Water resources
This thesis report studies the water balance in a MUS system in Colombia. It shows amongst others the importance of identifying different strata of users in the system, as these have different consumption patterns. Using the water balance concept, it shows the relative importance of water supply from the system and greenwater for different domestic and productive uses.
Lessons learnt from the IWRM Demonstration projects on innovations in local-level Integrated Water Resource Development
Study in which the productivity of water and fish is used as an indicator and hypothesize that seasonal aquaculture supported by the management of floodplains for multiple-use of water can significantly increase the productivity of rice-fish systems.
Presentation on the outcomes of the CGIAR-CPWF action research project looking into multiple-use of water in floodplains. Ecosystem benefit analysis showed that improving practices in rice-fish production through communal management increased the agro-ecological resilience.
This paper provides a synthesis of research on multi-purpose water systems carried out under the first phase of the Challenge Program on Water and Food, and elsewhere. In addition, it provides elements to guide research in its second phase.
Powerpoint presentation held at the MUS Group Meeting 2009 in Rome by Karen Frenken, FAO, on Aquastat and multiple-use water services.
Sustained access to water in low- and middle-income countries is crucial for domestic use (drinking, personal hygiene, etc.) and is also an imperative for people's livelihoods, income-generating activities and small-scale enterprise (e.g. livestock, horticulture, irrigation, fisheries, brickmaking, and othes). Overall, this book exposes the detrimental effects and impacts of approaching water services in isolated ways -- where the continued practise of separating community water services between domestic use and livelihoods have done little in alleviating poverty.
Noting that the design and management of most water services fail to reflect the 'real-life' use of water, the essay contributions to this book suggest a multiple-use water services (MUS) approach in meeting people's dual water needs. The contributions to this book are drawn from an action research project that explores water systems in eight countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand and Zimbabwe). Known as the action research project ‘ Models for implementing multiple-use water supply systems for enhanced land and water productivity, rural livelihoods and gender equity’, the findings of the research study is a collective product of engagement amongst 150 institutions worldwide.
This book shows how livelihoods act as the main driver for water services and how access to water is determined by sustainable water resources, appropriate technologies and equitable ways of managing communal systems.
Climbing the water ladder requires a small fraction of total water resources, yet has the potential to help people climb out of poverty. Local government can be the pivot to make this happen. But, it needs support to implement its mandate to meet multiple-use demand and to become more accountable to people in communities.
This book is a joint publication by IWMI, CPWF and IRC.
Below is a link to the PDF version or you order a hard-copy version here.
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Many rural households in North East Thailand grow cassava and other food crops on sandy upland soil and rice on lowland clayey soil. These crops provide only a small income and the simple farming system leads to land degradation. In the 1990s, some farmers initiated management changes and developed integrated farming. Farmer networks emerged to counteract recent social and physical degradation. Successful methods include use of water for multiple productive purposes and integrated farming. The new way of farming is appreciated by the national government. It gives support through subsidies and a new water law that will give responsibility for rural water management to new local Water Resources Committees.
Powerpoint presentation by Lee Haeng Woo, International Network for Water and Ecosystems in paddy fields (INWEPF) Korean Committee, given at the World Water Forum in Turkey, 2009.
Powerpoint presentation by Gerardo E. van Halsema, Centre for Water and climate Wageningen, given at the World Water Forum in Turkey, 2009.