Towards Sustainability in Groundwater Use: An Exploration of Key Drivers Motivating the Adoption and Implementation of Policy and Regulation

Abstract

Abstract Groundwater resources have come under increasing pressure from overuse and pollution leading to declines in both quantity and quality. As a renewable resource, the continued availability of sufficient and clean groundwater depends on its sustainable use. However, groundwater use has often been unsustainable, and in many countries—both developing and developed—legal and policy frameworks for its sustainable use remain limited and their design and implementation are under-researched. This article examines the drivers that motivate the development and implementation of legal and policy frameworks capable of ensuring the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources. Case studies conducted in Australia and Costa Rica reveal four key drivers: (i) the existence of a water crisis, (ii) awareness—which leads to information, learning and monitoring, (iii) civic leadership to foster meaningful participation and, (iv) government research and funding in order to understand the complexity of groundwater.