Water Conservation and Reallocation: Best Practice Cases in Improving Economic Efficiency and Environmental Quality

This study is part of the learning process on water resources management. It explores how to translate the new consensus on water recources management into practice. This consensus is based on principles which focus on demand, water as an economic good, and institutional arrangements. The study also reviews efforts to improve the allocation of water resources and encourage efficiency in its use in various ecological, developmental, and institutional settings. It reviews best practice cases where water demand management has improved not only economic efficiency, but also has helped to achieve environmental benefits.

For the purpose of this study, the term "water demand management," which encompasses conservation and reallocation, refers to any measure designed to reduce the volume of fresh water being withdrawn from surface or groundwatersources but without reducing consumer satisfaction and/or output. Under this broad definition, the introduction of transferable water use rights becomes a water demand management measure because it encourages water trading between agricultural and municipal uses and can reduce the gap between urban water supply and demand without teh need to withdraw water from additional sources.

Part one reviews best practices and examines the policy messages which emerge. It is organized into four sections: chapter 1 describes the rationale for considering conservation and reallocation at least-cost means of meeting growing urban demands, chapter 2 reviews experiences with conservation and reallocation in both developed and developing countries; chapter 3 summarizes the policy variants that have been used for water conservation and reallocation, and presents some conclusions about their effectiveness; and chapter 4 draws some general conclusions and recommendations from this review of experiences.

Part two provides greater details of the various experiences with water demand management in order for the reader to see what principles are illustrated and to gain whatever additional insights their own experience makes possible. This part has two sections: chapter 5 introduces the case material on conservation by user sectors, and chapter 6 presents the case material on reallocation among sectors.

Contents:

Executive Summary

Abbreviations

Conversion Factors

Typical Water Requirements

Introduction

Part One. Policy Instruments that Encourage Best Practice: A Review of Experience
1. The Growing Interest in Conservation and Reallocation
2. Experience with Conservation and Reallocation
3. Policy Variants for Water Conservation and Reallocation
4. Conclusions and Recommendations

Part Two. Analysis of Best Practice Cases
5. Water Conservation and POllution Control
6. Improved Water Allocation

References

Selected Bibiliography

Post Date : 31 Juli 2009