Governance & Policy

Water Governance

Meaning statusEstablishedSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

Water governance encompasses the rules, institutions, processes and actors that determine how water resources are managed and services delivered. It spans legislation, water rights, regulatory bodies, pricing, stakeholder participation and accountability mechanisms across local, basin, national and transboundary levels.

References

www.oecd.orgBulk import source

Source imported for editorial provenance.

sdgs.un.orgBulk import source

This reference provides supporting context for how “Water Governance” is defined and used.

Overview

How it is used

Governments use governance frameworks to reform water sectors; development banks condition financing on governance; corporate water stewardship standards expect companies to engage in collective basin governance; the term anchors SDG target 6. 5 on integrated water resources management.

Why it matters

Water crises are usually governance crises rather than purely physical scarcity. Effective governance determines whether allocation, investment and regulation deliver water security equitably.