Cooperation on the Ganges: Myths, Obstacles and Opportunities Lead Researchers: Wu Xun and Dale Whittington Duration: 2010 – 2012
to be completed in June 2012.
D. Statistics and Economics of Water Centrality of Water for Human Development Lead Researchers: Seetharam Kallidaikurichi and Fan Mingxuan Duration: July 2010 – July 2012 This research project will complement the current literature on the potential benefits of investing in water (by WHO and UNICEF). It will review the policy making priorities that took the focus of development initiatives away from water, assess the ensuing opportunity costs as well as the negative impacts of doing so, and analyse the reasoning behind these decisions particularly in Asian developing countries. A monograph will be prepared to contribute to SIWW 2012.
A workshop was conducted in Singapore in November 2010 that brought together experts covering the breadth of the Ganges Plain; 12 papers were presented in the workshop. The papers are being prepared in a special journal issue of Water Policy focused on the Ganges. Adoption of Advanced Water Technology: A Review of Desalination Case Studies in Asian Coastal Cities Lead Researcher: Saichon Seedang Duration: July 2011 – July 2012 Climate change risks accompanying rapid urbanization in coastal cities has led to falling groundwater tables, pollution of ground and surface water, inadequate rainfall and frequent destruction of water infrastructure. In order to cope with the severe strain on water supply to meet all needs, several Asian coastal cities have turned to desalination using advanced membrane technologies. Desalination capacity in Southeast Asia has more than tripled over the past 5 years. With Singapore and Australia emerging as successful models of desalination, a review of the suitability of adapting energyintensive, high cost desalination technology for small coastal/ island nations has been evaluated. This project was initiated in mid 2011 to support a student summer research internship project (students from Imperial College London and NUS). Background papers were finished in July 2011 with assistance by two summer student interns. Currently a journal paper is being prepared and is expected
The increasing use of economic valuation and applications in water management analysis often poses technical problems and policy challenges. A large factor in these challenges is that water management and allocation decisions require more complete information about the economic value of water. The objective of this project is to explore the role of economic value in various water policy decisions. The first working paper (March 2011) reviewed the background and methodology of economic valuation and its applications. The second working paper (September 2011) reviewed water pricing practices in selected countries, and developed a framework to be used in supporting the analysis of a case study (water pricing in Vietnam). One manuscript journal paper has been submitted and is in the review process (January 2012). Several international conference presentations related to this project have been made by the Principal Investigators and collaborators during 2011-2012. Water Use Survey and Demand Study Lead Researcher: Saichon Seedang Duration: March 2011 – October 2012 Reliable information on water use and quality, and information on the factors that influence use, is fundamental for planning, developing and managing water resources. As water policy is driven by local needs and concerns, it is necessary to understand the nature of problems in different economic and social contexts. This project studies the dynamics of water management and the challenging issues in the urban and urban-rural context in selected countries in Asia. The first phase of this project focuses on the study of water use and demand in an urban context, and the second phase focuses on the rural-urban fringe. A household survey will be carried out in both phases. Background research and a survey plan are in progress in two pilot cities in Thailand. It is expected that a household survey will be implemented and a final data analysis will be completed around July 2012. At least two journal papers are expected to be published from this research project.
INSTITUTE OF WATER POLICY THE FIRST FOUR YEARS, 2008–2012 13
The Ganges is the most populous river basin in the world and presents both great opportunities and great challenges for its 400 million inhabitants. It is fed by a complex interplay of glacial waters, surface flows and groundwater resources and has massive potential for hydropower, agriculture and navigation, among other areas. However the river is also immensely destructive and climate change is only likely to intensify the existing variability of hydrology in the region. Most critically, the massive potential for cooperation among key riparian countries sharing the Ganges has been largely untapped due to various historical, economic and political factors. In recent years, efforts have been made by various government agencies and research organisations in the region and international organisations, to examine the obstacles to cooperation and cooperative solutions for joint development in the Ganges based on a systems approach and evidencebased policy analysis.
Economic Value of Water in Water Policy Lead Researchers: Saichon Seedang and Ngo Quang Vinh Duration: January 2011 – August 2012