The Legal Framework for Water Users' Associations

Download or read book The Legal Framework for Water Users' Associations written by Salman M. A. Salman and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 1997-01-01 with total page 114 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent experience confirms that participation of farmers in managing parts of an irrigation system and collecting water charges usually results in a more efficient use of water. To be effective, farmers in the hydraulic unit would need to organize themselves by establishing a "water users" association. This paper presents a comparative study of the legal framework for these associations in Colombia, India, Mexico, Nepal, the Philippines, and Turkey. Building on the theory that participation of farmers in managing and operating parts of an irrigation system will result in an optimum use of water, the document analyzes in a comparative manner how each of these countries addressed the basic aspects related to the establishment and functioning of such associations. Additional emphasis is placed on the collection of water charges.