Integrated water resources management (IWRM): an approach to face the challenges of the next century and to avert future crises

Abstract

The increase in population growth all over the world and the sectoral pressures have produced a number of unprecedented demands for water supplies both as consumptive and non-consumptive uses. These stresses have caused a reduction in the per capita usage of the limited fresh water resources in many countries to a scarcity level. They have also resulted in the degradation of the quality of water in large areas of the world. The overall objective for water management, which adopts integrated approaches, is to satisfy the freshwater needs of all countries for their sustainable development. Integrated water resources management is based on the perception of water as an integral part of the ecosystem, a natural resource and a social and economic good, whose quantity and quality determine the nature of its utilization. The integration approach has to incorporate policy options that recognize these elements, develop national water policies and to base the demand for and allocation of water resources on equity and efficient use. An integrated water resources management (IWRM), if implemented, must consider the strengthening of human resources development in terms of awareness creation programs, training of water managers, the development of new institutions that will serve and match this goal, effective information management, environment and development, the integration of water planning into national economy and financing and scientific means. This paper will discuss the various water problems viz. (a) increasing water shortages, (b) deteriorating water quality and (c) stresses on water supplies and the challenges they represent to integrating the approaches of water management to ensure sustainability of the resource.