International Borders, Ground Water Flow, and Hydroschizophrenia

Abstract

A substantial body of research has been conducted on transboundary water, transboundary water law, and the mitigation of transboundary water conflict. However, most of this work has focused primarily on surface water supplies. While it is well understood that aquifers cross international boundaries and that the base flow of international river systems is often derived in part from ground water, transboundary ground water and surface water systems are usually managed under different regimes, resulting in what has been described as "hydroschizophrenia." Adding to the problem, the hydrologic relationships between surface and ground water supplies are only known at a reconnaissance level in even the most studied international basins, and thus even basic questions regarding the territorial sovereignty of ground water resources often remain unaddressed or even unasked. Despite the tensions inherent in the international setting, riparian nations have shown tremendous creativity in approaching regional development, often through preventive diplomacy, and the creation of "baskets of benefits," which allow for positive-sum, integrative allocations of joint gains. In contrast to the notion of imminent water wars, the history of hydropolitical relations worldwide has been overwhelmingly cooperative. Limited ground water management in the international arena, coupled with the fact that few states or countries regulate the use of ground water, begs the question: will international borders serve as boundaries for increased "flows" of hydrologic information and communication to maintain strategic aquifers, or will increased competition for shared ground water resources lead to the potential loss of strategic aquifers and "no flows" for both ground water users?

Recent progress in the conservation of groundwaters and their dependent ecosystems

“…Some of these appear to be severe cases of 'hydroschizophrenia' (Jarvis et al, 2005). Symptoms of this affliction include separate management of surface and groundwater, playing down the roles of groundwater, and uncoordinated management of groundwater across State boundaries.…”

Groundwater and the Right to Water in a Context of Crisis

“…Nevertheless, water policies and legislation have ignored this water source and its connection to surface water. This phenomenon is referred to in the literature as hydroschizophrenia (JARVIS et al, 2005), because the main water resource available to mankind has been excluded from policies or managed with limitation by governments, managers and social actors.…”

Military aspects of hydrogeology: an introduction and overview

“…It was recognized that conflicts might arise over the management of such aquifers, particularly if there was a lack of reliable scientific information on such parameters as groundwater abstractions, potentiometric levels, safe yields and water quality. Some observers have gone so far as to suggest that future wars might be fought over shared water, although so far the history of hydro-political relations worldwide has been overwhelmingly cooperative (Jarvis et al 2005).…”