1. D. Thalmeinerova based upon GWP ToolBox resources
Introduction to IWRM
D. Thalmeinerova
based upon GWP ToolBox resources

2. Multi-level Comprehensive Governance
Local, Regional, National, Fluvial, Global
Ancient
1200 A.D.
1900
1990s
Future
Community
Basic management
of water quantity
Sectoral management
of water quantity and quality
institutional fragmentation
spatial fragmentation
local co-ordination
Integrated multifunctional use
river basin as unit
institutionalised cooperation
Multi-level Comprehensive Governance

3. Before we start….
The basis of IWRM is that different uses of water are interdependent
Integrated management means that all the different uses of water resources are considered together

4. WATER CYCLE

5. Driving forces on water resources
Population growth: demands for more water and producing more waste water and pollution
Urbanization: migration from rural to urban areas which increases the current level of difficulty in water delivery and waste water treatment
Economic growth: mainly in developing countries with large populations contributes to increased demand for economic activities
Globalization of trade: production is relocated to “labor-cheap” areas that takes place without consideration for water resources
Climate variability: more intense floods and droughts increase vulnerability of people
Climate change: increase uncertainty about water cycle regimes
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES ARE THE MAIN TOPICS IN YOUR JOB?

6. IWRM concept is
an empirical concept which is built up from the on-the-ground experience of practitioners,
a flexible approach to water management that can adapt to diverse national and local contexts,
thus
it is not a scientific theory that needs to be proved or disproved by scholars.
and (but)
it requires policy-makers to make judgments about which reforms and measures, management tools and institutional arrangements are most appropriate in a particular cultural, social, political, economic and environmental context.

7. GWP, TEC Background Paper No. 4: Integrated Water Resources Management
IWRM definition
IWRM is a process which promotes the coordinated 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.
GWP, TEC Background Paper No. 4: Integrated Water Resources Management

8. IWRM: What does it really mean?
More coordinated development and management of:
Land and water
Surface water and ground water
Upstream and downstream interests
Discussion questions:
Who should propose measures to protect against floods?
Who should bear a cost to implement measures to mitigate floods?

9. Key water resources management functions
Water allocation
Pollution control
Monitoring
Financial management
Flood and drought management
Information management
Basin planning
Stakeholder participation
IWRM

10. Manage water resources within a basin
What about international basins?
What about large distances within a basin (with disparate communities and institutions)?
How to manage a basin that has no monitoring network?
How to manage a basin where water supply and demand fluctuate both intra-seasonally and inter-annually?
How to manage a basin where authorities have a little access to financial, transport and technological capabilities?

11. Three pillars of IWRM
Implementing IWRM process is a question of getting the “three pillars” right:
Moving towards enabling environment of appropriate policies, strategies and legislation
Putting in place the institutional framework (through which policies can be implemented)
Setting up the management instruments required by these institutions to do their job

12. CHANGES ARE MADE TO SEEK
CHANGE AREAS
CHANGES ARE MADE TO SEEK
Economic
Efficiency
Social Equity
Environmental
Sustainability
TO REACH
SUSTAINABILITY

13. Managing competing uses
Water for people
Water for
food
Water for nature
other
uses
Cross-sectoral integration
Enabling environment
Institutions
Management
instruments

14. Integrating across levels and sectors
Fisheries
Environment
Tourism
Industry
Finance
Agriculture
Energy
Water
National
Basin
Local
[1 click - “and scales.” + pyramid on your click]
Scales aspect of IWRM is often forgotten. But it is necessary in order to:
Put into practice the 2nd Dublin Principle: Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy-makers at all levels.
Achieve more efficient use of limited water resources
Ensure decision-making is taking place at the lowest appropriate level. And that decisions made at local and river-basin levels are in-line with, or at least do not conflict with, the achievement of broader national objectives, and in turn, that national objectives reflect local needs.
In some countries means more decentralized decision-making. E.g. In Thailand, where IWRM approach used to improve the responsiveness of water management to local conditions and to resolve conflicts that had arisen during phase of centralized water management.
In others, means bumping some types of decisions up to the river basin or national level – for example decisions on water allocation frameworks.

15. IWRM PRINCIPLES
Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment.
Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policymakers at all levels.
Women play a central part in the provision, management and safe-guarding of water.
Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good as well as social good.
Dublin, 1992

16. IWRM Principles
Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment.

17. Respecting the basin

18. IWRM Principles
Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policymakers at all levels.

19. Difficult to ensure “active involvement”
50 decision
200 work
participation
information
population
How to make it?

20. Pitfalls in putting IWRM into practice
Trying to establish management relations between too many variables risks getting mired in complexity at the expense of effectiveness.
When putting IWRM into practice it’s important to think strategically about where and to what degree coordination and new management instruments are necessary.

21. IWRM Principles
Women play a central part in the provision, management and safe-guarding of water

22. IWRM Principles Water is becoming scarcer and its value rising
Source: The Economist
IWRM Principles
Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good as well as social good
Water is becoming scarcer and its value rising
Recognition that costs should be borne by those who benefit

23. Arguments for treating water as an economic good:
Arguments for treating water as a human right:
Market-based approach will ensure that people are better stewards of water resources
Encourages conservation
Improves quality
Helps allocate water to maximize benefits
Ensures water for all
Helps set priorities of water policy
Focuses attention on resolving water conflict
Helps safeguard other human rights

24. Why IWRM? Globally accepted and makes good sense.
Key element in national water policy.
Incorporates social and environmental considerations directly into policy and decision making.
Directly involves the stakeholders.
Is a tool for optimizing investments under tight financing climate.

25. Traditional versus IWRM approaches

26. …in order to understand better “integrated” approach…
Multi sectors
Various institutions involved
“collective” decision making
Complex issues addressed
Overriding interests solved
National allocation of funds
Traditional approach
One sector
Limited institutions involved
Decision making at one sector
Specific issues addressed
Specific interests solved
Sectoral allocation of funds

27. In order to understand better “integrated” approach
Traditional approach:
Hydrological/hydraulic
What is expected yield of the catchment?
Engineering
How much water leaks from the system?
How can leakage be reduced?
Management
What is the economic level of leakage?
Integrated approach:
How will new investment be agreed upon?
How can local management structures balance competing uses?
How will stakeholders negotiate water rights in different conditions of water availability (scarcity)?
How will consumers respond to periodic water shortages or to increasing environmental concerns?

28. Lessons learnt

29. Risks of fully sectoral approach
Overlooking negative impacts on environment and other sectors
Inefficient use of resources—natural and financial
Integrated approach
Sectoral approach
[2 clicks - 1 bullet point per click]

30. Risks of fully integrated approach
Getting mired in complexity.
Not making good use of specialist expertise.
Sectoral approach
Integrated approach
[2 clicks - 1 bullet point per click]

31. Finding a balance
Each country needs to decide where integration makes sense based on its social, political and hydrological situation.
Integrated approach
Sectoral approach
[No clicks]

32. The nature of IWRM: Lessons from IWRM in practice
How water is developed and managed must reflect country priorities (including environmental standards) and governance approaches.
Water management will not be successful if it is set up as a stand-alone system of governance and administration, separate to the rest of government.

33. Examples: IWRM is linked to key development issues
How IWRM helps
Example
Securing food production
Assists the efficient production of food crops in irrigated agriculture
FAO round table (2003, Rome) agreed that all African countries should improve efficiency in irrigated agriculture for food production by adopting IWRM approach
Reducing health risks
Better management of water quality
UNECE Protocol on Water and Health (2007) requires to set health targets. Progress towards IWRM has been chosen as an indicator for improved water management
Freshwater and coastal water
IWRM recognizes freshwater and coastal zone as a continuum
Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Management (ICARM) is endorsed by GWP as a basic concept for the GEF projects portfolio

34. Key development issue
How IWRM helps
Example
Mitigating disaster risks
Assists disaster preparedness
WMO adopted IFM approach within the framework of IWRM in 2000
Planning transboundary cooperation
Assists water management of shared basins
ECOWAS adopted the West African Regional Action Plan for IWRM in The IWRM is a framework for transboundary Niger, Volta and Senegal rivers
Adapting to climate change
Assist appropriate planning of water use with better resilience
IPCC emphasizes IWRM approach that is based on the concepts of flexibility and adaptability

35. Summary about IWRM: what we have learnt
IWRM is linked to sustainable development
IWRM is not a one-size-fits-all prescription and cannot be applied as a checklist of actions
IWRM is not a prescription but an iterative process and an adaptive approach
IWRM implementation must reflect country priorities
Water management will not be successful if it is set up as a stand-alone system of governance
IWRM includes both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ components

36. Lessons from IWRM in practice
IWRM is a means not an end. None of the successful case studies analysed set out to achieve IWRM. Rather they set out to solve particular water-related problems or achieve development goals by looking at water holistically within larger physical and development contexts.
Equity
Sustainability
Efficiency
IWRM