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According to the Dublin Water Principles, (1) water resources are to be firmly brought under the State’s function of clarifying and maintaining a system of property rights, and (2) through the principle of participatory management, the State asserts the relevance of meaningful decentralization at the lowest appropriate level. In other words, regulatory and compliance powers have, on the one hand, the responsibility to establish policies and regulations in relation to physical water resources, but on the other hand, also need to articulate how the people and institutions are in fact managing these natural resources.

Scientific and estuarine research on the Chesapeake Bay pinpointed several areas that required attention including nutrient over-enrichment, dwindling underwater Bay grasses, and toxic pollution. Action was taken and the Chesapeake Bay Commission was established to address the issues. This case illustrates how the use of modelling can be a cost-effective tool in helping to implement watershed restoration actions and monitor goals set by stakeholders. 

Activities such as horticulture and tourism around the Great Barrier Reef create sediment, nutrient and pesticide runoff, placing increased pressure on the ecosystem. The World Wildlife Fund has taken action, predominantly by raising awareness. The key lesson is how a carefully orchestrated campaign can convince decision-makers of the importance of integrated river basin management as a means of reducing land-based marine pollution.

In 2010, the devastating floods in Pakistan directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure. GWP Pakistan is now collaborating with UNESCO to launch a project in cooperation with the Government of Japan that aims to upgrade the flood forecasting and early warning systems of Pakistan, and to conduct risk mapping of flood plains along the Indus River.

In 2010, the devastating floods in Pakistan directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure. GWP Pakistan is now collaborating with UNESCO to launch a project in cooperation with the Government of Japan that aims to upgrade the flood forecasting and early warning systems of Pakistan, and to conduct risk mapping of flood plains along the Indus River.

On 31 March 2013 (Sunday), Water Association of Selangor Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (SWAn) together with Rotary International District 3300 and Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and event supported by Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) and Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) had successfully organised the “Walk for Water 2013” at Dataran Petaling Jaya.

Changing the behaviour of water users and water managers towards more sustainable practices is a necessary step in achieving water security. However, this requires changes of deeply held attitudes in individuals, institutions, professionals, and social organisations to encourage a more water-oriented society. By definition, social change instruments are not neutral: the positive aims that one person might pursue with their behavioural change could be considered destructive by others. Therefore, it is important to be clear on the goal (what to change) and on the method (how to change).