The Necessity of IWRM: The Case of San Francisco River Water Conflicts

Abstract

The search for agreements to decrease water conflicts requires to understand the clear nature of the dispute. The best way to explain it would be using a real example of a Brazilian river which crosses several states and whose use of water had nationwide consequences. It would be good that practically all possible uses of the water were included – sanitation services for the cities, irrigation, industry, mining, power generation, tourism, artisanal fishing and fish farming and preservation of river mouth ecosystem, among others, including the transposition of its waters. Regarding the amount of water offered, it would be interesting to analyse a river in which a recent scarcity made it possible to assess the effectiveness of the response to this scenario. It would also be enrichening to choose a river with a relevant amount of water network infrastructure installed, as well as the presence of all instruments of the National Policy and all the parties forming the National Water Resources Management System. Besides that, it would be educational to detail a case with unquestionable need for an integrated water resources management regarding surface water, groundwater and costal water.