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INTRODUCTION

This Students Guide deals with the eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs by considering its origins, consequences, solutions, and prognoses under an integrated approach. The objective is to assist local authorities in their effort to prevent, reduce, and control the eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs through the application of sound management practices. This publication outlines a new approach to water resources management, emphasizing the need to integrate and solve simultaneously the social, cultural, economic, environmental and other problems associated with eutrophication. The watershed approach is highlighted as a strategy to be adopted in the successful management of water quality in lakes and reservoirs.

Eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs originates from inputs of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Accelerated eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs, experienced in most parts of the world and largely caused by agricultural run-off and untreated industrial and urban discharges, represents a serious degradation of water quality. Impairment of water quality due to eutrophication can lead to health-related problems and result in economic losses.

The provision of access to clean and safe water is one of the major challenges of sustainable development. However, by 2025, the majority of the world's population will live in water stressed areas. By 2025, there will be 33 megacities with populations above 8 million people and 500 cities with populations above 1 million people. The world's population is growing at a rate of 100 million annually. Therefore, eutrophication is a chronic environmental problem that will not abate because there is no zero discharge option for humans, and organic and nutrient-rich wastes will continue to be added to lakes, rivers and reservoirs

The prevention of eutrophication and the restoration of eutrophic lakes and reservoirs require proper planning and management of associated watersheds. Generally, human-caused eutrophication can be reversed through the elimination or reduction of nutrient supplies from sources such as municipal and industrial wastewater, agricultural wastes and fertilizers. However, it is not possible to eliminate all sources of nutrients. Therefore, sound management strategies require an understanding of the relationship between nutrient sources and degree of the eutrophication.

The watershed, a physical unit with a hydrologically integrated ecosystem, has been adopted as a unit for integrating research and monitoring and for managing and administering water resources. Integrated management should be adaptive, producing new ideas and tools, and can only be achieved with local participation and political and managerial support. Education at all levels plays a fundamental role. Without the allocation of resources for educating and training scientists and engineers who manage water resources, there is no hope of finding solutions.

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