The Important Role of Integrated Water Management

Will Sarni

Leader: Corporate water strategy

Collaboration is key. Join Will Sarni as he explains how integrated water management can help solve today’s complex water challenges by balancing human, environmental, and economic needs.

Water

Collaboration is key. Join Will Sarni as he explains how integrated water management can help solve today’s complex water challenges by balancing human, environmental, and economic needs.

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The Important Role of Integrated Water Management

10 mins 28 secs

Key learning objectives:

Define integrated water management (IWM)
Understand the importance of integrated water management strategies
Understand the importance of women in IWM
Identify case studies of water stewardship strategies

Overview:

Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a holistic approach to managing water resources that considers the interconnectedness of ecosystems, people, and economies. IWM is critical because it ensures that water use supports not only economic growth and agricultural productivity but also the health of ecosystems and the wellbeing of local communities. Women play a central role in water provision and management, especially in areas without on-site water supply. In 7 out of 10 such households globally, women and girls are responsible for collecting water.

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Summary

What is integrated water management (IWM)?

Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a holistic approach to managing water resources that considers the interconnectedness of ecosystems, people, and economies. Rather than managing water through fragmented, sector-based strategies, IWM promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximise economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

Why are integrated water management strategies important?

IWM is critical because it ensures that water use supports not only economic growth and agricultural productivity but also the health of ecosystems and the wellbeing of local communities.

Why is the role of women important in integrated water management?

Women play a central role in water provision and management, especially in areas without on-site water supply. In 7 out of 10 such households globally, women and girls are responsible for collecting water. Yet, their voices are often underrepresented in decision-making. IWM emphasises inclusive participation and acknowledges the unique insights and needs that women bring to water planning.

What are some case studies of successful water stewardship strategies?

Several real-world examples demonstrate the success of integrated water management approaches include the following examples:

River Thames, United Kingdom: IWM helped manage competing demands while protecting the river's health and supporting sustainable water use
European Union Water Framework Directive: A comprehensive strategy across EU member states that aims to improve water bodies' ecological and chemical status
Canada: Adopted national-level IWM practices to handle diverse and complex water issues across its vast geography
Malaysia: Adapted IWRM principles to suit local conditions, effectively addressing specific water challenges
Nebraska, USA: Developed an integrated approach for connected groundwater and surface water. Success factors included drought planning, a tiered management strategy, and advanced tools for basin-level decision-making

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Will Sarni

Will Sarni, a hydrogeologist and author, has been working on water challenges for most of his career. He has focused on corporate sustainability and water strategy for the past two decades. Sarni is an optimist and believes we can solve wicked water problems. He lives in Colorado and the American West, which faces water scarcity challenges. The American West is a major agricultural region for the US, exporting crops. To have thriving cities and agriculture and manufacturing sectors in the region, we must solve water challenges. Will has written several books on corporate water strategy, energy-water-food nexus, technology and policy innovation, and a children's book on water.

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