Managing water scarcity effectively and fairly is one of the great imperatives of governance today. In more prosperous countries, water scarcity curtails economic growth and diminishes quality of life. In poorer countries, it breeds sickness, blocks development, deepens inequalities, and undermines the survival of entire societies.

THE ISSUE Managing freshwater scarcities constitutes one of the great imperatives of governance almost everywhere in the world; local management is an indispensable component. Part 1: The Issue (Water: Local-level Management)  Resources on the issue

THE RESEARCH More than 1 billion people currently lack access to safe drinking water and 3 billion people lack access to basic sewage systems. Experience around the world shows that local water management is an essential part of the solution. The Approaches The Results

THE LESSONS Research over three decades has generated lessons that are helpful for making better management decisions, and in marking paths for future investigation. Future Directions Recommendations