The document discusses the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the role of Decision Support Tools (DST) in enhancing its processes. It outlines the principles of IWRM, the functions and examples of DST, and how these tools can facilitate informed decision-making related to water resource management. Key topics include the integration of various natural and human systems, as well as practical applications of DST in specific contexts such as the Chindwin river basin.

1. Decision Support Tools for IWRM
Integrated Water Resources Management
Dr. Vitor Vieira Vasconcelos, CNPq Scholarship (Brazil)
Session 3
Workshop on Engaging stakeholders and Decision Support Tools for Integrated Water Resources
Management in Chindwin River Basin
6th – 7th Nov, 2014
Developed with the support of CNPq – National Council for Technological and Scientific Development – Brazil.
Objectives
• Introduce the concept of Integrated Water
Resource Management (IWRM)
• Understand how Decision Support Tools (DST)
can help in IWRM

2. Contents
• What is IWRM
• What are DSTs
• Use of DST models to integrate aspects in IWRM
• Functions of a DST
• Examples of DSTs
• Practical use of DSTs in IWRM
What is IWRM?
Reference: IWRM at a Glance. Global Water Parnership – GWP.
(http://www.gwp.org/Global/The%20Challenge/Resource%20material/IWRM%20at%20a%20glance.pdf)
Society
Water Management
Management of other
resources linked to Water Cycle
Ex:
Land Use and Vegetation
Fishery
Energy
Mineral Resources
Maximize
Economic
Growth
Social
Well-being
InanEquitablemanner!
Maintaining
environmental
sustainability
Goals

3. IWRM principles
1. Water is finite and
vulnerable resource
2. Participatory approach
3. Role of women
4. Social and economic
value of water
5. Integrating three Es -
economic efficiency,
social equity and
ecosystem sustainability
5
Source : http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/IWRM-Principles/
Reference: A Water Secure World. Global Water Partnership – GWP (http://www.gwp.org/en/Press-Room/A-Water-Secure-World/)

4. IWRM Cycle
Setting
Goals
Analyze Gaps
AssessmentImplementation
Monitoring &
Evaluation
Strategy and
action plan
What are Decision Support Tools - DST?
Interactive procedures, software and
databases to assist in making informed
decisions

5. How can DST support the IWRM Cycle?
Setting
Goals
Analyze Gaps
AssessmentImplementation
Monitoring &
Evaluation
Strategy and
action plan
DST to understand the integration…
in the natural systems:
• between land and water
• between rainfall, surface water and
groundwater
• between water quantity and quality
• between upstream and downstream
• between the freshwater system and the
coastal waters
Reference: IWRM at a Glance. Global Water Parnership – GWP.
(http://www.gwp.org/Global/The%20Challenge/Resource%20material/IWRM%20at%20a%20glance.pdf)

6. between Natural and Human system:
• Water Demand
• Trade off between water – energy – food
• Economic effects of water scenarios
DST to understand the integration…
Functions of DST
• Organize data (databases)
• Visualize data
• Analyze
• System Modeling
• Communication

7. • Geographical
Information Systems
• Hydrological
Modelling
• Climate Models
Examples of DST
Spatial Analysis of flow Accumulation in Ayeyarwady Delta. In: Theilen-Willige, B., &
Pararas-Carayannis, G. (2009). Natural hazard assessment of SW Myanmar-a contribution of
remote sensing and GIS methods to the detection of areas vulnerable to earthquakes and
tsunami/cyclone flooding. Science of Tsunami Hazards, 28(2), 108
WEAP and MODFLOW modelling. Available at:
http://www.bgr.bund.de/EN/Themen/Wasser/Projekte/abgeschlossen/TZ/Acsad_dss/dss_fb_e
n.html
Johnston, R. et al. 2010. Climate change, water and agriculture in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. 60p. IWMI Research Report 136.
doi:10.5337/2010.212
Reference: National Institute of Hydrology. Decision Support System Planning DSS (P) for Integrated River Basin Planning & Management.
Awareness Workshop January 28 – 29, 2014. (slideshare.net/hydrologyproject2/tools-for-water-resources-planning-decision-support-system-
planning-dss-p-nih)

8. Water Quality Reports – Department of
Environmental Quality – Idaho - USA
Reference: http://mapcase.deq.idaho.gov/wq2012/
Reference: eWater Source — Australia's national hydrological modelling platform (http://www.ewater.com.au/products/ewater-source/)
Will there be some
climate change?
What happens if we add an
irrigation project?
If we deforest an area, what is the
effect on river flow and sediments?
And if we build a new water
infrastructure, what are the
benefits and costs?
Considering the expected city growth, When will
there be conflict with upstream water use?
If we change the crop, what is the
effect on river sediments?
Practical use of DST in IWRM

9. Let’s keep these questions in mind
• What are the main planning, management and
decision contexts where information could be
useful in Chindwin Basin?
• What kind of information is useful in such
contexts? How it could be supplied by DST?
Vitor Vieira Vasconcelos, Ph.D.
vitor.vasconcelos@sei-international.org
Thank you very much