Indicators of water resource sustainability tell us “where we are” in meeting short and long-term ecological, social, and economic needs.  Indicators highlight trends, help evaluate causes and effects, and give us a common language and understanding of issues. SWRR believes that effective indicators provide tools to make good decisions – and an opportunity to achieve sustainable and adaptive management of water resources. 

The process of developing a framework for indicators of sustainable water resource use began in 2003. It has been an iterative process, involving hundreds of people and numerous meetings.

The process began with a collection of over 400 candidate indicators which provide a useful resource for selecting a more focused set. The current five-part framework is organized around: 1) Water availability, 2) Water quality, 3) Human uses and health, 4) Environmental health, and 5) Infrastructure and institutions.

The analysis of sustainability indicators is an ongoing, iterative process.

• Developing an Indicator Framework
• Current Indicator Framework
• Sample Indicators
• Other Indicator Efforts

Return to Home page