Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the nature of ‘high-quality’ hydrosocial water management. It illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of new arrangements for different stakeholders, with the aim of helping readers think through arrangements that might work in their context. The book introduces the idea of hydrosocial water management as one concept among several that seeks to point to the future for water management. It also introduces interpretive social science as demonstrating the stance on knowledge that is required for hydrosocial water management to function. The book demonstrates the close link between science and practice; the concepts through which water supply is understood reflect and perpetuate changing emphases and concerns about the location and distribution of water resources.