"Arid and semi-arid countries have historically suffered from a plethora of complex water concerns due to its climatic limitations. Research in these regions has long supported the necessity of delivering life sustaining access and availability to water while being inherently linked to several inter-related factors, including technical and economic issues, human resources, health and private sector participation. Regional conflicts and controversial political agendas have also exercised a profound impact on the viability of co-operative water resource and management perspectives."--Back cover.