“They seek it here, they seek it there” - studying integrated water management | SEFARI

In her blog post, Dr. Kerry Waylen discusses a research project focused on integrated water management, particularly concerning water quality and flood risk management. Over six years, the study explored how various European countries approached these interconnected challenges. Despite the widespread policy support for integrated strategies, their analysis of 158 water management plans across the Czech Republic, Sweden, and other regions revealed that in practice, integration was often limited. Many plans tackled water quality and flood risk management separately, failing to fully merge these goals as intended.

Waylen highlights this gap between policy aspirations and real-world implementation, noting that while there's strong backing for holistic approaches, actual strategies rarely reflect this integration. The research emphasises the need for more cohesive water management practices that address both water quality and flood risks simultaneously, suggesting that real-world integration can be challenging despite strong policy frameworks. It's a fascinating exploration into the complexities of managing water systems sustainably across different countries. 

You can read the full post on the SEFARI Gateway website here.

Contribution: Dr Kerry Waylen, The James Hutton Institute

Image credit: Macaulay Land Use Research Institute