Information systems and social legitimacy scientific visualization of water quality

This paper addresses the challenge of social legitimacy issues for the technical solutions to environmental problems, and the role of Information Systems to resolve such issues. The paper outlines the Georgia Watershed Information System (GWIS), a comprehensive environmental information system, and one of its scientific visualization interfaces. This paper presents a novel scientific visualization tool based on unique components and features of GWIS. The visualization tool uses data and mapping services of GWIS to create dynamic visualizations and animation of water quality observations. A case study is demonstrated for visualizing water quality observations for dry and wet weather conditions on urban Weracoba Creek (Colombus) and its BMP (Best Management Practice), which might help to deal with issues of storm water (storm sewage) pollution control and management. The results show that the scientific visualization interface might support the prospective role of Information Systems in trying to resolve issues of "social legitimacy" surrounding the technical proposals with respect to re-engineering the city's infrastructure.