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>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The historical patterns of access to water and other areas of public service delivery in South Africa predominantly favoured the white minority. There was inadequate distribution of water where townships and rural areas bore the brunt of the apartheid administration. Women are disadvantaged within the household and carry the burden of providing water for their families. This is particularly true in a water stressed environment, such as the Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga. This study considered the practical application of the Capability Approach and its key idea of human well-being. In particular, the idea of the Capability Approach that social arrangements should aim to expand people‟s capabilities and their freedom to promote or achieve what they value doing or being was considered. Sen‟s ideas were assessed and the study considered how these ideas help understand collective action and strategies adopted by women to cope in the face of water stress and poverty. The thesis examined how community involvement, in particular women‟s involvement in a group called Vukani, impacts on water related issues and helps them to cope with external stressors. The study also considered the links between group belonging and capabilities. The findings suggest that group belonging cultivates a unique set of capabilities such as hope and empowerment. Due to group belonging and the capabilities attained through collective action, Vukani was able to develop adaptive strategies through innovation, partnerships and knowledge sharing.

Jordan is among the poorest countries in the world with respect to water resources. Water scarcity in Jordan is an alarming problem that can jeopardize the economy and the stability of the country. It is a multidimensional problem caused by many factors such as the fluctuation of annual precipitation rates, the rapid change in population caused by the refugee influx from neighbouring countries, and the economic situation of the country. The water scarcity problem is aggravated by limitations in water management. This research investigated the shortcomings of water management that contribute to water scarcity. It involves a literature review, a survey questionnaire and interviews. These methods aim to assess the current challenges that prompt water scarcity, understand the water management shortcomings and their causes, identify the existing government solutions for water scarcity, and propose a sustainable solution for this problem. The research finds that water management in Jordan has several shortcomings such as the lack of monitoring and controlling water resources and preventing illegal drilling, the incapability of the government to reduce the non-revenue water as a result of aged water network and water theft, and illegal practices of the agricultural and industrial sectors. This research proposed a solution that aim to mitigate water scarcity in Jordan by enhancing several management practices. Moreover, the proposed solution calls for efficient managerial practices to be adopted by decision makers and the public. I argue that the proposed solutions are sustainable and cheaper than the existing government solutions that rely on searching for new water resources rather than improving water management.

The Southern And Eastern Africa Rainwater Network (SEARNET) seeks to promote rainwater harvesting as a risk reduction strategy and means to improve livelihoods through its member national rainwater harvesting associations. SEARNET is an important channel of international donor funding from the Swedish and Dutch governments, and exists to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences of rainwater harvesting through networking. To identify the environmental and organisational issues affecting SEARNET, a questionnaire was sent to SEARNET members that asked open-ended questions about the value of rainwater harvesting to their country and the value of SEARNET to their association. Respondents raised issues that were pertinent to both their association and to SEARNET. Issues were also identified in a survey of Annual Country Status Reports (country reports) presented by national rainwater harvesting associations at the annual SEARNET conferences. Issues included water scarcity and sustainable water supplies; registration as a barrier to funding; a mismatch between donor funding and institutional requirements; and the need for better networking at the SEARNET conference. Several recommendations are made to improve both the promotion of rainwater harvesting by SEARNET members and the networking of SEARNET itself.

This thesis refers to several different themes, including democracy, human rights, and the water scarcity that is occurring in Pakistan. While simultaneously protecting democratic values and human rights, the thesis offers an investigation into viable solutions to the pressing water crisis that the country is now experiencing which is further exacerbating with time. This research uses qualitative methodology with a primary focus on policy analysis along with content analysis and document analysis with the application of the Capability Theory to analyze how the lack of water impacts the capacities and well-being of people. In this thesis, the social, economic, and environmental variables that contribute to Pakistan's water scarcity are investigated based on their respective contributions. The study proposes that democratic governance and human rights frameworks can play a viable role in improving water governance, equality, and access to clean water for all communities in Pakistan. Furthermore, it provides avenues for future research to ensure effective water management in Pakistan.

In the two past decades, the topic of water resources has occurred more abundantly, the water has become the object of many research institutions. While in the 19th and 20th centuries of human progress took place under the sign of coal and oil, today is coming to the forefront the issue of availability of water resources and the related need for effective management which would assure an even distribution. This diploma thesis aims to highlight the problems of water resource management, offers options which would be theoretical focused and an example case study to show what the consequences may have a system which is implemented in isolation without consideration for other inter-sector policy. The context which involves on the current situation of water shortage in Mexico City is identified and analyzed.

Palestine has during the last two decades suffered from increasing water scarcity. This is particularlyvisible in the agricultural sector and in farming communities. These are heavily dependent on water as primaryirrigation source. Lack of water and investments has resulted in the destruction of the agricultural sector inPalestine. This thesis is focused as a case study in al-Auja, Jordan Valley that was once well-known for itsagricultural productivity and abundance of water resources. The aim of the thesis is to assess the socioeconomicand environmental impact of the water scarcity in Auja’s agriculture and livelihoods. The methods used arequalitative and the data was collected through field work in Auja in March – April, 2013. Results of the studyindicate that agricultural sector in Auja weakened due to lack of investments and technological innovation in achanging climate. The weakened agricultural sector was subjected to various shocks and stresses from late1980’s that ultimately led to an agricultural collapse, in 2003/4. Mass unemployment and food insecurityaffected the social sector; poorer nutritional intake, decreased school enrollment and the family composition.With little water, the environment changed from semi-arid to arid which eradicated various plant species andanimal habitat. Final results of the study indicate that the situation has gradually improved during the recentyears, much due to new investments in the area and higher education amongst Auja’s youth.

The risk of the Iraq’s marshlands disappearing is still high unless serious measures are adopted. Sewage discharge and irrigation-water pressure, compounded by the effects of climate changes and the extent of the planned dam construction in upstream countries, make this event more likely. Most of the marshlands’ inhabitants (Marsh Arabs) are suffering from lack of access to safe, clean water and lack of sanitation and are reluctant to look for better places to live and work. Constructed wetlands are among the best alternatives to solve their problems. The application of constructed wetlands to meet more stringent standards for wastewater reuse in agriculture contributes to mitigating the wastewater impact and irrigation pressure on the marshland ecosystem. It is here proposed that a 3.6 ha free-surface flow wetland  could manage the more stringent standard for reuse (15 mg/l) for BOD5 and TSS. A monitoring programme should nevertheless be associated with this kind of project to minimize health risks that may arise as a result of implementation. Despite the absence of studies that deal with wastewater reuse in irrigation projects at the national level (in Iraq), similar studies worldwide provide evidence of reuse possibilities. Furthermore, a performance requirements framework for wastewater reuse in irrigation projects such as the one suggested by Biswas, draws an approach to meet sustainable development indicators and would likely contribute to support and encourage the Marsh Arabs to settle back in their own areas.

Fresh water has become more and more of a scarce commodity. Water scarcity isn't first and foremost a cause of drought and wasting, but a cause of inequality and mismanagement. This is not only a problem for developing countries, and there can also be variations within countries. The municipality of Gotland has a development program called Vision Gotland 2025, with goals for growth and sustainable development. The aim of this study is to examine whether the use and management of water resources on Gotland and Vision Gotland 2025 is conformed to the Water Framework Directive and the Ecosystem Approach in terms of sustainability. Focus is on the quantitative aspects of water supply. The study has mainly been done by studying publications from the authorities concerned. Although annual precipitation in general is enough to provide fresh water for the population, water shortage occurs in some areas during the summers. Three of the four main catchment areas on Gotland have unsatisfactory quantitative status, and is likely to have so also when the time limit of the next evaluation is due in 2015. Since both the population and tourism is presumed to increase, according to Vision Gotland 2025, the conclusion drawn is that the use of water resources is not sustainable, even though the management per se does conform to the ecosystem approach.

This dissertation examined declining groundwater availability and management strategies for addressing water shortages in the Laguna region located in the states of Coahuila and Durango. Excessive pumping of groundwater in the Laguna region has resulted in a dramatic decline in the water level of the aquifer and in the region's water supply. Since agriculture has been highly dependent on groundwater, this may lead dramatic changes in the agricultural sector of the regional economy. This research was an exploratory investigation of water users' beliefs and of options regarding water scarcity that could help design a stakeholder framework for planning the region's water resources. To address this problem, a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. A systems theory simulation model was used to measure the economic vulnerability of the main agricultural products at different scenarios of water volume in the aquifer. Grounded theory methodology was used to address water users' beliefs concerning water conditions and planning strategies. Preference and feasibility analysis was used to identify the most preferable planning strategies among water stakeholders. Statistical analyses were used to support the results of the quantitative assessments. The results of the simulation model showed a significant impact on economic production given different scenarios of water volume and of higher probabilities of droughts. From the qualitative assessment four main findings were identified: lack of localized data, cognitive communication dissonance, disagreement on problem identification and disagreement on possible solutions. From the preference and feasibility analysis, the most favored strategies were: more comprehensive research, conservation campaigns, education and investment for water efficiency techniques. The lowest values were gained by privatization, new drillings, decentralization, construction of new dams, and the continuation of the actual pumping condition. Results showed there was no preference for dramatic changes in the actual model of water use. The vulnerability of the region was not shown to be equal among users; it was higher for communal users and cities, and lesser for private farmers and industries. The potential for sustainability was not high enough to expect a significant change in the near future in the water planning process.