National Water Policies

Abstract

Water and the need for water are different in important respects from transport, energy, and hazardous waste disposal. Water has developed into a monopolistic position since no other alternative to water for its intended domestic use exists. In any water policy, not only the technical elements, but the political and financial element must be recognized as well. The role civil engineers play in the formulation of water policy and the need for civil engineers to understand and interact with politicians and financiers is discussed.