Scenario-based strategy development for integrated water management

This paper presents a step-by-step methodological approach for the development and
evaluation of strategies for water deficient regions. The primary focus of the approach
followed was the mitigation of water stress, while applying the principles of Integrated
Water Resources Management and the EU Water Framework Directive.
The participation of Stakeholders and end-users through consultations was a key point in
the methodology followed. Stakeholders and actors were approached and their opinions
on Water Management were collected and integrated into a list of measures and
instruments suited and available for implementation, forming the basic assumptions
governing the strategy formulation process for a region. Comprehensive scenarios were
developed and examined for each of the selected options, through a prototype Decision
Support System (WSM DSS), in order to obtain an initial ranking with regard to their
suitability and performance. Then, the strategy formulation involved the integration of
options on a regional basis in a set timeframe, based on their previous estimated
performance and technical considerations with regard to their implementation.
To achieve the set-out goals and principles two distinct strategies were evaluated and
compared, one reflecting the traditional and current practices and policies, and one
closely following the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The
developed Strategies were evaluated against each other and against the reference state
of the water system, using a set of appropriate indicators for performance, cost,
environmental and social impacts. Alternative pricing schemes were also explored in
order to achieve a desired level of cost recovery for water services, and determine its
effect on Strategy implementation. The developed strategies were re-examined and
adjusted on the basis of the cost recovery structures, to account for the effects of price
elasticities, and an overall evaluation was obtained enabling a final comparison.
The methodology is illustrated through an exemplary application for the island of Paros,
Greece. On the basis of the perceptions of different stakeholders, alternative water
management strategies were developed and evaluated, and recommendations were
made towards the mitigation of impacts caused by the high temporal water imbalance in
the island.