Water Management

The world faces an unprecedented crisis in water resources management, with profound implications for global food security, protection of human health, and maintenance of all ecosystems on Earth. Large uncertainties still plague quantitative assessments of climate change impacts and water resource management, but what is known for certain is that the climate is changing and that it will have an effect on water resources. Therefore, increased efforts will be needed to plan and manage water supplies in the future through increased monitoring and understanding of the interrelationships between population size, climate change, and water availability. The focus of water management is gradually shifting from developing new water sources to using existing water sources more effectively and efficiently. The world needs policy change in water management. Respect for water resources and their value is the starting point of deliberations. Governments have the essential water management function: to protect and allocate water resources to allow both individual and collective interests to benefit from water. Societies must also lead in understanding, provisioning for mitigating the impact of disasters, ranging from extreme droughts to unprecedented floods, caused by climate change and poor management of water and land. Public funds will likely remain the main source of water sectoral funding. It is up to governments to invest wisely to enhance the crucial role that water has for social and economic development in a country. Integrated water resource management strategy is accepted as a global model for achieving the objective of a sustainable water management system.