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According to S.J. Marshall, water resource management is one of the world’s greatest challenges
due to competition for limited resources, regional disparities in water supply and affluence,
mounting global water demand, and pollution - and climate-change - induced water stress.
Integrated sustainable water resource management is an area requiring innovation, progress, and
international cooperation in the coming decades.

Clearly, factors such as population growth, demographic changes, economic development and
climate change have a critical impact on water resources.

This is in essence what water resource management is about: bringing together multiple
organizations, across different disciplines to plan for future water usage.

ADDRESSING BAD WATER MANAGEMENT IS A PREREQUISITE FOR MAINTAINING
EVERYONE’S WELL-BEING, INCLUDING THAT OF NEXT GENERATIONS.

What happens to water/ rain in cities? The goal is to think about paths of water in the
city, what kinds of water are available in cities and how it can be handled.

Managing water resources www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRF39NjdEOY

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Integrated Water Resources Management: Basic Concepts
www.iwapublishing.com/news/integrated-water-resources-management-basic-concepts

5.2. Water security

Water insecurity is one of the greatest risks to global prosperity. Global water
consumption has doubled every 20 years, and by 2025, at least two-thirds of the world’s
population will likely be living in water stressed areas.

One of the goals of water resource management is related to water security. It is not possible to
‘predict and plan’ a single path to water security for rapidly growing and urbanizing global
populations. This is due to climatic and non-climatic uncertainties.
Societies can enjoy water security when they successfully manage their water resources and services
to meet the needs of each dimension of water security:

• Domestic Water Security: Providing all people with reliable, safe water and sanitation
services.
• Economic Water Security: Productive use of water to sustain economic growth in the food
production, industry and energy sectors of the economy.
• Urban Water Security: Creation of better water management and services to support vibrant
and livable water-sensitive cities.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.