Figure 3.40 The Input-Output Framework in the Water Sector

Independent inputs (mostly given or not controlled): • Water resource characteristics • Location hydrology and hydrogeology • Climatic and atmospheric conditions • Demographic and economic conditions • Social norms and historical rights

Dependent inputs

(controlled to some degree): 1. Policy, legislation, and regulations 2. Institutions 3. Physical systems, technology, and spatial planning 4. Stakeholders 5. Economic and financial aspects

Water sector interventions:

A. Planning

B. Resource protection and enhancement

C. Infrastructure

D. Services

E. Management

Desired outputs

(objectives to be maximized): • Accessibility • Quality • Efficiency • Reliability • Supply security and sustainability • Environment • Affordability

Undesired outputs (to be minimized): • Implementation time and life-cycle costs • Water pollution • Depletion of water resources • Environmental damage • Health hazards • Local and cross-boundary disputes

Figure 3.40 The Input-Output Framework in the Water Sector

Source: Author compilation (Khairy Al-Jamal).

potential impacts include, but are not limited to implementation time and life-cycle costs, water pollution, depletion of water resources, environmental damage, health hazards, and local and cross-boundary disputes.

This sector note sheds lights on strategies for water sector management. It is designed to assist urban decision makers in putting together an optimal and well-coordinated set of programs. A key challenge is the high degree of nonlinear interconnections among urban sectors, including water, energy, solid waste, telecommunications, and transportation, which share many economic, environmental, and political constraints. Nonetheless, optimization of the net benefi ts amid these sectors and links is the defi ned objective.

Water Sector Policy, Legislation, and Regulations

The policy, legislative, and regulatory framework defi nes the rules for managing the water sector at the national and local levels. The framework may expand beyond national boundaries and address cross-country issues if water resources are shared or water management and protection require international cooperation. The framework strives to satisfy myriad aims, including ensuring the adequate protection of water resources, developing and promoting sustainable water services, ensuring equitable distribution and access, improving health and environmental conditions, enabling economic growth, and promoting effi ciency and optimization in the use of water resources to enhance the viability of the sector.