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Integrated Basin Water Management Systems

Introduction

How water is used in one location profoundly influences the quantities and quality of water available in other locations. It therefore makes good sense to manage water on a basin-wide scale. Taking an integrated basin approach to water management becomes increasingly important as population expands and competition for water among different users intensifies.

Theme 4 research will create a framework for managing water basins as a whole—one that takes into account diverse use of water and multiple administrative jurisdictions. At the highest level, research will explore practical ways to integrate natural systems, which influence the availability and quality of land and water resources, and human systems, which set priorities for the development, allocation and use of water resources.

Researchers will examine the technological, managerial and institutional interventions needed to ensure that resources are used effectively, efficiently and fairly to increase the productivity of water. This will enhance food, health and environmental security in the long term.

Research questions

What land and water resources are available and how should they be developed and allocated among competing interests?

What combinations of technological and management strategies are needed at the basin scale to ensure that water and land resources are effectively, efficiently and equitably used for crop, livestock and fisheries production in ways that alleviate poverty, improve health and enhance food and environmental security?

What governance framework and institutional mechanisms—policy, legal and organizational frameworks—are needed at the basin and sub-basin levels to create an enabling environment for cost-effective interventions?

What information is needed by different stakeholders in the basin to address constraints to increasing water productivity, poverty alleviation, health improvements, conflict resolution and environmental security?

What decision-making support tools are available and how can they be used effectively to generate the needed information?

How can the Decision Support Information System be used to empower stakeholders by providing information that levels the playing field among water resource managers and users, or for conflicting parties?

Impacts and Outputs