Connectivity and the International Perspective
Water scarcity, allocation, water quality and ecosystem dependencies are global water issues. Many countries and organisations are also dealing with the challenge of integrating the management of surface water and groundwater resources. Some examples are set out below.
Global Water Partnership IWRM Toolbox
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has developed a resource relating to integrated water resource management. The IWRM Toolbox contains resources for three key areas of the 'enabling environment' (the overall laws, investments and policies), institution and capacity building, and management tools.
International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)
The IAH maintain a network for promoting and coordinating work on the management and enhancement of aquifer recharge (IAH-MAR) . The forum provides access to a reference database, a conference and workshop calendar and publications relating to aquifer recharge management.
Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy (HELP)
UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is developing the HELP international network as a framework for integrated catchment management
EU Water Initiative (EUWI)
The EUWI is designed as a catalyst and a foundation for meeting development goals for drinking water and sanitation, within the context of an integrated approach to water resource management. Integrated water resource management at all levels including natural rivers, lakes or groundwater basins is needed within an overall framework.
South Africa
South Africa has similar issues to Australia in terms of high variability in rainfall and water availability. In the South African White Paper on Water Policy, all water in the water cycle whether on land, underground or in surface channels, falling on, flowing through or infiltrating between such systems, will be treated as part of the common resource and to the extent required to meet the broad objectives of water resource management, will be subject to common approaches.
Nebraska, USA
Nebraska Water Law relevant to groundwater-surface water relationships was passed during 1997. The Water Law expanded the Ground Water Management and Protection Act to include authorities related to integrated management of hydrologically connected groundwater and surface water. The water law indicated that "Hydrologically connected groundwater and surface water may need to be managed differently from unconnected groundwater and surface water in order to permit equity among water users and to optimize the beneficial use of interrelated groundwater and surface water supplies. The act identifies natural resources districts as the preferred entities to regulate groundwater related activities that could contribute to conflicts between ground and surface water users. - Nebraska Water Law 1997.
California, USA
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is implementing a Conjunctive Water Management Program (CWMP) to increase the state-wide reliability of water supply reliability through planned, coordinated management and use of groundwater and surface water resources. This includes developing a basic understanding of processes in groundwater systems, identifying basin management strategies, and designing and constructing specific projects. Through the coordinated optimisation of surface water and groundwater supplies, California intends to increase water supply reliability, water supply system flexibility and reduce dry year demand deficit, overdraft, and subsidence.