Has the concept of governance fared better than the government in the developing countries in dealing water resources?

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It has been reported in a number of literatures and in the news media over the years that the government in developing countries has failed to address their economic and social issues, particularly with the water resources, water scarcity due to climate changes and growing population.

In the 1980s, the introduction of the concept of governance has attempted to collectively develop decision-making processes that would help resolve these issues. As the popularity of this concept grew, it became more applicable to almost every organization and society. This leads to expanding its basic definition to reflect reality, and to making this concept more complex.

This became evident during the course of the discussion starting with the general overview of the concept of governance and working towards water governance.

Since the concept of governance has been introduced and grown, the question remains as to whether it has fared better than the government in developing countries in dealing with their water resources?

Any references would be helpful.

 

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5 Answers

  1. Water infrastructure is invariably the oldest municipal infrastructure -- and it is failing just about everywhere, in underdeveloped countries, developing countries, developed countries, and even advanced countries -- whether managed by private companies, municipal governments, or even national governments.

    There are at least four major problems:

    1. Water has frequently been abundant and cheap, so that leakage losses are ignored until either the taps stop running, a pothole/sinkhole suddenly appears in the middle of the road, etc.
    2. Most municipal water systems are run by appointed bureaucrats -- frequently someone's relative -- rather than by engineers (seriously) trained in fluid dynamics and/or flow metrology.
    3. Since water is usually cheap, there is little profit margin for regular maintenance.
    4. Water mains are simply allowed to drip -- sometimes for decades -- as a "cost of business" until flow erosion failure finally causes major water supply disturbances.

    Even in the USA, water mains lose > 20% of their input water (per AWWA), and water main failures increased by 27% during a recent 6 year period (recent comprehensive study of US and Canadian water mains by Utah State University).

    How many of your have read water audits and then followed up on the conclusions that they have drawn?  Years later, virtually the only thing that has been done is to replace water main sections that have failed beyond a repairable state.

    Water managers and even engineers apparently don't understand -- or are unconcerned with -- the rudiments of the basic flow metrology that would allow them to begin to track down their water main leakages at lower levels, when they can be more easily patched and/or replaced by specified areas, rather than waiting until they need to be replaced as an entire water main.  This lack of ability and/or desire is costly from the point of view of continuing loss and  then catastrophic failure.

    Drought and megadrought are beginning the cause mass migrations, water wars / conflicts -- and even losses of hydroelectric generation (requiring replacement by fuel burning means). 

    We need significant and rigorous management of our water main infrastructures.  It will take time, but it's necessary -- and it's already too late...  It's time to bring in scientists and engineers to manage water mains!

     

  2. Concept of Governance is far from Government initiatives.  Everyone is aware of the scarce resources especially - L and  Ai r  and W ater  (LAW).  Researchers world over have been advocating novel techniques to contain water pollution.  BUT, it is the implementation part that is compounding the crisis on all these resources.

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  3. It has become quite apparent over the years that governments generally neglect water issues until weather and/or infrastructure problems causes water flows to lessen.  Then there is some initial discussion -- and the matter is shoved under the rug / lost in legislation until the next water crisis...

    Average distribution leakage loss in cities in older water main infrastructures commonly exceeds 20% -- yet no proactive actions are taken until surface water and potholes become visible. 

    All quality management systems, e.g. ISO 9000, ASME NQA-1, MIL-I-45208, etc., absolutely require calibration as the basis for all measurements.  That's why we have standards laboratories.  But do any of you water experts know of a single water distribution utility that has a calibration facility that can calibrate anything larger than common household meters?

    Were good calibration facilities available and regular calibration of distribution mains practiced, then

    • Water audits would be rigorous, rather than estimates
    • Proactive detection of leakage would occur earlier, rather than detected as gushing water running down streets after years/decades of slow seepage
    • Prioritization of leak repairs by rate of loss would be possible
    • Costly attempts to find and/or develop "new water" would be minimized
    • More water would be available -- and less costly

    As the noted management authority Peter Drucker stated, "If you can't measure it, then you can't manage it."  This has the corollary that "Better measurement leads to better management" [of water resources].

    It should be noted that the cost to implement low uncertainty flow calibration systems for large distribution / water main metering systems is typically less than the value of several months of water leakage losses in any large water distribution system.

    Water distribution companies should seek the cooperation of their governments in funding the implementation of low uncertainty calibration facilities for their water distribution / main metering systems.  This would be the first truly rigorously based step towards good water management.

     

    1 Comment

  4. I will not say governance has failed but over the years water governance is getting improved. Supply of drinking water is almost piped and metered with appropriate pricing with good revenue collection. The problem is with irrigation water. Irrigation water, though water is an economic good in the theoretical sense, cannot be termed as a pure private good which can be bought, sold and priced in the market based on demand and supply, but is a quasi-public, non-merit good which can neither be priced as per the free market mechanism nor can be provided exclusively as a subsidized or free service by the state.Thus, the pricing policy for irrigation water must take care of the appropriate balance before framing an economically justified irrigation water pricing policy. This is challenging especially in democratic developing countries.

  5. The water problem is prevailing both in developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries. The solutions to the water problems are to be practiced in the perfect manner then only it is possible to wipe away the problems. In developing countries, the new technologies are not considered and implemented properly. Hence the governance is failed to provide clean and safe water to the public. The need of the hour is to understand, aurticulate, implement the new technologies being developed periodically through out the globe. 

    1 Comment

    1. Using technologies, we are trying to do magic and solve the problem of water.  Each time a technology came, we thought we are going to resolve issue relating to water. In fact globally the issue of water (Not just drinking water- Overall need providing water even for livelihood) is getting worse day by day. With climate change scenario  in the Horizon either you 'drown and die' or you 'face draught and die' is the situation. While the earth has surplus with water (71 % Water area)  almost half of the world population is facing shortage of water (Not talking about drinking Water). In India there are several major Water disputes like Mullaperiyar dam issue, Kauvery river water issue between two states etc to name a few.  The issue is complicated with implementation of  infrastructure projects of varying sizes compromising sustainability. Many things projected are not really sustainable if you closely work out the details and of its universal dimension. We have over worked on surface and groundwater far/far beyond the limit further stretching and over all management is not going to solve the issue. It is time that we develop a technology to convert sea water to fresh water for abundant water availability @ low cost for poor and rich with out and major issues.  To me, water is needed in abundance not on per capita meagre 90 lpd or 120 lpd or not even 200lpd.  This grave issue is very serious and cannot write in paragraph or so. In this context , I have several ideas and started working on Desalination of sea water. I will try to do my bit and try to resolve the mystery of abundant water need for biosphere. In India problem is financial resource. I am looking for resources and partners to dedicate our rest of our life to resole the issue of objective of providing abundant water for all. Is any one ready ? Please let me know . my mail id- cvsltr@gmail.com