Water Policy

Integrated Water Resource Management

Conjunctive water management is one component of the concept of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

Integrated Water Resource Management is:

"a process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems" (GWP, 2000).

In this way, social, economic, environmental and technical dimensions are all taken into account when managing water resources. This involves linking the management of the parts of the natural world that are important for the availability and quality of water. Coordinating the management of surface water and groundwater is just one aspect of this. The other aspects are linking:

  1. Land and water, recognising that land use and vegetation can have an effect on water resources.
  2. Water quantity and water quality, so that the usability of water for different purposes is maintained or enhanced.
  3. Upstream and downstream interests, as the practices of people high in the catchment can affect the quantity and quality of water for people downstream. To this end, management should encompass the needs of the coastal zone as well as the need for freshwater on the land.
  4. "Green water" and "blue water". This recognises that there tends to be a focus on the water flowing down rivers or through aquifers ("blue water") in catchment management. This is at the expense of the management of the water involved in plant growth such as rainfall, soil moisture and evapotranspiration ("green water").
  5. Water and "waste water", by providing alternative water supplies with the treatment and re-use of water flows traditionally viewed as waste such as saline or brackish sources, storm water or sewage (GWP, 2000).

The other critical aspect of IWRM is the linking of the social dimension. This is fundamental, as people and the decisions they make define how water is used or misused. This can be achieved through:

  1. Coordinating water management and policy-making at all levels from global and national to local and community.
  2. Involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process and providing avenues for conflict resolution and mechanisms for evaluating trade-offs. This requires effort in capacity building so that stakeholders have the necessary knowledge and skills for full participation.
  3. Making mainstream planning and policy processes assess and account for any impacts on water resources. This acknowledges that decisions made in many sectors (such as food, transport, energy, immigration) need to be water sensitive.
  4. Making available adequate information on the biophysical, economic, social and ecological characteristics of a catchment to support appropriate decision-making.
  5. Influencing water users to make consumptive choices based on the real value of water, and the need for long-term viability of the water resource (GWP, 2000).

The concept of IWRM is based on the Dublin Principles, so called as they were adopted from the 1992 International Conference on Water and the Environment in Dublin (Box 2.1). These principles formed the foundation for the freshwater resources component of the UN Agenda for protection of freshwater resourcesAgenda 21 Chapter 18.

The Dublin Principles

Principle No. 1 - Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment

Since water sustains life, effective management of water resources demands a holistic approach, linking social and economic development with protection of natural ecosystems. Effective management links land and water uses across the whole of a catchment area or groundwater aquifer.

Principle No. 2 - Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy-makers at all levels

The participatory approach involves raising awareness of the importance of water among policy-makers and the general public. It means that decisions are taken at the lowest appropriate level, with full public consultation and involvement of users in the planning and implementation of water projects.

Principle No. 3 - Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water

This pivotal role of women as providers and users of water and guardians of the living environment has seldom been reflected in institutional arrangements for the development and management of water resources. Acceptance and implementation of this principle requires positive policies to address women's specific needs and to equip and empower women to participate at all levels in water resources programmes, including decision-making and implementation, in ways defined by them.

Principle No. 4 - Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognised as an economic good

Within this principle, it is vital to recognise first the basic right of all human beings to have access to clean water and sanitation at an affordable price. Past failure to recognise the economic value of water has led to wasteful and environmentally damaging uses of the resource. Managing water as an economic good is an important way of achieving efficient and equitable use and of encouraging conservation and protection of water resources.

(from Global Water Partnership)

Case Studies

Murray-Darling Basin Initiative
Lake Eyre Basin Agreement

Relevant Links

Integrated Water Resource Management in Australia - Case Studies
Murray-Darling Basin Commission
River Basin Management Society
CapNet IWRM Tutorial
Global Water Partnership Toolbox for Integrated Water Resources Management
GDRC Integrated Urban Water Resources Management
GRDC Globwinet
International Water Management Institute
UNESCO/WMO Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy

References

GWP, 2000. Integrated Water Resources Management. Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee. TAC Background Papers No 4.