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Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends
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Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 5941

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Robert Patrick

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada
Interests: watershed planning; source water protection; indigenous people
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water governance has been identified as a necessary prerequisite for the effective planning and management of water resources. At all scales of inquiry, from the local and regional to state-level inquiry, good water governace is critical for the protection of human health and aquatic habitiats. It is also essential to ensuring environmental justice regarding access to clean, safe, and affordable water for global communities. But what is good water governance and what examples help answer this question? What are the current barriers to good water governance and what are some opportunities that lay ahead? This Special Issues is dedicated to the current status of water and wastewater governance with a view to current practices and future trends. We welcome papers that help to answer these questions by providing current research, case studies, or literature reviews that engage with water governance.   

Prof. Dr. Robert Patrick
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water
  • wastewater
  • governance
  • environmental justice
  • water management
  • water planning
  • watersheds

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2747 KiB  
Article
Key Challenges and Potential Opportunities in Water Management Crises: The Case of the Rio Turbio Basin in Mexico
by Luzma Fabiola Nava and Jorge Adrián Perera-Burgos
Water 2025, 17(4), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17040550 - 14 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 578
Abstract
This study examines the critical water management crisis facing the Río Turbio Basin (RTB) in Mexico’s Bajío region, Guanajuato. The RTB’s challenges are driven by a convergence of environmental degradation, industrial pollution, groundwater over-extraction, and fragmented governance structures. Intensified by climate change, urban [...] Read more.
This study examines the critical water management crisis facing the Río Turbio Basin (RTB) in Mexico’s Bajío region, Guanajuato. The RTB’s challenges are driven by a convergence of environmental degradation, industrial pollution, groundwater over-extraction, and fragmented governance structures. Intensified by climate change, urban expansion, and rising industrial demands, these issues place the basin’s long-term sustainability at serious risk. Employing a qualitative approach, this research synthesizes insights from expert interviews and stakeholder perspectives, highlighting the social, economic, environmental, and institutional dimensions of the crisis. Key findings point to a lack of collaboration among governmental bodies, industry, and local communities, resulting in escalating water scarcity, economic vulnerability in agriculture, and rising social tensions over resource allocation. The RTB exemplifies broader regional water management issues, where institutional fragmentation and the absence of strategic, basin-specific policies undermine sustainable practices. Without coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions, projections indicate worsening declines in water quality and availability, with potentially irreversible effects on ecosystems and public health. This study underscores the need for integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategies, combining technological, regulatory, and community-driven solutions to address the unique socio-environmental challenges of the Bajío region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends)
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26 pages, 2366 KiB  
Article
Assessing Water Governance Trends and Challenges at a Local Level—An Application of the OECD Water Governance Framework in Soc Trang Province, Vietnam
by Ha Tan Linh, Duong Thi Truc, Nguyen Thanh Binh and Van Pham Dang Tri
Water 2025, 17(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17030320 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 958
Abstract
Water crises are prevalent globally, but effective water governance can help mitigate these issues. This study, conducted in Soc Trang, a coastal province of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, assessed water governance trends and identified local challenges using the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation [...] Read more.
Water crises are prevalent globally, but effective water governance can help mitigate these issues. This study, conducted in Soc Trang, a coastal province of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, assessed water governance trends and identified local challenges using the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) water governance framework, which comprises 12 principles. Data were gathered through 15 questionnaires and two focus group discussions with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The findings indicate that all 12 principles have improved over the past decade, particularly in areas such as data management, the clarity of roles, appropriate basin scales, and innovative governance approaches. However, challenges remain, including external risks, limited human resources, ineffective coordination, and insufficient funding and facilities. While the OECD framework offers a comprehensive guide for water governance, it is crucial to provide clear explanations to local stakeholders during implementation. This ensures a shared understanding throughout the assessment process. A key aspect of this is translating scientific and technical terms into the local language and context, which enhances communication and engagement among all participants involved in the study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends)
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18 pages, 1977 KiB  
Article
Fostering Public Participation in Watershed Pollution Governance: A Case Study of Civilian Environmental Supervisors in Guiyang’s Dual River Chief System
by Xuan Huang and Junqing Xu
Water 2024, 16(24), 3714; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243714 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 697
Abstract
The complexity of watershed pollution governance necessitates the involvement of multiple stakeholders, with increasing emphasis on public participation. In response, China introduced the river chief system and gradually established civilian river chiefs and environmental supervisors as channels for public engagement. However, questions remain [...] Read more.
The complexity of watershed pollution governance necessitates the involvement of multiple stakeholders, with increasing emphasis on public participation. In response, China introduced the river chief system and gradually established civilian river chiefs and environmental supervisors as channels for public engagement. However, questions remain about how to effectively and sustainably engage the public while addressing watershed pollution. To explore this, we employed an action research approach, focusing on a case from Guiyang, which pioneered the “Dual River Chief System” and introduced civilian environmental supervisors, significantly mobilizing public involvement and controlling pollution. By analyzing the selection background, criteria, responsibilities, training, support mechanisms, and fieldwork of civilian environmental supervisors, we found that their primary tasks were monitoring watershed conditions and mobilizing broader public participation, with selection criteria focusing on interest in watershed governance and regional influence. At the same time, training and expert support were provided to enhance their investigative capabilities and ensure accurate results. This also fostered greater commitment and confidence among the supervisors, further promoting public participation in watershed governance. Despite its success, the approach relied heavily on the groundwork and local networks of civilian river chiefs and required significant time and effort in the early stages, posing certain limitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends)
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27 pages, 1965 KiB  
Article
Understanding Stakeholder Relationships in the Trialogue Model of Governance: A Case Study of the Biobío River Basin, Chile
by Natalia Julio, Yannay Casas-Ledón, Octavio Lagos and Ricardo Figueroa
Water 2024, 16(24), 3544; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243544 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Integrated water resource management (IWRM) has been globally recognized as a key strategy for advancing toward water security; however, Chile has not yet implemented it. While water governance in the country has been predominantly analyzed through documents and laws, integrating empirical insights from [...] Read more.
Integrated water resource management (IWRM) has been globally recognized as a key strategy for advancing toward water security; however, Chile has not yet implemented it. While water governance in the country has been predominantly analyzed through documents and laws, integrating empirical insights from local actors’ perspectives is essential. This study applied the trialogue model of governance to understand stakeholders’ perspectives and relationships, to identify barriers to achieving water security, and to explore the roles of different actors in enhancing governance systems. The research design focused on the Biobío River Basin (BRB) as a case study, employing a qualitative strategy for data collection through semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis consisted on a thematic analysis, where interview transcripts were coded to identify relevant topics. The results reveal that Chile’s highly centralized governance structure, along with inadequate information management and socioeconomic conflicts related to the construction of hydroelectric power plants, pose significant barriers to achieving water security in the BRB. Key opportunities to address barriers include legal reforms, improved information management, and strengthened enforcement and supervision. Achieving effective governance relies heavily on legal reforms, mobilizing resources and creating spaces for raising social awareness. Transparent and accessible data-sharing mechanisms are also crucial for better information management. Although the trialogue model is a valuable framework for analyzing river basin governance, it is necessary to emphasize the need to account for the intricate nature of the society cluster in future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends)
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18 pages, 1803 KiB  
Article
Measuring First Nations Engagement in Water Governance in Manitoba
by Warrick Baijius, Robert J. Patrick and Chris Furgal
Water 2024, 16(12), 1734; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121734 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Water governance and ecosystem function in the Canadian prairies are in a state of crisis. Compounding this crisis, and adding complexity, is the relationship between the water governance authority of the state with Canada’s First Peoples. Meaningful engagement of Indigenous peoples in water [...] Read more.
Water governance and ecosystem function in the Canadian prairies are in a state of crisis. Compounding this crisis, and adding complexity, is the relationship between the water governance authority of the state with Canada’s First Peoples. Meaningful engagement of Indigenous peoples in water governance is a necessary requisite to effective water management. This research characterizes the extent and depth of Indigenous engagement in watershed planning in the province of Manitoba, Canada, and examines the degree to which Indigenous rights are incorporated in that engagement. To do so, we analyze evidence of First Nation people’s inclusion in water governance, planning, and management processes. We conducted latent and manifest content analyses of watershed plans to identify the themes and frequency of content related to First Nations and Métis engagement and triangulated results with key informant semi-structured interviews and document reviews of water governance policies and legislation. Overall, we find that Indigenous engagement in Manitoba water governance has increased over time but is still lacking adequate recognition and implementation of Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends)
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