7 Water Governance

Question 1

Governance

Answer 1

• The process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented or not (UN 2009)
• The process of decision making based on actors and institutions

• Governance thus allows transcending to narrow concepts such as ‘the state’, ‘state’, ‘civil society’ or
‘private sector’

Question 2

Five Ideals of Good Governance

Answer 2

1. Transparency
   • Free flow of information
   • Accessibility of information to those affected by decisions taken
2. Accountability
   • Types: Political, legal, administrative and social accountability
3. Responsiveness
   • Citizen –, customer –, or member orientation
   • Timely delivery of services; respondence to grievances
4. Participation
   • Opportunities for stakeholders to become meaningfully involved in decision making, including marginalized and resource poor groups
5. Independent Juridical Bodies
   • Effective legal framework that enforces rights of individuals and groups

Question 3

Water Governance: Point of Departure

Answer 3

• Water most critical resource for human beings
• “Water crises“ are often “water governance crises“
• Even when there is enough water for all, decisions are often not made or not implemented that allow an equitable, effective, efficient and sustainable management of water
• Water governance hence largely concerns the questions
• How are decisions made and implemented that regulate water management?
• Who has what right to manage which water for what purpose at what time?

Question 4

Dimensions of Water Governance

Answer 4

• Environmental dimension
• Social dimension
• Economic dimension
• Political dimension

The aims are: 
• Sustainable use
• Equitable use
• Efficient use
• Equal democratic opportunities

These dimensions and aspects have to be accounted for in every decision taht is taken

Question 5

The Framework Cube of Water Governance

See figure on 
# Lecture 7 slide 136

Answer 5

• Water users differ in their needs and contributions to resources
• Also, water governance usually has to account for several geographical levels
• Cross cutting issues such as sustainable water use further complicate management

 There is the need for an inclusive process involving as many stakeholders as possible to account for the social and political dimension of water governance

 What about efficiency economic dimension