An information jungle: Socio-economic data for water management

In implementing water reforms under the National Water Initiative, water managers need to draw on quantitative socio-economic data. These data can help water managers build ‘profiles’ of populations affected by water reforms; understand how water is used by those populations; and understand the possible socioeconomic implications of changes in water availability as a result of reforms. This article describes where these data can come from, and discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of these sources.