Water : Local-Level Management

Right now, more than 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. Within the next 25 years, fully one-third of the world's population will experience severe water scarcity. It is clear that disparities in the availability and supply of fresh water are truly a matter of life and death, and constitute one of the great governance imperatives of our time.

This booklet summarizes the results of three decades of IDRC-supported research on water supply. It demonstrates that some of the most powerful responses to water scarcities have been mounted at the community or local level - in households, farmers' fields, villages, and city neighborhoods. With a focus on research findings, and failures, this booklet presents solidly grounded propositions for decision-makers and for researchers. It goes on to form a series of clear and pointed recommendations for policy design and future research efforts, and concludes with an eye to the future of water supply and a presentation of some of the key resources in the field.

The booklet also serves as the focal point for a IDRC thematic Web site on water: www.idrc.ca/water.

David B. Brooks was Canada's first Director of Energy Conservation, and later spent 15 years with IDRC (International Development Research Centre) on overseas projects on energy, water and natural resource management. He was one of the founders of Friends of the Earth Canada and now serves as its Senior Advisor - Fresh Water.