Water Data Transfer Format (WDTF)

The Water Transfer Data Transfer Format (WDTF) is our preferred mode of data delivery and we are promoting this as the standard format for the transfer of water data. This format will facilitate the transfer of Time Series data, and Metadata.

WDTF and commercial systems

Using a standard transfer format will provide organisations with a streamlined process to deliver water data, while providing the assurance and confidence that their data delivery solution is commercially available and supported by the current IT industry.

A number of commercial companies have produced export tools to facilitate data being forwarded to the Bureau. Organisations wishing to update their data management systems to support WDTF can apply for funds from the Bureau under the Modernisation and Extension of Hydrologic Monitoring Systems Program.

• The WDTF will provide significant benefits to the broader Australian water industry including:
• reduced time in interpreting and understanding water data files
• support for streamlined data extraction, transfer and loading processes
• development of staff data format skills and knowledge that is transferable between organisations
• ongoing industry investment for maintenance and enhancement of the WDTF
• interoperability between individual commercial water data management systems.

Developing your systems

We encourage you to contact your IT system provider and discuss your options for developing or improving your organisation's WDTF export capacity. By having a commercial data management system that enables water data transfer, your organisation can achieve the following benefits:

• robust and reliable data operations and interoperability
• enhanced query and reporting
• enhancement of the data value through associated metadata
• external product support
• access to structured training programs.

Data management systems being proposed should either have WDTF capacity or be able to demonstrate a significant commitment to the development of WDTF capacity in their product.

Funding available

The Bureau has funds available under the Modernisation and Extension Program for assisting eligible organisations to develop their data management systems to support the Water Data Transfer Format.

We are encouraging all organisations named in the Water Regulations 2008, particularly those listed under categories E, F and G, to submit a project proposal to establish WDTF transfer functionality within their data management systems.

Our preference is to fund WDTF project proposals that demonstrate collaboration between multiple agencies — especially between smaller agencies — to develop and implement a common water data transfer solution. Proposals will be considered more favourably when based on a data management system that is commercially available and supported. In assessing such project proposals, we will also consider the project's cost against the volume of water data that is being delivered to us.

If you are interested in collaborating with other agencies in your state or territory, your local Strategic Water Information Coordinator can help coordinate the interested parties in preparing a joint WDTF project proposal.