IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES: THE IMPORTANCE OF FACTORS INFLUENCING TOTAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

This paper situates the findings of a water conservation strategy evaluation in the context of a total watershed. Using a systems approach known as boundary critique, the dilemma of economic development facing a small coastal township was used as an example to demonstrate that without taking broader economic and social considerations into account the effectiveness of water conservation strategies are undermined. Moving beyond critique and reflection, this paper considers how the township's water conservation strategy could be improved. In particular, the conflict that served to undermine the effectiveness of the township's water conservation strategy was used as a springboard to generate an alternative approach on water conservation.