A service-oriented architecture for sharing and re-use water data : case study with the GEOSAWIS platform & IMPETUS project Aniss Moumen Geosciences of Natural Resources Laboratory (GeoNaRes), Ibn Tofail University, Faculty of Science, Maamora Campus, PO Box 133, 14000 Kenitra, Morocco amoumen@gmail.com Badraddine AGHOUTANE Polydisciplinary Faculty of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, BP 512 Boutalamine, 52000, Errachidia, Morocco Fouad NAFIS Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco Bouabid El Mansouri Geosciences of Natural Resources Laboratory (GeoNaRes), Ibn Tofail University, Faculty of Science, Maamora Campus, PO Box 133, 14000 Kenitra, Morocco Hassane Jarar Oulidi Hassania School of Public Works (EHTP) KM 7, Route D'El Jadida, B.P 8108, Oasis, Casablanca, Morocco Abstract - The absence of shared water information available to the public, is among the obstacles to implementation of the objectives of a significant number of scientific research projects in Morocco. In addition the access to data and information on water held by the administration, is still not open to the general public. In this context the SAWIS Initiative was created to provide a platform for sharing data, managed and maintained by the scientific association for water information systems (SAWIS). The purpose of this platform, is to provide the scientific community with the means and techniques to share and enrich data through Open source GIS tools conforming to OGC standards, and based on a geospatial Service oriented architecture: WMS, WFS, CSW. The present work aims to (1) present the context of the birth of the SAWIS Initiative (2) present service-oriented architecture and functionalities of the platform and (3) present the results of a case study, using data from the IMPETUS project. KEYWORDS: COMMUNITY PLATFORM, OPEN SOURCE GIS WEB SERVICE, STANDARD OGC, GEOPORTAL, CATALOG, SAWIS, MOROCCO I. INTRODUCTION Collection of data is an essential step for the success of scientific projects, especially those related to water resources. For example, the steps for the realization of numerical modeling studies in hydrology [1] passes primordially by the collecting and integration of hydraulic and hydrological data, before reaching the stage of the model calibration and the exploitation of the results. In addition, data quality [2] determines the quality of the results and the relevance of interpretations and decisions. After the exploitation of scientific data, it would be appropriate to make data and results available to interested parties. The step allows reuse data already collected, can be realized from the implementation of a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) [3]. The step allows to reuse data already collected, can be achieved by the implementation of a Service- oriented architecture , that offers users a variety of services for the reuse of data in a standardized form that facilitates exploitation and maximize the efficiency of future work. In Morocco, most of the water data used by scientists to conduct their research, are either after long collection missions or obtained through collaborations with authorities in charge of the water sector (example: agencies of watersheds or environmental observatories at regional level.) However, in the absence of a framework for establishing the procedures for access to this data and a Service-oriented architecture offering the possibility to exploit and reuse, the researcher is faced with a very constraining reality [4] . Certainly, Morocco has assured the right of access to public information in the article 27 of its Constitution [5], and a new bill details how to exercise this right by each citizen [6], Once this bill is passed, a new obstacle should be raised that of accessibility and reuse of data Pending the improvement of this situation, scientific research in the field of water, would be confronted with the problem of collection, availability and accessibility of data and metadata necessary for the advancement of research. In several countries, mechanisms have been developed to ensure the collection, storage, processing and dissemination of data on water, these mechanisms are called a Water Information System (WIS) [7] , [8] and [9]. WIS is a