Abstract
The management of water quality is an important part of natural resource governance. Assurance of water quality therefore requires formulation of the regulatory framework and institutional process. Water quality-related problems and their management are mainly recognized as local responsibilities in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The politics of environmental policy-making should consider the political economic dynamics and socio-ecological patterns. Decentralization by providing more power to the local level and moving to a new spatial management system that is based on water basins are the two strong entreaties in the new water governance paradigm. Transitional countries facing rapid institutional adjustment, restructuring of regulations, and political-economic changes are encountering these demands internally and externally in their policy formulations. In this context, this study critically examines the case of Georgia, a transitional country. In particular, the focus is on how local governance entities can be empowered and what obstacles water quality governance encounters in Georgia. Qualitative research design is the main research method implemented in this study. The key findings from the research analysis are as follows: the existing regulations and governance system do not facilitate the active engagement of local entities in water quality governance. The application of new water polices may fail again if a top-down governance model is put in place that only creates a narrow space for local governance entities to effectively govern water quality.
Highlights
Access to improved water quality is a challenging factor for drinking water, as well as water used in the food production process
This research study identified the thematic areas and demands at the local level that assist in empowering local governance entities for efficient Water Quality Governance (WQG) in Georgia
WQG elements were categorized as means of Standardization, Mitigation and Protection, and Enforcement, which provided a framework for an analytical review of the existing institutions and regulation system, as well as the prospective water policy system
Summary
Access to improved water quality is a challenging factor for drinking water, as well as water used in the food production process. Many communities are unable to access or have limited access to good quality water. The stress of poor water quality diminishes or even abolishes the functions of ecosystems [1] and causes acute and chronic health impacts on human wellbeing [2]. The complexity of water pollution makes the politics of water quality a challenging governance issue [3]. The main issues to be dealt with in water quality management are macro (large scale and sectoral level) and micro (personal and individual level) water pollution [3,4], waste water management [5,6], Water 2018, 10, 98; doi:10.3390/w10020098 www.mdpi.com/journal/water
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