Abstract
The world faces an unprecedented crisis in water resources management, with profound implications for global food security, protection of human health, and maintenance of all ecosystems on Earth. Large uncertainties still plague quantitative assessments of climate change impacts and water resource management, but what is known for certain is that the climate is changing and that it will have an effect on water resources. Therefore, increased efforts will be needed to plan and manage water supplies in the future through increased monitoring and understanding of the interrelationships between population size, climate change, and water availability. The focus of water management is gradually shifting from developing new water sources to using existing water sources more effectively and efficiently. The world needs policy change in water management. Respect for water resources and their value is the starting point of deliberations. Governments have the essential water management function: to protect and allocate water resources to allow both individual and collective interests to benefit from water. Societies must also lead in understanding, provisioning for mitigating the impact of disasters, ranging from extreme droughts to unprecedented floods, caused by climate change and poor management of water and land. Public funds will likely remain the main source of water sectoral funding. It is up to governments to invest wisely to enhance the crucial role that water has for social and economic development in a country. Integrated water resource management strategy is accepted as a global model for achieving the objective of a sustainable water management system.
TopIntroduction
The problems of water form part of the broader challenges of sustainable development. Water is more than a sector or commodity. Water is life. Access to safe drinking water is a basic human need, essential for health and also for human dignity. Without water, there would be no food, no rain fed or irrigated agriculture. Water sustains economic productivity, human livelihoods and the integrity of the world’s ecosystem. Equitable and efficient water management can go a long way to ensure that the entire world’s people are free from hunger and suffer less from disease and the impact of natural disasters. Good water management improves human and national security and if properly managed, water as a renewable resource can fuel sustainable development. Water is an economic and social good, and should be allocated first to satisfy basic human needs. Providing water security is a key dimension of poverty reduction. Water should be equitably and sustainably allocated, firstly to basic human needs and then to the functioning of ecosystems and then comes to different economic uses including food security.
Issues of water allocation lead to all sorts of conflicts between major stakeholder groups such as the poor need drinking water for survival and for their livelihoods; farmers want water for irrigation; industry for production; and the urban elites claim water for basic as well as luxury consumption. Water uses and water rights, therefore, touch on power issues in the society which can only effectively be negotiated by the Government. The strong role of the nation states in water policies does not rule out. More participation of the poor should be given in decision-making regarding water. The national policy on water should be made in a decentralized platform with the consideration of local needs. In fact the Local Governments, community based organizations and private sector should be the key players in local management and the provision of local services (Hildering. A, 2004).
Improved water management at the national and local levels including freshwater supply, sanitation and wastewater treatment requires huge sums of money. It is estimated that to reach the internationally agreed target of safe drinking water in 2030 we will have to provide new access to water for 300,000 people each day (Bittner. A, 2012). For a similar target insanitation, an extra 390, 000 people per day will have to be provided with new services. This adds up to investments in the water sector of 180 billion dollars per year. But only around $80 billion are invested at present leaving a gap of some 100 billion dollars a year. So, all sources of funding like public revenue, water tariff, external assistance and private investment must be strengthened. But this raises a number of sensitive issues. Traditionally, water, like fresh air, was regarded as a gift of nature which is a common good and therefore, should not be paid for. For this reason, there is still strong resistance to the introduction of users' fees. It will take time until people in traditional societies understand that while water itself may be free, the provision of water, the infrastructure needed for its distribution, and the cost of water treatment are services which need to be financed and must be covered by water charges.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Water Cycle: The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle, is biogeochemical cycle that describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.
Global Water Availability: Global water availability is the quantity of water that is globally available for human purposes without significant harm to ecosystems or other users. Surface waters receive water from both runoff and discharges from ground water. Ground water, in turn, relies on water recharge from the land surface.
Water Chemistry: Water is a chemical compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The name water typically refers to the liquid state of the compound. The solid phase is known as ice and the gas phase is called steam. Under certain conditions, water also forms a supercritical fluid.
Environmental Protection: Environmental protection refers to the practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, organizations and governments. Its objectives are to conserve natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where possible, to repair damage and reverse trends.
Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy: Integrated water resources management strategy refers to a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.
Water Investment: Water Investment refers to investing in the stocks and shares of companies dealing with the production and sale of water like the American Water works Inc.
Finance for Water Management: Development finance institutions are important actors in the impact investing landscape, providing large amounts of capital both through direct impact investments and through indirect investments, such as impact investment funds for water management.
Water Infrastructure: Water infrastructure refers to a broad term for systems of water supply, treatment, storage, water resource management, flood prevention and hydropower. The term also includes water-based transportation systems such as canals.
Sustainable Water Development: Sustainable water development refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of wastewater for different purposes such as cleaning, manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation in such a way that water demands of future generations are not hampered.
Capacity Building for Water Management: Capacity building for water management refers to a measurable improvement in an nation’s ability to fulfil its mission through a blend of sound management, strong governance, and dedication to assessing and achieving results in water management
Water Governance and Management: Water governance refers to the political, social, economic and administrative systems in place that can influence water use and management. It determines the equity and efficiency in water resource and services allocation and distribution, and balanced water use between socio-economic activities and ecosystems.
Water Resource Management: Water resources management (WRM) is the process of planning, developing, and managing water resources, in terms of both water quantity and quality, across all water uses. It includes the institutions, infrastructure, incentives, and information systems that support and guide water management.