Summary

The crucial role of water requires managing aquatic ecosystems, the water cycle and water itself in a fair and sustainable way, involving local, regional and global populations in a nested governance structure. Water and aquatic ecosystems should be managed as commons in the public domain. Priorities should be set for water use, and strategies should promote efficient and responsible water use based on principles such as non-deterioration, restoration, cost recovery and cost-effectiveness. Key strategies include non-profit tariff systems, precautionary-based planning and public financing strategies to ensure autonomy at different levels, and public-public and public-community partnership strategies.