Sub-National / -Basin & Local Problems, Challenges, Limitations

Gleick found that when conflicts arise, they are “more likely to occur on the local and regional level and in developing countries where common property resources may be both more critical to survival and less easily replaced or supplemented” [Gleick, 1993]. Cosgrove also found that water-related conflicts tended “to be at their most intense at the local level, between different sectors and stakeholders in direct competition over inadequate water supplies” [Cosgrove, 2003]. Additionally, conflicts often arise when local communities and water users are insufficiently engaged in formulating water management decisions – thus disregarding local rights and practices [Carius et al., 2004].

 

Access to safe drinking water is still a key challenge and a huge potential source of conflict at the sub-basin or local level, despite the fact the considerable progress has been made at the global level with regard to the MDGs. The lack of sanitation, related health problems, and water pollution is also very critical, in particular as progress with this MDG target is slow.