4.1 WATER RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND WATER PROJECTS [HOMS A00]

4.1.1 The need for water resource assessment Water resource assessment is the determination of the sources, extent, dependability and quality of water resources, which is the basis for evaluating the possibilities of their utilization and control (UNESCO/WMO, 1997). Water resource assessment is of critical importance to sound and sustainable management of the world’s water resources. Several reasons for this may be cited (WMO/UNESCO, 1991): (a) The world’s expanding population is placing increasing demands on water for drinking, food production, sanitation and other basic social and economic needs, but the world’s wate