Sustainable Water Resources Management


Book Description

Sustainable Water Resources Management presents the most current thinking on the environmental, social, and political dimensions of sustainably managing the water supply at local, regional, or basin levels.




Water Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions


Book Description

Water deficiency in many arid and semi-arid regions in Southern Europe is becoming a major constraint for economic welfare and sustainable regional development. These regions are characterised by high spatial and temporal imbalances of water demand and supply, seasonal water uses, inadequate water resources and poor institutional water management. The aim of this book is to formulate appropriate strategies and guidelines for water management necessary for the formulation and implementation of integrated sustainable management of water resources. Lessons are learned from various case studies, which examine competing water use patterns, compare governance structures and how these have evolved in response to scarcity, and structural and non-structural instruments to address water deficiency. Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions will appeal to policymakers in relevant countries as well as to scholars and researchers of environmental studies and economics.




The Economics of Water


Book Description

This open access textbook provides a concise introduction to economic approaches and mathematical methods for the study of water allocation and distribution problems. Written in an accessible and straightforward style, it discusses and analyzes central issues in integrated water resource management, water tariffs, water markets, and transboundary water management. By illustrating the interplay between the hydrological cycle and the rules and institutions that govern today’s water allocation policies, the authors develop a modern perspective on water management. Moreover, the book presents an in-depth assessment of the political and ethical dimensions of water management and its institutional embeddedness, by discussing distribution issues and issues of the enforceability of human rights in managing water resources. Given its scope, the book will appeal to advanced undergraduate and graduate students of economics and engineering, as well as practitioners in the water sector, seeking a deeper understanding of economic approaches to the study of water management.




Integrated Water Resources Management in Water-scarce Regions


Book Description

The research project CuveWaters developed and implemented adapted technologies and accompanying measures to support the national process towards an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The aim is to give people in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin reliable access to clean water over the long term, thus enhancing their livelihood and health, and to create job opportunities. IWRM relies on solutions that use various sources, types and qualities of water for different purposes. CuveWaters implemented pilot plants for rain- and floodwater harvesting, groundwater desalination, as well as facilities for sanitation and water reuse. Technical components of the project were framed by societal and scientific components. Integrated Water Resources Management in Water-scarce Regions provides a comprehensive view on the complexity and interconnectedness of findings and conclusions regarding the principle strategic approach within the CuveWaters project’s concept. The book aims to present the work of technical, social and natural scientists but also of media professionals: It gives thematically focussed details on the three technology-based solutions which go beyond mere technical considerations and embed this into the overarching process towards IWRM in Namibia. Finally, it critically addresses lessons learnt and limits of projects in the context of research for implementation. This book is of great value to experts, professionals and also students and academics in the areas of water management, technology development and implementation and transdisciplinary science.










Integrated Water Resources Management in Practice


Book Description

Better water management will be crucial if we are to meet many of the key challenges of this century - feeding the worlds growing population and reducing poverty, meeting water and sanitation needs, protecting vital ecosystems, all while adapting to climate change. The approach known as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is widely recognized as the best way forward, but is poorly understood, even within the water sector. Since a core IWRM principle is that good water management must involve the water users, the understanding and involvement of other sectors is critical for success. There is thus an urgent need for practical guidance, for both water and development professionals, based on real world examples, rather than theoretical constructs. That is what this book provides. Using case studies, the book illustrates how better water management, guided by the IWRM approach, has helped to meet a wide range of sustainable development goals. It does this by considering practical examples, looking at how IWRM has contributed, at different scales, from very local, village-level experiences to reforms at national level and beyond to cases involving trans-boundary river basins. Using these on-the-ground experiences, from both developed and developing countries in five continents, the book provides candid and practical lessons for policy-makers, donors, and water and development practitioners worldwide, looking at how IWRM principles were applied, what worked, and, equally important, what didn‘t work, and why. Published with the Global Water Partnership




Water Resources Management: Methods, Applications and Challenges


Book Description

Water resources play an essential role in all aspects of human life and activities. All living organisms need water for survival. Due to increased demand for water, appropriate water resources management should be established. This book covers various aspects of water resources management, including their use for different purposes and impacts of natural factors and anthropogenic pressures on water resources. Climate changes affect water resources, causing floods and droughts. All human activities such as water supply, irrigation, navigation, hydropower, tourism and recreation use water resources. The natural and anthropogenic impacts cause a decline in water quantity and the degradation of water quality. Water resources are especially important in protected areas and management of them in these areas is a specific challenge. Adequate water resources management should address all water related issues, to establish an institutional and legal framework, as well as the cooperation of all relevant actors in this field at national and international level. Water reuse, such as wastewater management is also an important challenge. This book provides some models and methods which are used for water resources estimation, their vulnerability and exposure to natural and anthropogenic influences. Taking into account various aspects of water related topics, application of diverse models and methods in different geographical areas, the book Water Resources Management: Methods, Applications and Challenges could help policy and decision makers as well as other stakeholders in finding the solutions of some water related problems.




Integrated Water Resources Management in the Mediterranean Region


Book Description

This book puts great emphasis on the importance of Integrated Water Resources Management IWRM as the way forward towards food, water, and energy security. It offers better ways and means of managing the limited water resources; using water more efficiently; adopting new policies in order to cope with climate change and drought; increase water supply through the use of non conventional water resources, especially waste water; inducing stakeholders participation and information exchange and raise public awareness to the value of water. It is an important book for all those involved in all aspects of water resources and contains valuable information for scientists, researchers, farmers, extension services and students.




Water Resources


Book Description

The world faces huge challenges for water as population continues to grow, as emerging economies develop and as climate change alters the global and local water cycle. There are major questions to be answered about how we supply water in a sustainable and safe manner to fulfil our needs, while at the same time protecting vulnerable ecosystems from disaster. Water Resources: An Integrated Approach provides students with a comprehensive overview of both natural and socio-economic processes associated with water. The book contains chapters written by 20 specialist contributors, providing expert depth of coverage to topics. The text guides the reader through the topic of water starting with its unique properties and moving through environmental processes and human impacts upon them including the changing water cycle, water movement in river basins, water quality, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems. The book then covers management strategies for water resources, water treatment and re-use, and the role of water in human health before covering water economics and water conflict. The text concludes with a chapter that examines new concepts such as virtual water that help us understand current and future water resource use and availability across interconnected local and global scales. This book provides a novel interdisciplinary approach to water in a changing world, from an environmental change perspective and inter-related social, political and economic dimensions. It includes global examples from both the developing and developed world. Each chapter is supplemented with boxed case studies, end of chapter questions, and further reading, as well as a glossary of terms. The text is richly illustrated throughout with over 150 full colour diagrams and photos.