AWRA Policy Statements

Call for a National Water Vision and Strategy
Approved by The Board of Directors of the American Water Resources Association at their January 21-22, 2011 meeting, as proposed by the Policy Technical Committee of AWRA

The American Water Resources Association recommends development of a national water vision and strategy for how to best use, protect, and manage our water resources. A national water vision and strategy should be developed to provide a clear framework for sustainable management of our water resources, clarify roles and responsibilities, increase accountability, reduce conflict, improve the integrated management of resources, provide water security for future generations, and save public funds through more effective use of resources.

Integrated Water Resources Management in the US
Approved by The Board of Directors of the American Water Resources Association at their January 21-22, 2011 meeting, as proposed by the Policy Technical Committee of AWRA

The American Water Resources Association recommends that water management goals, policies, programs, and plans be organized around the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), the coordinated planning, development, protection, and management of water, land and related resources in a manner that fosters sustainable economic activity, improves or sustains environmental quality, ensures public health and safety, and provides for the sustainability of communities and ecosystems.[ i ] [ ii ] The American Water Resources Association calls on policy makers, planners and managers at national, tribal, interstate, state and local levels to encourage collaborations, policies, programs and plans that embrace Integrated Water Resources Management.

This effort will take a national commitment to:

Clean water as a basic human right, and as an economic and ecological necessity;
Planning for long term sustainability;
Participatory decision making;
Management based on sound science and hydrologic units;
Realistic measurement of outcomes; and
Continuous improvement of institutional capacity at all levels.

The American Water Resources Association is committed to helping organizations throughout the nation further the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management.

[ i ] Participants in the national collaboration process spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defined IWRM in this manner: “IWRM aims to develop and manage water, land, and related resources, while considering multiple viewpoints of how water should be managed (i.e. planned, designed and constructed, managed, evaluated, and regulated). It is a goal-directed process for controlling the development and use of river, lake, ocean, wetland, and other water assets in ways that integrate and balance stakeholder interests, objectives, and desired outcomes across levels of governance and water sectors for the sustainable use of the earth’s resources.” See: National Report: Responding to National Water Resources Challenges, Building Strong Collaborative Relationships for a Sustainable Water Resources Future, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., August 2010, page 28.

[ ii ] The Global Water Partnership, an international network that offers practical advice for sustainably managing water resources, defines IWRM as “a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.”

Organizing and Managing Water Resources in a Hydrologic Context
Approved by The Board of Directors of the American Water Resources Association at their January 22-23, 2010 meeting, as proposed by the Policy Technical Committee of AWRA

The American Water Resources Association recommends that water resources management goals, policies and rules be organized around the concept of “place” (i.e., basins, watersheds, or aquifer systems). Policymakers should encourage policies and collaborations that promote hydrologic system-based planning and management.

Ensuring Sustainable Funding for Water-Resource Infrastructure
Approved by The Board of Directors of the American Water Resources Association at their January 22-23, 2010 meeting, as proposed by the Policy Technical Committee of AWRA

The American Water Resources Association recommends that policy makers at national, tribal, state, and local levels develop sustainable investment strategies for the construction and maintenance of water- and wastewater-resources infrastructure to protect public health, quality of life, communities, economies, and the environment.

If you have questions about any of the above policy statements, please feel free to contact AWRA.