Texas Water Data Hub facilitates better access to water data from across the state
For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129
AUSTIN – (February 1, 2023) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is pleased to release the beta version of the Texas Water Data Hub, a diverse water data platform featuring a growing catalog of searchable datasets and applications from across the state. When complete, the Hub will be an intuitive system for water data producers and users to index, document, search, and access water data that spans entities, geographies, and disciplines.
“The underlying motivation for the Texas Water Data Hub is the belief that good data leads to good decision-making,” said TWDB Executive Administrator Jeff Walker. “Data forms the foundation of not only what the TWDB does, but also organizations and entities throughout the state helping to ensure a secure water future for Texas.”
The Hub’s catalog of publicly available datasets features standardized documentation that follows the principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data, which will help increase accessibility and usability of Texas water data while serving water data producers and users across Texas.
The Hub was not designed to store or maintain data resources. Instead, the TWDB works with data producers to develop standardized metadata documentation, data dictionaries, and tags and indexes for searchability in the Hub. Data producers maintain ownership of their data resources and make them available to download through the Hub.
Echoing the belief that better water data facilitates better water management is the Internet of Water (IoW) Coalition, a national initiative working to modernize data infrastructure and a partner in the initial development of the TWDB’s Hub project. “We are working across the country to connect water data through hubs,” said IoW Coalition Chair Peter Colohan. “Texas is the first state in the nation to develop a water data hub without legislation that mandates it. The Texas effort is based solely on cooperative partnerships, which can serve as a model for other states going forward.”
External data contributions are crucial to the success of this evolving and responsive project. As the TWDB continues building and improving the site, it is seeking water datasets and applications that are in a downloadable format and preferably provided as webservices or downloadable links. Interested contributors are encouraged to contact the TWDB.
“We’re dedicated to developing the data catalog and working with stakeholders to enhance and adapt the platform,” said Walker. “Browse the Hub and continue to check back often; we are just getting started!”
Additionally, the TWDB is seeking constructive feedback on the beta site and welcomes commentary to help make finding, accessing, and using water data in Texas easier and more intuitive.
The TWDB anticipates releasing the full version of the Hub in 2024. Visit the beta Texas Water Data Hub website to learn more, or email datahub@twdb.texas.gov to connect with the TWDB’s Hub development team.
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.