Policy, Legislation, and Regulation

According to the Water Governance Facility, governance systems determine who gets what water, when, and how. The representation of various interests in water decision-making and the role of politics are important components in addressing governance dynamics. Resources available in this sub-theme include national water and sanitation plans and guidelines for improving the performance of municipal water and sanitation operators, among other resources that support water policies, legislation, and regulation.

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Policy, Legislation, and Regulation Resources

Institutional Mechanisms for the Assessment and Management of Transboundary Aquifers: the Importance of Partnerships

Published: 
July 7, 2010
The National Institutes for Water Resources
This presentation provides information about the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program, detailing partnerships for scientific investigations and the status of the binational Arizona-Sonora efforts.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Water Policy Innovations and Challenges in Arizona

Published: 
May 1, 2010
The National Institutes for Water Resources
The rapid growth in Arizona's population, coupled with prolonged drought, has strained its already scarce water resources. Accommodating population growth in a responsible manner has required Arizona to be a leader and innovator in water policy.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Planning for Climate Change in the West

Published: 
January 1, 2010
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Central to the mission of Western Lands and Communities is planning for climate change. This policy focus report began as a Lincoln Institute Working Paper by Rebecca Carter (2008) titled 'Land Use Planning and the Changing Climate of the West.' The paper highlights how local planners...Read more
Regional focus: 
North AmericaUnited StatesPacific

Water Quality Standards and International Development

Published: 
January 1, 1971
U.S. Agency for International Development
The purpose of this report is to offer those concerned with social and economic progress in developing countries insights into the concept of water quality standards, and summary of progress to date in establishing such standards in the United States and in developing countries.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Sharing Colorado River Water: History, Public Policy and the Colorado River Compact

The National Institutes for Water Resources
The year 1997 marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Colorado River Compact. Delegates from the seven Colorado River Basin states met on November 9, 1922 in New Mexico to discuss, negotiate and ultimately work out the compact. It was then signed in the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe,...Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

USAID Water and Development Strategy, 2013-2018

Foundation CenterU.S. Agency for International Development
The first global Water and Development Strategy outlines the approach that will guide USAID's water programming through 2018. The Strategy emphasizes sustainability, working through host country systems, using emerging science and technology, and learning from past efforts.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Water and Development Strategy: Implementation Field Guide

Foundation CenterU.S. Agency for International Development
This periodically updated document is intended to serve as a reference tool to help USAID Operating Units understand and apply the agency's 2013-2018 Water and Development Strategy. By publicly sharing the document, USAID aims to ensure coordination of their efforts with the wider water sector.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Why the Groundwater Management Act?

Published: 
October 18, 2014
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Groundwater is being pumped from aquifers faster than it is able to be naturally replenished. The Groundwater Management Act (GMA) was established by the Arizona State legislature to regulate groundwater use and determine a safe yield goal for recharge of water and recovery.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Water and Energy Nexus Research: Summary & Recommendations

Published: 
August 1, 2013
Alliance for Water Efficiency
This webinar provides new information on the Water-Energy Nexus, an issue that is more important than ever and increasingly drawing national attention in the wake of President Obama's commitment to more sustainable resource management. AWE and ACEEE's related report reveals the gaps in...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Tennessee Valley Authority Act (1933)

Published: 
May 18, 1933
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Act of 1933 established the Tennessee Valley Authority to oversee the construction of dams to control flooding, improve navigation and create cheap electric power in the Tennessee Valley basin. It serves to improve the navigability and to provide for the flood...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

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