New publication: Transferable Groundwater Rights: Integrating Hydrogeology, Law and Economics, by A. Charalambous, Routledge Publishers, UK, 2013

Transferable Groundwater Rights: Integrating Hydrogeology, Law and Economics, by Andreas N. Charalambous, published by Routledge, UK, in March 2013, discusses transferable groundwater rights in their broader context. It starts with a detailed description of the physical aspects of groundwater, which non-technical readers should find useful, followed by a discussion of legal and economic aspects. Water transfers and the international experiences in transferable groundwater rights are dealt with in detail in two subsequent chapters. A model is presented to guide those involved in water resources management and planning in their decision process to introduce transferable groundwater rights and water rights trading.

The author concludes that transferable groundwater rights potentially offer a better alternative to land-based water rights systems. However, he casts serious doubt on whether groundwater rights trading on its own can achieve water resources sustainability, environmental protection and social equity. Government intervention seems to be almost always needed to assist the water rights market and take responsibility for any of its adverse consequences.

The book may be purchased online, at http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415507240/