Concepts, dimensions and elements of water security

Abstract

Water is an essential element in maintaining life and needed for all social and economic endeavours. However, increase in world population and rapid socio-economic development imposes high pressure on water resources around the world. Therefore, water security is a global concern in recent times. This study aims to focus on various concepts and dimensions of water security. The study also highlights the elements of water security. The paper reviews currently available information on concepts, dimensions and elements of water security. Literatures were identified for review through a comprehensive search by using electronic and non-electronic databases. Literatures demonstrate that water security has multiple definitions depending on the definition of human and/or environmental need. Studies highlighted five key dimensions of water security, namely, household water security, economic water security, urban water security, environmental water security and resilience to water- related disasters. Studies also pointed out three key elements of water security viz. water access, water safety and water affordability. Literatures suggest that investing in water and sanitation and wastewater management will lead to increased levels of human health, reduced levels of poverty and indigence and increased opportunities for education and employment, resulting in overall national economic development. Therefore, mutual cooperation among various countries is urgently needed to achieve water security at national, regional as well as global level. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2014.