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The Kumbo water supply system has always had contested ownership claims. After decades of protest, action was taken and management was transferred to Kumbo Urban Council, resulting in the establishment of an inclusive and participatory community water governance structure. From this, the lesson can be learnt that the command and control paradigm can provoke social and political instability. The case also demonstrates how community based platforms can enhance community mobilisation and participatory governance.

Rural and peri-urban areas are often neglected when making infrastructure investments. However, these areas could gain from treatment of domestic wastewater through the construction of wetlands. In Bulgaria, the problem of wastewater treatment was addressed through the construction of a wetland for treating wastewater from domestic sources. The lesson learnt is the importance of community initiatives.  

Water management in Kazakhstan was previously characterised by a command and control approach. The Water Code was adopted in 2003 as an answer to these problems. Furthermore, a project was launched to evaluate the current state of the legal framework for IWRM and to identify the potential for improvements and propose amendments to the Water Code. It is evident that IWRM is a complex approach and any amendments need to be done holistically. 

The following are regional publications to be downloaded free of charge.

Social equity, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability constitute the three pillars of Integrated Water Resources Management. This policy brief provides an analytical framework that policy-makers can use to understand the relationship between water management and social equity – including causes, dynamics, consequences, and possible solutions. Policy briefs provide policy makers with information on water resources management. They are written by the GWP Technical Committee, a group of internationally recognised professionals in integrated water resources management.

This brief summarizes key messages for the Rio+20 Conference, which are derived from GWP work and experiences. They include: the crucial role of water as a driver for green economy, the need for building more effective institutions to manage water better, and the ongoing need for integrated approaches. Policy briefs provide policy makers with information on water resources management. They are written by the GWP Technical Committee, a group of internationally recognised professionals in integrated water resources management.

This paper provides an overview of the current situation in patterns and drivers of intensive groundwater use, the ways in which sustainability can be improved in “groundwater-only” irrigation areas and conjunctive use in major alluvial canal commands, and considers the future outlook. This is a Perspectives Paper, meant to incite a discussion on important issues related to water and development.

This paper argues that water security in the 21st century requires leaders, practitioners, and societies to continue their journey of taking an integrated approach to water resources management. Moreover, it argues the need to expand our views on how this can best be done—to make a difference at the local level, in river basins and cities. It is a Perspectives Paper, meant to incite a discussion on important issues related to water and development.