WATER GOVERNANCE GAPS IN THAILAND: ANALYZING THE WATER RESOURCES ACT (2018) FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

Water is a fundamental necessity for human survival and well-being. Globally, the demand for freshwater continues to rise, while the availability of safe, potable water remains limited. Consequently, the sustainable management of water resources is of paramount importance. This study aims to examine strategic approaches to sustainable water resource management in Ghana. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach was utilized to gather insights from the senior management of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in Sekondi-Takoradi. The participants, each with over two decades of experience in the water utility sector, provided in-depth perspectives. Their responses to the research questions were analyzed and presented thematically, offering a nuanced understanding of sustainable practices in water resource management. The findings reveal that Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) faces significant challenges in sustainable water resource management, primarily in operational, financial, resource, customer management, institutional, external, political, and non-revenue water (NRW) areas. These challenges are shown to have a detrimental impact on the long-term sustainability of water resources. Both internal and external environmental factors contribute to these issues, compounding the complexity of achieving sustainable management. Although GWCL has implemented short-term strategies such as performance improvement programs, dry season crisis management plans, institutional strengthening, and customer education, these measures, while beneficial, are deemed insufficient for achieving sustainable water resource management. The study, therefore, recommends the adoption of long-term strategies to ensure sustainable water resource management. Key recommendations include the implementation of comprehensive strategic planning, active protection and conservation of water bodies, the establishment of new treatment facilities, expansion of the distribution network, and investment in high-quality human resources. Additionally, fostering a positive organizational culture is essential to reinforce these initiatives, ultimately supporting GWCL in achieving a resilient and sustainable approach to water management in Ghana. Keywords: sustainable, water resource, strategic planning, management. DOI : 10.7176/JRDM/94-07 Publication date : December 31st 2024

Previous articleNext article No AccessWater Law and Private Decision-Making: A CritiqueJ. W. MillimanJ. W. Milliman Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Journal of Law and Economics Volume 2Oct., 1959 Sponsored by The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and The University of Chicago Law School Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/466550 Views: 28Total views on this site Citations: 32Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1959 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Ahmed S. Al-Marshoudi, Jasni Sulong Institutional arrangements of the aflaj systems’ maintenance in Sultanate of Oman: operation of the different aflaj type case study, Sustainable Water Resources Management 9, no.11 (Dec 2022).https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00796-wAhmed S. 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Research in the combination of hydrological variation and ecological demands plays an important role in water availability assessment and sustainable management in watershed scale. An integrative frame, consisting of hydrological regime modeling, ecological water demands estimation and recoverable resources management, is presented in this paper in order to support the implementation of the sustainable water resources management. The proposed integrative frame has been used to the research of the integrated water resources management in southern Hanjiang watershed, the water source of South-to-North Water Transportation Project in China. The amounts of ecological water demands under current situation and climate changes, is also estimated in order to evaluate the available water resources for the local users and the transportation project. Thereby, a scheme by coupling multi-water resources, namely the available water resources, the recovering rate of water resources in natural water cycle, the local water use rate and the amounts of the water transported to North, was proposed, in which the Scheafer model is applied to analyze their evolution. Eventually, the sustainable water resources management measures were assembled by the comprehensive evaluation of the schemes. The results indicate the proposed methodology provides a new way for the integrative water resources management in watershed.

Research on the combination of hydrological variation and ecological demands plays an important role in water availability assessment and sustainable management on basin scale. An integrative frame, consisting of hydrological regime modelling, ecological water demands estimation and renewable resources management, is given in this paper in order to support the implementation of the sustainable water resources management. The suggested integrative frame has been used to study the integrated water resources management in southern Hanjiang River Basin which is the water source of South-to-North Water Transportation Project in China. SWAT (soil and water assessment tool) model was used to simulate the monthly averaging streamflow and the amounts of ecological water demands in stream were also estimated in order to evaluate the available water resources for the local users and the transportation project. Then we formed the developing scenarioes by coupling the available water resources, the recovering rate of water resources in natural water cycle, the local water use rate and the amounts of the water transported to North, and used the Scheafer model to analyze their evolving trajectories. Eventually, the sustainable water resources management measures were assembled by the comprehensive evaluation of the scenarioes. The research indicates that the integrative frame provided a new way for the integrated water resources management in river basin.

Water is a vital human resource and is indispensable in daily activities and economic production. However, agricultural activities in Vietnam have been increasing pressure on water resources, mainly due to the overuse of fertilisers, pesticides, pollution from livestock farming, and unsustainable farming practices. These factors contribute to the degradation of water resources, endangering both ecosystems and public health. Sustainable agricultural practices and effective water resource management are essential for long-term sustainability. As a predominantly agricultural nation, Vietnam has increasingly recognised the importance of sustainable agricultural development, with an emphasis on reducing environmental pollution and safeguarding water resources for future generations. Despite efforts to regulate pollution and protect water resources, Vietnam’s legal framework remains insufficient and lacks comprehensive enforcement mechanisms, resulting in continued water pollution from agricultural activities. This paper examines the regulatory frameworks of the EU and the Netherlands, the jurisdictions that have successfully integrated sustainable water management and agricultural policies. By analysing their legal approaches and enforcement strategies, the study proposes recommendations for enhancing Vietnam's legal framework to support sustainable water resource management. The insights from this analysis could also benefit other ASEAN countries, particularly in addressing transboundary water pollution in the Mekong River, a critical resource for regional sustainability.

Irrigation is an important adaptation measure to global climate change, aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and addressing the food crisis. At the same time, methods and practices of sustainable management of water resources, soils, and soil fertility are of critical importance. The application of such approaches supports soil health, enables the delivery of essential ecosystem services, and contributes to overall ecosystem stability. This article analyses the issues of sustainable management of soil and water resources both internationally and within Ukraine. The study involves a bibliometric analysis of literature in the Scopus database, using selected keywords and a defined date range to examine the development of irrigation worldwide. Bibliographic network maps based on keywords were constructed, and clusters representing different aspects of irrigation research were identified. These clusters allow for the tracing of trends and the evolution of focus areas within this research domain. Ukraine is characterised by low coefficients of water resource availability. This study outlines the conceptual approaches, strategic directions, and current state of irrigation development in Ukraine, taking into account contemporary challenges. One of the key challenges facing the development of irrigation, irrigated agriculture, and the sustainable use of water and soil resources is the ongoing military conflict. The bibliometric analysis conducted reveals an increasing number of global publications on this topic during the period 1990–2023. The findings of this research can be used to inform irrigation development planning in Ukraine and to support decision-making at various levels of governance to ensure the sustainable management of water and soil resources.

Irrigated agriculture plays a vital role for the socio-economic development of the Mediterranean area, although it has significant impacts on both water and energy resources. Therefore, in a context in which water resources are also experiencing increasing pressures, there is an urgent need for supporting their sustainable management. This may be an extremely challenging task, especially at the local scale, due to the several interconnected dynamics affecting the state of a complex irrigation system. In fact, multiple actors are involved in decision-making processes, and the use of natural resources (and their mutual interactions) strongly depends on their behaviors, which affect the system as a whole. In this context, the present study proposes an integrated methodology, based on the Water Energy Food Nexus (WEFN), specifically focused on the sustainable management of water resources for irrigation. Firstly, a model based on Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD) is developed in order to get a deep insight into the key dynamics behind a complex irrigation system. Secondly, three indices based on the “footprint” concept are identified, in order to synthesize such dynamics. The integration of these two approaches support investigating the whole system and, particularly, understanding the influence of multiple decisional actors on it, as well as the role of a set of key drivers and constraints. This might also allow drawing some relevant conclusions, useful for supporting effective decisions oriented to a sustainable water resources management. Specific reference is made to a case study, the Capitanata irrigation system, located in the Southern Italy.

Water is a very valuable resource, sustaining human life, production processes, and ecosystems; thus, particular attention should be paid to the management of water resources. China is now facing a serious water crisis, including water shortages, flooding, and water pollution, due to both natural and artificial causes. This water crisis has threatened human health and economic development. Natural water resources in China have two main characteristics. First, they are insufficient: Water availability in China is only 1780 m per capita, which is one quarter that of the global value and very close to the universally accepted figure for countries lacking water resources (≤ 1700 m per capita). Second, they are unevenly distributed: Although there are rich water resources in South China, there is a lack of water in North China. North China possesses 47% of the population and 65% of the farmland, but only 17% of China’s water resources. In addition, rainfall is unevenly distributed over the four seasons in China. Water pollution is caused by human activities. Industry, agriculture, and the activities of daily life all discharge wastewater and create water pollution. The seven major water systems in China all contain pollution to different degrees, including organic pollution, nutrient pollution, heavy metal pollution, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and so forth. It is estimated that more than 100 million urban residents and 320 million residents in rural areas lack safe drinking water. Many accidents related to water pollution have occurred in China in recent years, seriously threatening people’s health and lives. Flooding and water-logging are sudden events. However, most of the responsibility for these issues lies with sewer systems that are not well-designed, constructed, and/or operated. For example, some cities in North China have had flood-related accidents that were mainly caused by problems with urban sewer systems. All these facts make it clear that close attention should be paid to the management of water resources in China in order to prevent the harmful effects of water crises. The targets of sustainable water resource management should include: providing sufficient water resources for economic development and the population’s daily lives; protecting a clean water environment; ensuring safe drinking water; and preventing disasters caused by flooding and water-logging. To ensure that the above targets are achieved, the sustainable management of water resources in China should be based on these strategies [1,2]: • Making water conservation the main priority, and controlling water demand; • Controlling water pollution rigorously and reducing the pollution created by sources; • Using wastewater as water, energy, and fertilizer resources; and • Preventing flooding and water-logging disasters, while using rainwater as a water resource.

Sustainable water resource management has become a critical issue for the development of cities that suffer scarce water resources. Tianjin City, located in China's Huaihe basin, one of the most polluted and water‐scarce river basins in the country, is a typical example in which water is posing a major constraint to the development. This paper examines the current status of the use of water resources, and the current practices and policy measures taken for water resource management in Tianjin, with a view to drawing lessons through an evaluation of these measures. The study illustrates the role of cities and their complex interaction with their peripheries for the allocation of scarce water resources, and it suggests that a systems approach should be adopted in order to analyse and understand the complexity of the entire picture. Based on this review and evaluation of Tianjin's experience, the authors propose a framework for sustainable water resource management in cities, emphasizing the importance of taking full consideration of resource/environmental capacity and an integrated systems approach for problem solving. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

The purpose of this research was to analyze the supportive policies and dimensions of sustainable water resources management (SWRM) in agriculture of Khuzestan Province of Iran.The research method was a quantitative research. Total population of experts in the study included all agricultural extension experts (n = 96) of agricultural-Jihad organization of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Based on frequency of respondents about important rate of supportive policies regarding SWRM in agriculture, 70.8% of respondents stated that encouraging farmers to use sustainable methods had very high importance. In reference to the frequency of respondents about extension system roles on realization of SWRM dimensions in agriculture, 52.8% of respondents stated that conservation of water resources had very high importance for supporting SWRM in agriculture. Key words: Sustainable water resources management (SWRM), extension experts, farmers.

Indonesia has abundant water resources in the rainy season but experiences water scarcity during the dry season. The need for sustainable management of water resources in overcoming hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and drought. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of willingness to pay, factors that influence willingness to pay, and the conservation policy chosen by the people of Parerejo Village in realizing sustainable water resource management. The policies offered in the management of sustainable water resources are greening, infiltration wells, and bio-pores. This study uses the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to see the influencing factors of willingness to pay and descriptive analysis to see preference policy accepted by society. The data used are primary data obtained from 156 respondents. The study showed that the willingness to pay for Parerejo village communities in the management of water resources is still low at ≤ IDR 50,000.00. Only variables of education and knowledge about water scarcity significantly influenced the willingness to pay for water resources management. Based on the descriptive analysis, the communities preferred the greening policies solution for sustainable water resources management.

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to study sustainable water resource management using a stimulus-organism-response (SOR) perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis research study was an exploratory qualitative study. Thematic content analysis was used based on semi-structured interviews with 30 experts operating in the USA, representing 26 water-intensive organisations across different industries. The study was anchored in the theoretical foundations of SOR perspectives.FindingsThe results of this study revealed several fundamental factors, processes and forces that were considered by organisations for sustainable water resource management. Managers evaluated risks relative to water resources and developed strategic initiatives regarding water management. The authors found that often organisations considered water resources management aspects while deciding business operations. This was especially true for substantive water resource-consuming organisations with wide geographical operations.Research limitations/implicationsThrough this study, the authors explained how the interrelationship between organisations and water resources presented risks and challenges. The authors applied SOR theoretical perspective in this research study. This was while factoring in an organisation’s present considerations and future plans regarding sustainable water resource management. Thus, the study findings were expected to further interdisciplinary research at the intersection of organisational and environmental studies.Practical implicationsThe finding that water sustainability challenges and efforts could act as strong motivating forces for innovation and technology was significant. Water sustainability challenges could also be a catalyst for synergistic collaborations amongst organisations and diverse groups of institutions. The study insights were relevant to organisational scholars, the water management industry regulators and managers involved with organisational sustainability programmes.Originality/valueOrganisational challenges regarding sustainable water resource management have been influenced by growing populations and climate change. Furthermore, the increasing context of scarcity was compounded by increased pressures from numerous stakeholders. Although critical water management issues were recognised by organisations, relatively little was known about how organisational managers were planning for and responding to these issues. This research study contributed towards addressing the mentioned research gap.

Water is an essential resource for human survival, production and socio-economic development, essential for all forms of life, and essential for the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. Due to the continuous change of climate and the continuous growth of population, economy, region and other factors, water resources are becoming more and more scarce. In arid and semi-arid regions, the coupling and interaction between water resources security, energy security, food security and ecological security are becoming more complex, conflicts and contradictions are gradually emerging or intensifying, and uncertainty and risk levels are increasing. Water utilization and management methods are also becoming increasingly serious and complex, which requires new and innovative approaches to conserve and use water wisely. The sustainable management of water resources has always been the focus of research on water resources in the world, and there is much research on water resources management in major forums. This paper uses the method of review to analyze the relevant articles on water resources management, and puts forward more effective methods for sustainable water resources management, and provides suggestions for follow-up research on sustainable water resources management.

Fresh water resources and limited across the globe. They are threatened by agriculture, economic development and climate change. Measure to sustainably manage water resources are not well documented. This review aimed at analyzing publications from 2000-2019 regarding stakeholders’ involvement as a key for sustainable water resource management. Literature search was conducted using key words: integrated water resource management; transboundary water resource management; collaborative water resource management; Multistakeholder water resource management; challenges and opportunities of water resource management; domestic water saving; sustainable water resource management from Science Direct database, ResearchGate professional network and Google School Search engine. 280 publications were retrieved from which 150 were found relevant, were read and used during the publication of this paper. It was found that climate change, population explosion, economic development all threaten water resources management and involvement of all stakeholders, transboundary agreements, collaboration with international water agencies and financial investment were recommended for sustainable water resource management.

Water sustainability means supplying or being supplied with water for life. It is the continual supply of clean water for human uses and for other living things [31]. e United Nations through the Dublin Water Principles in 1992 recognized water as an economic good that can be sustainably managed with economical, legal, and environmental considerations [32]. Sustainable management of water resources (surface water, groundwater, and wastewater) is aimed at meeting the present human's water requirements without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs [7,33]. e Global Water Partnership (GWP) [16] noted that water sustainability is globally important because water is embedded in all aspects of human development-food security, health, and poverty reduction-and in sustaining economic growth in agriculture, industry, and energy generation.