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Integrated basin and aquifer management

Uncoordinated management of basins and aquifers is widespread, with efforts towards coordination often struggling to make the leap from paper to practice. Adverse impacts of this mismanagement are felt on water productivity, relations between stakeholder groups, social equality and biodiversity and commonly accompanied by degradation of land resources and ecosystem services. Risks related to water scarcity, flooding, pollution and climate change are, in turn, greater where water, land and ecosystems are degraded, with impacts on economic sectors that are key to inclusive growth — particularly agriculture and energy — as well as social and political stability. In response, strategies to improve water security should prioritize integrated management of basins and aquifers.

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) works to integrate data, sectors and countries in basin and aquifer management to enhance effective decision-making, support efforts to optimally use water for food security and energy and facilitate equitable and sustainable water use across sectors, countries and stakeholder groups. Its research and programs:

Estimate existing water and potential storage in aquifers and support ways to integrate groundwater with surface water management.
Promote integrated river basin management with a holistic approach.
Support transboundary water management through data and knowledge from different countries in basins and aquifers, undertaking transboundary monitoring, and strategic planning.
Assess the volume of data exchanged and factors driving it as well as data exchange protocol development.
Examine climate change impact on basins and aquifers as well as develop context-specific mitigation and adaptation options.
Explore potential for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) to drive water security and enhance resilience.