Governing water wisely for sustainable development

As the world is changing, so must our ideas about water problems and their place in the broader picture of human development and needs. Perhaps the greatest shift has occurred in our emerging appreciation of the key role that governance plays. Yes, water is unevenly distributed, with some areas having too much and others not enough. Yes, there are issues of water quality and competition among users. But as this chapter illustrates, good management – that includes integrated and participatory approaches – can go a long way towards attenuating the water crisis. Many encouraging examples are given. These suggest that dynamic new partnerships are forming, preventive actions are being taken and effective institutional and regulatory frameworks are being put in place at levels ranging from the local community on up to central government.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Clean Water and Sanitation