Introduction to Integrated Water Management
Integrated Water Management (IWRM) is the practice of making decisions and taking actions while considering multiple viewpoints of how water should be managed ( www.waterencyclopedia.com , 2010). IWRM has been defined by the Technical Committee of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) as "a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. IWRM is a systematic process for the sustainable development, allocation and monitoring of water resource use in the context of social, economic and environmental objectives. IWRM is based on the understanding that water resources are an integral component of the ecosystem, a natural resource, and a social and economic good. Typical components of this framework are shown in the figure below. IWRM is a way to plan for and manage water resources wi...