The importance of water in sustaining human life, the natural environment, and ecosystems, as well as in social and economic prosperity, is indisputable. The integrated and sustainable management of water resources is a safeguard against the numerous and continuous pressures faced by the water environment.

According to the anticipated climate variability, these pressures are expected to increase rapidly, with climate change directly affecting the hydrological cycle and the processes that make it up, such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, filtration, etc.

From a climate change perspective, the parameters that should at least be considered are:

the decrease in the frequency of rainfall, along with the simultaneous increase in the intensity of rainfall, with consequences such as: increased flooding events, reduced runoff and secondary infiltration, reduced primary infiltration, inland saltwater intrusion, intensification of irrigation, and reduced stored water volume in reservoirs, etc.; and

the increase in temperature, with consequences such as: prolonged irrigation periods, intensified evaporation and transpiration, prolonged and intensified household water use, delayed snowmelt, limited snow coverage, etc.

The proposed actions and measures mentioned in the National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation focus on mitigating the impacts that are already evident, through methodical and integrated planning to maintain groundwater and surface water in good condition, while meeting both anthropogenic and environmental water needs.

One of the most important measures of the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, regarding water resources, is the promotion and protection of policies, as well as innovative technologies and practices based on hydrological and ecological management principles, aimed at the rational management of water through water-saving measures and ensuring more efficient use.

The above can, in many cases, be combined with technical measures, such as improving infrastructure (irrigation systems, water supply systems), with the ultimate goal of controlling overconsumption and saving water.