86
5 Sequity (Sustainable Equity)
We should have no doubts that donors and investments increase if a transparent
and equity driven policy (as given in this book) presented to them.
Finally, let there be no mistake of the intentions of this book. The vision is not to
create a theory and a corresponding approach that overnight solves the problems of
water management all over the world! On the contrary, and similar to all things in life,
it is about threading a path according to the ideas presented in this book, which over
time can make water systems more sustainable and equitable. The forces of reality and
human relationships are much more complex and need many fundamental changes
during years and decades, even if we thread a sustainable path in water (Appendix
C: Environment and Social Contract). In this context, I encourage water managers to
focus, at least, on implementing parts of this book, such as, making explicit progress
in time with the concepts presented in this Chapter.
5.7 Phases in Decision-Making
Sequity is a significant tool in achieving a good-enough solution along the path of the
theory developed here. Water management is highly complex with fuzzy and noisy
actors and data. The process of decision-making, i.e., coming up with a unique solution/choice for implementation needs many judgment calls (see Sect. 1.2). Judgment
means “the ability to make decisions or to make good decisions” (Cambridge Dictionary 2019b) and whether we make “decisions” or “good decisions” largely depends
on using Sequity, because of its relative objectivity that substantially reduces noise
(Sect. 4.3).
Figure 5.3 shows the water management phases, steps and feedbacks to come up
with a solution for a WUS. The labels of the four phases are System, Accounting,
Sequity and Solution, which follow the FIWs of the theory presented in Chapter 3.
There are three steps in each phase with the possibility of feedback, i.e., going back
to an earlier step, as the learning process advances. Of course, every step can utilize
various models and methods for better characterisation, which can be found in many
books and websites.
The System phase (I) is to become transparent about the scope of the WUS,
stakeholders and objectives. It is crucial to draw the schematic of the WUS (e.g.,
Figure 2.1), including the identification of the main source of water, and list the
initial objectives and stakeholders. Both of these, usually, change as the process
of action, reflection and consultation (Sect. 3.2) develop along various phases and
steps. One thing is certain along these phases and that is the increase of stakeholders,
particularly if there exists water scarcity.
The Accounting phase (II) is about data and quantifying the three Pillars of water
management with the active involvement of the stakeholders. These data are descriptive in nature and mostly noisy (Sect. 4.3), which should be dealt with accordingly.
Besides what has been written so far about the three Pillars, let us make some general
comments for the sake of this phase.
5 Sequity (Sustainable Equity)
We should have no doubts that donors and investments increase if a transparent
and equity driven policy (as given in this book) presented to them.
Finally, let there be no mistake of the intentions of this book. The vision is not to
create a theory and a corresponding approach that overnight solves the problems of
water management all over the world! On the contrary, and similar to all things in life,
it is about threading a path according to the ideas presented in this book, which over
time can make water systems more sustainable and equitable. The forces of reality and
human relationships are much more complex and need many fundamental changes
during years and decades, even if we thread a sustainable path in water (Appendix
C: Environment and Social Contract). In this context, I encourage water managers to
focus, at least, on implementing parts of this book, such as, making explicit progress
in time with the concepts presented in this Chapter.
5.7 Phases in Decision-Making
Sequity is a significant tool in achieving a good-enough solution along the path of the
theory developed here. Water management is highly complex with fuzzy and noisy
actors and data. The process of decision-making, i.e., coming up with a unique solution/choice for implementation needs many judgment calls (see Sect. 1.2). Judgment
means “the ability to make decisions or to make good decisions” (Cambridge Dictionary 2019b) and whether we make “decisions” or “good decisions” largely depends
on using Sequity, because of its relative objectivity that substantially reduces noise
(Sect. 4.3).
Figure 5.3 shows the water management phases, steps and feedbacks to come up
with a solution for a WUS. The labels of the four phases are System, Accounting,
Sequity and Solution, which follow the FIWs of the theory presented in Chapter 3.
There are three steps in each phase with the possibility of feedback, i.e., going back
to an earlier step, as the learning process advances. Of course, every step can utilize
various models and methods for better characterisation, which can be found in many
books and websites.
The System phase (I) is to become transparent about the scope of the WUS,
stakeholders and objectives. It is crucial to draw the schematic of the WUS (e.g.,
Figure 2.1), including the identification of the main source of water, and list the
initial objectives and stakeholders. Both of these, usually, change as the process
of action, reflection and consultation (Sect. 3.2) develop along various phases and
steps. One thing is certain along these phases and that is the increase of stakeholders,
particularly if there exists water scarcity.
The Accounting phase (II) is about data and quantifying the three Pillars of water
management with the active involvement of the stakeholders. These data are descriptive in nature and mostly noisy (Sect. 4.3), which should be dealt with accordingly.
Besides what has been written so far about the three Pillars, let us make some general
comments for the sake of this phase.