Water resources management and water quality aspects

Abstract Integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been criticized yet it is the dominant approach to water resources management in developing countries. The criticism emanates from the manifold unfounded assumptions made during implementation on issues such as availability of technology and infrastructure, privatization and sustainable financing, human resource capacity, government interference, etc. The Pra Basin has been implementing IWRM since 2011. The basin houses nine out of the 17 artificial reservoirs constructed in Ghana for drinking water supply. It is therefore prudent that the basin's water resources are given extra management care to ensure sustainable water quality and quantity for growth and development. However, much uncertainty still exists about whether the best water management system is being practiced, whether the system is working well, or needs improvement. This study examines the effectiveness of water resources management in the Pra Basin of Ghana. This study used interviews, field observations, and documents such as Pra Basin IWRM plan, the national IWRM plan, etc., to assess the effectiveness of IWRM in the Pra Basin. The result of the study showed that IWRM although appropriate for the basin had implementation gaps. These gaps are potential contributors to deteriorating water quality.

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Assessing water quality for urban tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination ◽

10.2166/wrd.2018.010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 105-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Senlin Zhu ◽

Abazar Mostafaei ◽

Wenguang Luo ◽

Benyou Jia ◽

Jiangyu Dai

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Resources Management ◽

Three Gorges Reservoir ◽

Three Gorges ◽

Resources Management ◽

The Three Gorges Reservoir ◽

The Three Gorges ◽

Ccme Wqi ◽

Assessment Results

Abstract Water quality assessment is essential for water resources management. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of water quality conditions in three urban tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI) and Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI) approach were used in this study. Generally, the assessment results of the NPI approach are consistent with that of the CCME-WQI approach. However, the NPI method overemphasized the influence of the most serious pollutant factor, and thus this method should be used with caution for water resources managers. The CCME-WQI values indicated that the water quality conditions in the Wubu River were quite good during the period 2013–2015. Water quality conditions in the upstream sections of Yipin and Huaxi River are good. However, when the river drains through urban areas, water quality conditions greatly deteriorate due to the excessive release of household and municipal sewage, and industrial wastewater, especially for Huaxi River. Thus, waste water management becomes more and more imperative in urban regions of China. Meanwhile, assessment results indicate that the CCME-WQI approach can provide a reference for decision-makers on water resources management.

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Going with the flow: Integrated Water Resources Management, the EU Water Framework Directive and ecological flows

Legal Studies ◽

10.1017/lst.2017.13 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 298-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

William Howarth

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Framework Directive ◽

Water Resources Management ◽

Integrated Water Resources Management ◽

Eu Water Framework Directive ◽

Resources Management ◽

Water Legislation ◽

Ecological Flows ◽

The Eu

AbstractThis paper seeks to relate strategic themes in water resources management to the practicalities of imposing particular regulatory measures on water uses and to protect aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, a contrast is drawn between the global imperative of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the sectoral (issue-by-issue) approach to water regulation that has traditionally prevailed in both regional (EU) and national legislation. The intuitive attractions of ‘integration’ are contrasted with the challenges of interrelating this to the diverse purposes for which water legislation is adopted, both for human needs and for ecological purposes. These challenges are well illustrated in the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) which purports to adopt an ‘integrated’ approach, but is actually concerned with water quality, largely to the exclusion of other water-related concerns. Insofar as the Directive does seek to secure integration between water quality and water quantity concerns in surface water, this is only done in a secondary or incidental way. Water flow becomes relevant only where specified environmental objectives under the Directive are not being met. However, the legally contingent status of flow has been bolstered markedly by recent guidance on ecological flows under the WFD Common Implementation Strategy. The significance of this guidance is discussed and related to the implementation challenges that it raises. In relation to the UK, and particularly England, it is argued that the response to addressing water flow issues arising under the WFD had been dilatory and inadequate. Concluding observations reflect on the global, regional and national challenges to integration of water legislation as they have been illustrated by the discussion of regulating for ecological water flows.

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