Integrated Water Management in Hydrological Basins:Multidisciplinary and Multi-Institutionality as an Action Paradigm

Abstract

The variability in space and time of natural processes - especially the weather - together with market uncertainties and the globalization of the economy are factors that have led decision-makers to seek an integrated approach to facing the problems of water management and to integrating divergent interests. Such an approach offers the potential for balancing competing interests over water in hydrological basins (Sánchez et al., 2009). The wider definition of a basin includes policies, plans and activities used to control water and resources, as well as the human-induced processes that are associated with the basin. An integrated management approach has distinctive features as it seeks to balance institutional interests with those of the region and its stakeholders. It is a representative process that includes the research area and accounts for the opinions of all participants, in order to achieve an action plan that is accepted by the majority, thus reflecting a negotiated balance of interests. It also incorporates available scientific information in order to adequately understand hydrological as well as environmental factors that influence the condition of the basin. It also designs effective and participatory methods that involve all stakeholders in such a way as to distribute costs and benefits proportionally. As well as this, it constitutes a framework of agreements between different government offices, and within each office it guarantees the execution of the plans that were developed throughout the decision-making process, based on collective compromises, and conforming to the law. Finally, it also includes an ongoing basin management monitoring scheme with steps that can be easily measured.