FairWater: Collaborative and fair catchment-based water management - stress testing droughts and floods for resilient multifunctional use of water.

FairWater will develop novel innovative solutions addressing the water-society-ecology nexus in Swedish water management.

Researchers, authorities, representatives from societal sectors and interest groups will develop common goals and priorities for managing both water volume and water quality in a future climate.

The Motala ström River basin serves as a pilot area with six current conflicts of interest, involving hydropower, crop irrigation, soil ditching, drinking water, biodiversity and tourism, which will be discussed and resolved through a co-creation process in Learning and Innovation Labs.Based on scenario analysis and good examples of fair governance, the collaborative process will generate new goals, priorities, synergies and incentives that are supported by existing legal instruments for adaptive water planning.

Innovative nature-based solutions and green infrastructure are in focus.

The community of the existing Älvgrupp serves as a vehicle to steer towards catchment perspectives in spatial planning at regional and local level.

The project will address the following research questions:How can model simulations in integrated stress-testing help address current and future water challenges?How can goal and interest conflicts be identified and overcome to foster a fair and coherent water governance in Sweden?How can more collaborative, fair and legitimate water management in the face of floods, droughts and pollution be promoted through Learning and Innovation Labs?