No Freshwater Security Without Major Shift in Thinking Ten-Year Message from the Stockholm Water Symposia T S W S is a leading multi- disciplinary forum for discussion of global, regional, national and local water issues. Each August, many of the world’s top water experts come to the Swedish capital to participate in the Symposium. The Symposium is part of an annual series of future-oriented symposia that link practice, science, policymaking and decision-making in the search for effective, long-term water resources management. The symposia seek a comprehensive under- standing of the complex interactions between human society and globally circulating water resources, striving for harmony between the two and for stable governance systems for management of the world’s water resources. Through the Stockholm Water Initiative, findings from the symposia are brought to the attention of the public, and authorities are targeted with practical recommendations for implementation. Thus, the symposia serve as a catalyst in the search for effective and long-term solutions. The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) administers the Stockholm Water Symposium.
Stockholm Water Symposium Scientific Program Committee
Prof. Malin Falkenmark, Sweden (Chair) Mr. Ulf Ehlin, Sweden (Vice Chair) Ms. Katarina Andrzejewska, Sweden (Secretary) Mr. Vincent J. Bath, South Africa Prof. Asit K. Biswas, Mexico Dr. Gunilla Brattberg, Sweden Prof. Klas Cederwall, Sweden Prof. Boniface Egboka, Nigeria Ms. Ulla-Britta Fallenius, Sweden Mr. Claus Hagebro, Denmark Mr. Johan Kuylenstierna, Sweden Prof. Jan Lundqvist, Sweden Prof. Saburo Matsui, Japan Prof. Janusz Niemczynowicz, Sweden Prof. Ausaf-ur Rahman, Singapore Prof. Charles A. Sorber, USA Prof. Peter Söderbaum, Sweden No Freshwater Security Without Major Shift in Thinking Ten-Year Message from the Stockholm Water Symposia
By Professor Malin Falkenmark in Cooperation with the Stockholm Water Symposium Scientific Program Committee Published 2000 by Stockholm International Water Institute, SIWI Sveavägen 59 113 59 Stockholm Sweden
Printed by Arkpressen, Västerås Designed by Quadrata, Stockholm
ISBN 91-973359-5-9 ISSN 1404-2134 Foreword 3
he first Stockholm Water Symposium was arranged in as a complement to Tother distinguished world water meetings. Now, as we celebrate a -year jubilee, we have reason to reflect upon years gone by as well as to look forward to coming years. We believe that our holistic approach, featuring integrated water management as its basis, has worked quite well as the framework for the symposia. The urgent need for more activity and cooperation concerning this approach has been confirmed increasingly throughout the s. This need has also been a key reason why so many noted persons and organizations gather in Stockholm each year to participate in both the official program and in the informal meetings and discussions. Each year, the symposium has concluded with a summary and recommendations for further initiatives. The cumulative results of those findings are summarized in this volume. As such, they represent an important contribution to the existing body of world knowledge on water resources management and related issues. In time, it also became clear that these conclusions needed to be followed up with practical activities, an insight that has manifested itself in the symposium-linked, SIWI- administered Stockholm Water Initiative. In this capacity, the symposium thereby functions not only as a yearly meeting point, but also as a think tank where continuity and innovation go hand in hand. Since , when the Global Water Partnership established its yearly presence, the ever-expanding series of events in August have been a part of an arrangement aptly titled the “World Water Week in Stockholm”. This growth is proof of the importance of the activities and their ability to adapt, a reflection of the strong support received continuously from persons, organizations, companies and authorities, and an obligation to continue in the work. Looking back, our thanks go to Professor Malin Falkenmark, of the Natural Science Research Council, and Professor Curt Forsberg, of Uppsala University, two close collaborators who made invaluable contributions to developing the symposium idea. Professor Falkenmark, since chair of the Scientific Program Committee, authored this summary in close cooperation with the committee. It is only appropriate that we dedicate this publication to you, the symposium participants, whose visions during the last decade are so eloquently summarized here. A warm-hearted thanks go to you all, for you are the symposium!
Sven-Erik Skogsfors Gunilla Brattberg Stockholm International Stockholm Water Company Water Institute (SIWI) 4 Contents
1. Executive Summary ......
2. Undermining Effects of Current Sectorial Policies......
3. Getting Out of the Water Pollution Trauma...... processes of wealth tend to generate pollution – fundamental regional differences – three main pollutant sources to address – seeking a way out – towards a “Prevention Pays Off” principle
4. Groundwater – the Neglected Resource ...... groundwater pollution already widespread – overreliance on natural protection through attenuation – need for qualified knowledge-based management
5. A Land Use Decision is Also a Water Decision ...... water mobility calls for integrated approach – vegetation and water partitioning at the ground – water and food security
6. Urban Water Supply and Sanitation – the Never-ending Challenge...... securing safe water for expanding cities – towards dry sanitation – wastewater increasingly seen as a resource – financing urban water supply and sanitation
7. The Young Professionals’ Perspective ...... a critical eye on Stockholm Water Symposia – main scientific gaps from a young scientist perspective – science in need of a social contract
8. Strategic Actions ...... proceeding from rhetorical to real integration – societal ability to cope – water management: increasingly complex – economic profit as the highest business objective is to be questioned – women and water: much lip service, limited implementation – the situation of rural women in developing countries – most essential: long-term vision, leadership and persistence of efforts – Agenda 21 planning – education on all societal levels: main key to the future
9. Major Shift in Thinking Essential...... where and which are the key buttons to push? – human right to understand the risks one is taking – call for a new mental image based on ecorealism – see catchment as an asset for development – vital need for a true Freshwater Revolution as follow up of the World Water Vision
10. The Way to the Future ...... the problem with water is not water but lack of societal stewardship – environmental debt and socio-economic growth – water security, hydrosolidarity and goal conflicts involved Executive Summary 5
1. Neglecting to Protect Water as a Key Resource While the water that moves through a land- scape mirrors the integrated result of a whole set of parallel societal activities, it constitutes at the same time the life-sustain- ing bloodstream of the biosphere. The neglect, through past policy making, of the water cycle implications of human activities is difficult to understand. Pollution is one of the greatest threats to our existence. A fundamental drawback of The past nine Stockholm Water Symposia development is the production of waste that have produced a number of fundamental follows the processes of wealth production. conclusions and clarified that a shift in Worldwide observations indicate that water thinking is fundamental in order to cope quality degradation continues to increase in with escalating global water problems. The both severity and scale. The problems are gap is enormous between where we want here and threaten humanity now. Unless to be in to years and the undesirable coped with in time, water quality degrada- futures towards which present policies tion may turn into a life-and-death issue. appear to be leading. In other words, the Expanding groundwater pollution is especi- present generation of decision-makers is in ally serious since it tends to be irreversible a decisive phase of choosing the future, but as seen on the time scale of human life. A the current water policies are vastly insuffi- contributing reason for groundwater pollu- cient in safeguarding tomorrow’s water tion is an overreliance on the attenuation resources. Their degrees of freedom, howe- capacity of overlying soils. ver, differ widely between different regions due to differences both in water resources 2. Challenge of Securing predicament and driving forces at work. Safe Water for Livelihood A flow of water through the city is a neces- The water issue is by no means an issue sary condition both for human survival and only for experts. It constitutes nothing less for the functioning of industries, hospitals than a major question of human survival and other city components. As the city and is closely related to both the eradica- grows, new water sources have to be mobi- tion of poverty and the need to secure lized from further and further away. Conse- health as well as adequate food supplies. quently, the city should see the catchment as an asset for development and involve In short, the conclusions of the nine Sym- itself actively in its protection. posia can be summarized under the fol- Due chiefly to the processes of urbaniza- lowing six points: tion and industrialization, securing urban 6
water supply and sanitation is a gigantic strumental roles played by water in those challenge. At issue is whether these processes systems. There has also been a clear tenden- can be systematically designed to reduce cy in the past to address visible short-term water problems. New approaches to water problems rather than creeping, invisible supply include, for example, reallocating long-term problems. Severe goal conflicts water from primarily irrigated agriculture, have not been seriously addressed such as introducing institutional reforms, improving upstream livelihood security versus protec- resource mobilization and cost recovery, and tion of coastal ecosystems; or food produc- helping those suffering from service defi- tion needs versus water needs for down- ciencies to participate in decision-making. stream aquatic ecosystems. A key question The solid and liquid components of now is how to find the “buttons to push” that wastewater are increasingly seen as a resource will stop the undermining effects of current that can be beneficially reused after treat- policies and, ultimately, minimize the side ef- ment. Water reuse will be fundamental in fects of today’s failing water management. dry climate countries, but it is constrained Compartmentalization and fragmenta- by the accumulation of salt in the process. tion make administrative structures inflex- At the close of the th century, some three ible; reductionist approaches to water re- billion people still lack proper sanitation. sources make each profession overlook only Both the scale and the fact that water is a partial reality. Single-purpose decisions scarce in many developing countries makes are increasingly useless – they neglect the it necessary to give way to dry sanitation so larger perspective and consequences for as to create usable fertilizers both from other societal sectors and risk undermining urine and solid fecal matter. socio-economic development in general. Many developing countries suffer from 3. Water Management Failures large deficiencies in terms of societal ability There is a widespread neglect of how the to cope with water constraints, and a des- life support systems function and of the in- perate lack of educated water professionals. 7 4. Strategic Actions standing of man’s life-support systems, Proceeding from the world we have with its rather than on isolated issues. Work in dif- failing water policies to the “Grand Vision” ferent hydroclimates and distant cultures of the world we want – sustainable, equi- requires cultural sensitivity. Children have table and stable – will demand an unprece- to be engaged and stimulated because they dented effort of interdisciplinary integra- have fantasy, and they represent the plat- tion of existing knowledge, and a major form for societal changes. effort of institutional and human capability development. There is a need for a funda- mentally new approach to total water man- agement with its links to the quality of human life and natural ecosystems. Due to the slow responses in both society and water systems, the highest levels of leadership are essential and must be based on both vision and long-term persistence. Women have to be involved in water management with roles that strongly depend on the condi- tions under which they live, the culture, the traditions and the education level in society. Decisive efforts are needed to get out of the water pollution trauma, which is thre- atening to make the available water unu- sable due to high pollution levels. The evi- dent way out is by closing the cycles so that nutrients, persistent chemicals and in- dustrial wastes cannot escape to the water 5. The Shift in Thinking system, where they will otherwise be Now Needed caught and carried by the water cycle. In The major constraint to stable, long-term the end, this produces biological damage water resources management is not lack of and effects human health. The question- knowledge, but transfer of that knowledge able motive of monetary profit as the main in a clear and understandable form to poli- objective for industrial development can cy makers and decision-makers. Decision- no longer be accepted in view of the makers and politicians have to be given the depletion of water usability to other stake- opportunity to understand the implica- holders that it entails. tions of their own decisions. The new par- Education is crucial for generating the adigm has to distinguish between what water awareness now needed. Water must man can change – his own behavior, for be made everybody’s business, and as such example – and what he cannot change, there is a huge need for education of water such as the laws of nature. Awareness of professionals, especially in the developing such distinctions is necessary in seeking countries. It is essential that environmental the new strategies that will carry us for- school education focuses on basic under- ward in the st century. 8 A major initiative is needed to bring about water resources management, and seeing the changes needed in catchment manage- the catchment as an asset for development. ment, securing proper attention to water/ The multidimensional character of land- land/ecosystem linkages in an integrated scapes has to be met by treating them as complex, dynamic systems. Well-integrated land and water policies have to build on an ecosystem approach, acknowledging water’s role as the bloodstream of the biosphere. Clarification is needed of the water require- ments of aquatic ecosystems to fulfill key functions for protein supply, employment and income raising as well as protection of biodiversity and crucial ecological services. A new social contract is needed with the scientific community. The role of scientists should include also a responsibility of play- ing a more supportive role in development and policy making. To remedy the poor transfer to policy makers of adequate knowledge and understanding, scientists should learn to produce clear and transpa- rent statements.
6. The Future of the Stockholm Water Symposia The Symposia have attracted large interest and have grown from attendees to some participants and more than coun- tries. The particular niche – future orient- ed, interdisciplinary, intersectoral and in- terprofessional – seems to be well accepted. The Symposium should therefore continue along these lines and persist in its catalytic function. Even more efforts have to be made, however, to reach a truly integrative perspective. For example, a proper balance between participants from the north and the south should be achieved. Two major fields to be addressed in coming Symposia are environmental debt and socio-economic growth as seen from a water perspective, and water security and the goal conflicts involved. Undermining Effects of Current Sectorial Policies 9
where to find the “buttons to push” that will stop the undermining and that will mi- nimize the side effects of today’s often fail- ing policies. Single-purpose decisions are increasingly useless: they not only neglect the larger perspective and the consequences for other societal sectors, but they also threaten to undermine socioeconomic de- velopment in general. There is a need for a fundamentally new approach to total water management in dealing with environmen- tal problems, with their links to the quality of human life and natural ecosystems. Two driving forces are at the core of the ongoing large-scale degradation of both freshwater bodies and coastal waters:
• the addition of - million new inha- Many countries in the world are becoming bitants each year to a world already victims of a large-scale depletion and deteri- struggling with worsening water pollu- oration of their water sources. In others, tion, and with growing water-scarcity in water shortages have drastically affected already stagnant regions, and living conditions. Strenuous efforts are need- • the dramatic scale of current urbaniza- ed all over the world to alter these tendenci- tion, which calls for societal planners to es. The compartmentalized and sectorial ap- double, in an extremely short time, the proaches of the past have been inadequate infrastructure in terms of schools, and insufficient to avert an impending water streets, housing, health support, water crisis. A severe undermining of the life sup- supply, transport and energy supply. port base and the base for continued econo- mic and social development has taken place Two major fields to be addressed in coming and remains a prominent challenge. It is es- Symposia are environmental debt and sential that a new paradigm distinguishes socio-economic growth as seen from a between what man can and should change water perspective, and water security and – his own behavior, which is negotiable the goal conflicts involved. – and what he cannot change – the laws of The seriousness of the current situation nature, which are non-negotiable. Awareness becomes clear when one considers the gap of such distinctions is necessary in seeking between where we want to be to years the new strategies of freshwater security. from now and the undesirable futures Key questions now are ) how to move towards which present policies appear to be away from compartmentalization, and ) leading. These policies are based on sectori- 10 al and national self-interests, and directed activities is difficult to understand. The towards goals other than sound water water issue is by no means an issue only for resources management. experts. It constitutes nothing less than a major question of human survival, closely While the water that moves through a related to eradication of poverty, and the landscape mirrors the integrated result of need to secure health as well as adequate a whole set of parallel societal activities, it food supplies. constitutes at the same time the life-sustain- ing bloodstream of the biosphere. This publication gives an integrated overvi- The neglect, through past policy making, ew of the conclusions arrived at in the of the water cycle implications of human Stockholm Water Symposia -.
Getting Out of the Water Pollution Trauma
In other words, a fundamental dilemma is that processes of wealth in the Third World have (at least in certain stages) tended to generate huge pollution loads, which incre- ase more quickly than the population and the Gross National Product (). While the population has doubled, the pollution load has tended to increase - times, even more in some cases. One of the greatest threats to our existence A major mistake has been the indiscri- today is water pollution. World-wide obser- minate transfer of industrial models develo- vations indicate that water quality degrada- ped in temperate climates, where plenty of tion continues to increase in both severity river flow is available for dilution of pollu- and scale. The problems are here and threat- tion loads, to regions with a long dry season en human safety and health now. Unless in the tropics and subtropics. Western prin- coped with in time, water quality degrada- ciples for water quality management are tion may turn into a life-and-death issue. generally not viable in poor developing countries, where a whole set of economic, Wealth Tends to Generate Pollution legal, administrative, and cultural barriers Already today, water pollution has enor- effectively stand in the way of water mous dimensions. In particularly bad cases, pollution minimization. a river may be seen as a sewer, or even a Even where court orders have ordered murderer. While industrial development is closure of heavily polluting industries, the generally seen as a crucial key to economic offenders may silently reopen for employ- development and income generation, a fun- ment and financial reasons. The situation damental drawback is the production of escalates to the point where spontaneous waste and the escalating toxification of social mobilization takes place and citizens freshwater that some of it tends to generate. start marching up the river in search of the 11 industry polluting their water source. But the circulation of goods in society and There is broad evidence that water quality the gradual leakage from the “wear and destruction is already threatening economic tear” and handling of waste products, is a development and long-term urban water new and mounting challenge. A general security in places such as Sao Paolo, Delhi dilemma of the Post-Communist countries and Mexico City. is the large scale undermining that took The risk is that with time the available place during the socialist era and left the water will get so polluted that it cannot be countries with massive environmental used for any purpose. While in internation- pollution problems. al meetings much lip service is paid to pol- The dilemma for the countries in the lution control, the crucial question is how South, finally, is related to the combination to implement the agreed recommenda- of increasing population, increasing waste tions. The threatening situation – termed production, and widespread use of inap- “hydrocide’’ because it is a far-reaching propriate technologies. Moreover, in large water quality degradation that makes acces- parts of that region a monsoon climate sible water unusable for most purposes – with a dry season makes the water scarce, has to be averted by a combination of which exacerbates the pollution problem knowledge and opportunity, and legislation due to poor dilution. and enforcement. The buttons to push to There are also considerable differences avoid widespread toxification of the water between coastal seas due to levels of assault, are not only in the business or water sec- response delays due to constrained water tors; rethinking in science, of ethics and exchange, coping capability and readiness spiritualism and sense of place may also to act towards restoration. In the Chesa- have to be involved. peake Bay, Seto Inland Sea and the Western
Fundamental Regional Differences There is now an increasing awareness that current water policies are vastly insufficient in safeguarding current and even more to- morrow’s water resources. The present gen- eration of decision-makers is in other words in a decisive phase of choosing the future. Their degree of freedom, however, differs widely between different regions. In Western societies, century-long efforts – sometimes triggered by a major disease cata- strophe – have resulted in fairly advanced wastewater treatment programs. However, neither municipal, industrial nor agricultu- ral pollution are brought under sufficient control. Currently, in the industrialized countries, the problems associated with production per se are substantially reduced. 12 Baltic Sea, there is an openness and a readi- ness to act towards restoration. On the east and south of the Baltic, there is also an in- terest to act, but financial problems are ef- fective barriers to overcome. Both the Bal- tic Sea and Chesapeake Bay have succeeded in terms of curbed use and outflow of ⁄s, resulting in some restored biodi- versity. In the latter example, citizen involve- ment played a crucial role. In Western countries, industry is increasingly aware of its responsibilities. But threats remain in • scientific problems: development of meth- these systems. The input of traffic-genera- ods to distinguish natural changes from ted pollutants via the atmosphere and of human-induced changes in the water leaching of agricultural nutrients and system; radical improvement of the com- ammonia, for example, have not yet been munication between different disciplines; addressed or, where they have, the measures bridge-building activities to facilitate this taken have not yet resulted in detectable improvement; clarification of limitations improvements. In the Black Sea and on the in interregional transferability of solu- south-east side of the Baltic, remediation tions; shift in conceptual frame of refe- challenges are hindered by shortfalls in rence from consequences to causes; financing and expertise. • societal problems: finding ways to over- In the South, on the other hand, the come the far-reaching institutional frag- drainage basins of Lake Victoria and the mentation of basin countries; finding Gulf of Thailand, for instance, are subject mechanisms for reconciliation of com- to rapidly expanding population, urbaniza- peting interests; clarification of human tion and industrialization. The assault, rights and human responsibilities, re- through intensified crop production and spectively; and economic development, is thus increased • remediation problems: clarifying how to rather than decreased. Curbing outflow of handle the numerous stakeholders; the pollutants from domestic waste is still diffi- problems introduced by the slow respon- cult to implement. se of the coastal water system; the tech- nologies available for curbing outflow of The unsolved conflict between develop- pollutants; and the most cost-effective ment of livelihood security in Third World measures for different coastal waters. catchments and the coastal ecosystems at the mouth is a fundamental one that has Three Main Pollutant to be addressed with the greatest possible Sources to Address urgency. Uncontrolled disposal of human waste cau- ses widespread excreta-derived diseases. A successful restoration of deteriorating Few other causes of human misery can coastal seas will demand that a number of compete in scale and severity with poor fundamental challenges be overcome: health from the inappropriate handling of 13 human waste. Over the last years, the technology often pays dividends rather developed world has produced and imple- quickly from economical and environmen- mented water supply and sewerage systems tal points of view. This is particularly true to the extent that water-borne diseases have wherever adequate rules and regulations virtually disappeared. There, an effective have been promulgated and an enforce- barrier to the communication of diseases ment mechanism is in place. has been established. In the less developed To be successful there is a need to be cre- parts of the world, we have seen decades of ative in development of partnerships be- development in the water-supply sector tween government (local and national), the with noteworthy successes but not match- business community, s and universities. ing up to the original objectives. At the International co-operation will be even same time we have seen some development more important. All parties are discovering of sanitation, but successes have been few. that negotiation often provides more cost- Relatively speaking, we are not getting very effective solutions than traditional com- far, in spite of the fact that it is well docu- mand and control systems. The environ- mented that sanitation is equally essential ment improves and the companies find to human health as safe water. There is no ways of reducing their costs. In many deve- single, universally applicable sanitation so- loped countries, some companies are fin- lution. However, there is a whole spectrum ding it in their own interests to go beyond of technical options, but no revolutionary regulation and do more than is required by inventions in sight. Thus, there is no tech- law. As a component of an industrial ecolo- nical barrier – the barriers are economic, gy approach in some countries, urban social and political. metabolism strategy is slowly developing, Industrial pollution is an increasingly involving closed systems for both water and devastating phenomenon in the Third other substances, and industries have joined World. A large part of the problem is linked in symbioses for sequential reuse of water, to the production technology (including waste and by-products. the transport system). Because there are sig- nificant differences between economic, so- cial and cultural conditions around the world, a tailor-made approach toward in- creased industrial responsibility/greening is needed. Transplanting technology and legislation from one country to another should be done with great care, taking into account the inherent differences between countries. Law enforcement is necessary to ensure implementation and the creation of a level field for industry. Industry requires long-term, stable environmental objectives. Increasingly, actors in industry are now more aware of their responsibilities. Aware- ness is spreading that the use of cleaner 14 Pollution from agricultural sources causes and safeguarded so as also to meet the a variety of unexpected problems that have needs of coming generations. In general, their origins in the use of chemicals and water-borne transport of waste products the water pollution produced when these necessitates systems for the separation of chemicals leach through the soil on into disease transmitters and toxic substances, groundwater aquifers and surface water and the recycling of phosphorus. systems. Increased use of chemical fertilizers New ideas and better approaches to land and pesticides has been practiced in use planning need to be integrated with developing countries, and most of its water management. The benefits afforded use is applied to irrigated areas. Through by this kind of integration must be amply leaching effects and soil erosion, large demonstrated. amounts of harmful compounds are brought in contact with surface and groundwater. At The evident way out of the worldwide water least in developed countries, the awareness quality degradation is by curbing population of this problem, and of potential and serious growth and by closing the cycles, so that health effects, is growing. The goal conflict fewer nutrients and persistent chemicals involved between growth in production and from industrial waste will escape to the minimizing leaching is particularly difficult environment, where they will otherwise be to solve in all regions. caught and carried by the water cycle, in the end producing severe biological damage. Seeking a Way Out Basically, alternative ways to achieve the nec- The Symposia have addressed a number of essary minimization of a particular pollution identified barriers impeding the implemen- load are few: tation of the solutions by which harmful • no use, substitution or minimization effluents might be minimized. These inclu- at source of the polluting substance; de the lack of a credible economic rationale • reuse of polluted wastewater after for such minimizing, incomplete mecha- renovation; nisms for financing, gaps in the communi- • conversion of wastewater by cation between scientists and decision-ma- end-of-pipe treatment; kers, and a set of policy-oriented water sec- • dispersion of the pollution in a receiv- tor barriers (agriculture, industry, munici- ing water body (river or lake); and pal water supply and sanitation, etc.). The • containment of hazardous pollutants. close relationship between land use and water management has been repeatedly Since several of these options merely alter stressed throughout the nine Symposia. the pathways by which a pollutant can reach water systems, the only alternative Towards a “Prevention acceptable from a broader viewpoint is Pays Off” Principle minimization at the source. It is at the A proactive approach is needed to water same time completely evident that the quality deterioration – streams can no long- non-substitutable, life-supporting raw er be allowed to be converted into sewers. materials of the planet must be used The polluter pays principle, which allows in such a way that they can be recovered pollution, should be complemented by the 15 prevention pays off principle, . It will be The Stockholm Statement, adopted at the in the interest of a downstream city to in- end of the Joint Conference in with vest in the life support system upstream (Environmental Management of that delivers its lifeblood. The issue of dow- Enclosed Coastal Seas), highlights a set of nstream compensation is therefore being principles aimed at reducing the pollution raised, and feasible ways are being discussed loads to safe levels: for resource transfer and ways by which • Principle . Pursue a holistic approach legal barriers be overcome. by taking an ecosystem-based approach The battle for clean water sources has to to the land-sea complex. be won in the catchment. In the search for • Principle . Improve understanding to building up mutual upstream/downstream identify the causal chain between de- partnership and solidarity, protocols for structive and polluting human activities shared water resources are an interesting in the drainage basin and the degrada- model with confidence-building as a funda- tion of coastal ecosystems. mental component. Water should be seen • Principle . Develop an active dialogue as the common lifeblood of the basin as a between major stakeholder groups: sci- whole. Management units for river basins entists, citizens, industry leaders, far- are therefore needed: river parliaments, for mers, fisheries, resource managers and example, have been proposed in India decision-makers. where, with its democratic tradition, it is • Principle . Act locally – Think region- seen as a way to bring upstream and down- ally, in implementing the needed techni- stream stakeholders together. cal and legal solutions. 16 Groundwater – the Neglected Resource
and from mining and old industrial activi- ties. Polluted groundwater can also impact surface waters.
Overreliance on Natural Protection through Attenuation There is a certain attenuation capacity in the soil and shallow geosphere. This protec- Groundwater Pollution tive capacity seems to have been overesti- Already Widespread mated, however, because of the effect of the There is widespread evidence that ground- various preferential flow mechanisms that water is polluted not only in the old indus- have been proved to occur in many geolo- trial nations in the western world but also gical materials. in post-communist countries, newly indus- trialized countries and less developed coun- Need for Qualified tries. Groundwater quality problems arise Knowledge-based Management from four very distinct causes: naturally oc- Groundwater plays a multiple role: as raw curring problems related to groundwater, water source for drinking water supply, for soil chemistry and the dissolution of min- irrigation of food production, as regulation erals; problems related to inadequately con- of base flows, and as an important determi- trolled abstraction, including intrusion of nant of many wetland ecosystems. There saline or polluted water; discharges from are, therefore, competing interests and po- human pollution-generating activities and tential conflicts on the use of exploitable leachates from urban industrial and agricul- groundwater resources. A qualified mana- tural activities; and inadequate well con- gement that contains both a technological struction, which is widely responsible for and a social dimension is crucial for opti- allowing pollution to penetrate to deeper mal use of groundwater resources. Sustain- groundwater layers than should be the case able use of the resource to fulfill the needs for natural vertical transport. requires a comprehensive knowledge-based Many large cities in the developing approach. It has been agreed that ground- world still rely upon shallow wells to supply water policies and management have to be water for the majority of the population. seen in the broader context of integrated Reports indicate that the shallow ground- water resources management, and that per- water and often also deeper groundwater spectives and strategies have to build on a layers in urban areas are seriously polluted. policy framework, including a legal and re- Some exceptionally serious cases of ground- gulatory framework, an economic frame- water pollution are caused by indiscrimi- work and a technical framework. In order nate industrial discharges into the ground. to protect groundwater from pollution, Even in urban areas with well-organized local action on the community level is municipal wastewater collection there is often necessary due to the close connection evidence of pollution from leaking sewers to land use. A Land Use Decision is Also a Water Decision 17
Water Mobility Calls for an Integrat- Vegetation and Water Partitioning ed Approach to Land and Water at the Ground When discussing Land/water linkages are equally important the causal chains when it comes to runoff production in a behind water pol- certain area, and its vulnerability to land lution and how to use change. The broadened water perspec- get out of the tive thus has to include a new focus on the trauma, the close rainwater partitioning at the ground be- linkages to land tween the vertical green and the semi-hori- use have been re- zontal blue water branches, the role of ve- peatedly stressed. getation and soil in influencing that parti- Land-based sour- tioning and how the partitioning can be ces of pollutants managed by clearing, reforestation, affore- play an important station, and so on. A megascale, country- role in providing wide and long-term water conservation contaminants that get caught by the water. project in South Africa involving six A better approach to land use planning and ministries has been initiated and is known management has been highlighted as one as the Working for Water program. It essential component of strategic actions. illustrates the potential of vegetation mana- The question is how it might be imple- gement for increasing blue water availabili- mented. Most water in the river has earlier ty. The aim is both to capture another passed land and carries the chemical histo- percent of the annual runoff and to ry from that journey. Therefore, water protect biodiversity through a countrywide quality protection has to include land use clearing of invasive, alien water-consuming management as an integral component and plants. within a broader integrated landscape-eco- logical approach to land and water use planning. The lessons learned from a set of cases on land/water integration include the need for a fruitful mix of bottom-up and top-down approaches, combining local ac- tion with higher-level guidance and incen- tives, the usefulness of computer-based ani- mation to visualize the links between land use and water phenomena, the need for re- gional integration of institutional arrange- ments, and education and training to secure a common language between mana- gers with multi-faceted competencies who will lead the process. 18 The effects of altered water partitioning are into macro-economic models to secure ne- particularly relevant in tropical climates due cessary awareness among national planners. to the influence of high evaporative de- Globally, we have no clue about how much mand. As a consequence the basic fresh- of the green water will in the near future be water resource should be seen as the preci- needed to support the expanding world pop- pitation over a river basin, which has to be ulation in rainfed agriculture, as compared shared between the water consumed in to the amount needed to support crucial plant production and returned to the at- ecosystem services, forests, wetlands and mosphere (not available for immediate pastures. Rainfed agriculture covers some reuse) and the surplus left (recharging aqui- percent of the world’s agricultural lands, fers and rivers and put to direct societal a figure that rises to more than percent use). in water-short, less developed countries. The land/water linkages tend to compli- Water and Food Security cate the “water as an economic good” Crop yields are stagnating in several re- discussion (“commodification of water”). gions, but the global population continues More focus is needed on the green water, to grow. The fact that food production is especially when the resource base is weak as highly consumptive but the available water it is in semiarid environments. It has been is a finite resource tends to limit the carry- stressed that the general situation and the ing capacity of a region. The climate-con- dominating water perspective in society trolled crop/water requirements may in fact looks different depending on the phase of involve essential constraints to socio-econo- socio-economic development. Generally, mic development and have to be entered treating water as a purely economic resour- ce has been seen as tricky in view of key dif- ferences both between primary and secon- dary water demands and between green water and blue water demands. In the non- monetary situation, self-sufficiency at the farm level is aimed at, and the traditional approach is supply-oriented (“bring water to the people”). In situations where markets have developed, the strategy is increasingly to secure the best possible use of the available water (“more crop per drop”), or to import food and to use the water for value-adding purposes. Many countries are practicing water transfer from agriculture to industry; in extreme cases this means even excluding agricultural use altogether. However, as illustrated in the Aral Sea region, there is a serious goal conflict in the upstream/downstream dimension. Urban Water Supply and Sanitation 19 – the Never-ending Challenge
address these problems. It seems evident, therefore, that to meet the challenges ahead, antiquated approaches based on government-prescribed solutions will have to be jettisoned. A flow of water through a city is a necessa- ry condition for the survival of its inhabi- tants, but it is also critical for the function- ing of industries, hospitals and other city components. Although there is now a general world- wide understanding and acceptance that human health also depends on proper sani- tation and hygiene, these factors continue to be treated as separate from the water supply sector. The tremendous speed of the population growth in many developing country cities – doubling, often, in only to years – is much faster than the city authorities can ever manage to run. Gro- wing cities often destroy their own water New approaches needed include realloca- sources, while mobilizing new sources furt- ting water from primarily the agricultural her and further away rapidly tends to beco- sector, introducing institutional reforms, me insurmountably costly. This makes improving resource mobilization and cost water reuse within the city an interesting recovery, helping those suffering from alternative. service deficiencies to participate in decision-making, complementing water Securing Safe Water service with sanitation, and building for Expanding Cities effective public-private partnerships. Open Every city has not only a land address but minds, acceptance of each other’s realities also a water address. Securing water supply (farmers have one reality, industrialists for megacities is often a daunting task, and another), and a willingness to try new the current constraints include a lack of approaches are also critical. accessible water resources, inefficient deli- very mechanisms, lack of financial resour- Towards Dry Sanitation ces and insufficient management and tech- To close the enormous sanitation gap in the nical skills. Most disturbing, however, is developing world today, where several bil- the apparent inability on the part of gov- lions lack safe sanitation, water-borne sani- ernments to take the actions required to tation has in many areas to give way for dry 20 sanitation as a tested and valid alternative. with reuse, however, puts a long-term limit The possible solutions differ from one situa- to reuse for irrigation and other uses. tion to another. For rural, low-density, low- income areas, low-cost solutions starting Financing Urban with the pit latrine or aqua privy are avail- Water Supply and Sanitation able; in urban, high-density, low-income The world has broad experience with fail- areas, the problem is the scale, not the ing public management of community availability of solutions: long-term dry solu- water supply and sanitation. In many deve- tions, evolutionary solution, and intermedi- loping and former communist countries ate, dry solutions with high technology. there has even been an almost total break- Dry sanitation consisting of urine-separa- down of public sector systems. As a conse- ting toilets, with no or little water added, is quence, private sector participation in fi- one way to minimize water use and to cre- nancing and management of water supply ate usable fertilizers both from urine and and wastewater projects in many different solid fecal matter. Human faeces can be forms, from simple service contracts to seen as a resource that can be safely reused concession arrangements to outright pri- after reduction of pathogens and heavy me- vate sale of assets, is growing. This is not tals. At the same time, risk does exist: poor- only in Western countries but also in many ly planned latrines – where insufficient at- developing countries, where such develop- tention is paid to hydrologic conditions- ment is pushed by many donors and by the may generate groundwater pollution and World Bank. There are many models of pu- make the city an unsafe and insecure place blic-private partnership or interaction that of human activity and residence. can be contemplated. Parameters in these models include determination of tariffs, Wastewater Increasingly ownership of fixed assets, control of opera- Seen as Resource tion and management systems and the The escalating water pollution calls for an- handling of control programs. Efficiency ticipative planning rather than reaction to cannot be reduced to a matter of monetary problems. As already indicated, wastewater cost per unit of water supplied. In addition, is increasingly seen as a resource of both quality of water and, more generally, envi- water and nutrients that could be marketed ronmental performance has to be clearly after reclamation. City wastewater can be evaluated. When privatization is consider- reused both in the city and in the periurban ed, the objectives should be clearly formu- area as a potential resource for food pro- lated. The private sector and the public sec- duction both for farmers themselves and tor have to join forces to work towards pro- for the urban market. Some experts claim viding safe water and sanitation services to that the health hazard involved can be mit- the people of the planet. To the extent that igated by simple and available treatment private companies limit their goals to mon- methods. In Islamic countries, there has etary profits, privatization becomes increa- now been a break-through in the sense that singly unrealistic as a way of solving broad- wastewater reuse has been judged not to be er social and environmental issues. Institu- against Islamic doctrine. The accumulation tional reform of business companies beco- of salts in soil and groundwater that follows mes a consideration. The Young Professionals’ Perspective 21
A Critical Eye on Stockholm Water Symposia Young scientists/professionals have been entrusted annual seminars of their own during the Symposia in order:
• to facilitate the next generation of scien- tists to become more active in trying to establish communicative bridges; and • to allow the leaders of tomorrow repre- sented by young scientists to enter the scene to work together with today’s pro- fessionals and act as advocates for the fu- ture. They should be seen as guardians of change admit the urgency of water quality and qu- antity deterioration. These seminars have made a number of re- levant observations. Third, the Stockholm Water Symposium First, just bringing people with various has the ambition of being a global forum of backgrounds to the same conference does cross disciplinary interactions bringing to- not necessarily mean that it becomes inte- gether professionals from various societal grative. In order to reach that goal, and fur- sectors in different regions of the world, in ther stimulate a cross sectoral and integra- particular between Western countries, eco- tive discussion, the people at a conference nomies in transition and countries in the should participate in other workshops than tropics and subtropics. Although attended what is normally their field of expertise, and by some one thousand participants – the be encouraged to share their views on the most ever – even the Symposium was topics discussed. Second, there is an urgent not capable of striking a proper balance need for a major switch in behaviors and between North and South. attitudes, based on a new water ethics – today, not sometime in the future, by a Main Gaps Identified not-yet born generation by the Young Professionals Four critical gaps were identified: Going from “knowing to doing’’ demands • the interactions of the social and natural bridging from hard science to peoples’ spheres in water resources management. perceptions and everyday behavior. This is Inadequate attention is paid to the glo- extremely difficult, but in reality there is no balization of our societies and thereby choice: scientists have to feel responsible in our markets that can be closely linked to making the water cycle a part of everyone’s water resources through supply and de- life. This means, evidently, that we have to mand patterns; 22 • the huge, unperceived flows of water not Scientists from all disciplines need to take taken into account in water research, more active roles in inter-and transdiscipli- where the present focus on the “blue” nary research. The role of scientists should runoff water represents only a small frac- be redefined to involve also a responsibility tion of the water needed to support the of playing a more supportive role in devel- human life-support system. The bulk of opment and policy making. the water use is in reality the “green” If lack of political will is a key cause to water flow (flow of evaporating water, poor water management, this lack of will vapor flow, etc.) generating rainfed relates back to the scientific community. goods and services on which humans de- The strong economic focus in society re- pend. Neglected is also the human abili- sults in a neglect of how the life support ty to influence the “green”/“blue” rain- systems function. Who are in a better posi- fall partitioning, intentionally and unin- tion of being hydrological ambassadors tentionally; than the water researchers themselves? The • today’s water quality problems, involv- scientific community has an important role ing contamination of all water flows to play in lifting up the water issues on the in the hydrological cycle. Water quality political agenda. cannot be seen in isolation from water quantity: river depletion can lead Research cannot continue to be carried out to concentration of nutrients and/or in a vacuum. As proposed by Professor pollutants that result in an aggravated Jane Lubchenko, a new social contract is water quality problem; and needed within the scientific community • severe intergenerational communication with a focus on the responsibility for (1) gaps exacerbated by the scientific and in- justification of water resources research stitutional fragmentation that character- within the context of future water challeng- izes both universities and administra- es and (2) wide dissemination of scientific tion, severely complicating the possibili- knowledge and understanding. ty to take the integrative approaches that are widely needed.
Science in Need of a Social Contract These gaps originate from the lack of bridg- ing between science and all domains of society. Scientists have difficulties in ad- dressing the system as a whole, with all the physical and socio-economic interactions. Only studying partial realities, on which re- ductionist-oriented scientists have concen- trated so far, will not help in finding solu- tions to the multidimensional, complex and dynamic problems that face us today. The most urgent challenge is bridging. Strategic Actions 23
Proceeding from Rhetorical to Real Integration Strategic actions are both preventive against future problems and curative for problems due to past mismanagement. Po- litical barriers to action must be removed, and politicians encouraged to take a stand. Ways to proceed from rhetorical integra- tion to real integration have to be identi- fied. We need to focus on positive develop- ments that have occurred in different parts of the world in the recent past so that they can be more widely replicated.
Proceeding from the world we have with its failing water policies to the “Grand Vision” of the world we want – sustainable, equitable and stable – will demand an unprecedented effort of interdisciplinary integration of existing knowledge, and a major effort of in- to cope with water cycle constraints in the stitutional and human capability development. rivers, the aquifers and the soil from which the crops that should feed the expanding Today’s environmental communication world population get their water. The would benefit substantially from a focus on water crisis that we are facing cannot be non-negotiable facts, firmly based on natu- averted without innovations and lateral ral laws, such as those of thermodynamics. thinking, involving both men and women, The way for scientists to achieve more in- as well as the human ingenuity of the fluence over today’s political decisions and young generation. Our task as professionals more power over the important issues of is to find the tools for that change. A key tomorrow is by emphasizing common de- will be social mobilization, education of the nominators rather than disagreement, al- general public, development of adaptive ca- though the latter is still necessary and one pacity and reference to the spiritual values important path forward. The challenge for associated with water. This represents a the scientific community is to produce new paradigm of governance and social unanimous, clear and obvious statements, mobilization, where government acts in a by which decision-makers can be persua- facilitating and law making capacity, while ded to proceed in the right direction. consumers are made part of the governance system. Only if water use, management and Social Ability to Cope stewardship is made everybody’s business is In a situation of rapid change, social stabi- it likely that a stable, yet dynamic and crea- lity requires adaptation and societal ability tive urban situation is reached. 24 Water Management • driving forces behind water demands, – Increasingly Complex • barriers that stand in the way when The present situation is aggravated by going from knowing to doing, and broad-based hydroconservatism that is the • incentives to influence the behavior of result of truncated and reductionist ideas stakeholders. about water; a poor general understanding of the complexity of water-related issues; an Fundamental barriers are related to legisla- inability to address this complexity because tion, enforcement, operation and mainte- of fragmented and inflexible administrative nance logistics, difficulties to finance infra- structures; an unwillingness to accept radical structure and inflexible administration par- changes in water management; and cross- alyzed by complexity. cultural difficulties in development work. Such difficulties often originate from a Economic Profit as “temperate-zone bias” in transfer of techno- the Highest Business Objective logy, reflected in the introduction of “north- is to Be Questioned ern” technologies and water management There should be equity in what is adopted strategies that are not necessarily viable in in terms of appropriate business behavior in the local context in southern countries. both the developed and developing world. It is evident from the discussions that Business should keep its house in order water management is getting increasingly through maintenance and modernization in more complex. Today’s scientists and bu- order to reach the possible levels of eco-effi- reaucrats are generally sitting within their ciency and to refrain from the export of in- well-defined boxes, looking over a partial efficient or outdated technology to the de- reality. The next generation of professionals veloping world. While business is recogni- will have to be able to handle such com- zing that sustainability is essential in water plexity. This complexity is a major chal- matters, it is important that society and its lenge for SIWI in its future work. various government instruments take re- sponsibility for the framework within which It is evident that scientists have clear business should be allowed to operate. problems in addressing the man-land- The classic business approach that ele- water-waste system as a whole, with all its vates profit as the highest objective of busi- physical and socio-economic interactions. ness (neo-classical economics) has been ser- The problem is not that scientists are iously questioned. The question raised is if unaware of the multidimensional character broad issues important to stakeholders, of landscapes, but more related to the such as consideration of the ecology, socie- difficulty of practically addressing a tal issues, etc., ought not also be objectives complex and dynamic system. which society imposes on business.
In many cases, the problems are well-diag- The necessary means to introduce this nosed, solutions are known and yet the broader approach – by encouragement, progress is minimal. What stands out as ex- public opinion pressure or inducement by tremely clear is the strong social science society at large – requires the attention components in terms of: of governments. At the same time the 25 involvement and engagement of the broad have in Monterrey, Mexico. In rural areas in stakeholder base in setting norms and the developing world, women tend to play standards for business activity has been the role as main water providers both for advocated. This should form the basis for the household and for economic activities. a future SIWI initiative. The World Water Vision – a major ef- fort geared to break through at the govern- Women and Water – Much Lip mental level around the world before the Service, Little Implementation water supply and quality destruction makes The roles women play and could play in it impossible to get out of the poverty trap water-related issues depend to a large extent in developing countries – aims at a widely on the conditions under which they live, as shared vision of the desired world by , well as their cultures and traditions. It is es- and a framework for action how to reach it. sential to build awareness on general, cultu- Since the Vision as presented at the rally based and deeply ingrained differences Symposium represented the efforts of a in their tasks in regard to water. Water and large community of senior men, it remain- gender are two of the priorities in the agen- ed for its second round of consultations to das of many international organizations at include also the remaining % of the present. Unfortunately, gender issues are world population in the consensus. This for the most part subject to lip-service ra- predicament shows that the world is still ther than concrete operational activities. rather far away from the feminization of In all water-related activities it is essenti- water management and policies that were al to involve women. Men and women tend recommended at the First World Water to see problems quite differently, a differ- Forum in Marrakesh. Empowerment of ence that society must be able to handle. women is a crucial step to take. When Which roles women can play strongly de- women are more equally represented at the pends on the conditions under which they political level and in the private sector, we live, the culture, the traditions and the edu- may expect changes. cation level in society. The world is not as homogenous as actors in the water profes- sion often believe; global generalizations often give an incorrect picture. Moreover, the mind-sets of gender specialists are very different from those of senior water mana- gers and decision-makers. It is essential to differentiate between women as water users as opposed to women as professionals. In Latin America, as in many Western countries, women are involved on many different levels already: as decision-makers, managers, operators, etc., and the number of female students contin- ues to expand. In urban situations, women may form powerful pressure groups as they 26 The Situation of Rural Women with s as important actors and useful Both at macro and micro levels, the major channels of communication. Local identity contributions of women in water-related is- and a sense of responsibility for the next ge- sues have been to health and sanitation-re- neration will help to build up awareness lated issues, as well as conservation of natu- and willingness to act. Public advisory ral resources and environmental education, committees may be useful in seeking com- which result in improvement in quality of promises between different stakeholder life of the whole society. In rural areas, groups. There is a need for creative deve- women have traditionally been considered lopment of partnerships that include also the main providers and users of water at the the business communities. The develop- household and community levels. Thus, ment of ecological economics is essential to donors and governments have tended to as- reduce the current dominance of neo-clas- sume that female strategic interest in water sical economics in trying to reconcile devel- is concentrated primarily to having access opment with protection of crucial ecologi- to safe sources of water for their domestic cal services of coastal ecosystems. responsibilities. It has been pointed out that this assumption is not true, at least for Agenda 21 Planning Africa, since women also need access to Agenda planning might provide an open- water to undertake work with direct econo- ing, especially its emphasis on building on mic benefits for their families and their re- the enthusiasm of local residents, thus giving spective communities. substance to the concept of stakeholder participation. Experience from a set of mun- Most Essential: Long-term icipalities in some countries has shown Vision, Leadership and Agenda planning to be useful as an Persistence of Efforts umbrella to strengthen thinking, especially A major switch is needed in both behavior as it encourages local participation in an and attitudes to secure action now, not organized manner. It involves ordinary some time in the future by an unborn pop- people as well as environmental activity ulation. Seeing humans as part of the large- groups in discussions on how to maximize scale ecosystem will be essential. This will benefits for local residents. The presence of demand some conceptual development. persons who are really experts in complex The challenge is not development or envi- water issues is, however, essential. Agenda ronment, but development and environ- is also an essential tool to combine econo- ment. Crucial ecological services that have mic, social and environmental issues in an to be protected also have to be identified. integrated way for planning purposes. Problems will have to be addressed at the proper conceptual scale, in time as well as Education on All Societal space. Due to the slow responses in both Levels – Main Key to the Future society and natural water systems, the high- Major efforts have to be put into education est level of leadership is essential, and it on all levels. The development of appropri- must be based on both a vision and a long- ate management strategies that meet the term persistence. To this end, public under- specific regional needs (such as variations standing and involvement will be essential, of hydroecological characteristics, climate 27 conditions, urban and/or rural consumer decision-makers, and to educate the public needs, etc.) require sophisticated knowled- as well as themselves. A well functioning ge-based approaches and tools. Capacity extension system has a crucial role to play, building and education of engineers and especially in the South. Education naturally other professionals in the water sector is of includes issues of cultural understanding. crucial importance. In order to meet future challenges, training in interdisciplinary It is essential that environmental school communication and skills in raising general education focuses on basic understanding awareness for water-related problems is es- of man’s life-support systems, rather than sential. Education is fundamental as a pro- on isolated issues. Work in different moter of change, not only of future genera- hydroclimates and distant cultures requires tions and end users of water but also of sci- cultural sensitivity. It is also essential to entists and politicians. Scientists have a engage and stimulate children – they have moral responsibility to establish bridges fantasy, and they represent the platform both between scientific disciplines and to for societal changes.
Major Shift in Thinking Essential
Where and Which Are the Key Buttons to Push? An overriding question seems to be the fol- lowing: Where are the buttons to push that will stop the ongoing undermining of the world’s freshwater resources and minimize the effects of today’s failing policies? Who needs to be further involved to reach new goals? It is not lack of analysis and diagno- sis that generally limits success; the key problem is often a lack of effective strate- gies for implementation. Moving towards sustainable development is no painfree pro- suming societal water uses in households, cess. A crucial question, in fact, is how to municipalities and industry. reduce the implementation difficulties be- Efforts needed to make possible better tween what is considered desirable from policies include the following: a scientific/diagnostic point of view, and what is seen as politically possible to achieve. • to encourage engagement of all sub-sec- More focus has to be put on the original tors involved, allowing them to interact freshwater resource, the precipitation over and take responsibility in trying to joint- the river basin. This is the resource divided ly protect the resource base; between highly water consuming plant pro- • to get crucial stakeholders like business, duction and polluting, but less water con- industrial and agricultural sectors – all 28 contributing in different ways to the cision making and between science and so- current undermining of land and water ciety at large. productivity – to take a greater part in water resources planning and decision It has been agreed that generally the making; major constraint to long-term stable water • to secure enforcement as a necessary resources management is not lack of complement to laws and regulations; knowledge but transfer of that knowledge in • to make use of environmental impact as- a clear and understandable form to policy sessment techniques as a tool to ensure makers and decision-makers. Decision- the compatibility of sectoral plans; and makers and politicians have to be given the • to secure adequate status to freshwater opportunity to understand the implications issues. Freshwater still remains “the odd of their own decisions. man out” on the international environ- mental agenda. The public also has to be able to understand the risks they are taking. It is therefore ur- gent to make the general public understand how freshwater controls their life as well as the life of their children and grandchildren and how essential hydrological parameters can be controlled and influenced. To this end scientists, technologists and engineers have to integrate their results and translate them into easily understandable terms and clear messages.
Call for a New Mental Image Based on Ecorealism The water passing through a country con- stitutes its very life support and thus repre- sents a natural capital that has to be conserved so as not to erode the future of the country. Consequently, better informed and less irresponsible methods of water qu- ality management in a country are fund- amental for its long-term health, socio-eco- Human Right to Understand nomic sustainability, and, indeed, national the Risks One Is Taking creditworthiness. Among the key issues for effective water re- Well-integrated land and water policies sources management highlighted is the re- have to build on an ecosystem approach, sponsibility of the scientific community. acknowledging water’s role as the blood- There is an evident need to achieve more stream of the biosphere. This necessitates than rhetorical bridges between scientific an operationalization of environmental disciplines, between science and policy/de- sustainability and a clarification of the “requirements” of valued aquatic ecosys- tems in terms of water flow and quality. A level of ecorealism has to be developed, paying due attention to differences between various world regions in terms of priority setting and focus (food security vs. environ- mental issues, water quality vs. water supply issues) Communication is essential to bridge subsectoral perspectives. Local platforms have to be created for stakeholder dialogue, so-called “tables of negotiation” between sectoral and other interests. It is become a limiting factor for livelihood important to establish situations of interac- security and that carrying capacity limits tive learning processes; learning to listen will be reached in large parts of the world. is as essential as self-reflection. A common Considering the uneven global distribution language has to be achieved through of population and of water resources, sustai- mutual education of scientists, politicians nable solutions require more large-scale and the public. considerations and global thinking. The complexity of many water-related issues de- See Catchment as Asset mands a systems approach. Education has a for Development strategic role in developing an improved ca- For the long-term development and sustain- pacity among environmental professionals ability of a city, it has to see the catchment to address and communicate on particularly of its water sources as assets for develop- complex issues. New and more efficient ment to be protected from upstream overex- ways of learning must be developed. ploitation and water quality degradation from untreated sewage, industrial waste and Vital Need for a True Freshwater agricultural chemicals and fertilizers. Revolution as Followup of the World Development of human as well as insti- Water Vision tutional capacity has to be seen as a long- The lack of public insight and absence of term process with clearly enunciated short-, serious concern about the magnitude of the medium-, and long-term goals. Many poor looming freshwater challenges is devastat- countries have a desperate shortage of com- ing. All over the world an undermining of petent water professionals, suffer from an this valuable resource is taking place. Agen- incomplete understanding of their prob- da indicates an existing will to act, but lems, and also lack a realistic assessment of we are still failing to implement sustainable capacity building requirements. At the same solutions. A major initiative is called for to time, exchange of experiences and transfer bring about the needed changes in attitudes of technology through networks between and behaviors and mobilize public opinion. countries having similar social, economic The challenges are clear and formidable. If and technical conditions could complement effective, the World Water Vision initiative traditional technical assistance. There are could bring about the necessary pressure on strong indications that water resources will the political as well as the economic systems 30 at both the national and international level, complexity. We should learn from history especially as globalization tends to redistri- and the role that coping with water bute political power in favor of transnational constraints has had for the development corporations. In other environmental fields, of human civilization, and the lessons that conventions have been shown to be effective it carries regarding human ability and in changing attitudes and behaviors on an smartness. There are ample opportunities international scale. Given the challenges for human intelligence. facing the freshwater sector it is difficult to see what other means could activate the Freshwater Revolution and achieve the needed changes within the available time frame. Virtually all other sectors of the environment are now covered, or soon will be, by a convention, protocol or similar pact. Yet freshwater, the lifeblood of the global ecosystem, has seemingly lagged behind.
It is essential that we stay optimistic and do not give up in front of this intensifying
The Way to the Future
The Problem with Water is The Stockholm Water Symposia are no Not Water But Lack of Societal doubt addressing fundamental questions Stewardship and filling a niche among the international efforts in the field of water resources devel- There is a broad lack of understanding in opment and management. They should society worldwide of the consequences for therefore continue to work within the iden- the life support system and the base for tified niche of operation and persist in their socio-economic development of current catalytic function. Two major fields should policies and actions. It seems evident from be addressed in coming Symposia: environ- the above conclusions of the past nine Sym- mental debt and socio-economic growth, posia that the core problem as seen from a on the one hand, and water security and global perspective is lack of understanding goal conflicts involved, on the other. of the implications of the ongoing undermi- ning of the resource base from the side of Environmental Debt the society in general and the industrial and Socio-economic Growth sector and the market system in particular, There is a need to penetrate the weaknesses and/or lack of political will to do something in current approaches and systems, in parti- about it. The scientific base for problem cular the general lack of interest in the ong- identification and issuing of warnings is oing deterioration of the life support sys- good enough to support decisive action. tem. Also, the lack of attention in the busi- ness sector to limitations in freshwater precondition components or so-called comparative advantages. A conceptual development is urgently needed that facilitates the realization and mental capability among politicians and policy makers to master the implications for society of the multiple thumbscrews now operating on the world’s finite and shared freshwater resource, including:
• escalating pollution reducing the usabi- lity of accessible water, • expanding depletion of river flow and groundwater in response to consump- tive use and overexploitation, • expanding water stress with consequen- ces in terms of growing dispute prone- ness and implications for national secur- ity, and • growing food insecurity due to expand- ing water-related deficiencies in crop ent incentives – such as market forces, production. consumer pressure, etc. – to reduce a disastrous freshwater deterioration from The driving forces behind these thumb- industrial chemicals and waste, screws are strong and currently more or • clarification of the patterns of human less impossible to master: population exposure to water-related health hazards growth, adding some - million person from ’s (persistent organic and bio- every year up till about ; urbanization accumulating pollutants), toxic chemi- driven by rural exodus and urban fertility; cals and heavy metals, and and industrialization as the key to socio- • development of risk assessment economic development and improved methods. quality of life. The problematique around the lack of Water Security, Hydrosolidarity and interest in the industrial sector of deterior- Goal Conflicts Involved ating water resources: • need to delineate a possible future route to move towards the goal “a slow but • need to address the reduced usability of sustainable development”. This should available freshwater, and the depletion be understood as satisfying without con- of freshwater availability and its impli- tinued undermining of the resource base, cations for industry and for the deve- the growing needs of food, health, safe lopment of wealth in general, water and sanitation, and poverty eradi- • the fundamental need to identify effici- cation. 32 • the need to acknowledge and identify true should be allowed used in society that goal conflicts in society as the starting may end up in freshwater systems and point for societal control. Such conflicts as higher order effects in humans and should be honestly addressed and analy- ecosystems; industries will have to be zed in coming Symposia with minimal di- operated with closed systems; and mar- plomatic or political consideration. ket forces will have to be used in a con- structive way (rather than the current destructive way). • the hydrosolidarity approach should be further developed and the fact that a land use decision is also a water decision be made widely understood, including the significance of the water address of an activity and its relations to and impli- cations for activities with neighboring water addresses. • crash programs are needed for education and awareness building in order to make water everybody’s business. • find ways to proceed beyond decade- long lip service to the involvement of women. Clear distinction is needed be- tween female roles as water users (hous- eholds, hygiene and small-scale agricul- • water is to be seen as a social, economic ture), on the one hand, and feminiza- and ecological good. Based on an identi- tion of water management (responsible fication of the multiple dimensions of operators, water managers, and planners the concept “water security”, a broad- and policy makers, etc.), on the other. ened way of thinking should be stimulat- • find innovative ways to involve the young ed, clarifying the relations between a ho- generation of professionals in discussions listic, integrated approach and its impli- of water-related issues of crucial impor- cations for local action in line with the tance for their futures as professionals as slogan, “Think regionally, act locally”. well as parents and private citizens. • how to increasingly involve the civil so- • awareness has to include two long-term ciety in both provision of water for live- issues that need to be highlighted and lihood security and in finding acceptab- addressed: the global implications of le ways to cope with fundamental and the expanding and intensifying regional unavoidable goal conflicts. water scarcity with its implications • pollution will have to be minimized and for, among others, a food trade; and the constructive principles developed and implications of the proceeding and implemented so that no waste of water widespread depletion of storage volumes should be allowed in the main water-de- in existing reservoirs, which are subject pendent sectors; no toxic chemicals to silting. The Stockholm Water Symposia
2000 Water Security for the 21st Century – Innovative Approaches
1999 Urban Stability Through Integrated Water-Related Management
1998 Water: the Key to Socio-Economic Development and Quality of Life
1997 With Rivers to the Sea: Interaction of Land Activities, Fresh Water and Enclosed Coastal Seas
1996 Safeguarding Water Resources for Tomorrow: New Solutions to Old Problems
1995 Water Quality Management: Heading for a New Epoch
1994 Integrated Land and Water Management: Challenges and New Opportunities
1993 Integrated Measures to Overcome Barriers to Minimizing Harmful Fluxes from Land to Water
1992 A Holistic Approach to Water Quality Management: Finding Life-Styles and Measures for Minimizing Harmful Fluxes from Land to Water
1991 Water Resources in the Next Century y
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