Page 20 - CIWA Water Data Revolution Overview Report

Water Data Revolution: Closing the data gap for transboundary water in Africa

enabling the development of tailored strategies that account for varying biophysical, societal, and
developmental conditions.

Water Accounting provides such critical information, facilitating the identification of investment
strategies to improve overall water productivity within a river basin, in such a way that contributes
to the accomplishment of targeted development goals in the basin context, which is usually
associated to different aspects such as improved and extended water supply, enhancement of
food security, environmental preservation which in turn is usually key for sustaining income
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generating activities across Africa .

Water accounting in transboundary river basins provides several key advantages by offering a
consistent framework for managing water resources across different scales. This is especially
important as it helps in managing shared water systems across countries with varying policies,
priorities, and water use patterns. It tracks all sources of water (e.g., rainfall, groundwater,

wastewater, desalination) and how it is used (e.g., evaporation, irrigation, industrial use), along
with changes in storage (e.g., soil moisture, groundwater reserves). WA promotes transparent
decision-making and enables equitable water distribution, which is critical in mitigating disputes
among riparian countries. It also facilitates the identification of opportunities for joint investment
projects and supports the long-term sustainability of water resources. By creating a common
understanding of water availability and demand, it contributes to more informed and cooperative
resource management across different scales, helping to prevent over-exploitation and ensuring
that water is used efficiently for economic and environmental benefits.

. From a basin perspective, it supports the identification of measures that ensure water resources
are managed effectively and equitably, maximizing societal value while accounting for synergies
and trade-offs in land and water management. As water scarcity and interdependencies grow,
water accounting becomes essential for understanding the consequences of changes in water use

and for adjusting water allocations, management strategies, and investment decisions
accordingly.

Water accounting in transboundary river basins offers significant advantages by providing a
standardized framework for managing water resources. This is especially important as it helps in

managing shared water systems across countries with varying policies, priorities, and water use

13 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). Water Accounting Plus (WA+) Framework: A tool for improving water productivity in agriculture.
FAO, 2018
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