Integrated water resources management

Present-day issues in water sector development require an integrated and holistic approach.

The concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) is based on coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources to maximise the resultant improvements in economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of the ecosystems. Water sector development is no longer mere "engineering" or a "technical" problem considering the growing complexities in water resources development, use and management in different parts of the world. Present-day issues in water sector development require an integrated and holistic approach. The UN Sustainable Development Goals-SDG (2016-30) seeks to ensure the availability and management of water and sanitation for all in the world by implementing IWRM at all levels including transboundary cooperation.