Without households, water management is not integrated

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Harriden
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Management Policies

With the institutional and personal relationship building vital to integrated water resource management (IWRM) in practice stopping at the community scale, households and householders are largely neglected from the framework. Domestic water users are viewed as a homogenous group requiring only continuous, single-use potable supply, with equal, unproblematic access to the supplied water. Reflecting the reality of few households, this construct contributes to the development of inappropriate and ineffective institutional water management policies and practices. Using evidence from Water Diaries conducted in the ACT region, including household adoption of water conservation practices and acceptance of water restrictions, this paper demonstrates that householders are active water managers. Outlining the benefits to IWRM of incorporating household water management expertise, this paper argues it is appropriate to formally include this sector in the IWRM framework.

scholarly journals Science Informed Policies for Managing Water

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Loucks
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Information Policy ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Multiple Impacts ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Management Policies

Water resource management policies impact how water supplies are protected, collected, stored, treated, distributed, and allocated among multiple users and purposes. Water resource policies influence the decisions made regarding the siting, design, and operation of infrastructure needed to achieve the underlying goals of these policies. Water management policies vary by region depending on particular hydrologic, economic, environmental, and social conditions, but in all cases they will have multiple impacts affecting these conditions. Science can provide estimates of various economic, ecologic, environmental, and even social impacts of alternative policies, impacts that determine how effective any particular policy may be. These impact estimates can be used to compare and evaluate alternative policies in the search for identifying the best ones to implement. Among all scientists providing inputs to policy making processes are analysts who develop and apply models that provide these estimated impacts and, possibly, their probabilities of occurrence. However, just producing them is not a guarantee that they will be considered by policy makers. This paper reviews various aspects of the science-policy interface and factors that can influence what information policy makers need from scientists. This paper suggests some ways scientists and analysts can contribute to and inform those making water management policy decisions. Brief descriptions of some water management policy making examples illustrate some successes and failures of science informing and influencing policy.

Factors influencing water conservation behavior among urban residents in China's arid areas

Water Policy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 691-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genying Chang
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Theory Of Reasoned Action ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Conservation Behavior ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Local Water

Insufficient academic attention has been paid to household water conservation behavior in arid and semi-arid areas of developing countries. Based on a questionnaire survey, this study analyzed factors influencing the water conservation behavior of urban residents in Zhangye City in China. Of the two variables addressed in the theory of reasoned action, attitudes toward water conservation had no obvious influence on water conservation behavior, whereas subjective norms did have an influence. Furthermore, general environmental concerns had no direct, significant influence on water conservation behavior. It has been argued that environmental motivational factors have a limited influence on water conservation behavior. The theory of reasoned action may not sufficiently explain domestic water conservation behavior in the study area, where the economy remains underdeveloped. Three contextual factors, beliefs regarding local water resources, incremental water conservation information and attitudes toward frugality, were significantly correlated with water conservation behavior.

scholarly journals A comparison between the European and the Brazilian models for management and diagnosis of river basins

Water Policy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-76
Author(s):  
Pedro Bettencourt ◽  
Claudia Fulgêncio ◽  
Maria Grade ◽  
Julio Cesar Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Water Management System ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Water Quality And Quantity ◽  
Agricultural Demand

Abstract Water management is assuming more and more importance as freshwater resources are becoming scarce, both in quality and in quantity, across many developed and developing countries. This trend can be attributed to population growth, industrialization, growing agricultural demand, poor water management practices and climate change. In attempting to deal with the intensification of water quality- and quantity-related problems in recent decades, many countries have revised their water resource management policies and legislation, introducing new institutional frameworks and management instruments. Considering regional geographic and cultural distinctions, the present article aims at comparing the models of water resource management in the European Union (EU) and in Brazil. Institutional and legal arrangements currently in place, water planning and management instruments currently in use, assessments of water body status and watershed diagnoses were analysed. Main strengths and weaknesses of each water management system are pointed out in the conclusion. Main challenges for the water sector, and highlights of the converging and diverging points concerning water resource management systems, in each region, are discussed.

scholarly journals Barriers and Drivers of Household Water-Conservation Behavior: A Profiling Approach

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac B. Addo ◽  
Martin C. Thoms ◽  
Melissa Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Behavioral Response ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Conservation Behavior ◽  
Social Constructs ◽  
Statistical Solution ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Sustainable Behavior

Factors that influence behavioral response (barriers and drivers) are important for household water-conservation practices. These factors either support or inhibit sustainable behavior. In this research, a latent profile analysis (LPA) was used within the capability-, opportunity-, and motivation-behavior (COM-B) framework to identify key barriers and drivers of household water-conservation behaviors. Participants (N = 510, mean age = 56.08 years, SD = 14.71) completed measures of psycho-social constructs related to barriers and drivers of water-conservation behavior. An LPA yielded a 3-profile statistical solution: capability (35.8%), opportunity (23.2%), and motivation (41.0%) conceptualizing levels of barriers and drivers of water-conservation behavior. Major identified barriers and drivers associated with these profile groupings were time constraints, acuity of water-efficient devices, lack of skills to adopt conservation practices, and availability of incentives/disincentives for water-saving devices. Validation analyses showed that the three COM-B groups diverged considerably based on socio-demographic status and actual water-conservation behavior. Results are pertinent to water authorities in identifying interventions to reduce barriers and promote drivers of positive household water-conservation behaviors by altering and directing appropriate COM-B dimensions to individual water consumers.

scholarly journals Review of domestic water conservation practices in Saudi Arabia

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar K. M. Ouda ◽  
Ahmad Shawesh ◽  
Tareq Al-Olabi ◽  
Firas Younes ◽  
Rafat Al-Waked
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Domestic Water

scholarly journals Management of Water Resources in Agriculture in Chile and its Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-185
Author(s):  
Guillermo Donoso ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Water ◽  
Agricultural Water Management ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Key Aspects

Water is a strategic resource for agricultural development, particularly in the arid and semiarid regions of central and northern Chile. Currently, irrigated surfaces contribute between 60 and 65% of the country’s agricultural GDP. Associated with Chile’s economic growth, total consumptive water use has increased, which, together with population growth, urbanization, water contamination and pollution, has led to important water stress situations that are triggering a greater number of conflicts and social, economic, and environmental vulnerability. The above phenomena will be exacerbated by climate change. At present, surface water deficit covering irrigation demands exists in the central and northern regions. This deficit is projected to increase as a result of climate change, which would increase the challenges for satisfying agricultural water requirements. The objective of this article is to integrally review the key aspects of Chilean water and agricultural water management policies, considering their interphases, providing the reader with a general overview of the main features of this model, an evaluation of its effectiveness and the main challenges agricultural water management faces. Resolving the challenges of the future requires a thorough reconsideration of water management policies and institutions and how water is managed in the agricultural sector in the broader context of overall water resource management in Chile.

scholarly journals Barriers and opportunities for behavior change in managing high water demand in water scarce Indigenous communities: an Australian perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-773
Author(s):  
Safaa Aldirawi ◽  
Regina Souter ◽  
Cara D. Beal
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
High Water ◽  
Indigenous Community ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Household Water

Abstract Managing water demand by reducing water consumption and improving water use efficiency has become essential for ensuring water security. This research aimed to identify the primary determinants of household water consumption in an Australian Indigenous community to develop evidence-based water demand management policies and strategies that might be implemented by the water service provider. A behavior change framework was applied to investigate the opportunity, ability, and motivational determinants affecting household water consumption and conservation in an Australian Indigenous community. The lack of water conservation knowledge and skills of high water users could be barriers to saving water. Low water users have positive attitudes towards water conservation and a higher level of awareness about their own water use. While there is a lack of a belief that water shortages will occur, low water users do have concerns of vulnerability to droughts, and that could be a driver for their sense of obligation to engage in water conservation practices. The research recommended communication messages and tools to address identified barriers to enabling positive changes to water use behaviors, which have wider applications in remote Australian Indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Consumer Attitudes on Domestic Water-Saving Practices in Gombak District, Selangor

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.34) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Yendo Afgani @ Eusoff ◽  
Normadihah M. Aminuddin ◽  
Ahmad Puad Mat Som ◽  
Aziz Amin ◽  
Norizan Abdul Ghani
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Standard Deviation Score ◽  
Consumer Attitude ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Water Demands ◽  
Affective Constructs ◽  
High Level ◽  
Global Population

Consumer attitude needs to be changed to ensure the adequacy of water supply in Malaysia due to serious issues likes rising water demands, pollution, global population growth and climate change. An existing study on domestic water consumption behaviour among Malaysians are not extensively discussed in depth, whereas the constructs of consumer behaviour should be seriously addressed in the effort to create awareness on water conservation. The paper intends to identify the level of attitude of domestic water consumers according to their cognitive, conative and affective constructs. The data was collected from five territorial divisions located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia through survey by using structured questionnaires to 400 domestic water users from December 2016 to February 2017. All the data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 to produce descriptive results (frequency, percentage, overall mean and standard deviation score). The findings show that the measurement level of domestic water consumers' attitudes, which were ‘cognitive’, ‘conative’ and ‘affective’, varied according to the determination of mean scores. Generally, the study output shows cognitive constructs are at a high level (4.71) while the conative constructs (3.27) and affective (3.15) are in moderate level. The existence of consumers’ attitudes at higher levels indicate that respondents are more likely to assess the use of water carefully, to reduce the wastage of water and contribute to the reduction of monthly water bill costs among households.  

Gender and water management: some policy reflections

Water Policy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita Singh ◽  
Gunnar Jacks ◽  
Prosun Bhattacharya ◽  
Jan-Erik Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Water Sector ◽  
Balanced Development ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Local Water

The importance of gender concern in water sector is paramount, being seen as the harbinger of greater efficiency and effectiveness as well as equity. Consequently, there has been a continuing trend of designing water management policies with emphasis ranging from promoting participation of women in management of water projects in particular to supporting “gender-balanced” development of the water sector in general. How effective have these policies been in addressing such basic concerns? What are the local water users' perceptions about effectiveness of the policies in addressing their realistic gendered needs and priorities? While “women” have received much attention, how well does the gender concern in the policies integrate “men”? Do “effectiveness” and “equity” as underlying policy goals reflect the water users' perceptions as well? The paper attempts to evaluate the existing policies within the context of local communities where these are operational and proposes “facilitation of gender role performance” as a suitable policy alternative.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document