ISSN 2375-0936
African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 13 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Review
A Systems Approach to Implementing Integrated Water Resources Management
Bloodless Dzwairo1*, Fred A. O. Otieno2 and George M. Ochieng1
1Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Civil Engineering Department, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
2Durban University of Technology, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, P. O. Box 1334, 4000, South Africa.
Accepted 22 April, 2025
While definite benefits could be gained from integrating the management of natural and human systems, taking into account the effects of human activities on the environment, the task of operationalising and implementing this approach in practice represents an enormous challenge. Some limitations highlighted include the definition of IWRM itself, where it appears to be broad, all- encompassing and impressive, but contains ‘‘lofty phrases’’ that have little practical importance for either present or future water management practices. This paper makes recommendations to uptake and incorporate the systems thinking approach (STA) in IWRM decision making processes, an approach envisaged to be more participatory and also process-oriented. Incorporation of socio- economic dynamics is also recommended, with a suggestion that the biophysical relationships like interactions in a basin between water, the human population and settlements should be analysed to the extent possible.
Key words: operationalising IWRM, socio-economic dynamics, South Africa, systems thinking approach.