Integrated Water Resource Management and Water Sharing
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 133, Issue 5
Abstract
Integrated water resource management (IWRM) and water sharing concepts are described. Various definitions of IWRM are presented. It can be described as a facilitated stakeholder process to promote coordinated activities in pursuit of common goals for multiple objective development and management of water founded in sustainable water resource systems. Sustainable water resource systems support social objectives into the indefinite future without undermining hydrologic and ecological integrity. IWRM is comprised of objectives, institutions, implementation, and adaptation, reflecting merging of top-down and bottom-up approaches. It can assume many institutional forms, and is best implemented at the river basin or subbasin scales. Several water sharing models and principles are introduced. Examples of mature yet different IWRM governance structures in California and France are presented. Wide-scale adoption of IWRM remains elusive. Changing societal values, increasing water demands, growing water use conflicts, and link to poverty reduction and economic development provide impetus to adopt IWRM; it remains a promising mechanism to better use and share water to balance economic, environmental, and social aspects that underpin sustainable development.
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Acknowledgments
Darryl Davis, Joseph Dellapenna, and Sophie Thoyer are thanked for feedback on portions of the text. Three anonymous reviewers are also thanked for comments to improve the paper.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 133 • Issue 5 • September 2007
Pages: 427 - 445
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 18, 2006
Accepted: Nov 16, 2006
Published online: Sep 1, 2007
Published in print: Sep 2007
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