Questions surrounding the social policy aspects of water are being examined in a project by Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor of Social Work, Professor Manohar Pawar from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The project looks at critical issues of access and fair distribution of water to disadvantaged communities and the need for sound social policies for water sustainability. At the recent ‘Water and Social Policy’ international workshop in South Korea organised by Professor Pawar, papers were presented from Australia, India, Nepal and Thailand. Some of the critical questions raised were: who owns water and who should own it?  “Resolutions to these questions have significant consequences in terms of privatisation and the marketing of water,” Professor Pawar said. “The laws in some of these countries are silent on some critical issues, which allows for their interpretation by powerful groups. Cultural and social aspects are often ignored. For water sustainability, and to ensure the just and fair distribution of water, broad policy guidelines need to be developed.”  The project is due for completion in April next year.