Leveraging Hydroinformatics and Stakeholder Engagement for Regional Water Resource Management in Colombia

Effective water resource management in hydrologically diverse regions requires the integration of advanced decision-support systems with collaborative approaches. This study presents the development and application of the ERA TOOL, a hydroinformatics platform designed to evaluate water resources across multiple jurisdictions in Colombia. Initially developed through collaboration between the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and regional environmental authorities (CARs), the tool has been implemented for four CARs and is currently being adapted for a fifth, highlighting its scalability and adaptability to diverse hydrological and institutional contexts.

The ERA TOOL builds on the framework of the Regional Water Assessment (ERA, by its acronym in Spanish), a process mandated by Colombian policy to assess water availability, quality, and vulnerability while addressing anthropogenic pressures. By integrating localized hydrological modeling using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system and geospatial analyses, the tool provides a comprehensive Decision Support System (DSS) for evaluating current conditions and projecting future scenarios under climate variability and increasing demands.

Key features of the ERA TOOL include dynamic visualizations of regional indicators such as flow duration curves, groundwater recharge, and surface water availability and quality indicators, all presented through an intuitive, interactive interface. The platform also facilitates the co-design of solutions by incorporating feedback from stakeholders during its development and deployment. This collaborative process ensures that the tool meets the specific needs of each CAR, enhancing institutional capacity and fostering a shared understanding of water resource dynamics.

The implementation across multiple CARs has demonstrated the versatility of the ERA TOOL in addressing diverse regional climates and challenges, from hydrological extremes to water allocation and quality management. By linking data-driven insights with participatory processes, the tool has empowered decision-makers to implement evidence-based strategies that promote equitable and sustainable water governance. All platforms developed are freely accessible, with the latest version available for consultation at the following link: https://latinoamericasei.shinyapps.io/ERA_CARDER/.

This ongoing initiative underscores the potential for replicating and adapting hydroinformatics solutions across regions with varying hydrological and institutional conditions. It provides a model for leveraging innovative tools and participatory research to bridge gaps between technical expertise and practical application in water resource management.