Abstract
In this article, we analyze how successful the implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in the Ebro river catchment (in Spain) has been. Our main aim is to show some gaps between theory and practice. This implies analyzing the political dimensions of governance and their change and reflecting on the interface between governance and technical knowledge about water. We highlight problems, such as the lack of institutional coordination, blind spots in technical information and path dependences. Actual water management has led to plans for further irrigation even though water availability is, and is expected to continue, shrinking due to climate change and other local factors. To overcome these mismatches, we propose further synchronization, innovative ways of public participation and knowledge sharing between institutions and researchers. As a showcase, we portray a practical real example of a desirable institutional arrangement in one sub-catchment.
Highlights
There is a consensus on the big gap that still exists between theory and practice when it comes to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) [1,2]
Since all the European Union (EU) members had to adapt their legal framework to Water Framework Directive (WFD) tenets, it was supposed that this directive would change water management in
The organizational structures, the economic incentives and participative dynamics can result in deficiencies in the application of the principles of IWRM even if they are well acknowledged in the basin plans blueprints or in the law that they are supposed to respect. We look at these mismatches and try to analyze the level of success of the implementation of IWRM in the Ebro River Catchment
Summary
There is a consensus on the big gap that still exists between theory and practice when it comes to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) [1,2]. It is necessary to develop a shared understanding of the meaning of the best policies and a specific way of quantifying their results Due to these difficulties, practical guides have been published, e.g., [14], while other examples of implementation, e.g., in Latin America, can be found in [15]. 2000, known as Water Framework Directive (WFD) This directive started the move towards more participative and ecosystemic approaches at river basin level, i.e., it is the entrance gate of IWRM into the former legal and institutional framework. Since all the EU members had to adapt their legal framework to WFD tenets, it was supposed that this directive would change water management in.
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