There is today a crucial need to revamp the management and governance of water systems in Asia in order to cater to the increasing demands of a growing group of users with diverse needs-urban settlements, industry, food producers and environmental needs. Written by a mix of international observers and practitioners, these essays cover a wide range of issues that are involved in this endeavor. Based on actual fieldwork in various Asian countries, the contributors collectively address three major themes:. - The response to the competition for resources including groundwater and aquifers, multipl.