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I 20 TRlBAL WATER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK I I I I 1 I I I I the management of vegetation in an upper watershed. For example, the coordinated scheduling of reservoir releases and irrigation has avoided the need for new capital improvements in some settings. The rising costs of construction, operation and maintenance associated with structural answers to water problems, and a greater sensitivity to environmental impacts, have prompted a search for more nonstructural solutions. Water managers. therefore, must have the ability to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of structural and nonstructural solutions. Rehabilitation v. Decay: Paying Now or Later Many of the dams, canals, pipelines, sewers and waste trealment facilities built decades ago are deteriorated and in need of repair or replacement. Decaying waterworks are pan of a larger public works infrastructure problem in the United States that is symbolized vividly by crumbling highways.18 After the failure of the Teton Dam in Idaho in 1976, a nationwide review of the condition of dams was begun, causing some closings and considerable repairs. The competition for capital to rebuild the public works infrastructure is keen. New water projects now are competing with the repair of old water projects for limited capital. What makes the matter worse is that each year rehabilitation is delayed, the ultimate cost is increased. As a result of the infra~1rocture problem, one lesson being relearned in many water management circles is the impon.ance of ongoing maintenance and repair. As the public becomes more aware of the infrastructure problem and the unavoidable costs that must be shouldered 10 solve it, water and sewer rates and water management budgets should begin to reflect the full cost of maintenance, repair and replacement. Here, as in other areas, the water manager is going to be called upon 10 be aniculate and persuasive in dealing with other officials, the media and the public. 2-3. CHALLENGES I I '. I Becoming Better Informed and Better Trained Training for the Indian water manager, as with any other skilled person in society, is a lifelong process. It does not stop with an educational diploma, degree or certificate. Trends and developments in the water management field are dynamic and ever-changing, requiring the modem manager to dedicate time to keeping abreast of advances in the field. Reading, comparing experiences with fellow managers elsewhere, anending conferences and workshops, and taking more course work are among the additional activities that Indian water managers must undertake to better manage the water resource. Redefining Connicl and Moderating Competing Values J Conflict among the water constituencies and users is one of the major problems facing many water managers. Sometimes the conflict is unnecessary and can be avoided by the discovery of mutual interests or common objectives. Sometimes an alert water manager, flexible and open to new approaches, can defuse conflict before 1 J