INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT - A NECESSITY IN ROMANIA

Abstract

Water is a renewable natural resource, an indispensable element for life and society, a determining factor in maintaining ecological balance. Currently, this resource has become, in some situations, vulnerable and limited, or, on the contrary, in others, it may appear in excess. Thus, water can represent a risk factor. The modification of the hydrological regime as an effect of climate change influences the quantitative and qualitative level of water resources and, as a result, it is necessary to adapt the way they are exploited and managed. The challenges related to good water management are many and diverse and have emerged as a response to the efforts of all countries to solve water scarcity, water degradation and the impact of floods on all continents. Integrated water resources management can help countries in their efforts to deal with the water problem in a sustainable and cost-effective way, through specific measures (Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs). The practice of the last three decades has proven that, as in the other areas of socio-economic development of our country, a sectoral strategy is needed in the field of water, which integrates the directions of action provided for in strategic documents, plans and programs that have been developed so far and are part of the European strategy. The presentation and interpretation of statistical data highlight the measures that Romania is considering to achieve national and European objectives in this segment, to ensure an efficient contribution to sustainable development, measures expressed through a series of national indicators included in Sustainable Development Goal 6 - "Clean water and sanitation".