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F. Morar et al.
4.1 Introduction
Among the global problems currently faced by humankind, water quality degradation and lack of water are issues that are increasingly affecting the quality of life
and the development of human society. That is why the sustainable management of
water resources, which is based on the integrated management of water resources,
must take into account the achievement of the current objectives of the society, but
without compromising the goals of the future generations, while preserving a clean
environment.
4.1.1 Principles and Aspects of Water Resources Integrated
Management
For integrated water resource management, the international community has recommended governments to apply the following principles [1]:
• The basinal principle—water resources are formed and managed in river basins.
Sustainable management of water resources integrates water users from a river
basin;
• The principle of quantity-quality management—these two aspects of water management are closely connected. Therefore it seems necessary to have a unitary
approach leading to optimal technical and economical solutions for both aspects;
• The principle of solidarity—the planning and development of water resources
implies the collaboration of all factors involved in the water sector: the state, local
communities, users, water households and NGOs;
• The “polluter pays” principle—all costs related to the pollution are borne by the
polluter;
• The economic principle—the beneficiary pays—water has an economic value in
all its forms of use and must be recognized as an economic asset;
• The principle of access to water—it is important to recognize that among the
fundamental rights of being human is the access to clean and sufficient water at
an adequate price.
These principles underpin the concept of integrated water resource management,
which combines water use issues with the protection of natural ecosystems by integrating water uses [2]. The most important aspects related to the development of
water resource systems are the following:
• Physical sustainability—which means maintaining the natural circuit of water and
nutrients;
• Environmental sustainability—“zero tolerance” for pollution beyond the selfcleaning capacity of the environment. There are no long-term effects or irreversible
effects on the environment;
F. Morar et al.
4.1 Introduction
Among the global problems currently faced by humankind, water quality degradation and lack of water are issues that are increasingly affecting the quality of life
and the development of human society. That is why the sustainable management of
water resources, which is based on the integrated management of water resources,
must take into account the achievement of the current objectives of the society, but
without compromising the goals of the future generations, while preserving a clean
environment.
4.1.1 Principles and Aspects of Water Resources Integrated
Management
For integrated water resource management, the international community has recommended governments to apply the following principles [1]:
• The basinal principle—water resources are formed and managed in river basins.
Sustainable management of water resources integrates water users from a river
basin;
• The principle of quantity-quality management—these two aspects of water management are closely connected. Therefore it seems necessary to have a unitary
approach leading to optimal technical and economical solutions for both aspects;
• The principle of solidarity—the planning and development of water resources
implies the collaboration of all factors involved in the water sector: the state, local
communities, users, water households and NGOs;
• The “polluter pays” principle—all costs related to the pollution are borne by the
polluter;
• The economic principle—the beneficiary pays—water has an economic value in
all its forms of use and must be recognized as an economic asset;
• The principle of access to water—it is important to recognize that among the
fundamental rights of being human is the access to clean and sufficient water at
an adequate price.
These principles underpin the concept of integrated water resource management,
which combines water use issues with the protection of natural ecosystems by integrating water uses [2]. The most important aspects related to the development of
water resource systems are the following:
• Physical sustainability—which means maintaining the natural circuit of water and
nutrients;
• Environmental sustainability—“zero tolerance” for pollution beyond the selfcleaning capacity of the environment. There are no long-term effects or irreversible
effects on the environment;