Lessons from intensively used transboundary river basin agreements for transboundary aquifers

Research on transboundary waters, transboundary water law, and mitigation of transboundary water conflict, has traditionally focused almost exclusively on surface water supplies. The hydrologic link between groundwater and surface water is recognized but understood at a reconnaissance level even in the most studied basins in the world. Transboundary aquifers are poorly understood by policy makers due to the uncertainty associated with the invisible resource. Uncertainties in recharge mechanics and the flow regime within different types of aquifers provide technical challenges to policy development and spatial considerations in groundwater management. Conflicts over water quantity and quality are certain to escalate with increased reliance on groundwater to meet demands for drinking water, agricultural and industrial uses, highland forests and wetlands. Because groundwater management in the international arena is in its infancy, this paper builds upon the analysis of transboundary river basin agreements. Transboundary aquifer agreements should be developed when resources are threatened because of their actual or perceived intensive use. What are the lessons that nations can learn for the sound management of their transboundary aquifers? History has shown that institutional capacity has a tendency to make international borders become areas of cooperation as opposed to areas of conflict.