Integrated multi-agency framework: sustainable water management

Abstract

Equitable allocation of groundwater resources is a growing challenge due to increasing demand for water and the competing triple bottom line values placed on its use. Sustainable management of water resources comes with compromises and trade-offs of the other subsystems such as the environment and economic and social dimensions and almost ignores stakeholders' objectives and benefits. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the hypothesis that ‘through a multi-agency approach and management, a comprehensive multi-agency framework (MAF) can promote optimal, sustainable and equitable development and use of water resources for present and future generations'. The framework has been successfully demonstrated in a case study at the Gnangara mound groundwater system in Western Australia and showed what can be achieved with supporting tools such as a decision support system (DSS) to facilitate and support the MAF during trade-off analysis. Without a MAF, the potential for more conflict between agencies' objectives and actions increases. A MAF and DSS allow thorough understanding of the triple bottom line impacts, ease the selection of preferred options and result in better public involvement and investment.