MUS at International Forum on Water and Food, Vientiane

Session on multiple use of water at International Forum on Water and Food, Vientiane

A session on multiple use of water was hosted by one of the MUS project researchers at the CPWF forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Around 50 participants, mainly scientists, but also some policy makers and practitioners, discussed 4 arguments related to multiple uses, based on 3 abstracts and an outline with 18 statements:

1. Business as usual - the concept of multiple use of water is nothing new. Everywhere around the world, water is used for all kinds of purposes, regardless of its planned destination.

2. Livelihood benefits - especially in the domestic water sector, the benefits of productive use of water at the household level is starting to change investment approaches.

3. Impossible arrangements - while not denying the benefits, several people and organizations argue that the practical implementation of multiple use approaches is too complicated or even impossible. Especially joint investments by the agricultural (irrigation) and domestic (drinking water) sectors are considered too far fetched and unrealistic.

4. Practical implications: how can multiple uses best be taken into account into planning, design and management of water services.

A draft synthesis paper and workshop background documents are available here.

- Download:

CPWF2006_Session6MuluseSynthesisAnnex.pdf  (618 kB)