Ontology — Water Decisions

What is the ontology? The ontology is the AI-enabled knowledge framework that structures everything in Water Decisions. It defines a shared vocabulary of concepts — hazards, infrastructure types, governance models, monitoring approaches — so that case studies from different countries and contexts can be meaningfully compared, decomposed into use cases, and mapped to decision patterns.

For decision makers, the ontology is what makes the tool portable. By passing case studies through this structured framework, insights from a flood management project in Tokyo can be compared with one in the Netherlands, and the relevant decision patterns can be identified for application in a UK context. The ontology aligns with ISO 22372 and the UNDRR Principles for Resilient Infrastructure.

Concept Domains

Use Cases

Decision Patterns

Concept Domains

Each domain groups related concepts that recur across water infrastructure decisions.

Domain

Infrastructure Systems

Physical assets, networks, and engineered systems for water supply, treatment, drainage, and flood defence.

Pipes & tunnelsTreatment worksReservoirsFlood barriers

Domain

Monitoring & Data

Sensors, telemetry, digital twins, and data systems used to observe and manage water infrastructure.

SCADASensorsDigital twinsReal-time data

Domain

Regulation & Policy

Legal frameworks, standards, and regulatory instruments that govern water infrastructure decisions.

Water Framework DirectiveEnvironment ActISO standards

Domain

Hazards & Risks

Natural and human-caused threats to water systems — flooding, drought, pollution, and climate change.

FloodingDroughtPollutionClimate change

How the Framework Connects

Ontology — defines core concepts
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Use Cases — operational scenarios
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Decision Patterns — proven strategies
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Case Studies — real-world evidence