Non-renewable groundwater resources: a ... - unesdoc - Unesco

CHAPTER 2 ■ SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES●Just and effective decision-makingUpholding and promoting the right of communities to participate meaningfully in groundwateruse decisions affecting livelihoods – including just mechanisms for participation indecision-making during planning and implementation, and resolution of conflicts, distributionof benefits/responsibilities/incentives and compensation for damages resulting fromgroundwater mining.●Social heritage and identityProtection of cultural values and life-styles, but this needs to be reconciled with the needto promote economic transformation as regards reduced dependency on scarce waterresources through the promotion of high added-value activities.●Environmental considerationsInventory of ecological services provided by aquifer system concerned, with provision forprotection of critical elements, safeguards against the potentially-adverse effects of landsubsidence and wastewater disposal.Table 5. Criteria for ensuring social well-being in the managementof non-renewable groundwater utilisationCRITERIONSecurityof accessto water-supplyCONSIDERATIONSBased on water-use rights, regulated access and adequate monitoring over the yearsof the plan, taking into consideration pre-existing groundwater users – relevantinstruments include : permit system for waterwell drilling and groundwaterabstraction, scientifically-based spacing requirements between waterwells,monitoring of groundwater use/levels/quality, aquifer numerical modeling andperiodic drawdown prediction, adjustment of authorised abstractions taking aquiferbehaviour into account.Economicand socialopportunityJust and effectivedecision-makingPlanning use of groundwater resources to enhance long-term economic and socialdevelopment, so as to provide opportunities to all stakeholder groups includingfuture generations.Upholding and promoting the right of communities to participate meaningfullyin groundwater use decisions affecting livelihoods - including just mechanismsfor participation in decision-making during planning and implementation,and resolution of conflicts, distribution of benefits/responsibilities/incentivesand compensation for damages resulting from groundwater mining.Social heritageand identityEnvironmentalconsiderationsProtection of cultural values and life-styles, but this needs to be reconciled withthe need to promote economic transformation as regards reduced dependencyon scarce water resources through the promotion of high added-value activities.Inventory of ecological services provided by aquifer system concerned, withprovision for protection of critical elements, safeguards against the potentiallyadverseeffects of land subsidence and wastewater disposal.29