Integrated computer systems for water resource systems management

Consideration of the impact of development on the aquatic environment requires knowledge from many disciplines beyond the capability of one person. Informatic tools and systems can assist the development, operation and maintenance of water resource systems. Computer systems are flexible knowledge encapsulators. Integrated computer systems can now combine many areas of knowledge and present the output in a focused and targeted manner. This allows the system to reduce the "knowledge-burden" faced by the water manager. Key components of an integrated system are databases, numerical models, graphical visualisation and expert systems. This fusion of areas provides a system of higher social utility than the sum of its individual components. The implementation of an integrated system relies on the current technologies and techniques of IT. In this paper, the computing issues that arise during the development and use of integrated systems are identified. The operation and effectiveness of two very different integrated systems for water management are compared. This comparison provides guide-lines for the development of successful, integrated computer systems for water resource system management in the future.