WEPA Outlook on Water Environmental Management in Asia 2012

<strong>WEPA</strong> <strong>Outlook</strong> on Water Environmental Management in Asia 2012Key messages6. Between 1980 and 1990, in particular, most <strong>WEPA</strong> partner countries established frameworks for soundwater environmental management, set goals for water environmental management and implemented variousmeasures to improve water pollution. Thanks to these efforts, a number of <strong>WEPA</strong> partner countries were ableto observe significant improvement in water quality.7. Despite this, organic pollution in rivers located in populated areas and eutrophication in enclosed waterbodies such as lakes, reservoirs and estuaries continue to require special attention. Considering economicdevelopment, population growth and urbanization observed in the region and the possible impacts of climatechange, further intensified efforts are necessary to guarantee the implementation of water environmentalpolicies to secure human health, sustainability of ecosystems, and promotion of sustainable development inthe region.Key action areas in water environmental management8. <strong>WEPA</strong> partner countries identified the following common action areas to be promoted in eachcountry to set and/or attain the water quality goals of each country.a) Review laws, regulations, and setting of standards in consideration of socio-economicconditions and the current state of the water environment, such as effluentstandards taking into account the structure of industries and quality of effluents.b) Strengthen local management of the water environment such through theestablishment of water environmental management strategies and actionplans at the basin level.c) Improve/strengthen the scientific basis for policy making such as theestablishment of effective monitoring systems within limited budgets andthe improvement of data storage systems.d) Strengthen the control of water pollution sources such as through thepromotion of adequate domestic wastewater treatment and theintroduction/implementation of total pollution control load systems.e) Stipulate polluter pays principle in water quality management and utilizemarket-based instruments as an incentive for compliance.f ) Promote institutional and technical capacity building of organizations in chargeof water environmental management at national and local levels.g) Promote participation of the private sector, civil society and communities in watermanagement and improve environmental awareness.Preparation for the potential impacts of climate change9. The impacts of climate change to the water environment is one of the myriad mid- and long-term challengesfacing the region, although there is as yet little scientific proof on which to base actions. To prepare forpotential impacts, however, “no-regret responses” should be taken such as ensuring regular water qualitymonitoring and improving data collection and exchange systems. At the international and regional level, it isalso important to share scientific knowledge and possible adaptation options.7