| Amid the complex topic of water management are embedded not only financial considerations but also matters about water rights, property rights and various political concerns. The most common considerations for values in water management include, but are not limited to, agriculture, ranching, industrial use, municipal use, mining, energy, navigation, recreation and various environmental uses. Water treatment and flood control are also strong considerations. These concerns obviously reflect human necessities and societal values. As such, they provide an essential framework in decision making for water managers.;Non-use and non-monetary values provide a different---yet indispensable---set of considerations for water managers. Societal values are further reflected within this context. My hypothesis is that water managers in core countries are less likely than their counterparts in semi-periphery and periphery countries to consider non-monetary or community values when making decisions about water use. The terms "core," "semiperiphery," and "periphery" countries derive from world-systems analysis. This terminology takes into account different levels of industrialization and capitalism, as well as hegemonic traits that result from these.;This paper examines both conventional and non-conventional approaches used in valuing water. This examination includes a look at how water managers have generally addressed decision making with regard to conventional, market-driven values. It also addresses other ways in which people value water in a social context. Some of these are conservation-oriented and others include spiritual values.;This study employs a survey-based methodology. The survey addresses water managers worldwide and confronts the question of whether non-financial values are taken into consideration when these managers make decisions about water use. Ultimately, I suggest that it is both the inclusion of monetary and non-monetary values that justifies social trust in the position of water manager. |
