If Parts 2 and 4 are about instream and offstream uses of water, respectively, then Part 3 links them together by asking the basic question: Given a limited supply (as discussed in Part 1), how can we best allocate water among multiple competing uses? We also go beyond the question of allocation to other water governance issues, such as cooperation, coordination, and planning.
We start in Chapter 10 by describing the goals and challenges of water allocation, introducing economic efficiency, the tragedy of the commons, game theory, and common-pool resource management, followed by a description of current water allocation law in the US. Chapter 11 picks up the central challenge posed by Chapter 11—how can we modify existing water allocation schemes to better achieve justice and sustainability?—and explores a variety of market and non-market tools for re-allocating water and for improved coordination and planning. Chapter 12 addresses questions of conflict and cooperation over water, especially in international basins.