We must account for the results of water governance to deliver the SDGs and beyond

The crisis of water governance is one of results. This perspectives paper argues that we need to move beyond calling the global water crisis a crisis of governance. Instead, we must focus more on—and account for —the results of water governance innovations that increasingly blend public, private, and community roles. Drawing on the insights from a five-year doctoral training network on water governance, we illustrate the need for better accounting and assessment of water governance. We anchor our argument and recommendations in illustrative examples of governance innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa where linking water governance with results is necessary but challenging. After illustrating these challenges, we outline recommendations for interdisciplinary water scholars in five steps: (1) defining effective water governance in terms of the results they deliver, (2) measuring the impacts of water governance innovations by linking governance mechanisms and outcomes, (3) empowering decision-makers by examining the effects and effectiveness of water governance through place-based, science-policy partnerships, (4) creating water governance data observatories that combine data and narratives to track changes, make inequalities visible, and guide tradeoffs, and (5) broadening our typologies of water governance to better capture institutional diversity and improve ‘fit’ between water governance and outcomes. Together these steps help to foster learning and action and build the credibility of water governance research. A new wave of water governance scholars is ready to move beyond paradigms and principles to action and outcomes. Accelerating the transition to this next generation can inform debates with evidence and narratives that empower people, communities, governments, and companies to govern water better.