Water scarcity leads to conflict and nowhere is this statement more evident than in those cases where shared watercourses cross or form political. Unless a means of shared utilization of these waters can be created, serious economic, political, financial, and even military consequences may develop, often to the detriment of both, or all, parties involved. Although the impediments to water sharing are many and varied, certain common obstacles exist. An understanding of these obstacles is essential if some sort of mutually agreed upon water sharing is to come to pass. These obstacles are described and discussed. For water sharing to be successful, state and non-state actors must be involved. However, no matter how the non-state actors are involved, the need for a formal agreement to share water between and among the parties involved remains essential. These essential components of a formal water sharing agreement are discussed, to include the need to develop a robust mechanism for resolution of disputes that may arise with respect to the terms of the agreement.
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