IWRM practices depend on context; At the operational level the challenge is to translate the agreed principles into concrete action. The response to this is often referred to as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), with the “M” referring to both “development and management”. However, the concept of IWRM is widely debated and an unambiguous definition of IWRM does not currently exist. Hence, the regional and national institutions must develop their own IWRM practices using the collaborative framework emerging globally and regionally. To guide further work a number of elements, which have been highlighted in conceptual discussions within and outside GWP, are given below.
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IWRM definition; For the purposes of providing a common framework the following definition of IWRM is used:
IWRM is a process which promotes the co-ordinated development and management of water, land
and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable
manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.
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Integration necessary but not sufficient; According to the Webster Dictionary the need for integration arises when dealing with the situation of “regular interaction of interdependent groups of items forming a uniform whole”. Integration, then, is the “art and science” of blending the right proportions of these items into a whole. However, those involved in water resources management know that integration per se cannot guarantee development of optimal strategies, plans and management schemes (mixing two poor ingredients does not make a good meal).
Natural and human system interaction; The concept of Integrated Water Resources Management – in contrast to “traditional”, fragmented water resources management – at its most fundamental level is as concerned with the management of water demand as with its supply. Thus, integration can be considered under two basic categories:
• the natural system, with its critical importance for resource availability and quality, and
• the human system, which fundamentally determines the resource use, waste production and pollution of the resource, and which must also set the development priorities.
Integration has to occur both within and between these categories, taking into account variability in time and space. Historically, water managers have tended to see themselves in a “neutral role”, managing the natural system to provide supplies to meet externally determined needs. IWRM approaches should assist them in recognizing that their behaviour also affects water demands. Clearly, consumers can only “demand” the product supplied, but water can be supplied with very different properties, for instance in terms of quality and availability in low flow or peak demand periods. Price and tariff design will also affect water demand, as will investments in infrastructure which translates potential into effective demand.
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“Integration” in IWRM
=====Natural system integration=====
Integration of freshwater management and coastal zone management;
Integration of land and water management;
“Green water” and “blue water”;
Integration of surface water and groundwater management;
Integration of quantity and quality in water resources management;
Integration of upstream and downstream water-related interests;
=====Human system integration=====
Cross-sectoral integration in national policy development;
Macro-economic effects of water developments;
Basic principles for integrated policy-making;
Influencing economic sector decisions;
Integration of all stakeholders in the planning and decision process;
Integrating water and wastewater management;
from: TAC BACKGROUND PAPERS NO. 4 : Integrated Water Resources Management, written by GWP TAC
