD-RIVAL	MANUELLE
	PRC	ROUCHE	NATHALIE
	PRC	MARCHAND	PIERRE
Invited	GREECE	ATHANASIOS	NIANIOS
Invited	JRC ISPRA	GIROD	MICHEL
Invited	VERSEAU	FONBONNE	SEBASTIEN
Invited	CARHI	KONOVALOV	VLADIMIR
Invited	WORLDBANK	HORNER	MIKE
Member excused	WORLD BANK	MATTHEWS	GEOFFROY
Member excused	MEDIAS-FRANCE	HOEPFFNER	MICHEL
Member excused	FRIEND-AMHY	LANG	MICHEL
Member excused	IRD-ORSTOM	FRITSCH	JEAN-MARIE
Invited and excused	TURKEY	OZGULER	HAMZA
Invited and excused	ALBANIA	SELENICA	AGIM

Addresses of the participants ICG - December 1 to 6, 1998

Dec 1

10 h:

Opening of the meeting

Adoption of the Agenda

Election of the chairpersons of the sessions

Registration of participants

14 h:

Overall presentation of the status of the implementation of the project and of the objectives of the meeting, by the PRC co-ordinator

16 h:

Discussion

9 h:

Objective 1: PCD Network

Presentation by the co-ordinator

Report of the representatives of the receiving countries attending the meeting (status of the installation, problems encountered, solutions, support required)

11 h:

Proposals and discussions (strengthening of the network, inclusion of new variables, etc.)

14 h:

Objective 2: Data Base and Information System

Presentation by the co-ordinator

16 h:

Proposals for further evolution and discussions (normalisation of data, additional information, numerical, and mapping tools to be developed secondment of experts to the PRC, etc.)

9 h:

1st group: Objective 1 - DCP network (continued);
2nd group: Objective 2 - database and Information System (continued)

11 h:

Synthesis of the activities of the two groups and drafting of the provisional documents "RTF 1" and "RTF 2"

14 h:

Objective 3: Support to National Hydrological Services

Presentation by the co-ordinator

16 h:

Proposals for further evolution and discussions (equipment, training courses and training aids, etc.)

Drafting of the provisional documents "RTF 3"

20 h:

Dinner offered by the MED-HYCOS project to all participants at the "Diligence"

9 h:

Objective 4: Co-operation infrastructure

Presentation by the co-ordinator

11h:

Proposals and discussions (co-operation between National Hydrological Services, co-operation between MED-HYCOS and other regional research programmes, etc.)

Drafting of the provisional documents "RTF 4"

14h:

Brainstorming on the future perspectives of the project after the achievement of the pilot phase

The role of the PRC and of the National Hydrological Services

New sources of funding and collaboration

16 h:

Drafting of the provisional documents "Perspectives"

9 h:

Synthesis of the works

Drafting of the final document

Approval of the report

13 h:

Closure of the meeting

Field excursion in Camargues

Primary modification recommended for the MED-HYCOS web site

1 - New Items :

COUNTRIES / STATIONS according the co-ordinator presentation

JOURNAL

Rename into News and add the new item Events

Move the item Archives under Overview item

Rename MED-HYCOS news into MED-HYCOS diary

WHO

Rename into Who’s Who

REFERENCES

Rename Glossary into Acronym

TECHNOLOGY

Put the Item related to DCP technologies first position

Add the item Archives after the item Data Processing.

Add Water quality and the references of WMO manuals.

HOME PAGE (with the logo)
 
 

F. Chevenet

Friday, December 04, 1998

Abstract: building a country’s specific CD-ROM using the MED-HYCOS CD-ROM model/technology with raw data export architecture, Databox (HTML documents) and toolbox (standalone modules library).

Step 1: Subscription to this project has to be done using email to medhycos@mpl.orstom.fr with subject "CD-ROM Project" with references (address and so on). All comments, questions, etc. are welcomed and will be compiled with solutions/decisions, FAQ, into one document distributed to all subscriber of the project.

Step 2 : building a CD-ROM prototype on a small data set. This prototype has to be developed rapidly and will be evaluated by the country. The CD-ROM will be constructed by the PRC using data already present in the PRC database. The contents of the CD-ROM will be : (1) A Databox, that is to say a pool of HTML documents dealing with elementary treatments (simple graphical displays for instance) (2) A toolbox based on the MED-HYCOS Toolbox, that is to say Tcl/Tk standalone modules for more powerful treatments than with the Databox. For this evaluation step, the Toolbox will contents only one standalone module for graphical display (curves) a the DAILY level (3) A technical manual (HTML documents) explaining how does the system works and how to extend it to more data. (4) The Tcl/Tk language (5) a World Wide Web browser.

Step  3: CD-ROM Prototype Evaluation by the country. Following the evaluation process of the CD-ROM prototype by the country, PRC and MED-HYCOS partners will decide to continue (see Third Step) or stop the project, country by country. Evaluation will be notified by email to medhycos@mpl.orstom.fr with subject "CD-ROM Project Evaluation".

Step 4: Transfert Technology from PRC to countries. establishment of a communication platforms between PRC and countries computer engineers ; training sessions. Goal : giving the countries the methodology for building on their own CD-ROM, Standalone Modules, etc.

Step 5 : Sharing Standalone Modules and building a MED-HYCOS Software

Calendar:

• Step 1: Subscription of the project : deadline January 15, 1999
• Step 2: the countries will receive the CD-ROM prototype before February 28, 1999
• Step 3: Evaluation deadline March 30, 1999
• Step 4 & 5: To be agreed upon

SOCIAL STATUS : VERSeau is a C.R.I.T.T. (Regional Centre for Innovation and Transfer of Technology) created in 1983 . VERSeau is a non-profit making association in accordance with the French 1901 law.

STRUCTURE :

VERSeau includes two departments, financially independents:

- Department of technology development and advise which receives subsidies from State-Region Plans and contracts with private and public institutions.

- International Department which works specifically with publics contracts in bilateral and multilateral projects .

The turnover was around 2,4 MF for 1996 and 1997.

=> The traditional field of activity of VERSeau is the transfer of technology in the water field in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon (France). VERSeau is an adviser in technology development and a manager for innovating concepts and projects in the water field.

=> In parallel to its regional activities, VERSeau has a national and international activity, specialy as expert and adviser. The areas of international activities are the Mediterranean Basin, Midle East regions, Central Europe and former USSR countries, South America and Indian Ocean areas. In all these areas, VERSeau gives advises or makes expertises for international cooperation projects in water technologies and management. During the last years, VERSeau has worked in more of 30 countries.

=> VERSeau leads or participates in several international networks like I.M.E. (Mediterranean Water Institute), R.M.E. (Water Mediterranean Network), MEDEXPEAU (Mediterranean Network for Water Experts)...

Training in water field is also one of the activities of VERSeau.

*Drinking water technologies and management

* Urban wastewater technologies and management

* Wastewater and sludge reuse

* Global water management of water resources

- Water management in case of resources scarcity (arid and semi-arid zones, islands, coastal areas)

- Institutional and economic aspects of water management

- Watershed water management and policy (Water Agencies)

* Management of quality and quantity of fresh and Brackish water bodies * Agricultural water

* Leisure water

=> Regional, national and European network of 350 engineers and researchers

=> Regional network of experimental sites and technical shops, testing and improving grounds, demonstration and training places.

Domaine de Lavalette - 859, rue Jean-François Breton - 34 090 MONTPELLIER Cedex 5 -FRANCE

Phone : 33/(0)4 67-61-04-00 Fax : 33/(0)4 67-52-28-29

E-mail verseau@mnet.fr / http://www.mnet.fr/verseau

General Secretary : Serge Miquel / Head of the International Department : Michel Soulie
 
 

Selected Candidates in bold

17. APPENDIX 8 : List of the Acronyms

AGROPOLIS : French Institutes working in Tropical Agronomic field in Languedoc Roussillon

CIES-TM : Company in Toulouse making DCP

DIREN : Direction Régionale de l'Environnement

EC : European Commission

ESIMEAU : Application of the information technology in water resources modelling and management in semi-arid areas

EU : European Union

FRIEND-AMHY:

GERFFEAU : Groupement d'Equipes et de Formation Fédératif dans le domaine des Sciences de l'EAU

IME : Water Mediterranean Institute (Marseille - France))

JRC : Joint Research Centre

MED-EXPO : Mediterranean Network for Water Experts

MED-HYCOS: Mediterranean Hydrological Cycle Observing System

MEDIAS-France: Regional research network on global environmental change in the Mediterranean Basin and Subtropical Africa

ORSTOM : Research Institute for Development

PWA : Palestinian Water Authority

RID or IRD : Research Institute for Development

RME : Water Mediterranean Network (Valencia - Spain)

VERSEAU : Valorisation des Etudes et des Recherches dans les Sciences de l'Eau

WMO World Meteorological Organisation

DCP: Data Collecting Platform

ICG : Initial Co-ordinating Group

NHS : National Hydrological Service

NRT : Near Real Time

PRC : Pilot Regional Centre

RDB : Regional Data Base

RTF: Regional Task Force