Water Allocation and Rights Project
A key challenge in water resources management is distributing water between different uses and users. Addressing all the different needs complicates defining an optimal or effective water allocation arrangement. Not only biophysical factors (such as quantity and quality) need to be considered but also socio-economic, political and cultural factors.
Therefore, ways of (re)allocating water vary between countries, scales and levels, types (e.g., surface or groundwater), and uses, to name a few. Accordingly, there is no single best way to allocate water, and countries have developed their own formal (documented in laws) or informal ways of allocation – some countries do not yet possess a formalized and transparent allocation system. However, optimal (re)allocation continues to be a challenge. It includes, but is not limited to: defining an understanding of how water should be governed, establishing new and considering existing property rights, de facto or quasi property rights (through contracts and permits), considering local beliefs on water and its value, and addressing the institutional capacity and infrastructural facilities.
These considerations should be reflected in the water (re)allocation system in a way that promotes robust, equitable, effective, efficient, and legitimate allocation.
Project aims
This project aims to
- study water allocation regimes
- work with selected case studies to analyse practices
- provide a taxonomy of water rights
- document existing practices and propose considerations for the water allocation regimes
About the project
The Water Allocation and Rights Project analyses institutions for water allocation and rights to identify the instruments, conditions, and policies that enable them to function and adapt to emerging pressures, evolving needs, and insights. It also develops pathways towards sustainable water allocation institutions. It is conducting in-depth case studies in Australia, Chile, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, and the Netherlands, and a generic analysis of legal frames across the globe.
This study is executed by a consortium comprising IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University, with partners in Australia, Chile, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, and the Netherlands as well as with several international organisations.
Funding
Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat (IenW)).
Water Allocation and Rights Project
This brochure highlights the project's key messages and observations.
Project team
- Leon Hermans l.hermans@un-ihe.org
- Nora Van Cauwenbergh n.vancauwenbergh@un-ihe.org
- Jonatan Godinez Madrigal j.godinezmadrigal@un-ihe.org
- Guy Alaerts g.alaerts@un-ihe.org
- Andrea Müller a.b.mueller@uva.nl
- Joyeeta Gupta j.gupta@uva.nl
- Petra Hellegers petra.hellegers@wur.nl
Jonatan Godinez Madrigal
Researcher Water Allocation and Institutions
