In Phase II Freshwater identified four geographic areas where aquifers are being shared across political jurisdictions. We convened people in these areas to identify local challenges and possible ways to address these challenges. Through these workshops, we also fostered cross-jurisdictional connections and relationships. We harvested the information from the gatherings and supported it with research on existing policy and legal structures from around the world.  

This report lays out the reasoning for our approach, comparisons of two metropolitan and two rural settings, and the best practices and existing barriers that emerged. We hope this work lays a foundation  for  regional groundwater governance systems rooted in a shared understanding of the importance of groundwater to inclusive prosperity, ecological health, while addressing past harm and future climate and population stressors.