Water strategies for the next century : supply augmentation vs. demand management : a debate sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development and ISPAN, September 26, 1994

In response to questions posed by some irrigation specialists concerning the importance of organizing water users as (an essential) part of a cost recovery for any water system and on the issue of why should governments expect to recover their, or donors' capital costs, a debate entitled: "Water strategies for the Next Century: Supply Augmentation vs. Demand Management" was organized. This debate brought together four well-known, knowledgeable water sector professionals. They discussed opposing views, but also examined conditions under which various combinations of supply and demand management have merit. The debate focused on issues such as: i. the importance of water to the environment, public health, and economic development; ii. the gravity of emerging water shortages caused by both growing demand for and pollution of water resources; and iii. possible approaches to consider when dealing with increasing water demands. This document provides a verbatim transcript of the debate, comments from the audience, and responses from the panel, plus the summation of Dr. Guy Le Moigne.