Sustainable IWRM solutions – tradition and future

Deliberate water management started about six thousand years ago, when men settled along rivers. Ever since water structures affected the natural water cycle and left footprints that not only distress the generation at the time, but also future generations. Up to the period of industrialization due to lack of techniques impacts were moderate. Today’s large scale interference causes generally negative impacts that burden future generations. An overview on early innovations in water management is given and the history of sustainability discussion is analyzed. Finally practical sustainability indicators and an early decision support system are suggested

Keywords:

History of water management , integrated water resources management , sustainability , decision support systems