Uncertainties in International Water Treaties

Drieschova, Alena; Fischhendler, Itay and Giordano, Mark (2011) The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective. Climatic Change. 105:387–408 DOI 10.1007/s10584-010-9896-4

The initial point of disparity is the significant difference between political boundaries and watershed basin boundaries.  This included questions about watershed basin boundaries themselves.  The issue was more about the human interpretation beyond the factual science involved.  The problems with interpretation created issues for governance and operation beyond the political structures.   These uncertainties inbred in the system made agreements for management and future direction difficult.  Thus, progression to agreement for management over water systems that are naturally in flux became extremely difficult. 

More specifically,  "the dangers of resource degradation, water scarcity and of an inequitable distribution of the resource" create such a level of uncertainty where treaty design and implementation becomes questionable.  Thus, the final ratification and subsequent effectiveness of such a treaty becomes even more unlikely.