Water governance for sustainable development : approaches and lessons from developing and transitional countries

This book examines the developments in the field of water governance and why they often fail to fulfil their promise, explores the issues on a global scale, with emphasis on highly topical African, South American and European case studies. The control and governance of water is one of the critical issues of the 21st century. This authoritative volume shows that, in recent years, water policies, institutions and governance have shifted from technical, quantitative, supply-driven, centrally controlled management to more demand-sensitive, qualitative, decentralized, participatory, integrated approaches. The book examines these issues through case studies at national, river basin and local levels using accessible multidisciplinary approaches that integrate economics, institutional analysis, geography and policy analysis. Ultimately the book untangles and presents best practices for policy- and decision-makers, governments and regulators, NGOs and user groups, farmers, water supply companies and researchers, as well as pointing towards how good water governance structures can be developed and implemented for the benefit of all. Contents: Introduction. Part I - Understanding water institutions; Public-private partnership in irrigation and drainage. Part II - The possibility of trade in water use entitlements in South Africa; Redressing inequities through domestic water supply; Local governance issues after irrigation management transfer; Water management and a smallholder canal irrigation scheme in South Africa; Emerging rules after irrigation management transfer to farmers; Crafting water institutions for people and businesses. Part III - Conflict analysis and value-focused thinking to aid resolution of water conflicts in Tanzania; Determinants of quality and quantity values of water for domestic uses in the Steelpoort sub-basin; Water resources and food security; Regulated dam release and improvements in water supply in the Tadla irrigation scheme in Morocco; Impact of institutional changes within small-scale groundwater irrigated systems; Local empowerment in smallholder irrigation schemes; Role-playing game development in irrigation management; Support to stakeholder involvement in water management: circumventing some participation pitfalls. Bibliography