WASH GIS portal (UNHCR DRS)

The WASH GIS portal (also called Borehole Database) was created in 2016 by our team. The WASH GIS portal centralizes information about boreholes data in refugee sites, and is managed by the WASH team of UNHCR (now part of the Diviosn of Resilience and Solutions). Here is a quick overview of the work conducted in the last two years:

CartONG conducted a considerable revamping of the WASH GIS portal in 2019.

• Numerous updates to existing features were implemented: data model changes with revised and new attributes, revamped bulk upload possibilities for users, finetuning of data quality checks on import, managing attachments for each borehole (with tags), improved diagram of the borehole showing depth and static water level, among others, to make the opp more relevant and easier to use.
• Our team also worked on the development of many new features. First of all, a Rapid Groundwater Potential Mapping module (or RGWPM) was developed, making accessible different external layers (geological, hydrogeological, on ground water quality, etc.) as well as making it possible for a user to perform a Rapid Hydrology Assessment by clicking on any given point and displaying the associated evapotranspiration and precipitation or aridity index values of a given point. New features also included a "filters" menu for users to be able to query their data, with certain common and useful predefined queries being available off the shelf, as well as the possibility of filtering some attributes based on a slicer with thresholds (such as the WHO quality thresholds). Filtered results are then displayed on the map and can also be downloaded as Excel exports, KML and geojson formats (which is also available for any export from the opp). This can help both field users and HO identify more easily datasets of particular interest, but also analyze the quality of the database. On that note, an in-depth review of the data existing in the opp was also conducted by CartONG to identify possible quality issues such as impossible data or data whose place was not in the Borehole database. Moreover, different experimental new features were also worked on, such as a PDF export feature, as well as the possibility to share the Borehole data with other websites automatically through the provision of a WMS service.
• Beyond the work on existing features and the development of new ones, a strong focus was put on improving the user experience, with a reviewed user access workflow, instructions and alerts made available throughout the opp and the release of an updated user guide among other aspects.

In 2020, 3 releases were done aiming at improving the application in different ways:

• ensuring interoperability with the Rapid Solar Pumping Assessment Tool (R-SPAT) developed by Renewgies and UNHCR
• optimizing the performance of the app allowing to display smoothly dozen of thousands of borehole at the same time
• implementing analytics tools to better understand how the application is used by UNHCR staff and their WASH partner
• implementing automatic monthly report and alert to allow a regular monitoring of the actions done on the portal
• improving the design of some features of the app to smooth its use

New features and ideas are in the pipeline for 2021 such as un-duplication of boreholes, improved analysis of data, and more.

To know more about the work conducted in support of the development of this portal, please check our our Annual Reports.