What does effective water management aim to achieve during drought periods?

Effective water management during drought periods focuses on implementing long-term water storage solutions. This approach is essential because it helps communities prepare for and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity. By creating systems that can store and conserve water, such as reservoirs, aquifers, or rainwater harvesting systems, water managers can ensure a steady supply during times when natural rainfall is insufficient.

Long-term storage solutions enhance resilience against drought by allowing for the accumulation of water during wetter seasons for use in drier ones. This not only helps to balance water supply and demand but also supports agricultural, environmental, and urban needs over extended periods. Additionally, effective water management strategies often include measures for improving water use efficiency and developing policies that encourage conservation practices, all crucial during droughts to maintain both ecosystem health and human needs.

In contrast, other approaches such as free access to all water resources, maximized water consumption, and unrestricted building of new facilities can lead to over-exploitation of water sources, increased scarcity, and infrastructural strain, ultimately worsening the situation during drought conditions.