Integrated Water Management

The natural water system provides direct or indirectly numerous goods and services. For a long time these goods and services have been used to support society in various and important ways. We can distinguish visible and fast renewable resources as fish, crops, timber, and drinking water that distinctively can be linked to the water system. The water system also supports society through direct or indirect ecological services. The strong interdependence from the water system initially forced a certain harmony between the water system and its users. A combination of growing needs and a technological ability has resulted in an increased control and manipulation of the water system. These developments have also led to a serious degeneration of the system's carrying capacity. The emergence of the first major environmental problems has led to the development of a fragmented water management approach. Initially focused on finding technological “end of pipe” solutions to maintain anthropogenic user functions. Over the last few decades, this fragmented and compartmental approach has shown little adequacy and led to a growing awareness that an integrated and holistic approach is necessary.