Robust water accounting: What is it?

Abstract

Robust knowledge of stocks and flows are pivotal elements of effective resource management. Water accounts have historically been developed to meet the needs of water managers and policy makers. It is now necessary for the scope of water accounts to be widened to meet the needs of variety of stakeholders, including irrigators who need accounts to inform their investment decisions. The need for a robust and integrated accounting system is well established. In the National Water Initiative the Australian governments demonstrated their commitment to its formation. Unfortunately, whilst policies have evolved significantly in terms of creating water accounts, measurement systems do not yet delive..