Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is the main strategy that this association is promoting between actors and institutions linked to the use and management of water resources as a means to achieve water security and sustainable development.

It seeks to promote the coordinated development and management of water, land and other related resources equitably, without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

In September 2018, SARAS Institute became a partner of the Global Water Partnership (GWP), an international network formed by more than 3000 organizations that work towards water management in 183 countries and that include government agencies, academia, professional associations, international organizations, NGOs and the private sector.

Within the global network, SARAS is now part of the regional association known as GWP South America which is present in 7 countries of the continent, as well as the National Association for Water in Uruguay. These self-governed platforms develop and implement, year after year, different participatory work plans that can address the water issues and needs found in each country.

In the latest 2018 assembly, in which Micaela Trimble (SARAS Research and Cooperation Coordinator), together with representatives from the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU), the National Directorate of Environment of the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment of Uruguay (DINAMA – MVOTMA), National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), the University of the Republic and the Methodist Church in Uruguay, among others took part, a set of new lines of work and goals were outlined for this 2019. Among other activities and events from the various institutions that are part of GWP Uruguay, and agreement was reached to carry out a contest related to Integrated Water Resources Management projects in Science Clubs, similarly to the one organized in 2018.

Good water management in Latin America is of particular importance when we take into account that the region holds 26% of the world’s fresh water resources. In addition, the South American territory houses three of the largest river basins in the world: Amazonas, Orinoco, Río de la Plata, and the Guaraní aquifer – one of the largest bodies of groundwater in the world.

However, the region has been experimenting a significant deterioration of the water quality due to the high deforestation and land use rates, together with the loss of Andean glaciers due to global warming. Various countries are facing floods, extreme draughts and the overuse of groundwater, pollution, diseases of water origin and the escalation of social conflicts related to water. Against this backdrop, the required actions need to be based upon the cooperation of the different sectors and actors involved in the usage and management of water.

This type of intersectoral and integrated management approach allows for the identification and implementation of better and more effective solutions. In this sense, it is hoped that the inclusion of SARAS to the GWP may result in significant knowledge development and cooperation.

To learn more about GWP, visit their website by clicking here.