Wassermanagement

Wassermanagement refers to the planning, development, distribution, and governance of water resources to meet public health, economic, and ecological needs while safeguarding aquatic ecosystems. It covers freshwater supply, sanitation, flood risk management, irrigation, hydropower, and protection of water quality.

Wassermanagement relies on integrated approaches that coordinate water, land, and related resources across sectors, often under integrated water resources management principles. Stakeholders include government authorities, water utilities, farmers, industry, communities, and environmental groups. Goals include reliability of supply, affordability, resilience to climate variability, and sustainable ecosystem services.

Core components include water supply and distribution systems; wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse; flood management including dikes, levees, and early warning systems; drought preparedness; irrigation management; urban drainage; watershed protection; groundwater management; pollution control; and adherence to water quality standards.

Governance and financing involve regulatory frameworks, river basin or utility authorities, water rights and pricing, tariffs and subsidies, and investment planning; data collection, monitoring, and transparency. Infrastructure encompasses dams, reservoirs, canals, pipes, treatment plants, and desalination facilities, as well as operation and maintenance practices.

Challenges and trends include climate change, population growth, urbanization, transboundary water issues, aging infrastructure, and limited funding. Emerging approaches emphasize nature-based solutions, green-gray infrastructure, demand management, water reuse, smart metering, and data-driven decision making. Applications span municipal urban supply, agricultural irrigation, industrial use, energy-water linkages, and disaster risk reduction and resilience.