Premise of Optimal Water Management in Latvia

The development of water management in Latvia was broadly investigated with a focus on identifying the main managerial problems when analysing all factors affecting water administration and management optimisation prospects. Combined sociological research was performed using traditional and also case study research methodologies to produce systemic assessment of institutional and human resource capacities and managerial impact on the organisational ability of municipalities and the provision of water supply and waste water treatment services by companies and utilities. Alternative water management models and their applications were also elaborated and evaluated. To provide rational use of water resources in Latvia and to meet the requirements of the EU legislation, it is necessary to change the water management system in the country, but, most important, to develop principles of systemic integration and coordinated cooperation with respecting historically formed conditions, and, to introduce an optimal water management model comprising a set of management preconditions—approaches, principles, structural components and set of tools into complement institutional capacities.