Suchergebnisse

This book offers a detailed examination of the main sources of Chile's water, its principle consumers, the gap between supply and demand, hydrological droughts, and future projected impacts of climate change. It describes, analyzes and evaluates the performance of water policies, laws and institutions, identifies the main challenges that Chile needs to face and derives lessons learnt from Chile's reform experience. Expert contributors discuss such topics as Chile's water policy, and the reasoning which explains its policy reform. The book presents and evaluates the performance of the legal and institutional framework of water resources. It also describes efforts to meet actual demands for water by augmenting supplies with groundwater management, waste water re-use and desalination and improve the state of water ecosystems. The last chapter presents the editor's assessment and conclusions. The case of Chile is illustrative of a transition from command and control to market based management policies, where economic incentives play a significant role in water management.

Canada's provincial, territorial and federal governments face key water policy decisions about the process of water allocation and the outcomes associated with alternative approaches. Water allocation refers to the systems that are used to decide which users are allowed to draw water from which sources, for which purposes, and when. Especially when water resources are under pressure from competing demands, or when water quality is threatened, it is logical to question whether the available water resources are being used in the best way possible. Water allocation policy is a multifaceted and far reaching tool with which governments can in uence the structure of the economy and quality of residents' lives. Water allocation decisions in uence numerous uses of surface and groundwater resources, including such non-extractive uses as providing environmental, recreational and aesthetic bene ts when some of the water is left in situ . This chapter illustrates a range of speci c water policy issues and considerations that relate to water allocation, and provides an overview of current practices in each jurisdiction. A number of challenges are highlighted that will have to be addressed if society is to bene t fully from the potential gains that effective water allocation can deliver.

IN ADDITION TO THE WELL-KNOWN PROGRAMME FOR FLOOD PROTECTION, DUTCH WATER POLICY CONSISTS OF TWO MAIN SUBSECTORS; WATER SUPPLY AND GROUND WATER PROTECTION, AND SURFACE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT. IN THIS CONTRIBUTION SPECIAL ATTENTION IS PAID TO THE CHARACTERISATION OF THESE SUBSECTORS USING TWO NETWORK VARIABLES; MUTUAL COMMITMENT AND INTERRELATEDNESS. THE DYNAMICS OF CHANGE OF THESE FEATURES AND THEIR RELATION WITH POLICY OPPORTUNITIES ARE EXAMINED, THE WATER SUPPLY SECTOR WAS AMALGATED INTO LARGER COMPANIES AND DEVELOPED MORE COOPERATION AS A RESULT OF THE PRESSURE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE PUMPING AND BILLING. THOUGH THE SECTOR IN A SENSE BECAME MORE INTEGRATED, THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AN INCREASED NEED TO DO BUSINESS WITH OTHER INTERESTS, SUCH AS AGRICULTURE. THE SURFACE WATER QUALITY SUBSECTOR ALSO MOVED FROM A VERY INTEGRATED COMMUNITY INTO A MORE OPEN STRUCTURE. THIS OPENNESS IS, HOWEVER, TO A LARGE EXTENT ORGANIZED BY THE SECTOR ITSELF, BY INCORPORATING OTHER INTERESTS IN THEIR COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES. BOTH SUBSECTORS INCREASINGLY ADOPT A CONSENSUAL APPROACH IN DEALING WITH THESE OTHER INTERESTS.

"Freshwater is our planet's most precious resource - essential for life itself. Despite this fact, many people across our planet face difficulties finding safe, clean, potable water. A U.S. State Department report contends that the world's thirst for water may become a human security crisis by 2040. The World Bank reports many developing nations face catastrophe from intensive irrigation, urbanization, and deteriorating infrastructure. Also, numerous reports contend that in many places un-treated wastewater is still released directly into the environment. This is particularly true in low-income countries, which on average treat less than 10% of their wastewater discharges. In short, we face three imminent challenges regarding freshwater: (1) demands by agriculture, cities, industry, and energy production are increasing; (2) severe pollution from various contaminants and growing withdrawals are limiting the capacity of waterways to dilute contaminants - threatening human and aquatic life; and, (3) climate change will cause periods of frequent and severe droughts - punctuated by acute periods of flooding. The goal of this book is to illuminate how the governance of freshwater is a political, social, economic, cultural, and ecological challenge. The management and provision of water are not merely technical problems whose resolution hinges on hydrological principle, cost, or engineering feasibility. They are products of decisions made by governments, businesses, and interest groups that exercise control over who has access to water, how they use it, and in what condition they receive it. It discusses basic knowledge about water supply and quality; the evolution of water policy in different societies; the importance of water to human and environmental health; the role of law, politics, and markets in its allocation, use, and protection; and, the importance of ethics in its equitable provision"

This book provides an insightful and critical assessment of the state of Canadian water governance and policy. It adopts a multidisciplinary variety of perspectives and considers local, basin, provincial and national scales. Canada?s leading authorities from the social sciences, life and natural sciences address pressing water issues in a non-technical language, making them accessible to a wide audience. Even though Canada is seen as a water-rich country, with 7% of the world?s reliable flow of freshwater and many of the world?s largest rivers, the country nevertheless faces a number of significant water-related challenges, stemming in part from supply-demand imbalances but also a range of water quality issues. Against the backdrop of a water policy landscape that has changed significantly in recent years, this book therefore seeks to examine water-related issues that are not only important for the future of Canadian water management but also provide insights into transboundary management, non-market valuation of water, decentralized governance methods, the growing importance of the role of First Nations peoples, and other topics in water management that are vital to many jurisdictions globally. The book also presents forward-looking approaches such as resilience theory and geomatics to shed light on emerging water issues. Researchers, students and those directly involved in the management of Canadian waters will find this book a valuable source of insight. In addition, this book will appeal to policy analysts, people concerned about Canadian water resources specifically as well as global water issues.

ABSTRACTSignificant changes to the existing European Community (EC) legislation for the protection of the aquatic environment are being contemplated by the EC Commission. In addition, the emphasis on sustainable development in the Fifth EC Environmental Action Programme will focus attention on economic instruments to be applied in support of legislation. The EC eco‐labelling and auditing schemes, although voluntary, will lead to more environmentally acceptable products and processes. The paper discusses the likely future EC regulatory system for the protection of the aquatic environment and how the supporting EC initiatives will contribute to environmental improvements.

Key Messages

Collaboration between people and decision makers is essential for effective water policy implementation: The article emphasizes the importance of both decision makers and the public in implementing water policies. Decision makers set frameworks and provide resources, while public involvement ensures practical application and sustainability. Effective implementation requires ongoing dialogue and cooperation between these groups, particularly in politically unstable contexts like Myanmar.
Challenges stem from weak governance and institutional fragmentation: The editorial highlights significant challenges in implementing water policies in Myanmar, such as weak institutional frameworks, poor governance, lack of political will, inadequate technical and human resources, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. These issues are compounded by a lack of coordination among government bodies, leading to overlapping responsibilities and competition, which stifle innovation and active participation.
A people‐centered, inclusive approach and spiritual transformation are needed: The article proposes that a new water management paradigm should integrate socio‐technology, system science, and spiritual transformation to address water issues effectively. It argues that promoting empathy, trust, and collaborative practices can help overcome historical mistrust and trauma among different groups in Myanmar. This approach aims to foster a more inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable water policy that aligns with cultural values and promotes fair water resource sharing.