Management of water pollution requires a concise definition of the problem to be managed. The first task is recognition of an alleged water quality problem as being "a problem". This assumes an ability to identify all relevant water quality problems. The next task is to make sure that useful information is acquired that enables identification and assessment of existing and potential future water quality problems. Thus managers must be able to identify problem areas that require intervention within the water quality sector or the sector for which they are responsible. Nevertheless, even if all existing and potential water quality problems.
