INBO WEBINAR SERIES – INTEGRATING NON-CONVENTIONAL WATERS INTO THE WATER MIX : CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IWRM AT BASIN LEVEL
The principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) have proven their effectiveness in strengthening the governance of river basins, participation of users, financing, water resource monitoring and knowledge dissemination. The members of the International Network of Basin Organisations (INBO) promote these principles, defining IWRM as a toolbox that can be adapted to each context in order to integrate natural and ecosystem contexts, types of uses, categories of users and the various resources that can be mobilized at the watershed level.
In the context of climate change, in order to cope with water stress, many INBO members are using other water resources besides direct withdrawal from available surface and groundwater bodies. These alternative resources may require special treatment, depending on the type of end users. Also known as unconventional water resources, this broad definition includes, for example, seawater through desalination or “reuse” technologies for treated wastewater.
In addition to nature-based solutions and demand management, IWRM, as a robust and flexible method, must consider how to effectively incorporate unconventional water resources “from source to sea” into its tools, objectively taking into account their benefits and challenges based on experience. With this in mind, INBO invites its members and the interested public to discuss the concept of the Water Mix, which brings together all available water resources (surface water, groundwater, green water, unconventional water) for the sustainable management of blue gold. This concept will be explored in a series of two webinars in 2026. Basin organizations and public bodies in charge of water resource management in their countries will present their vision and share their experiences.
Tuesday, 3rd November 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (CET): Wastewater REUSE: linking wihtin the Water Mix to promote Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) ?
This webinar is organised by INBO. Partners include the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) and the Artois-Picardie Water Agency, France (AEAP).
Improvements in wastewater treatment technologies offer opportunities to reuse the water discharged by sanitation systems. Technical, financial, regulatory, health, and psychological considerations are all factors that Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) must take into account to integrate these resources into the water mix and facilitate connections between different types of uses (urban/rural areas, domestic water/agriculture/environment/industry). Wastewater reuse also requires supporting capacity building for municipal water and sanitation services through staff training.
More generally, it encourages us to consider the water cycle (quantity and quality) at multiple scales, in line with the city/basin dialogue. Speakers and date to be confirmed.
Registration will be free but compulsory.