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International Recommendations for Water Statistics (IRWS) –

Chapter III Statistical Units Chapter III Statistical Units

Expert Group Meeting on the IRWSExpert Group Meeting on the IRWSUnited NationsUnited Nations

New York, New York, 4-6 November 20084-6 November 2008

Location in IRWSLocation in IRWSPART IChapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: Main concepts and the SEEAW Chapter 3: Statistical units Chapter 4: Data items

PART IIChapter 5: Data collection strategy Chapter 6: Data sources compilation methodsChapter 7: Metadata and data qualityMetadata and data quality

Chapter 8: DisseminationChapter 8: Dissemination

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Indicators

ANNEXESAnnex 1: Supplementary data itemsAnnex 1: Supplementary data items

Annex 2: Link between data items and the SEEAWAnnex 2: Link between data items and the SEEAW

Annex 3: Link between data items and indicators of WWDR and MDGAnnex 3: Link between data items and indicators of WWDR and MDG

Annex 4: Link between data items and indicators of FAOAnnex 4: Link between data items and indicators of FAO

GLOSSARYGLOSSARY

Outline of ChapterOutline of Chapter

• Section A – IntroductionSection A – Introduction

• Section B – Statistical units of the environmentSection B – Statistical units of the environment

• Section C – Definition of institutional unitsSection C – Definition of institutional units

• Section D – Classification of establishmentsSection D – Classification of establishments

• Section E – Characteristics of statistical unitsSection E – Characteristics of statistical units

Question 1 – Is the definition of statistical Question 1 – Is the definition of statistical units appropriate for the purposes of units appropriate for the purposes of

IRWS?IRWS?

• The definition of statistical units used in the The definition of statistical units used in the IRWS is “a statistical unit is an entity about IRWS is “a statistical unit is an entity about which information is sought and for which which information is sought and for which statistics are ultimately compiled”statistics are ultimately compiled”..

• In economic statistics this relates almost In economic statistics this relates almost exclusively to institutional unitsexclusively to institutional units

• Some do not agree that statistical units cover the Some do not agree that statistical units cover the environment and the reason for having this units environment and the reason for having this units is not clear to othersis not clear to others

Section B Section B –– Statistical units of the Statistical units of the environmentenvironment

• Surface water (EA 131)Surface water (EA 131)

• Artificial reservoirs (EA 1311)Artificial reservoirs (EA 1311)

• Lakes (EA 1312)Lakes (EA 1312)

• Rivers (EA 1313)Rivers (EA 1313)

• Snow, ice and glaciers (EA 1314) Snow, ice and glaciers (EA 1314)

• Groundwater (EA 132)Groundwater (EA 132)

• Soil water (EA 133)Soil water (EA 133)

Question 2 –Question 2 – Do you agree with the Do you agree with the definition of physical units of the definition of physical units of the environment?environment?

• The physical units of the environment are the The physical units of the environment are the statistical units about which we want to collect statistical units about which we want to collect information, i.e. lakes, rivers, artificial reservoirs, etc. information, i.e. lakes, rivers, artificial reservoirs, etc. (it is suggested to add wetlands)(it is suggested to add wetlands)

• The information about those physical units in the The information about those physical units in the environment has to be collected or compiled from environment has to be collected or compiled from institutional units who are responsible for their institutional units who are responsible for their management. management.

• It is important that the register of the physical units is It is important that the register of the physical units is linked to the register of the institutional units that linked to the register of the institutional units that manage or collect data about the particular water manage or collect data about the particular water resource. resource.

Questions 3 – Should the large artificial Questions 3 – Should the large artificial reservoirs be separated from the small reservoirs be separated from the small ones? (e.g. large dams from farm dams).ones? (e.g. large dams from farm dams).

A definition is available from International Commission on Large Dams:

• Large dams are defined as dams with a crest or wall height of greater than 15 metres, or as dams with a dam wall height of greater than 10 metres but meeting other size criteria as follows: having a crest more than 500 metres in length; creating a reservoir capacity of no less than 1,000 ML; the ability to deal with a flood discharge of no less than 2,000 cubic metres per second; or, being of unusual design

Section C – Definition of institutional Section C – Definition of institutional unitsunits

• The main attributes of an institutional unit are: The main attributes of an institutional unit are: • (a) It is entitled to own goods or assets in its own right; it is (a) It is entitled to own goods or assets in its own right; it is

therefore able to exchange the ownership of goods or assets in therefore able to exchange the ownership of goods or assets in transactions with other institutional units; transactions with other institutional units;

• (b) It is able to take economic decisions and engage in economic (b) It is able to take economic decisions and engage in economic activities for which it is itself held to be directly responsible and activities for which it is itself held to be directly responsible and accountable at law; accountable at law;

• (c) It is able to incur liabilities on its own behalf, to take on other (c) It is able to incur liabilities on its own behalf, to take on other obligations or future commitments and to enter into contracts; obligations or future commitments and to enter into contracts; and and

• (d) Either it has a complete set of accounts, including a balance (d) Either it has a complete set of accounts, including a balance sheet of assets and liabilities, or it would be possible and sheet of assets and liabilities, or it would be possible and meaningful, from both an economic and legal viewpoint, to meaningful, from both an economic and legal viewpoint, to compile for it a complete set of accounts, if requiredcompile for it a complete set of accounts, if required

Question 4Question 4 – – Do you agree with using the Do you agree with using the

term “institutional unit” in the IRWS?term “institutional unit” in the IRWS?

• The IRWS follows the 2008 SNA and The IRWS follows the 2008 SNA and uses the terminology “institutional units” uses the terminology “institutional units” as opposed to “economic units” which as opposed to “economic units” which was used in the SEEAW, which followed was used in the SEEAW, which followed the 1993 SNA. the 1993 SNA.

Section D – Classification of Section D – Classification of establishmentsestablishments

An industry is a group of the establishments An industry is a group of the establishments within the economy that are engaged in the within the economy that are engaged in the same, or similar, kinds of production activity same, or similar, kinds of production activity The productive activity of institutional units The productive activity of institutional units is termed principal, secondary or ancillary is termed principal, secondary or ancillary activity:activity:

Section D – Classification of Section D – Classification of establishments … cont.establishments … cont.

The The principal activityprincipal activity is the activity whose value added is the activity whose value added exceeds that of any other activity carried out within the exceeds that of any other activity carried out within the same unit and whose output must be suitable for delivery same unit and whose output must be suitable for delivery outside the institutional unit.outside the institutional unit.

A A secondary activitysecondary activity is an activity carried out within a single is an activity carried out within a single institutional unit in addition to the principal activity and institutional unit in addition to the principal activity and whose output must be suitable for delivery outside the whose output must be suitable for delivery outside the institutional unit. institutional unit.

An An ancillary activityancillary activity is incidental to the main activity of the is incidental to the main activity of the institutional unit. It does not normally result in goods and institutional unit. It does not normally result in goods and services that can be marketedservices that can be marketed

Section D – Classification of Section D – Classification of establishments … cont.establishments … cont.

Enterprise 1

Establishment 1 Establishment 2 Establishment 3

Industry 1(e.g. Agriculture, ISIC Rev. 4,

Division 01)

Enterprise 2

Establishment 4 Establishment 5 Establishment 6

Industry 3 (e.g. Water Supply Industry, ISIC

Rev. 4, Division 36)

Enterprise 5

Establishment 7 Establishment 8Establishment

11

Industry 6 (e.g. Manufacturing

ISIC Rev, 4, Divisions 10-33)

Establishment 9

Enterprise 3 Enterprise 4

Industry 2 (e.g. Electricity industry , ISIC

Rev. 4, Division 35)

Industry 4 (e.g. Sewerage Industry, ISIC

Rev. 4, Division 37)

Industry 5 (e.g. Mining, ISIC Rev. 4,

Divisions 5-9)

Establishment 10

Questions 5 – Is it necessary to present the Questions 5 – Is it necessary to present the classification of establishments by classification of establishments by

institutional sectors?institutional sectors? • The classification of establishments by institutional sectors is The classification of establishments by institutional sectors is

required for the compilation of national accounts. required for the compilation of national accounts.

• SEEAW includes reference to the institutional sector but does SEEAW includes reference to the institutional sector but does not use the institutional sectors in the presentation of the not use the institutional sectors in the presentation of the accounts. accounts.

• For theoretical completeness in the discussion of institution For theoretical completeness in the discussion of institution units and because it could be beneficial, and would be possible units and because it could be beneficial, and would be possible for many countries to present water statistics according to for many countries to present water statistics according to institutional sectors it is currently included in IRWS. institutional sectors it is currently included in IRWS.

• At present it seems that no country compiles water accounts or At present it seems that no country compiles water accounts or water statistics by institutional sector. water statistics by institutional sector.

Question 6 – AQuestion 6 – Are the most important re the most important industries relevant to water statistics industries relevant to water statistics identified? identified?

Currently included: Currently included: • Agriculture (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 01)Agriculture (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 01)• Mining (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 05-09)Mining (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 05-09)• Manufacturing (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 10-33) Manufacturing (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 10-33) • Electricity supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 35)Electricity supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 35)• Water supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 36)Water supply (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 36)• Sewerage (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 37)Sewerage (ISIC Rev. 4, Div. 37)• Others industries mentioned: Forestry and fishing; Others industries mentioned: Forestry and fishing;

Water transport; Accommodation; Food and beverage Water transport; Accommodation; Food and beverage services; Sports activities and amusement and services; Sports activities and amusement and recreation activitiesrecreation activities

Question 7 – Should the electricity Question 7 – Should the electricity industry be explicitly divided into hydro-industry be explicitly divided into hydro-electric producers and other types of electric producers and other types of producers?producers?

• It has been proposed that because hydro-It has been proposed that because hydro-power generators use, but do not consume power generators use, but do not consume water, they are different from other types of water, they are different from other types of electricity producers, and hence should be electricity producers, and hence should be separately identified.separately identified.

Section E – Characteristics of statistical Section E – Characteristics of statistical unitsunits

Characteristics of inland water resourcesCharacteristics of inland water resources

• 1. Name 1. Name

• 2. Identification code 2. Identification code

• 3. Location 3. Location

• 4. Type of water resource 4. Type of water resource

• 5. Organisation responsible for 5. Organisation responsible for management 6. Physical characteristicsmanagement 6. Physical characteristics

Section E – Characteristics of statistical Section E – Characteristics of statistical unitsunits … … cont.cont.

Characteristics of institutional unitsCharacteristics of institutional units

• 1. Identification code 1. Identification code

• 2. Location 2. Location

• 3. Industry 3. Industry

• 4. Type of economic organisation 4. Type of economic organisation

• 5. Type of legal organisation 5. Type of legal organisation

• 6. Size 6. Size

Question 8 – Is the order of the Question 8 – Is the order of the characteristics of inland water resources characteristics of inland water resources appropriate? appropriate?

• As it is important to link the physical units As it is important to link the physical units with the institutional units, to make this with the institutional units, to make this point clearer, should the order of point clearer, should the order of presentation of the characteristics of presentation of the characteristics of inland water resources change to show as inland water resources change to show as first characteristic the organization first characteristic the organization responsible for management? responsible for management?

• Note that at present the order is consistent Note that at present the order is consistent with the order of the characteristics of with the order of the characteristics of institutional unitsinstitutional units

Question 9 – Should Characteristic 5 be Question 9 – Should Characteristic 5 be changed to explicitly allow for multiple changed to explicitly allow for multiple organisations management to be organisations management to be identified?identified?

• It is recognised that that in water many It is recognised that that in water many agencies can be responsible for the agencies can be responsible for the management of different water resourcesmanagement of different water resources

• Apart from allowing for the recording of Apart from allowing for the recording of multiple agencies of management, how multiple agencies of management, how else could this be reflected in the else could this be reflected in the characteristics of the inland water characteristics of the inland water resources?resources?

Question 10 – Are any important Question 10 – Are any important characteristics of inland water resources characteristics of inland water resources and institutional units missing?and institutional units missing?

• Statistical units may be characterised by a Statistical units may be characterised by a number of descriptive data items that help number of descriptive data items that help uniquely identify them and facilitate the process uniquely identify them and facilitate the process of producing water statistics, in particular the of producing water statistics, in particular the survey design and sample weighting for survey design and sample weighting for estimationestimation

• The characteristics of institutional units are well The characteristics of institutional units are well articulated in the 2008 SNA (which is based on articulated in the 2008 SNA (which is based on country practices), however, the characteristics country practices), however, the characteristics of inland water resources have apparently not of inland water resources have apparently not been described in this way before.been described in this way before.

Question 11Question 11 – What are the country – What are the country practices in establishing a frame, and, by practices in establishing a frame, and, by extension, the identification of the extension, the identification of the characteristics of inland water resources?characteristics of inland water resources?

• This is related to the previous question as This is related to the previous question as well as to Part II Chapter VI, Data source well as to Part II Chapter VI, Data source and methods, but is also relevant hereand methods, but is also relevant here

• For example, to what extent are area For example, to what extent are area frame frames used for this purpose?frame frames used for this purpose?

Questions to the EGM on Chapter IIIQuestions to the EGM on Chapter III

1.1. Is the definition of statistical units appropriate for the Is the definition of statistical units appropriate for the purposes of IRWS?purposes of IRWS?

2.2. Do you agree with the definition of physical units of the Do you agree with the definition of physical units of the environment (and should wetlands be added?)environment (and should wetlands be added?)

3.3. Should the large artificial reservoirs be separated from Should the large artificial reservoirs be separated from

the small ones (e.g. large dams from farm dams)?the small ones (e.g. large dams from farm dams)? 4.4. Do you agree with using the term “institutional unit” in Do you agree with using the term “institutional unit” in

the IRWS?the IRWS?

5.5. Are the most important industries relevant to water Are the most important industries relevant to water statistics identified? statistics identified?

6.6. Should the electricity industry be explicitly divided into Should the electricity industry be explicitly divided into hydro-electric producers and other types of producers?hydro-electric producers and other types of producers?

7.7. Is it necessary to present the classification of Is it necessary to present the classification of establishments by institutional sectors? establishments by institutional sectors?

8.8. Should Characteristic 5 be changed to explicitly Should Characteristic 5 be changed to explicitly allow for multiple organisations management to allow for multiple organisations management to be identified?be identified?

9.9. Is the order of the characteristics of inland water Is the order of the characteristics of inland water resources appropriate?resources appropriate?

10.10. Are any important characteristics of inland water Are any important characteristics of inland water resources and institutional units missing? resources and institutional units missing?

11.11. What are country practices in establishing a What are country practices in establishing a frame of inland water resources?frame of inland water resources?

Questions to the EGM on Chapter III Questions to the EGM on Chapter III (cont.)(cont.)