Seven recommendations for good water management
by Mohamed Larbi Bouguerra
It has been predicted that most of the wars in the 21st century will be fought over water, or rather the lack of this vital commodity. It is therefore of the utmost urgency that better and more equitable ways be found to share the world's available water. The animator of the Water Campaign of the Alliance, Mohamed Larbi Bouguerra, from Tunisia, makes seven recommendations which need to be put into effect if indeed the sharing of water is to become more equitable. The text, of which these recommendations form a part may be found on the website of the Alliance for a responsible and united world: http://www.echo.org/fr/construire/themes/global/eau-gg.rtf.
In a second section on this subject, we reproduce part of a report issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), entitled: The fair share water strategy for sustainable development in Africa.
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Water is a domain where governance is vital. This field has high competition between various sectors of use: agriculture, cities, industries, energy, recreational activities ... And then there is a predominance of profitability. In fact, the quality of water and access to this vital resource is dependent on a management that is local as well as geopolitical.
Water governance must work towards peace and understanding between people because threat to access of water leads to a dangerous world. And all politics related to water have repercussions on climate, food, health, environment, human conflicts within and outside a country or a state.
Water management calls for close examination and deliberation and is well beyond "access to drinking water", even if this objective is laudable. We must not lose sight of the fact that lack of this precious liquid can lead to poverty much more than thirst and aridity. Lack of water does not only lead to dying of thirst but also of hunger - it takes one thousand litres of water to produce a loaf of bread.
Recommendation No. 1
Water is a resource that is common to all human beings.
Water is also an economic and social good.
Water management must take the social aspect into account for no one can be deprived of water because of his/her inability to pay for it.
Water is every human being's right.
Recommendation No. 2
All levels of water management are necessary and interdependent.
Transparency and effective and democratic participation - especially of women - must be a part of water management.
Ethics must preside over management and everything pertaining to water.
Recommendation No. 3
Management of shared waters, common aquifers, catchment areas, must be reinforced with regional co-operation and an appropriate legal framework that is fair and equal.
An integrated approach of catchment areas must take the needs of irrigation and cities into account jointly and not separately as it is often observed. Well-researched mechanisms must be found in order to save water and increase efficiency in irrigation systems.
Recommendation No. 4
In the decision-making regarding water, giving voice to the voiceless at the grassroots level is crucial.
Water management must practice an inverse globalisation keeping solidarity as a base.
Traditional knowledge of communities related to water must be rehabilitated and taken into account in all projects.
Recommendation No. 5
Water is not a commodity.
Access to water must call for partnership.
Financial discharge of water must be done by the individual and the community according to principles of responsibility and use while respecting ethics and democracy.
Recommendation No. 6
Water management must be guided by principles of sustainable development. It must respect the needs of all living beings on the globe and preserve the interest of future generations.
Science and techniques must be at the service of people's needs. They must be applied with due respect to local [sources of ] knowledge by rehabilitating them.
Recommendation No. 7
All water management must promote a society that economizes on water.
Water management must see to it that there is harmony of values pertaining to water for a better co-operation between peoples. It must articulate different levels of governance in order to ensure compatibility between unity and diversity.
It must promote education and awareness on efficient water management.
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