Best Practices in Global Water Policy

François Molle is Emeritus Director of Research at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), France. He has 40 years of experience in development research in topics such as the analysis of irrigation systems, the governance of river basins and groundwater, water policy and the political ecology of the interaction between society, technology and the environment.Sylvain Barone is Director of Research at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), France. For the past 15 years, his research has focused on water policy and governance, environmental policy and the politicisation of ecological issues.

• 1. Introduction: Engaging with water policy best practices 2. Revisiting – Drip irrigation will save water 3. Revisiting – Reusing treated wastewater: an alternative water to reduce scarcity 4. Revisiting – Desalination: the new and inexhaustible water source 5. Revisiting – Large-dam water storage is unavoidable or an anathema 6. Revisiting – Water harvesting is necessary to enhance local supply 7. Revisiting – Abstracting groundwater is safe as long as you pump less than the natural recharge 8. Revisiting – Planting trees will sustain springs and streamflow 9. Revisiting – Pricing irrigation water will reduce its use 10. Revisiting – Payment for environmental services is a win-win 11. Revisiting – Making space for water 12. Revisiting – River weirs are obstacles that must be removed 13. Revisiting – Environmental flows are necessary to safeguard nature 14. Revisiting – Rivers should be restored to their “natural” state 15. Revisiting – All water uses can be reconciled while protecting the environment 16. Revisiting – A river basin begs a river basin organisation 17. Revisiting – Collective action needs water user associations 18. Revisiting – The myth of private finance and SDG6 19. Revisiting – Private water services are more efficient and reliable 20. Revisiting – “Off-grid is cool”: virtuous non-connection to water networks 21. Revisiting – Rivers should have legal rights 22. Conclusion: Revisiting global water mantras