Integrated water resources management: balancing views and improving practice

Abstract

Integrated water resources management is a conceptual framework that is meant to describe the complexity of water decisions and the importance of balancing stakeholder viewpoints. Implementation is difficult because of institutional barriers and because of definitional confusion over the precise meaning of IWRM. Improved governance is required to overcome institutional barriers. Specific and unambiguous language may reduce confusion, but it may oversimplify the complexity. The present paper offers a brief definition of integrated water resources management and a list of seven elements for integration. Brief examples are then given from different countries in order to illustrate each of these elements. Coordination across geographic areas is recognized as a special challenge of integration and emerging efforts toward integration in some countries will bear close scrutiny to measure their success. Regardless of the ultimate success in promoting the concept of integrated water resources management, it communicates to stakeholders the notion that water decisions require balance and the promotion of shared values, such as conservation and the alleviation of poverty. If institutional barriers and confusion about the concept are overcome, actual improvements in water stewardship may result.