30
3 Theory
FIW4b) The overriding benefit is adequate water supply to all the population.
There is a hierarchy of benefits of adequate (both quantity and quality) water supply,
and supplying good water to population has the highest weight. Even though this is
obvious to all the decision makers, in practice it is sometimes ignored in favour of
various activities that are economically or politically beneficial. In this context, the
right of each individual to a minimum amount of water for a dignified living is due
to the equality principle accepted and written by all, including the United Nations.
Furthermore, water has multiple benefits to different stakeholders, particularly as a
human right transmitting the idea that the source of water should be protected for
current and future generations.
FIW4c) Investment should benefit multiple water objectives while eliminating
allocation extremes.
Any investment in institutions or infrastructures as solutions to water challenges of a
WUS should be based on explicit multiple objectives, at least before a final solution
is reached. One of the major reasons for the inadequacy of such investments is the
lack of comprehensive attention to the extremes of the many descriptors inherent
in a WUS and its solutions, such as, satisfactory values of quality parameters and
quantity flows, i.e., the idea of equity. It is helpful to remember that almost all the
domains of life are in equilibrium under clear minimums and maximums for their
various descriptors or variables. In general, there is a smaller range between these
two extremes that a system functions the best and as it approaches its extremes, it
starts to lose equilibrium and eventually life itself. Even for good things, there must
be a maximum. Exaggerating in drinking or eating, even if they are of the best of their
kind, makes a person sick. It may not be immediately discernible but if exaggeration
continues, in one form or another, balance and health fails. This topic is crucial for
the (re)allocation of water quantity as well as its two attributes, and for sustainable
efficiency in sustainable equity developed in this book.
Fifth FIW: Demand
FIW5a) Water demand management has priority over water supply infrastructure.
There is a fundamental association between demand and supply, meaning that water
management must be carried out from both of these perspectives, in parallel to
FIW2c. However, decision making should be centred on a clear and transparent water
hierarchy (European Commission 2007, 2018) signifying that additional infrastructures for water supply should be considered after the demand side measures, like
water efficiency improvement, real water saving, caps, effective water pricing policy,
and cost-effective alternatives. Such a water policy hierarchy is crucial for regions
suffering from water scarcity and drought, however it is just good practice and all
water managers must implement them in an adaptive environment.
3 Theory
FIW4b) The overriding benefit is adequate water supply to all the population.
There is a hierarchy of benefits of adequate (both quantity and quality) water supply,
and supplying good water to population has the highest weight. Even though this is
obvious to all the decision makers, in practice it is sometimes ignored in favour of
various activities that are economically or politically beneficial. In this context, the
right of each individual to a minimum amount of water for a dignified living is due
to the equality principle accepted and written by all, including the United Nations.
Furthermore, water has multiple benefits to different stakeholders, particularly as a
human right transmitting the idea that the source of water should be protected for
current and future generations.
FIW4c) Investment should benefit multiple water objectives while eliminating
allocation extremes.
Any investment in institutions or infrastructures as solutions to water challenges of a
WUS should be based on explicit multiple objectives, at least before a final solution
is reached. One of the major reasons for the inadequacy of such investments is the
lack of comprehensive attention to the extremes of the many descriptors inherent
in a WUS and its solutions, such as, satisfactory values of quality parameters and
quantity flows, i.e., the idea of equity. It is helpful to remember that almost all the
domains of life are in equilibrium under clear minimums and maximums for their
various descriptors or variables. In general, there is a smaller range between these
two extremes that a system functions the best and as it approaches its extremes, it
starts to lose equilibrium and eventually life itself. Even for good things, there must
be a maximum. Exaggerating in drinking or eating, even if they are of the best of their
kind, makes a person sick. It may not be immediately discernible but if exaggeration
continues, in one form or another, balance and health fails. This topic is crucial for
the (re)allocation of water quantity as well as its two attributes, and for sustainable
efficiency in sustainable equity developed in this book.
Fifth FIW: Demand
FIW5a) Water demand management has priority over water supply infrastructure.
There is a fundamental association between demand and supply, meaning that water
management must be carried out from both of these perspectives, in parallel to
FIW2c. However, decision making should be centred on a clear and transparent water
hierarchy (European Commission 2007, 2018) signifying that additional infrastructures for water supply should be considered after the demand side measures, like
water efficiency improvement, real water saving, caps, effective water pricing policy,
and cost-effective alternatives. Such a water policy hierarchy is crucial for regions
suffering from water scarcity and drought, however it is just good practice and all
water managers must implement them in an adaptive environment.