Water Ethics and Resource Management

PRINCIPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
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Introduction
In the past few years, water ethics has been a term used to refer to the quality and
quantity of water. The quantity of water in the current world has been declining as a result of
pollution caused by varied activities and the high population growth rate. Water ethics form a
basic foundation in regulating the usage of water in society though sometimes ignored. It
explains the different views of individuals as well the society concerning their interaction with
this unique substance from diverse perspectives(Patterson, Smith and Bellamy 2013). Water as a
resource is viewed in different ways, it is an integral component of the natural environment to
conservationist, to multinational water corporations it is a commodity subjected to free market
and sold to make profits.
Water is seen as birthplace and backbone of societies and their systems of beliefs by the
indigenous communities. It is from those aspects that one can conclude that water ethics form the
basis of all decision-making regarding the use, management and conserving of this vital resource
in Australia and most probably all over the world. Water as a natural vital result is depended on
by the living organisms and ecosystem, the rise in disequilibrium between its supply and demand
devastating affects human prosperity and is one of the various factors resulting to the numerous
conflicts over the world.

Figure 1: Sample of the policies(Veiga and Magrini 2013)
These conflicts arising from water issues are grouped into two categories i.e., Hostility
between two or more countries or regions within the same country this may result to one party
involved in the conflict interfering with the supply of water of the other region or country. This is
as seen in some countries in the Middle East. Second, domestic issues as a result of a failure by
the government to manage water resources pertaining to industrial, social or agricultural needs of
its citizens. Water resource conflicts are rampant not only in Australia but also in most countries
all over the world.it involves mostly those living near lakes or rivers (water catchment areas).
These conflicts have diverse effects in human lives ranging from mass killings, injuries and even
displacement of people. Interfering with water sources as well as various sources of pollution
such as fertilizers and other chemicals from the agricultural sector, wastage disposed into water
and sediments from farms results into a drastic decline in the water supply(Landrigan et al.2018).
To help in this, a resolution to the conflicts becomes the best solution, by employing
different policies and ethics which not only depend on cultural aspects of the parties involved but
also their political and socio-economic ideas, religious as well as societal believes.

Understanding the perspective views of different stakeholders can be the key factor to successful
utilization, conservation, and management of water sources in Australia and most probably all
over the world. Other key factors may include, location of waste disposal sites, water pricing,
professional practices, planning and management, privatization and intergenerational equity.
Above ethics should openly be discussed to create a policy-framework that increases water
levels(Veiga and Magrini 2013).
Outline of the Current Pollution control policies in Lake Eyre
A great number of people face the problem of access to clean potable water and poor
sanitation. This has resulted in the loss of lives by many due to the related water diseases as
disclosed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is therefore devised that improved water
management for agriculture can improve the livelihood of a great proportion of people. The
government should also be encouraged to ensure portable access to water by its rural population.
The government is advised to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water to its urban
residents.
Water Management policies in various parts of the world
Water as a natural resource may be treated as one of the resources within the environment
whose management should be handled with a lot of care. Subsequently its pollution in regard to
the environmental externality is a complex challenge on its own. It is encouraged that proper
sanitation within Australia is put in place; this will include proper disposal of wastes and
providing clean water to the citizens (Kroon et al.2016). Alternative methods used by individuals
to provide for their daily water needs like collecting water from running watercourses or