Although some basic principles of the IWRM are generally applicable regardless the situation and status of the economic or social development, there exists no universal instruction of how such basic principles are to be applied in practice.
For the IWRM, the Dublin principles apply, which have largely contributed to creation of the Agenda 21 and which are formulated as follows:
the water has an economic value in all its contradictory applications, and should be considered to be commercial goods (commercial commodity).
As the hydrologic cycle produces certain fixed volume of water for certain time period, the water is a consumable resource. The total volume cannot be substantially changed by any antropologic activity. A resource of water may be considered to be a natural capital asset which need to be preserved in order to ensure permanently sustainable provision of services, which are required from water.
The antropologic activities of those who use the upper course affect the use of the lower course of a river. Any excess use of water for consumption or contamination of water in the upper course may result in the lack of such possibilities for the population in the lower course. There arises a need of harmonisation and preparation of a mechanisms of dialogues and resolution of conflicts.
The approach of co-participation is the only means for achieving a long-lasting consensus and common agreement. It is necessary for the engaged parties and the representatives of water management to realize that the water issues are a common problem, and that all parties will have to sacrifice some of their desires to the altar of a common agreement. The participation means to be responsible for something, to understand the effect of the branches´ activities to other users of water and water ecosystems, and to recognize the need for changes with the aim to increase the efficiency of the exploitation of water. It will be necessary to prepare also certain arbitration procedures or other mechanisms of resolution of conflicts.
Introduction of charges for water means application of an economic tool in order to influence the behaviour aimed at saving and effective exploitation of water, demand, and cost return. If water is treated as an economic commodity, it will help to create balance between the offer and demand of water.
The publication is divided into two main parts. Part one deals with the need of world-wide application of the IWRM and defined the terms and the processes. Part two includes additional advice and directions for implementation of the IWRM in various conditions.
In: Water Management Journal - Year 46, No. 3/2003, p. 17
Information & Contact
Ing. Igor Bodik, PhD.,
Department of Environmental Engineering
FCHPT STU Bratislava,
Radlinskeho 9
821 37 Bratislava 1
Tel.: 00421 2 59325111
Fax: 00421 2 52495381
Doc. Ing. Juraj Namer, PhD.,
Covspol, s.r.o.
Strojnicka 34
821 05 Bratislava
Ing. Danka Thalmeinerova, PhD.,
Academia Istropolitana Nova,
Prostredna 13
900 21 Svaty Jur
Tel.: 00421 2 44970449-53
Fax: 00421 2 44970445
