Integrated River Basin Management

Principles

General principles intended to guide Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) are (IWR 2006):

• Principle 1: Engagement and ownership by decision-makers as specified in a formal agreement.
• Principle 2: Improved river basin management design taking cognizance of relevant scientific, social and economic information.
• Principle 3: Application of diverse institutional arrangements to suit the specific needs of individual basins based on differences in hydrology, capacity and stakeholders.
• Principle 4: Clear definition of the role and structure of the river basin organisation (RBO).
• Principle 5: Strong river basin advocacy driven by strong leadership.
• Principle 6: Prioritising actions specified within a River Basin Management Plan implemented over the short-term.
• Principle 7: Accountability by regularly monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of a River Basin Management Plan.
• Principle 8: Local government partnerships for effective implementation.
• Principle 9: Integrating functions for collaboration enables horizontal and vertical coordination between a variety of stakeholders in different sectors.

A healthy river is one of the main objectives of IWRM.

Source: Verelst 2005

( click to enlarge )

Critical Components

Critical components of establishing basin management systems include (GWP 2009a):

• Political will and high-level commitment from decision makers
• Legislative and policy framework at the national and international levels
• Basin organisations operating in an enabling environment with clear institutional arrangements and management mechanisms

Political Will

Political will is required to develop the enabling framework for IWRM, allocate money, and establish stable public institutions (GWP 2009a).

Activities must be coordinated both vertically across different levels of authority and horizontally across different sectors and impacted stakeholders, which can be facilitated through water user dialogues (GWP 2009a). The multitude of users and uses of water within a basin creates competing interests and demands on water. The approach proposed within IWRM is strategic and intended to focus on what needs to be done first, as outlined in the Steps for Basin Management Section. Horizontal and vertical integration requires political commitment and will, to allow officials within different ministries to coordinate activities and share information.

“A key element of horizontal integration is bringing together ministries responsible for activities that impact on water – ministries of finance, planning, agriculture, transport and energy – and those with social or environmental responsibilities – ministries of health and the environment (GWP 2009a).”

When conflict arises within a basin, it is sometimes necessary to establish a water tribunal. Tribunals are independent entities with judicial or quasi-judicial powers to reach agreement on controversial issues, such as, water sharing, water pricing, or modifying river flows (GWP 2009a).

Law and Policy

Effective water governance relies on appropriate laws and institutions—national, provincial and local—requiring water to be managed in accordance with the principles of integrated water resource management. National laws and policies that identify the roles, responsibilities, and accountability of public and private sector actors provide the water management framework (GWP 2009a). National water laws and policies establish the rules governing the use of water resources, and delineate decision making power for stakeholders involved in, or affected by, water management.

For more information see the National Water Laws section.

Water Management Framework

The Global Water Partnership (2009a) proposes a framework for water management comprising three dimensions: the enabling environment, institutions and management. The enabling environment includes laws and policies, water user dialogues, budgets and a spirit of cooperation. The institutions consist of effective coordination mechanisms, clear roles and responsibilities, participatory planning processes, and financing in place. Management requires structures in place to establish communication and information systems, resolve water allocation conflicts, establish regulations and financing arrangements, conduct development works, devise systems for accountability, develop organisational capacity and coordinate activities.

International Agreements

The international community has promoted a legal framework for managing international waters with which basin organisations are required to comply. Political will is required to ensure that International Agreements, treaties, conventions, protocolsand regional agreements can be implemented.