ABSTRACT
There is now almost universal acceptance of the basic principle that water resources need to be managed in an integrated manner (ICWE, 1992; Cosgrove and Rijsberman, 2000). The relationship between water quality, safe water supply, appropriate sanitation, pollution prevention/control, and the need to feed increasing populations is particularly important in this era of frequent droughts, floods and disease outbreaks. Drought forecasting and mitigation, water security assessment, and water demand management are areas that are receiving attention more than before at both local and international conferences. Related areas are water end-use efficiency, system efficiency, rainwater harvesting, storage and recharge innovations, and reuse strategies. In the 21st century, the philosophy behind water management is most likely going to be driven by the Dublin Principles, the World Water Vision, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (Cosgrove and Rijsberman, 2000; United Nations, 2003). The MDG include commitments to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and those who do not have access to basic sanitation. Much of the focus will be on efficient drinking water supply, low-cost wastewater management, and effective water quality management as the key to improved water resources management, linking the three to water availability and protein production.
