Urban water governance is the combination of processes, structures, and actors that identify values and coordinate water management actions across urban areas. The aim of urban water governance is to ensure that all water within the catchment is used in an optimal and efficient manner, within the broader policy context (Bettini and Head 2013).

Integrated Water Management is the process of bringing together all actors and stakeholders involved in urban water planning and governance to consider the optimal use of all water across the water cycle. The goal of Integrated Water Management is to expand the focus of water management from service delivery to include broader societal outcomes such as sustainability, liveability, and resilience.