The document discusses Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) as a collaborative approach that addresses major water industry challenges, such as declining infrastructure and water quality. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement, economic valuation of water, and the necessity of local government involvement for effective implementation. The case study of Kelowna demonstrates a 35% reduction in water consumption through IWRM efforts, highlighting essential factors like political will and public education.

1. Global Water Partnership High Level Session IWRM: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE – REGIONAL SOLUTIONS

2. Global Perspective AWWA’s State of the Industry Report identified 10 major challenges in the water industry Six (6) of these identified here are also present in other regions such as South Africa Theft of water resources Mismatch between water supply and water demand Failure to achieve demand management targets Decaying infrastructure Deteriorating water quality Loss of essential skills Water is simply undervalued

3. WHAT IS INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ?(IWRM?) An IWRM approach is an open, flexible process that brings together decision makers across all sectors that impact water resources. A process that brings all stakeholders to the table to set policy and make sound balanced decisions that meet specific water challenges

4. WHY IWRM? Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to life, development and the environment Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy makers at all levels Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good, taking into account affordability and equity criteria

5. New Approaches to IWRM Global appreciation of conservation for environmental, social and economic benefits Water managers moving away from supply side solutions Long term, integrated approaches Demand Side Management solutions must prevail IWRM can only be successful if there is a clear relationship between standards and policy Local government MUST drive the implementation of IWRM but has to be supported and given autonomy by higher levels of government

6. COMPONENTS OF AN INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Standards and policy Land use and landscape architect Environmental management and hydrology Asset management Finance Education and public outreach Operations and maintenance Partnerships Demand management and reuse Effective treatment Drought Management

7. The City of Kelowna’s Experience: Reduced water consumption by 35% using IWRM Target 45% within 2 years Challenges before IWRM 30% population growth No sustainable approaches Lack of political will Inequitable pricing

8. 4 things were essential to achieving this success: Political will : changed due to crisis at hand Water Metering : understanding who is using the water Effective Rates : ensuring that various customer classes pay their fair share Public Education : social marketing programs targeted to specific users The City of Kelowna’s Experience:

9. POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS Consideration is being given to a conference/workshop that presents a holistic overview of IWRM for government officials and senior managers as part of the Effective Utility Management (EUM) Programme

10. Drought Management Plan Copies available at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/drought_info/index.html