Certificate (Online) | W-001
Water Science, Management & Governance
Course Director:Dr Hasrat Arjjumend
MODULE 3. WATER GOVERNANCE AND POLICIES
Instructor: Dr. Marirajan Thiruppathi, Associate Professor & Deputy Vice Chancellor - Research, Unicaf University, Zambia
Associate Instructor: Dr. Nusrat Yaqoob, Karachi University, Pakistan
Field Practitioners: Mr. Boniface Sichone, Community Mobilization Officer – Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company, Lusaka, Zambia
Mr. A.P. Mayandi, Rural Development Specialist, Tamil Nadu, India
Dear Students,
We welcome you to Module 3. It is great that you have completed Module 1 [Water Science, Principles and Technologies] and Module 2 [Water Management: Watersheds, Wetlands, Rivers, Basins]. Module 3 encompasses “Water Governance and Policies”, which consists of 6 units as follows:
- 3.1. What is water governance? Principles of Water Governance
- 3.2. Water Governance Indicator Framework
- 3.3. Water Law and Policy
- 3.4. Water Policy Implementation Case Studies
- 3.5. Transboundary Water Conflicts and Treaties
- 3.6. Water Privatization and Issues
We hope you will enjoy reading and engaging with Module 3: Water Governance and Policies. This module is designed to help you transition from understanding the fundamental importance of water resources to exploring the governance frameworks that regulate their access and management.
Water is a critical resource that sustains ecosystems, supports livelihoods, and drives economic development. Just as pastoralism depends on access to rangeland pastures, sustainable water management relies on equitable and efficient governance structures. To ensure water security, it is essential to balance ecological sustainability with human needs, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Effective water governance, policies, and laws — at international, national, and sub-national levels — serve as the foundation for equitable access, sustainable use, and conflict resolution. In this module, we will examine key water governance frameworks, policy instruments, and legal mechanisms that regulate water resources across different contexts.
This module is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of water governance and policies. Learners will explore governance frameworks, international treaties, case studies, and the role of stakeholders in water management. By the end of this module, learners will be able to analyze water governance systems critically, understand legal and institutional frameworks, and participate in informed discussions on policy development.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unit 3.1 What is Water Governance? Principles of Water Governance
3.1.1 Water Governance
3.1.2 Key Aspects of Water Governance
3.1.3 Principles of Water Governance
a) Transparency
b) Accountability
c) Participation
d) Effectiveness and efficiency
e) Sustainability Conclusion Unit 3.1.
References
Unit 3.2 Water Governance Indicator Framework
3.2.1 Water Governance Indicator Definition
a) Effectiveness
b) Efficiency
c) Trust and Engagement 3.2.2 Water Governance Indicator Framework
3.2.2.1 Institutional Capacity Indicators
3.2.2.2 Regulatory Indicators
3.2.2.3 Stakeholder Participation Indicators
3.2.2.4 Economic and Financial Indicators
3.2.2.5 Environmental and Sustainability Indicators 3.2.3 Practical Examples of the Framework in Action
3.2.4 Case Studies on Water Governance
3.2.4.1 Case Study 1: Water Governance in Canada
3.2.4.2 Case Study 2: Community-Based Water Governance in Kenya
3.2.4.3 Case Study 3: The European Union’s Water Framework Directive Conclusion of Unit 3.2
References
Unit 3.3 Water Law
3.3.1 Water Law
3.3.1.1 Key Elements of Water Law
a. Riparian Rights
b. Prior Appropriation Doctrine
c. Public Trust Doctrine
d. International Water Law
e. Customary Water Rights 3.3.2 Water Policy
3.3.2.1 Key Elements of Water Policy 3.3.3 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
3.3.3.1 Field Implication
3.3.3.2 Water Pricing and Subsidies
3.3.3.3 Legal and Institutional Frameworks Reference
Unit 3.4 Water Policy Implementation Case Studies
3.4.1 Case Study 1: Australia’s National Water Policy
3.4.2 Case Study 2: Water Policy Reforms in India
3.4.3 Case Study 3: The Role of NGOs in Water Policy Implementation in Latin America
Conclusion Unit 3.4
Unit 3.5 Transboundary Water Conflicts and Treaties
3.5.1 Transboundary Water Definition
3.5.2 Transboundary Treaties
3.5.2.1 Global and Regional Transboundary Water Treaties
3.5.2.2 Southern African Transboundary Water Treaties 3.5.3 Transboundary Water Conflicts
a. The Israel-Palestine Water Conflict
b. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Dispute
c. The Aral Sea Conflict (Central Asia)
d. Southern African Transboundary Water Conflicts 3.5.4 Conflict Resolution and Cooperative Strategies
3.5.4.1 Strengthening Regional Cooperation
3.5.4.2 Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
3.5.4.3 Third-Party Mediation and Legal Frameworks
a. Data Sharing and Transparency
b. Community Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement
c. Climate Change Adaptation Strategies 3.5.5 Special Session (Discussion):
3.5.5.1 Experience Sharing Session with Dr. Lameck Mwewa
3.5.5.2 SESSION STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES References
Unit 3.6 Water Privatization and Issues
3.6.1 What is Water Privatization?
3.6.1.1 The Human Face of Water Privatization: Models, Promises, and Pitfalls
3.6.1.2 The Three Main Models of Privatization
I.Concessions: The Long-Term Lease and Upgrade
II.Leases: Running the System, Not Building It
III.Full Divestiture: Outright Ownership 3.6.2 The Potential Benefits of Privatization
3.6.2.1 The Shadow Side: Structural Asymmetries and Equity Risks in Privatization
3.6.2.2 Market-Driven Disenfranchisement and Resource Marginalization
3.6.2.3 The Financialization of Utilities and Shareholder Imperatives
3.6.2.4 Erosion of Democratic Accountability and Transparency
3.6.2.5 Suggestive Potential Policy Solutions 3.6.3 Case studies
3.6.3.2 Case Study: Bolivia’s Cochabamba Water War
I. Background
II. Issues and Public Resistance
III. Protests and Government Response
IV. Lessons Learned 3.6.4 Alternative Approaches to Water Governance
References
