scholarly journals Science Informed Policies for Managing Water

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Loucks
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Information Policy ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Multiple Impacts ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Management Policies

Water resource management policies impact how water supplies are protected, collected, stored, treated, distributed, and allocated among multiple users and purposes. Water resource policies influence the decisions made regarding the siting, design, and operation of infrastructure needed to achieve the underlying goals of these policies. Water management policies vary by region depending on particular hydrologic, economic, environmental, and social conditions, but in all cases they will have multiple impacts affecting these conditions. Science can provide estimates of various economic, ecologic, environmental, and even social impacts of alternative policies, impacts that determine how effective any particular policy may be. These impact estimates can be used to compare and evaluate alternative policies in the search for identifying the best ones to implement. Among all scientists providing inputs to policy making processes are analysts who develop and apply models that provide these estimated impacts and, possibly, their probabilities of occurrence. However, just producing them is not a guarantee that they will be considered by policy makers. This paper reviews various aspects of the science-policy interface and factors that can influence what information policy makers need from scientists. This paper suggests some ways scientists and analysts can contribute to and inform those making water management policy decisions. Brief descriptions of some water management policy making examples illustrate some successes and failures of science informing and influencing policy.

scholarly journals Science Informed Water Management Policies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Loucks
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Systems Analysts ◽  
Successes And Failures

Clearly policy makers should consider the impacts of any decisions they might make before making them. Science can provide estimates of various economic, ecologic, environmental, and even social impacts of alternative policies, impacts that determine how effective any particular policy will be. These impact estimates can be used to compare and evaluate alternative policies in the search for identifying the best one to implement. Among all scientists providing inputs to policy making processes are analysts who develop and apply models that provide these estimated impacts and, possibly, their probabilities of occurrence. But just producing them is not a guarantee that they will be considered by policy makers. This paper discusses ways scientists, including systems analysts, can effectively contribute to and inform those involved in making water management decisions. Brief descriptions of a variety of past and on-going water management policy making processes illustrate both some successes and failures of science informing policy.

scholarly journals A comparison between the European and the Brazilian models for management and diagnosis of river basins

Water Policy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-76
Author(s):  
Pedro Bettencourt ◽  
Claudia Fulgêncio ◽  
Maria Grade ◽  
Julio Cesar Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Water Management System ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Water Quality And Quantity ◽  
Agricultural Demand

Abstract Water management is assuming more and more importance as freshwater resources are becoming scarce, both in quality and in quantity, across many developed and developing countries. This trend can be attributed to population growth, industrialization, growing agricultural demand, poor water management practices and climate change. In attempting to deal with the intensification of water quality- and quantity-related problems in recent decades, many countries have revised their water resource management policies and legislation, introducing new institutional frameworks and management instruments. Considering regional geographic and cultural distinctions, the present article aims at comparing the models of water resource management in the European Union (EU) and in Brazil. Institutional and legal arrangements currently in place, water planning and management instruments currently in use, assessments of water body status and watershed diagnoses were analysed. Main strengths and weaknesses of each water management system are pointed out in the conclusion. Main challenges for the water sector, and highlights of the converging and diverging points concerning water resource management systems, in each region, are discussed.

Water Resources Management in the Semi-Arid Central Valley of California

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 97-106
Author(s):  
J. J. Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
The United States ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Ground Water Resource ◽  
Semi Arid

Hater resource managers in semi-arid regions are faced with some unique problems. The wide variations in precipitation and stream flows in semi-arid regions increase man's dependence on the ground water resource for an ample and reliable supply of water. Proper management of the ground water resource is absolutely essential to the economic well being of semi-arid regions. Historians have discovered the remains of vanished advanced civilizations based on irrigated agriculture which were ignorant of the importance of proper ground water resource management. In the United States a great deal of effort is presently being expended in the study and control of toxic discharges to the ground water resource. What many public policy makers fail to understand is that the potential loss to society resulting from the mineralization of the ground water resource is potentially much greater than the loss caused by toxic wastes discharges, particularly in developing countries. Appropriations for ground water resource management studies in developed countries such as the United States are presently much less than those for toxic wastes management and should be increased. It is the reponsibility of the water resource professional to emphasize to public policy makers the importance of ground water resource management. Applications of ground water resource management models in the semi-arid Central Valley of California are presented. The results demonstrate the need for proper ground water resource management practices in semi-arid regions and the use of ground water management models as a valuable tool for the water resource manager.

scholarly journals Minimizing carbon loss through integrated water resource management on peatland utilization in Pulau Burung, Riau, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 02019
Author(s):  
Nurul Ihsan Fawzi ◽  
Annisa Noyara Rahmasary ◽  
Ika Zahara Qurani
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Carbon Loss ◽  
Integrated Water Resource Management ◽  
Subsidence Rate ◽  
Yearly Average

Sustainable utilization of peatland is required for balancing production and conservation efforts. On peatland, one of the main components to examine sustainability is understanding the carbon balance. This research was conducted in Pulau Burung, Riau, Indonesia, which has a long history of peatland utilization for agriculture. The sets of utilized data included historical data of water management on peatland represented by water table and subsidence rate, next to carbon density of peat soil. The results showed the function of integrated water resource management made the yearly average water table depth is 48 and 49 cm in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The range water table is between 31cm to 72 cm due to season variability and crop requirement. Consequently, the rate of annual subsidence is averaging at 1.7 cm with cumulative subsidence in 32 yr is 54.1 cm. Since the water never drained since the establishment, the subsidence rate of the first five years is averaging only at 3.3 cm yr–1. Low subsidence rates minimize annual carbon loss during the peatland utilization around (30 to 200) Mg CO2 ha–1 yr–1. In 32 yr, the water management in peatland utilization in Pulau Burung has prevented 2 000 Mg CO2 ha–1 to 4 925 Mg CO2 ha–1 loss compared to other cultivated areas in peatland. Further, this paper discusses the practice that resulted in low emission of coconut agriculture in Pulau Burung as one of sustainability dimensions, which support the other sustainability aspects, that is the thriving local livelihood.

Scope/need of soft path water resource management in developing countries

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.T. Amin ◽  
M. Han
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Efficient Technology ◽  
Environmentally Sound

The goal of this paper is to identify the major outlines of innovative, integrated and decentralized water management practices, training, research, and development needs in various aspects of soft path water resource management in developing countries of Asia. The decentralized water strategies including science, regulations, training, government policies, and funding for some of the developing countries in Asian region are reviewed. There are two primary ways or paths of meeting water-related needs; one the “hard” path, and the other “soft” path that complements mainly decentralized and open decision-making, application of efficient technology, and environmental protection. One of the soft path decentralized solution being implemented in many developing countries of Asia is small scale rainwater harvesting and management and both government and non-government sectors are promoting the practice on a regional community and family basis. Overall, the paper aims to contribute to the ongoing development of environmentally sound and economically viable approaches to water management in the developing world.

The Ontario Water Works Consortium: a functional model of source water management and understanding

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.F. Moore ◽  
S.B. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Drainage Basins ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Cooperative Approach ◽  
Western Lake ◽  
Research Consortium

With an historical onus on reactive water treatment in North America, most taste and odour (T&O) outbreaks and other water quality issues have been unanticipated and difficult to control. Recent severe outbreaks of these drinking water issues have prompted wider advocacy of a more proactive “source-to-tap” approach, with greater focus on multidisciplinary partnerships among utilities, scientists and management/policy-makers. However, the practical application of this management model is faced with fragmented drainage basins, waterbodies and jurisdictions, and often requires a common issue such as T&O to initiate its development. This paper presents an example of a successful cooperative approach to drinking water management, the Ontario Water Works Research Consortium (OWWRC), consisting of the six major water utilities drawing water from Western Lake Ontario, scientists from the Canadian and Ontario governments and universities, and several other agencies. Established in 1999 following severe T&O outbreaks, the OWWRC has since operated as a highly effective model, employing a science-based approach to T&O management, supporting research on source-water and treatment issues, public outreach and utility surveys. The paper describes this partnership and summarises the results of an OWWRC T&O survey as one of the significant steps towards source-water characterisation undertaken by this cooperative.

scholarly journals Integrated water resource management for mega city: a case study of Dhaka city, Bangladesh / Zintegrowane zarządzanie zasobami wodnymi dużych miast: przykład miasta Dakka w Bangladeszu

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasir Hossain ◽  
Khalid Md. Bahauddin
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Integrated Water Resource Management ◽  
Ground Water Recharge ◽  
Daunting Task

Abstract Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh is facing a serious water scarcity problem due to the big gap between demand and supply of water system. When accelerating water scarcities and pollution in and around urban centers are superimposed on issues like continuing urbanization, lack of investment funds for constructing and maintaining water infrastructures, high public debts, inefficient resources allocation processes, inadequate management capacities, poor governance, inappropriate institutional frameworks and inadequate legal and regulatory regimes, water management in the megacities poses a daunting task in the future. To overcome these water related problems, water can be a designing element for structuring future development with the combination of sustainable approaches for social and physical transformation, open up opportunities for water management system. Therefore an integrated approach like integrated water resource management (IWRM) system is required that responds to problems that are all interrelated. Alternate supply and demand management tools such as ground water recharge, rainwater harvesting, effective water pricing, reclaimed water use are suggested to meet the deficit of current supply system through the efficient use of the scarce resources available. Institutional reform and improved water planning are required to facilitate economic growth and social development. Finally, human resource development is identified as key factor for the sustainable effective management of this valuable resource.

scholarly journals Adaptive Responses to Climate Change: Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of Water Resource Management Strategies in Selected Hotels within the Environs of Lake Naivasha

2019 ◽  
pp. 287-296
Author(s):  
D. N. Kinyanjui
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Lake Naivasha ◽  
Water Sustainability ◽  
Structural Water ◽  
Management Staff

Aims: This study sought to evaluate the adoption of water resource management strategies in hotels in an attempt to attain water sustainability. Specifically, the research sought to assess the current structural and non-structural water resource management strategies adopted by selected hotels in the environs of Lake Naivasha; establish the perceived effectiveness of both the structural and non-structural water resource management strategies adopted to enhance water sustainability; and compare the structural and non-structural water management strategies in terms of their effectiveness in promoting water sustainability in hotels within environs of Lake Naivasha. Study Design: The study adopted a case study design. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in hotels within the environs of Lake Naivasha between May and December 2010. Methodology: A census of 30 Class (A) registered hotels was conducted, and purposive sampling was used to select 120 respondents from the management staff within the selected hotels. Convenience sampling was used to select 8 managers of water management bodies who acted as key informants during personal interviews. Primary data was collected from the hotel management staff using questionnaires and from managers of water management through personal interviews. Data from questionnaires were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to derive descriptive statistics on the implementation of WRM strategies. Results: Findings revealed that a majority of the sampled hotels had embraced water resource management strategies through the development of alternative water resources, use of water saving technology, treatment of recycled water and use of water saving manuals. Further, the structural water resource management strategies were perceived to be more effective as they impacted more on reducing the operating costs, promoted environmental conservation and were more preferred than the non- structural strategies despite being more expensive to implement.  Conclusion: It is concluded that water sustainability is however achievable through a combination of a variety of WRM strategies.

Characteristics of the chalk groundwater along the Picardy coast and its relationship with wetlands

2021 ◽  
pp. SP517-2020-129
Author(s):  
Violaine Bault ◽  
Laurence Gourcy ◽  
Lise Cary ◽  
Anne Winckel ◽  
Bernard Bourgine
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
English Channel ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Quaternary Deposits ◽  
Study Results

AbstractWater resource management is a major concern in Marquenterre, a maritime plain located in the western part of the department of Somme. Water management is particularly indispensable for protecting wetlands in Marquenterre, regulating water usage, and avoiding saline intrusion into aquifers.Various approaches including geologic modeling and hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical studies were used to prepare a conceptual model of the Marquenterre hydrosystem and to provide better water management in this sector.The conceptual model shows that the chalk aquifer and the various Quaternary deposits aquifers are in hydrogeologic continuity. No seawater intrusion has been discovered in groundwater. Salinization discovered at depth is a result of the most recent marine transgressions. Finally, wetlands are primarily supplied by the chalk groundwater or by rainfall.The study results are used to direct policies of surface and subsurface water resource management. The proposed conceptual model may be useful for other coastal aquifers in the English Channel to address challenges of managing the chalk groundwater and backshore swamps.

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