International experience in water resource management and the lessons for China

To some degree, almost all countries in the world have water resource problems. However, the forms of and solutions to the problem are different in different countries. Over the past several decades, many countries have been working hard to solve their problems. Their approaches include: a) shifting from traditional sectorally fragmented to integrated water resource management; b) formulating new legal and institutional frameworks; c) adopting more market-based instruments; d) adopting new technologies to enlarge water resource supplies and save water; and e) encouraging the public and interest groups to participate in water resource management. This paper summarizes the water management experience in some developed countries and regions, such as, Europe, the United States, Japan, Israel, and Singapore. These countries and regions are heterogeneous: some countries have vast territories and others do not; some have abundant water resources and some others not. Therefore, their experience in water resource management provides precious lessons for China.