Governance

As defined by the UNDP Water Governance Facility, water governance is determined by the political, social, economic, and administrative systems that are in place. These systems can both directly and indirectly affect the use, development, and management of water resources and the delivery of water services delivery at different levels of society. Improving governance for economic, environmental, and social sustainability is possible through the establishment of stronger public and private institutions, policies, legislation, and processes. Topics addressed in this theme include the principles of equity and efficiency, water administration, the roles of government and other stakeholders, and the frameworks to balance water use between socio-economic activities and ecosystems.

Governance Resources

Geographies of Insecure Water Access and the Housing-Water Nexus in US Cities

Publication date:
November 17, 2020
Secure water access is a fundamental human right. Our study reveals disparities in piped water access in urban areas in the United States. Unplumbed households in cities, on balance, are more likely to be headed by people of color, earn lower incomes, live in mobile homes, rent their residence, and...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
North America
United States

World Health Organization Guidelines for drinking-water quality

Publication date:
June 25, 2021
The fourth edition of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water quality (GDWQ) provides a standardized basis for national or regional drinking-water policies and actions. The Guidelines include recommendations for contextual hazard identification, chemical background...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Global

Mekong River: Emerging Geopolitics and Challenges to Environment

Publication date:
June 25, 2021
Mekong river is a transboundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Mekong originates in Tibetan Plateau and flows downstream through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is considered to be one of the most fertile rivers in the world and has resulted in these countries...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Laos
China

The Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on U.S. Drinking Water Utilities

Publication date:
June 25, 2021
This report from April 2020 outlines the financial impacts of Covid-19 on water utilities in the United States. The pandemic was predicted to cost water companies nearly $14 billion during the early stages of lockdowns due to low customer growth, decreases in non-residential water needs and...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Water Supply Restructuring in Malaysia: Lessons for Asia?

Publication date:
June 25, 2021
Malaysia’s utilities system was in peril in the early 2000’s due to large debts taken on by states and water concession contracts with private companies. The Malaysian government undertook a series of reforms in the mid-2000’s to secure utilities and expand water access. The PAAB, a national water...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Malaysia

Environmental Justice and Democracy Failures at the Heart of Flint’s Water Crisis

Publication date:
July 2, 2021
World Resources Institute
The water governance failures found in Flint, Michigan are representative of many the most pressing environmental concern around the globe. Numerous reports found that a lack of accountability and insufficient regulatory oversight led to the poisoning of Flint’s 100,000 residents, many of whom come...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Indigenous Water Justice

Publication date:
July 9, 2021
Indigenous Peoples are struggling for water justice across the globe. These struggles stem from centuries-long colonial legacies and hold profound significance for Indigenous Peoples’ socioeconomic development, cultural identity, political autonomy and external relations within nation-states...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Global

Don't see what you're looking for? You can search USWP member sites, request a resource, or contact the USWP.