An Overview of Integrated Water Resources Management

Abstract

Integrated Water resource management is a very essential issue from numerous angles such as development of water bodies for future, protection of available water bodies from pollution and over misuse and to stop disputes. Extensive hydrological information is required to develop water resources and protect them. It is vital because it is required for life to exist. Various uses of water include industrial, agricultural, household, recreational and environmental activities. Almost all of these human uses require fresh water. It is predictable that 70% of world-wide water use is for irrigation in agriculture. Preferably, water resource management planning has regard to all the challenging demands for water and seeks to distribute water on reasonable basis to satisfy all uses and demands. Water Management is important since it helps determine future Irrigation opportunity. Water management is the management of water resources under set policies and regulations. Water, once a rich natural resource, is becoming a more valuable commodity due to droughts and overuse. Water resources are sources of – usually fresh – water that are useful, or potentially useful, to society; for instance for agricultural, industrial or recreational use. Examples include groundwater, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Water Management Plans are developed in discussion with stakeholders to ensure the sustainable development and management of a water resource.