Water Resources Management: Stewardship and Services

Abstract

The urgent need to improve water resources management is evident in the conditions found in too many countries. Today’s focus on goals, policies, strategies, and governance has not created the desired changes. Indeed, the deliberation of these issues, formulation of associated documents, and passage of related legislation do not constitute management. The primary focus should shift to the specific functions that do. The refocusing may be facilitated by grouping the management functions into two areas: stewardship and services. Stewardship functions constitute the collection and dissemination of hydrologic data, issuance of water rights, resources planning, and regulation of a country’s water resources. Governments carry full responsibility for this group. The services functions consist of providing water-related services that help meet the social, economic, and security goals of the citizens in an environmentally sustainable manner. Several forms of entities may carry out these functions. The definition of management by grouping the involved functions allows a rigorous assessment of a country’s present situation and the formulation of management improvements in terms of institutions, financing, and human resources.