PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION: Water Resources Science

Water Resources Science – scope of work

Water Resources Science is assumed to be a field of practice that includes many different, but interrelated scientific disciplines that contribute to improved understanding of water resources (natural or managed) and their management. These disciplines include hydrology and geohydrology, chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology of water, geomorphology, environmental science and the biology, zoology and ecology of water bodies.

Professional water resources assessment services are undertaken within the South African context by both engineers and scientists. While there are some clear distinctions between the types of professional services that engineers and scientists are trained to provide, there are also many overlaps. The main distinction is that while the scientists would be expected to understand and apply sound scientific principles to water resources management assessments, they are not expected to be trained in the design of engineering solutions. Engineers may share some of the scientific training and expertise, but would also be trained in engineering design. A simplified example of the design of a water supply storage reservoir can be used to illustrate the contributions of engineers and hydrological scientists. The scientist would be qualified to quantify the expected inflows (or the water quality of the inflows) to the reservoir using their understanding of the processes involved in rainfall-runoff dynamics and their training in the use of hydrological (quantity and quality) estimation models, but they would not be qualified to design the dam wall, spillway and water supply distribution network. Thus scientists can perform hydrological design work, but not engineering design. While many engineers will also be trained to undertake hydrological designs (as well as engineering designs), the well-trained scientist might be expected to apply more in-depth assessments based on the most up-to-date understanding and approaches used locally and internationally in applied hydrology.

Water Resources Science can therefore be considered as a branch of the Natural Sciences that deals with the interaction of atmospheric processes (rainfall, evaporation demand, etc.), land-surface processes (runoff, evapotranspiration, soil water storage, etc.) and sub-surface processes (groundwater recharge and discharge) as well as geomorphological, chemical, biochemical, microbiological and ecological (biology and zoology) processes and interactions that occur within water bodies. The science deals with natural processes as well as with changes in natural processes that are a consequence of the human use and management of water. The professional context is contributing to improved water resources management through the application of sound scientific principles in practice.

There are clearly overlaps with some of the other fields of practice recognised by SACNASP. However, the distinguishing characteristics are that the basic scientific disciplines of Water Resources Science are practised within the context of water resources management. It is recommended that part of the training of Water Resources Scientists should include the application of science in a water management context and the use of interdisciplinary approaches to the solution of water related problems. However, it should also be clearly understood that training in water resources management is not sufficient on its own, this must be under-pinned by training in one or more of the basic sciences already referred to above.

Scientific and technical functions

Because of the scope of Water Resources Science it is difficult to provide a comprehensive list of all the possible scientific and technical functions that might be performed by the different Water Resources Science specialists. This section therefore provides some examples associated with different specialisations. Many of the scientific and technical functions expected of a practicing Water Resources Scientist will require specific on-job training unless they have obtained experience during their honours or post-graduate academic training. This is particularly true in the application of specific hydrological or water quality estimation models and associated computer software, which may form a major component of the work of a specialist. The main point about the academic training is therefore that they should be well prepared to participate in additional training and will be expected to be broadly familiar with the concepts of a wide range of water resources analysis and estimation techniques (including complex water resources estimation models).

Hydrologists and geohydrologists: Listed below are examples of the types of technical functions that might be expected from professional hydrologists and geohydrologists:

Design and operational management of hydrological monitoring networks including the processing and maintenance of the resulting databases.
Accessing information from a range of local and international hydrological databases.
Processing and interpretation (including accuracy checking) of hydrological and relevant climate data.
Hydrological estimation using a range of different models for:
General water resources estimation (use of rainfall-runoff, reservoir storage, and system yield models).
Hydrological data support for environmental water requirement determinations.
Design flood determinations.
Determination of water supply reliability for irrigated agriculture and the use of crop yield estimation models (appropriate to hydrologists specialising in agricultural applications).
Assessments of groundwater availability and sustainable abstraction rates.
Assessing the impacts of future environmental change through scenario analyses linked to development growth or climate change.
Interpretation of water resources management policy and legislation in the context of natural water availability and water uses (present and future).
Hydrologists would also be required to place their work in the context of integrated solutions to water problems at different spatial scales.

Water quality specialists: These are assumed to be Water Resources Scientists who have backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry and/or microbiology and are concerned with:

Monitoring the water quality status of water bodies (rivers, reservoirs, lakes, estuaries, groundwater, etc.) and water resources infrastructure (water and wastewater treatment works).
Estimating (through data analysis or modelling) the water quality of water bodies.
Designing appropriate management interventions for managing water quality.
Providing water quality input into determinations of environmental water requirements (Ecological Reserve).
Scientific aspects of the design and management of water and wastewater treatment works.

Aquatic ecologists and hydrobiologists: These are assumed to be Water Resources Scientists who have backgrounds in ecology, biology and zoology and may overlap with some of the skills associated with water quality specialists:

Environmental water requirements (focusing on the ecological function issues) of:
Rivers.
Estuaries.
Groundwater.
Industrial, domestic or agricultural effluent toxicological assessments.
Environmental impact assessments (water quality).
Environmental management plans (water quality).
Design and operational management of biomonitoring networks.
Development of water quality guidelines for ecological functioning.

Geographic specialists: These are assumed to be Water Resources Scientists who have backgrounds in the geographic sciences that might overlap with the hydrology specialisation, but will also include the geomorphology of river systems (including issues associated with erosion and sedimentation), spatial mapping and interpolation (Geographical Information System specialists) and the use of Earth Observation Information (satellite imagery interpretation and processing).

Agricultural water specialists: These are assumed to be Water Resources Scientists who have backgrounds in the agricultural sciences (including soil and crop sciences) but who are focussed on the water issues related to agricultural management and practices. These are also likely to overlap with some of the previously mentioned specialisations (and example would be forest hydrologists).

Appropriate academic qualifications

As with all of the SACNASP fields of practice, Water Resources Scientists are required to have sound training in science as part of their education. Unlike many of the other fields of practice, Water Resources Scientists can originate from a wide variety of different base disciplines and many of these would not have specific majors in a water resources science. One exception to this is the emergence in recent years of specialist hydrology science courses at some South African universities. Many professional water resources scientists therefore develop their specialist skills through post-graduate studies (either based on course work or through research-based degrees). With the exception of a 4-year degree in hydrology, it is therefore unlikely that there are any other courses which would qualify a person as a Water Resource Scientist on completion of an honours degree. Further exceptions might occur where the honours year specialisations were almost totally focused on water resource science training.

Students who have moved from non-science undergraduate training (e.g. civil or agricultural engineering) would be required to demonstrate that they have either received the necessary training in scientific principles as part of their undergraduate courses, or that they have received that training as part of their programme of post-graduate studies through an MSc or PhD.

One of the common academic training paths is for students to enroll for a course-work MSc degree (such as the WaterNet course in Water Resources Management) after completion of an honours degree. If such courses are to qualify as appropriate qualifications for registration as a Water Resources Scientist it is essential that they offer modules with a substantive scientific content and are not designed only to train generalist water resource managers. This is without doubt a ‘grey’ area with respect to assessing courses that are appropriate training for professional water resources scientists. Many course-work MSc degrees in water resources management do not contain a great deal of water science as part of their content and are more designed to supplement the training of engineers and scientists in some of the management, policy and legislative aspects of water resources. While completing such a course may qualify a student to continue with further research-based post-graduate studies it may not qualify a student as a professional water resources scientist unless they have received adequate scientific training previously. It is therefore recommended that all course-work MSc degrees are subject to an evaluation of the subject content before being considered as sufficient training when a student has a non-hydrology undergraduate background. It is assumed that course-work MSc degrees that qualify (without further qualifications) will have a research project component that constitutes at least 50% of the final evaluation.

It is also recognised that students who have completed a course-work MSc degree and then go on to complete a PhD (within an academic institution with a proven reputation) in one of the disciplines that form part of Water Resources Science would be qualified for registration.

Work experience requirements

1.For registration purposes, work experience should be gained after the completion of the highest qualification.

Aftercompleting a B.Sc. Honours or recognised B.Tech. degree, three years work experience is required, two years after completing an appropriate and recognised M.Sc. degree, and one year after completing a Ph.D.

If an applicant was employed full-time, work experience gained while studying part-time for a recognised M.Tech./M.Sc. degree, may be taken into consideration.

2.A minimum of three years appropriate work experience in the natural sciences is required to register as a Professional Natural Scientist of which one year must be ina position of responsibility.

3.Applicants that are operating on a decision-making level should have been responsible for the drafting of guidelines in the decision-making process and responsible for the affects of their decisions.

4.Applicants employed in an advisory capacity should indicate to what extent peers or clients depend on their professional advice and expertise for which they could be kept responsible, or if they have been involved in research which has lead to publication(s) in established science journals.

5.Research projects, which have lead to publication(s) in established science publications or papers, should be listed.

Guidelines for work experience report (not a CV)

1.The work experience report should be clear about the nature, extent and variety of the natural scientific work, as well as the level of participation in projects. A list of projects completed is not sufficient.

(a)All work experience relevant to the field of practice for which is applied.

(b)Information such as name of company, position occupied, period of employment, and responsibilities of each position in chronological order.

(c)Evidence of the application of the basic scientific principles, methods and techniques, scientific observation, discussion and interpretation of data where a scientific opinion is delivered and findings explained in scientific terms.

(d)A description of any major research, project or design, and their appropriate values.

(e)List of articles published in recognised scientific journals.

(f)Papers presented at congresses/symposia, attendance of conferences and symposia

(g)Membership of scientific societies or other involvement in the profession.

2.Applicants that are operating on a decision-making level should have been responsible for the drafting of guidelines in the decision-making process and responsible for the affects of their decisions.

3.Applicants employed in an advisory capacity should indicate to what extent peers or clients depend on their professional advice and expertise for which they could be kept responsible, or if they have been involved in research which has lead to publication(s) in established science journals.

Nature of work

The following has been extracted from the registration requirements for the Earth Science field of practice related to the ‘hydrologist’ specialisation to illustrate (but not be prescriptive) the nature of work expected for registration as a Certified Natural Scientist or as a Professional Natural Scientist. These details are included as part of the Water Resources Scientist requirements for use as guidelines in the evaluation process only.

Identification of work for the field of practice Soil Science

in terms of Section 27 of Act 27 of 2003

Certificated Natural Scientist – Hydrological Science

Routine data/sample collection in fieldwork outside the laboratory using standardized methods.
Sample preparation of bulk chemicals for analysis.
Monitor the rainfall, inflow into dams and dam contents, the quality of water and using rates in order to facilitate the timeous identification and solving of possible problem areas.
Routine laboratory analysis of solid, liquid or gas samples of organic or inorganic nature in the laboratory using standardized methods.
Quality control and water evaluation by physical, chemical and microbiological tests on water.
Implementing methods to analyze water-related samples.
Ensuring that instruments are accurately calibrated by routine checking, maintenance and calibration of on-line and laboratory instrumentation.
Routine conditioning of systems to maintain operational standards.
Recording details of work performed as well as making sure that subordinates keep up-to-date daily records on test results.
Supervising the activities of subordinates.
Management of the relatively low level risks associated with chemical science processes, systems, equipment and infrastructure.

Professional Natural Scientist – Hydrological Science

Ensure the optimal utilisation of the country's water resources by providing civil, planning and design engineers with the necessary hydrological data and flow analysis to minimise the risks of floods and flood damage and to ensure that the most economic water schemes are built.
Conduct operational analysis to ensure the best operation procedures for flood control and drought periods.
Develop underground water as a primary or supplementary source of water supply.

Research to improve the methods of hydrological evaluations and to develop operating procedures for multi-purpose dams and dam schemes to improve water utilisation.

Use their expert knowledge of water supply systems, rivers, catchment areas and hydrology to plan and manage water supply at all times.
Implement water pollution awareness programmes.
Maintain and update relevant documentation such as water court orders, water rights agreements and water use and re-use agreements.
Predict future water requirements with special reference to new and planned projects, and to inform the relevant authorities well in advance of the increased demand.

Investigate new water supply techniques such as the tapping of ground water and desalination processes and to determine the suitability thereof.
Undertake research and develop methods that will aid the evaluation, development and utilisation of the nation's water resources, concentrating on both the quality and quantity of natural water.
The gathering, processing, evaluation and release of hydrological data such as river flow, dam content, evaporation and rainfall figures, as well as data on the quality of water.

Determine the surface water potential on a countrywide, regional, as well as task-orientated basis and make calculations of the extent and intervals of recurrence of floods.
Locate, evaluate and develop ground water for various needs.

Ground-water studies by installing ground water level recorders throughout the country to collect long-term information on fluctuations in ground-water levels.
Liaise with overseas institutions in the exchange of research information and attend international conferences.

Determine validity and accuracy of analytical data and interpret conditions.
Maintain records of all analytical data produced to reflect a complete history of all hydrological activities.
Managing all aspects of laboratory functions as well as monitoring project work performed by technicians and ensuring that policies and procedures are adhered to.
Manage all aspects of chemical discharge to ensure effective pollution control.
Ensure that the water plant is operated in the best practical manner with minimal chemical damage to plant and environment.

Supervise and direct the activities of subordinate laboratory and plant personnel.
Preparing and implementing laboratory work schedules in accordance with priorities.
Organize and direct the routine care and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
Exercising financial control and assisting with the compilation of the annual budget.

Water Science