Ten building blocks for sustainable water governance: an integrated method to assess the governance of water

Abstract

A three-step interdisciplinary method to assess approaches to water shortage, water quality and flood risks is presented. This method, based on water system analysis, economics, law and public administration, seeks to create common understanding based on newly developed concepts and definitions. First, generating content knowledge about the water system and about values, principles and policy discourses. Second, providing an organizational process with sufficient stakeholder involvement, insight into the trade-off between social objectives, and attribution of responsibilities in addition to regulations and agreements. Finally, implementing the agreed service level through adequate infrastructure, enforcement and conflict resolution.

Keywords:

• water management
• water governance
• integrated water resources management
• interdisciplinary assessment method

Notes

1. Fuller developed the following criteria for proper law-making being generality, promulgation, non-retro-activity, clarity, non-contradiction, not asking the impossible, durability, and congruence between rules and official action.

2. See http://www.watergovernancecentre.nl and http://ucwosl.rebo.uu.nl/.