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Competing demands for water

Looking at the range of wetland values, it is easy to see how conflicts can occur. How do we resolve potential conflicts between, say, allocating water to a wetland to maintain its ecological characteristics - environmental flows - while meeting the water needs of the irrigation industry? Diversion of a stream into an artificial lake or dam might benefit agriculture or recreation in the vicinity, but can have a devastating effect on the plants and animals and the activities of users downstream.

These are the sorts of questions and conflicts governments and communities struggle with all the time, especially as the demand for water for economic purposes grows and environmental issues become more serious. Governments are constantly trying to strike a balance between the conservation and use of natural resources.

Related Link: www.wrc.wa.gov.au/public/water_talk.htm