Integrated Water Resources Management: Definitions and Conceptual Musings

Cardwell, Hal E.; Cole, Richard; Cartwright, Lauren; Martin, Lynn A.

doi:10.1111/j.1936-704x.2006.mp135001002.x

Cited by 50 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…It thus refers to spatial, institutional and temporal integration as well as integration of objectives [35]. Although widely recognized in principle, IWRM has been difficult to implement in practice because of the need to integrate a wide spectrum of themes and sometimes conflicting views between sectoral interests in a complex planning process, delaying resolution of water related problems.…”

Section: Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water: Drought, Crisis and Governance in Australia and Brazil

Júnior

Baldwin

Camkin

et al. 2016

Water

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Despite huge differences in population, household income and development levels, Australia and Brazil have some temporal convergences in their water governance systems. Over the last 20 years, both countries have significantly reformed their water policies and practices by introducing a legal foundation for more integrated and participatory catchment/basin management based on the best information available. A critical test of any water reform is how effective it is in meeting the challenges of extreme and unpredictable conditions of drought and floods, which are expected to increase under climate changes scenarios. This paper compared the contemporary water governance frameworks of Australia and Brazil in relation to three elements of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): integration, participation, and information/knowledge. We focused on insights from Brazil's recent drought and Australia's fluctuating water crises to derive lessons and recommendations for future changes. Among the main recommendations, we stress the need for both systems to improve effective participation and to embrace a more comprehensive approach to cope with water scarcity in future scenarios. Furthermore, water related decisions should be based on a transparent and well informed process, and take into account the lessons from similar situations worldwide in order to avoid unnecessary or ineffective measures. As demonstrated in the Australian case during the Millennium Drought, the most effective initiatives were those involving government, the private sector and society to achieve a more sustainable consumption pattern in all sectors. There is much to learn from the Brazilian and Australia experiences in water reforms and crises, but it is imperative to understand the social, economic and environmental context within which these took place. Continuing to develop the capacity and willingness of researchers and policy makers to work together can make an important contribution towards meeting the growing and spreading challenges in water resource management around the world.

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Section: Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water: Drought, Crisis and Governance in Australia and Brazil

Júnior

Baldwin

Camkin

et al. 2016

Water

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“…With regard to human-water research, we see the most interesting aspects of IWRM in the discussion on how integration should be carried out, and on what aspects should be considered for integration. In this context, the integration axes suggested by Cardwell et al [20] seem to be of substantial relevance (1) goal objective integration, which relates to the harmonization of management activities to achieve optimized objectives in a variety of fields (e.g., flood control, water supply, recreation); (2) spatial integration, which relates to both geographical space and the vertical stratification of space; (3) institutional integration, which refers to the coordination of several organizations to achieve common objectives; and (4) temporal integration to establish appropriate timescales for the planned management measures.…”

Section: Integrated Water Resources Management (Iwrm)-a Political Andmentioning

confidence: 97%

The Pluralistic Water Research Concept: A New Human-Water System Research Approach

Evers

Höllermann

Almoradie

et al. 2017

Water

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Abstract:The use and management of water systems is influenced by a number of factors, such as economic growth, global change (e.g., urbanization, hydrological-climatic changes), politics, history and culture. Despite noteworthy efforts to develop integrative approaches to analyze water-related problems, human-water research remains a major challenge for scholars and decision makers due to the increasing complexity of human and water systems interactions. Although existing concepts try to integrate the social and water dimensions, they usually have a disciplinary starting point and perspective, which can represent an obstacle to true integration in human-water research. Hence, a pluralistic approach is required to better understand the interactions between human and water systems. This paper discusses prominent human-water concepts (Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), socio-hydrology, and political ecology/hydrosocial approach) and presents a newly developed concept termed pluralistic water research (PWR). This is not only a pluralistic but also an integrative and interdisciplinary approach which aims to coherently and comprehensively integrate human-water dimensions. The different concepts are illustrated in a synopsis, and diverse framing of research questions are exemplified. The PWR concept integrates physical and social sciences, which enables a comprehensive analysis of human-water interactions and relations. This can lead to a better understanding of water-related issues and potentially sustainable trajectories.

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“…There are varying definitions of IWRM (Cardwell et al, 2006;Jeffery and Geary, 2004;Newson, 2000;UNDP, 1990) but the most widely cited definition is that of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) (2000). It states that ''IWRM is a process which 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 ecosystem'' (GWP, 2000, p. 22).…”

Section: Iwrm and Its Key Principlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the human system integration is required between demand and supply, across various water use sectors and among stakeholders (Bandaragoda, 2005;GWP, 2000;Jønch-Clausen, 2004;SIDA, 2000 cited in Dungumaro andMadulu, 2003). Integration should be undertaken in a sustainable manner to ensure balance between resource use and resource protection (Cardwell et al, 2006;Dungumaro and Madulu, 2003;Funke et al, 2007). The need to address, embrace and relate these issues and dimensions holistically so that sustainable solutions can be brought about (Thomas and Durham, 2003) makes IWRM an ideal but complex concept to implement.…”

Section: Iwrm and Its Key Principlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reconciling IWRM and water delivery in Ghana – The potential and the challenges

Anokye¹,

Gupta

2012

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C

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a b s t r a c tThe key elements of integrated water resources management include a holistic integrated approach and the main principles of public participation, the role of gender and the notion of recognising the economic value of water. This paper investigates how these notions play out in the context of providing water to the rural communities in the Densu basin in Ghana. This investigation is based on a content analysis of the relevant policy documents and interviews with state agencies and local stakeholders. The paper concludes that there is a conflict between the IWRM goal of integrating all water uses and sectors in the management of water resources and focusing on the prioritisation of water delivery services. However, three of the IWRM principles can be used in implementing water delivery. While Ghana has adopted IWRM, it clearly prioritises water delivery. At basin level, the IWRM planning process does not take water delivery into account and water delivery is conducted independent of the IWRM process. Although the participatory and gender approaches are being implemented relatively successfully, if slowly, the 'water as an economic good' principle is given less priority than the notion of the human right to water as local communities pay only 5% of the capital costs of water delivery services. The impact of the rural water delivery services has been positive in the Densu basin in seven different ways; and if this helps the rural community out of the poverty trap, it may lead to economically viable water facilities in the long-term.

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Integrated Water Resources Management: Definitions and Conceptual Musings

Cited by 50 publications

References 5 publications

Water: Drought, Crisis and Governance in Australia and Brazil

Water: Drought, Crisis and Governance in Australia and Brazil

The Pluralistic Water Research Concept: A New Human-Water System Research Approach

Reconciling IWRM and water delivery in Ghana – The potential and the challenges

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