Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is a new method of managing water resources. Unlike methodologies tried before, IWRM is based on cooperation between all the sectors that influence water resources including forestry, agriculture, public works and private sector. The Millennium Development goals (MDG's) were the driving force behind the formulation of this new concept, in order to try and half the number of people without access to clean water and proper sanitation.
IWRM principles provide a platform for equitable, efficient and sustainable utilization of water resources. If the MDG's are to be met then IWRM needs to be taken seriously and applied to water resources management in practice. Especially in countries that are struggling to deal with pressures put on their dwindling water resources. In order to create a better future, these challenges need to be overcome now.
The key documents selected for this topic provide an overview of IWRM, demonstrates the rationale and need for IWRM to be put into practice and contain a list of case studies that illustrate the application of IWRM in different countries and the results of doing so.
- Local Government and Integrated Water Resource Management. Part 1 Reaping the benefits- How locl Governments gain from IWRM
- Local Government and Integrated Water Resource Management. Part 2 Reaping the benefits- Understanding the Context- The role of Local Government in IWRM
- Status Report on IWRM and Water Efficiency Plans
- The Dublin Principles for Water as reflected in a comparative assessment of Institutional and legal arrangements for IWRM
- Integrated Water Resource Management
- Tutorial on Basic Principles of Integrated Water Resource Management
- IWRM- Introduction to Principles and Practices.
- IWRM Conceptions, frameworks and IWRM Water Efficiency Plans by 2015.
- Integrated Water Resource Management and water efficiency plans by 2015. Why, What and How.
Need for Integrated Water Resource Management Need for IWRM arose as a result of fragmented water management principles that did not address the issues or work so well. IWRM, picks up where other models for water management have failed previously. It creates an enabling environment for dialogue with all the stakeholders which helps to take strategic decisions in wtaer reform. The nations sought an answer and found it in the principles of IWRM. IWRM looks to manage water resources by interacting and coordinating with all the concerned stakeholders. The documents listed hope to answer the question "why is IWRM needed?"
- Local Government and Integrated Water Resource Management. Part 3 Engaging in IWRM- Practical steps and tools for local government
- Water and development in the developing countries. A study commissioned by the European Parliament
- EU Water Initiative- Research Component
- Flood risk management in the context of IWRM
- Country water action: People's Republic of China. Integrated solutions to Integrated waster problems
- Integrated Water Resource Management- experiences from Loire and Rhine
- IWRM Challenges in developing countries: Lessons fro India and elsewhere
- Tutorial on the basic principles of IWRM. Cap-Net. Flood Management from the perspective of IWRM
