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IWRM
Challenges faced by more and more
countries in their struggle for economic and social development are increasingly
related to water. Water short-ages, quality deterioration and flood impacts are
among the problems which require greater attention and action. Integrated Water
Resources Management (IWRM) is a process which can assist countries in their
endeavour to deal with water issues in a cost-effective and sustainable way. It
is a participatory planning and implementation process, based on sound science,
which brings together stakeholders to determine how to meet society's long-term
needs for water and coastal resources while maintaining essential ecologial
services and economic benefits.
Water resources conservzation is a
critical aspect of IWRM: Freshwater resources form a very small percentage of
the total available water on earth, but are essential to life on Earth. Despite
their importance, freshwater ecosystems face enormous threats, directly and
indirectly, from human activities. Conserving freshwater systems are essential
for the future surival of all living species on this earth. Thus, Water
resources conservation and management calls for the protection, improvement, and
use of water according to principles that will assure their highest economic and
social benefits. Maintaining the delicate and sustainable balance of deman and
supply of water is a critical element of any sound water strategy.
The theme includes resources on
groundwater - Groundwater lies almost everywhere below the earth's surface. More
than two million cubic miles of fresh water is stored in the earth, and half of
that is within a half mile of the surface. It is also one of our most important
sources of water for irrigation. But subterranean/groundwater has been under
increasing threat - from higher rates of withdrawal for human use, groundwater
contamination due to pollutants, seawater seepage into aquifers, and other
problems. Action is urgently needed - in understanding and managing the
interconnectedness of human activities and ground water resources.
GWP: Toolbox on IWRM (Resource collection)
The IWRM ToolBox draws together a wealth of experience and expertise in in IWRM.
It aims to support water professionals and policy makers by offering practical
information and non-prescriptive advice on how to implement IWRM in practice.
http://www.gwpforum.org/servlet/PSP?chStartupName=_water
GWP: Water Awareness Campaigns
The handbook is designed to help communication specialists and water
professionals raise awareness and encourage public action towards a better use
and management of water. It discusses awareness raising strategies and the
planning of campaigns.
http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/Ideas%20book.pdf
IWMI: Estimating Productivity of Water at Different Spatial
Scales Using Simulation Modeling (Publication)
Implementing real water saving measures in irrigated agriculture is only possible
if all the components of the current water balance is clearly understood. However,
measurement of all the terms in the water balance is infeasible on a spatial
and temporal scale, but hydrological simulation models can fill the gap between
measured and required data. To obtain all terms of the water balance for the
Gediz Basin in western Turkey, simulation modeling was performed at three different
scales: field,
irrigation-scheme, and basin. These water balance numbers were used to calculate
the Productivity of Water (PW) at the three scales.
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/pubs/pub053/Report53.pdf
IWMI: A Gender Performance Indicator for Irrigation:
Concepts Tools and Applications (Publication)
Although gender issues are today a priority on the agendas of irrigation policy
makers, interventionists, farm leaders and researchers, there is still a
considerable gap between positive intentions and concrete action. An important
but hitherto ignored reason for this is the lack of adequate generic concepts
and tools that are policy-relevant and can accommodate the vast variation in
irrigation contexts worldwide. The Gender Performance Indicator for Irrigation
(GPII) aims to fill this gap.
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/pubs/pub059/Report59.pdf
IWMI: PODIUM, the Policy Dialogue Model (Tools)
PODIUM the Policy Dialogue Model runs on a personal computer. Policy makers and
planners can learn to use it in minutes, to explore vital questions such as: Can
we feed ourselves in 2025? and Do we have enough water to irrigate the crops
needed to ensure future national food supply and/or food security?
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/tools/podium.htm
UEMRI: Integrated Urban Water Resources Management (Web
resource)
The fundamental premise is generally accepted that IWRM should be applied at
catchment level, recognising the catchment or watershed as the basic
hydrological unit of analysis and management. At implementation level, there is
a growing conviction that integrated urban water management (IUWM) could be
pursued as a vital component of IWRM within the specific problematic context of
urban areas.
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/iwrm/index.html
UEMRI: An Integrated Urban Water Strategy (Document)
The consequences of the increasing global water scarcity will largely be felt in
the arid and semi-arid areas, in rapidly growing coastal regions and in the
megacities of the developing world. Water scientists predict that many of these
cities already are, or will be, unable to provide safe, clean water and adequate
sanitation facilities for their citizens -- two fundamental requirements for
human well being and dignity.
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/urban-water.html
GWP: Information Service on Water Conservation and Use in
Agriculture (Programme Info)The WCA infoNET information system is an
Internet-based integrated information platform which merges high quality
information resources and expertise allowing direct access to publications,
documents, data, computer programs and discussion groups which provide a
knowledge base, support and the necessary global platform for decisions on water
conservation and use in agriculture.
http://www.wca-infonet.org
UEMRI: Rainwater Conservation (Web resource)
Rainwater harvesting is a technology used for collecting and storing rainwater
from rooftops, the land surface or rock catchments using simple techniques such
as jars and pots as well as more complex techniques such as underground check
dams. The techniques usually found in Asia and Africa arise from practices
employed by ancient civilizations within these regions and still serve as a
major source of drinking water supply in rural areas.
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/rainwater/index.html
UNEP-IETC: Rainwater Harvesting And Utilisation (Booklet)
With respect to the physical alternatives to fulfil sustainable management of
freshwater, there are two solutions: finding alternate or additional water
resources using conventional centralised approaches; or better utilising the
limited amount of water resources available in a more efficient way. To date,
much attention has been given to the first option and only limited attention has
been given to optimising water management systems.
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/urban/urbanenv-2/index.asp
IWMI: Integrated Water Resource Systems: Theory and
Policy Implications (Publication)
Presents the concept of integrated water resources systems (IWS) as clearly and
simply as possible, with a focus on the irrigation sector-the largest and most
complex user of water.
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/pubs/pub002/RR002.htm
UNESCO-WAAP: Glossary on Water Resources Development and
Management (Online resource)
This glossary is a contribution to the International Hydrological Programme of
UNESCO by the French National Hydrology Committee. Available in 11 languages.
http://www.cig.ensmp.fr/~hubert/glu/HINDENGE.HTM
UNEP-IETC: Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for
Freshwater Augumentation in East and Central Europe
The "Source Book of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augmentation in
Eastern and Central Europe" was prepared by the Institute for Ecology of
Industrial Areas (IETU) as part of the joint United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) Water Branch and International Environmental Technology Centre
(IETC) initiative to provide water resource managers and planners, especially in
developing countries and in countries with economies in transition, with
information on the range of technologies that have been developed and used in
the various countries throughout the world.
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/techpublications/techpub-8b/
UNEP-IETC: Proceedings of the International Symposium on
Efficient Water Use in Urban Areas- Innovative Ways of Finding Water for Cities.
Aiming to enhance the capacity of urban managers and decision-makers in water
resources management, IETC organised an International Symposium on “Efficient
Water Use in Urban Areas - Innovative Ways of Finding Water for Cities” from 8
to 10 June 1999.
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/reportseries/ietcrep9/index.asp
SANICON: Water Conservation in Cyprus
Proceedings of the meeting on Water Conservation in Cyprus, organized by
WHO/CEHA 3rd Regional Workshop on Water Conservation & Reuse, April 1999,
WHO/CEHA, Amman, Jordan.
http://www.sanicon.net/titles/title.php3?titleno=430
UEMRI: Thinking Outside the Water Can
Most cities, towns and villages are facing water stress - their reserves of
water is depleting, while the demand for water is increasing. Each day, they are
finding that water is more scarce. This short paper calls for a shift from
consumption to conservation of water.
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/water-can.html
UEMRI: Water Conservation Tips
A checklist of water conservation tips at home - in the kitchen, inthe bathroom,
and other locations around the home.
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/conservation.html
GWP: The Ground Water Management Advisory Team
(Specialists group)
The Groundwater Management Advisory Team (GW-MATE) offers strategic assistance
in several areas. In full consultation with stakeholders it can provide advice
on groundwater resource management and protection, on the role of governments,
on associated policy and institutional issues, and by helping to mobilise
stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of improved management systems.
http://www.gwpforum.org/servlet/PSP?iNodeID=1166&iFromNodeID=100
GWP: The Global Water Information System (Online
Resource)
GLOBWINET provides information on Transboundary River Basin Organisations, Water
Law and Legislation, National Water Administration, and the Water Resources
Situation. To date, two regional networks have been developed under the umbrella
of GLOBWINET: the Southern African Water Information Network - SAWINET and the
German Water Information Network - GEWINET.
http://www.shared.de/gwp/international.htm
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