The ECLAC Economic Affairs Officer, Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus, welcomed and contextualized the ROSA Project. She then briefly reviewed the contents covered in the latest training sessions to introduce the session and its agenda. She concluded the welcome by introducing the invited speakers: Mr. Federico Quintans, Ministry of the Environment, Uruguay; Mr. Manuel Giménez, Faculty of Engineering, Uruguay; Mr. Matías Peredo, ECOHYD Chile; Mr. Luis Alberto Río, representing the Plurinational State of Bolivia; and Mr. Hugo Cutile, National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI).
Mr. David Rada, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, spoke to thank ECLAC for the training sessions that have taken place under the ROSA Project, which have especially benefited the Ministry of Environment and Water. He expressed interest in this session on hydrological monitoring and the use of data for different basin stakeholders, emphasizing how this data should be translated into reports for better decision-making, particularly in shared basins. He closed his remarks by recalling the conclusion of the online training sessions next Friday and the in-person event scheduled for 2025.
Mr. Federico Quintans began the session by discussing the importance of monitoring the quality of surface waters and how it is essential for sustainable water resource management, allowing the protection of water resources, recovery actions, and evaluation of impacts through physical, chemical, and biological variables. The expert emphasized the importance of designing monitoring networks considering accessibility, hydrological and seasonal regimes, effort optimization, and strategic location, including the use of automated monitoring technologies for quick decision-making. Finally, he referred to monitoring as part of a cyclical process that includes the design, execution, analysis of results, and adjustments of the program; and where the information generated is managed through national systems and observatories, ensuring its accessibility and effective use for public policies.
Mr. Manuel Giménez followed to comment on the importance of groundwater monitoring as a fundamental process for understanding flow system dynamics, identifying usage trends, protecting aquifers from contamination, and estimating development potential as a water resource. He added that constructing a conceptual model tailored to the hydrogeological system is essential for designing an effective monitoring program. This allows the representation of key processes and guides the location of monitoring points. He also referred to leveraging existing data to prioritize available resources and ensure that monitoring results are useful for users.
Mr. Matías Peredo presented on environmental flows, starting with their definition and purpose as the representation of water flows needed to maintain aquatic ecosystems and ensure the human well-being that depends on them. This is essential for conserving biodiversity, restoring habitats, and managing water resources sustainably. The expert mentioned that there are multiple methods to determine environmental flows, from hydrological approaches to physical habitat simulations. The choice of the appropriate method depends on factors such as spatial scale, available resources, and the ecological conceptualization required for each case. To close, he emphasized the importance of integrating continuous monitoring that evaluates compliance with environmental flows, water quality, target species, and associated cultural activities. This approach ensures the process is dynamic and allows for adjustments according to ecological and social needs.
From the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Mr. Luis Alberto Ríos participated to share the country’s experiences in hydrological monitoring networks to achieve sustainable water resource management, protect water quality, and take recovery actions. He mentioned the importance of having legal frameworks from which initiatives such as the National Basin Plan and the Plurinational Water Resources Plan derive, encompassing the management of Bolivia’s water quality. The expert commented on the progress and challenges faced by the Hydrological Monitoring and Surveillance System (SIMOVH), particularly due to the significant hydro-geographical differences of water bodies across the country, and consequently their different uses, making it difficult to articulate all basin stakeholders.
Mr. Hugo Cutile Copa also participated to comment on the functions of the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI) as the governing body of meteorological and hydrological activity at the national level, providing specialized services aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of the Bolivian State. He also mentioned the challenge posed by the transition from conventional monitoring equipment, which is more precise, to automatic equipment whose sensors tend to become uncalibrated, requiring constant review and committed personnel. He concluded by expressing the willingness to collaborate with agencies from neighboring countries to compare data in transboundary basins and cooperate in their sustainable management.
Please find the recording here.
