Groundwater/surface-water interaction is receiving increasing focus in Africa due to its importance to ecologic systems and sustainability. In South Africa’s 1998 National Water Act (NWA), water-use licenses, including groundwater, are granted only after defining the Reserve, the amount of water needed to supply basic human needs and preserve some ecological integrity. Accurate quantification of groundwater contributions to ecosystems for successful implementation of the NWA proves challenging; many of South Africa’s aquifers are in heterogeneous and anisotropic fractured-rock settings. This paper reviews the current conceptualizations and investigative approaches regarding groundwater/surface-water interactions in the context of South African policies. Some selected pitfall experiences are emphasized. The most common approach in South Africa is estimation of average annual fluxes at the scale of fourth-order catchments (∼500 km2) with baseflow separation techniques and then subtracting the groundwater discharge rate from the recharge rate. This approach might be a good start, but it ignores spatial and temporal variability, potentially missing local impacts associated with production-well placement. As South Africa’s NWA has already been emulated in many countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya, the successes and failures of the South African experience dealing with the groundwater/surface-water interaction will be analyzed to guide future policy directions.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires all EU member states to implement water tariffs to recover the costs of water services. This paper analyzes the potential consequences of different instruments for irrigation water pricing (area, volumetric, two-part tariff and block-rate), studying their impact on the sustainability of irrigated areas. The application performed focuses on the Campos district in the Spanish province of Palencia, using simulation models based on positive mathematical programming to simulate farmers’ behavior in response to the above-mentioned pricing instruments. A multidimensional set of sustainability indicators (economic, social and environmental) for each instrument is obtained, making it possible to construct a composite indicator for irrigated agriculture (CIIA) in order to measure the overall sustainability performance of irrigated farms. Results show that pricing irrigation water will have a negative impact on overall sustainability, since economic (profitability) and social (generation of employment) sustainability will decline, while only a slight improvement in environmental sustainability will be obtained. However, we show that in order to fulfill WFD requirements, block-rate pricing results in high rates of public-sector revenues derived from irrigation water payments and promotes a significant reduction in the demand for irrigation water with the lowest reductions in farm sustainability measured in terms of the CIIA. | La Directiva Marco de Aguas (DMA) exige a los estados de la UE la introducción de tarifas para la recuperación de los costes del agua. Este trabajo analiza las consecuencias de la hipotética implementación de diferentes formas de tarifación del agua de riego (por superficie, volumétrica, binómica y por tramos), estudiando su impacto sobre la sostenibilidad de las zonas regables. La aplicación empírica realizada se ha centrado en la Comarca de Campos (Palencia). Con este propósito se han empleado modelos de simulación basados en la programación matemática positiva, los cuales permiten simular el comportamiento productivo de los regantes ante la aplicación de los diferentes instrumentos analizados. La resolución de estos modelos ha permitido obtener, para cada instrumento de tarifación considerado, un conjunto multidimensional de indicadores de sostenibilidad (económicos, sociales y ambientales), a partir de los cuales se ha desarrollado un indicador sintético de sostenibilidad para el regadío (CIIA). Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto cómo la puesta en funcionamiento de las distintas formas de tarifación generarían un efecto negativo sobre la sostenibilidad del regadío en términos del CIIA, ya que empeorará sus sostenibilidad económica (rentabilidad) y social (generación de empleo), proporcionando tan sólo ligeras mejoras ambientales. En cualquier caso, al objeto de cumplir con la exigencia legal de la DMA, se evidencia que la forma de tarifación por tramos permite obtener elevados niveles de recaudación pública derivados de la tarifación del agua de riego y promueve una reducción significativa de la demanda de agua de riego con las menores reducciones en la sostenibilidad de las explotaciones medida en términos del CIIA.

This study examines how environmental issues have been addressed in the water sector in Brazil, within the context of activities of the Federal Government, generally, and those implemented under Bank sector operations, in particular. The core focus of the study lies in the management of water quality, as it affects both the users of raw water, and those who are primarily concerned with the disposal of wastewater. The report considers the following three sectoral areas concomitantly - water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and, the environment - thus limiting its review, and focus to those themes which are key to the over-arching issue of water quality. Water resources management in the country relied upon heavy investments in medium, and large scale projects that provided basic infrastructure for water uses. However, these have produced questionable impacts in terms of reducing poverty, and inequality. One of the reasons for this, has been the poor infrastructure management, which despite its importance, has been largely underestimated. While improvements in the utilization of existing infrastructure in the water sector remain critical, it needs to be complemented by incentives to both service providers, and water users. Moreover, low economic, environmental, and social returns from investments in the water sector, reflect the tendency to distract attention from the objectives in the design, and implementation of projects. Thus, an assessment of water quality goals is required, which should be based on systematic evaluations of the costs, and benefits of reaching alternative standards, and explicit social objectives.

Resumen Se presenta el análisis que hace el Foro Económico Mundial sobre la correlación del agua con la mayor parte de las actividades humanas, señalando el incremento de la presión sobre las agendas sociales, políticas, económicas y medioambientales. Con este antecedente se analizan los factores meteorológicos, geográficos, demográficos y los generados por el impacto del cambio climático en México, señalando los grandes retos para la administración de los recursos hídricos: posicionar su gestión como un asunto estratégico y de seguridad nacional; garantizar el derecho humano al agua, saneamiento y a un medio ambiente sano; cumplir con los objetivos de desarrollo sustentable; lograr la equidad de género; establecer la transparencia y rendición de cuentas, y desconcentrar y descentralizar la gestión del agua. Se hacen propuestas de solución, estableciendo tiempos y costos. Destacan dos conclusiones: no se puede resolver el reto del agua en México en seis años, pero sí es posible establecer las bases para hacerlo. Se requieren al menos 24 años (2042) para contar con infraestructura que contribuya a lograr la sustentabilidad y seguridad hídrica en el país. | Abstract The analysis of the Word Economic Forum about the relationship between water and human activities is presented and the increase of pressure over social, political, economic and environmental activities is described. With this background, the meteorological, geographical and demographic factors are reviewed, as well as those originated by the climate change in Mexico, highlighting the great challenges for water management: To place it as a strategic issue of national security; to guarantee the human right to water, sanitation and a healthy environment; to achieve the objectives of sustainable development; to achieve gender equity, to set transparency and accountability; and to devolve and decentralize the water management. Solutions are presented, including timeframe and costs. The two most important conclusions are: Water challenges in Mexico cannot be overcome in six years however, it is possible to establish the required environment. At least 24 years are needed (2042) to setting up infrastructure and conditions that make possible sustainability and water security in Mexico.

Evaluates the degree of success of water users in managing water allocations and deliveries in two irrigation district modules in the Lagunera Region of Mexico. Policies and practices are evaluated from the standpoints of the nature of planning rules, consistency, equity, and efficiency in implementation of the plans.

Comunicação apresentada no 8º Congresso Nacional de Administração Pública – Desafios e Soluções, em Carcavelos de 21 a 22 de Novembro de 2011.

In the last three decades, Mexican water management policy has been reformed to include the participation of social actors in the decision-making process. Nonetheless, water governance receives intense criticism from those who consider that this participatory approach has decreased the efficiency in decision-making and others who believe that public participation is not efficiently included. To clarify this debate, we identify the fundamentals, the obstacles, and the challenges of the public involvement in water management through a systematic review of the literature. We found that the restrictions of such involvement are most likely associated with: 1) characteristics and context of the participants; 2) different levels of information and power; 3) institutional arrangement and rules of the process; 4) the lack of resources to participate, and 5) the lack of motivation and political will. The most critical challenges are: a) decentralization; b) the combination of technical and non-technical knowledge; c) the strengthening of capacities for participation, and d) the influence of the government in the decision-making process. With these elements, we elaborate an analytical framework and come up with the recommendations to improve public participation in water management in Mexico.

[EN] Up to date, water management in Spain has been focused on supply approaches, with the result of providing consumers with this resource at a low price. Developments in the institutional framework regulating water management in the European context (mainly the implementation of the Water Framework Directive) have shifted this approach in order to promote sustainable water use. To achieve this objective, tariff policy must now take into account the water services cost-recovery principle for its different uses. Within this context, this paper estimates the public capital stock related to water supply and assesses the existing level of cost-recovery related to that stock. The methodology used, compares the tax level needed for full-cost recovery with actual revenues from different water-related taxes. The case study area is Gallego River basin in Aragon, and results show the low cost- recovery level for most water services. | [ES] Tradicionalmente la gestión del agua en España se ha basado en un enfoque de oferta, que ha proporcionado el recurso a los usuarios a bajo precio. En la actualidad, la política europea que propugna la Directiva Marco de Agua (DMA) tiene como objetivo el promover su uso sostenible. Por ello, se ha de aplicar una política tarifaria que tenga en cuenta el principio de recuperación de costes de los servicios del agua en sus distintos usos. Los objetivos del trabajo son estimar el stock de capital público hidráulico y determinar el nivel de recuperación de los costes ligados a dicho stock, comparando las tarifas teóricamente óptimas para amortizar los costes, con los ingresos provenientes del cobro de los distintos cánones y tarifas. El análisis empírico se ha llevado a cabo sobre la cuenca del río Gállego y pone de manifiesto el todavía escaso nivel de recuperación de los costes en la mayoría de los servicios del agua. | SWORD | Pérez Y Pérez, L.; Barreiro Hurlé, J. (2007). A note on water services cost recovery in the Gallego river basin. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 7(13):49-56. https://doi.org/10.7201/earn.2007.13.03 | 13 | Este trabajo ha sido llevado a cabo en el marco del estudio «Aproximación al balanceeconómico y de recuperación de costes del uso del agua en la cuenca del Gállego», financiado en 2005 por laOficina de Planificación Hidrológica de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro. Los autores agradecen aManuel Omedas y a Rogelio Galván, técnicos de dicho organismo, la ayuda recibida en la realización de di-cho estudio y a tres evaluadores anónimos los comentarios efectuados a versiones previas del trabajo. | 56 | 49 | 7

Up to date, water management in Spain has  been focused on supply approaches, with the result of providing  consumers with this resource at a low price. Developments in the  institutional framework regulating water management in the European  context (mainly the implementation of the Water Framework  Directive) have shifted this approach in order to promote  sustainable water use. To achieve this objective, tariff policy  must now take into account the water services cost-recovery  principle for its different uses. Within this context, this paper  estimates the public capital stock related to water supply and  assesses the existing level of cost-recovery related to that stock.  The methodology used, compares the tax level needed for full-cost  recovery with actual revenues from different water-related taxes.  The case study area is Gallego River basin in Aragon, and results  show the low cost- recovery level for most  water services. | Tradicionalmente la gestión del agua en España se ha basado en un enfoque de oferta, que ha proporcionado el recurso a los usuarios a bajo precio. En la actualidad, la política europea que propugna la Directiva Marco de Agua (DMA) tiene como objetivo el promover su uso sostenible. Por ello, se ha de aplicar una política tarifaria que tenga en cuenta el principio de recuperación de costes de los servicios del agua en sus distintos usos. Los objetivos del trabajo son estimar el stock de capital público hidráulico y determinar el nivel de recuperación de los costes ligados a dicho stock, comparando las tarifas teóricamente óptimas para amortizar los costes, con los ingresos provenientes del cobro de los distintos cánones y tarifas. El análisis empírico se ha llevado a cabo sobre la cuenca del río Gállego y pone de manifiesto el todavía escaso nivel de recuperación de los costes en la mayoría de los servicios del agua.