Water quality issues had been the main concern in worldwide as water resource keeps being polluted. River acts as the main source of drinking water, habitat for aquatic life, agriculture and industry. Poor in water quality led to the increase n water treatment expenses, water scarcity and affect health. River pollution is caused by industrial discharge, sewage and wastewater, chemical fertilizers and pesticides and mining activities. This paper aims to review and comments on factors to be incorporated in water quality study. Water quality index and pollutants are found to be the critical factors. USA, Canada, Iraq, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia used different parameters in calculating WQI. The parameters being considered in the WQI are then classified the river according to their classes and usage. Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia has highlighted three main pollutants in water quality study which are Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3N) and Suspended Solid (SS) due to their great influence on WQI calculation. However, standard treated water quality in Malaysia is still based on Environmental Quality Act, 1974 which is nearly 50 years ago. Emerging pollutants which are mainly organic compounds present as pharmaceuticals and personal care products are found in water resources nowadays and the treatment should be improvised along time. Some modification of class on usage of water as irrigation should be considered and the relevant of considering two oxygen demands in calculating WQI (BOD and COD).

River basins must be handled in a comprehensive and integrated way. To achieve that, Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) is a strong concept that will increasingly win discussions on natural resource management. IRBM focuses on the integration and coordination of policies, programs and practices. It focuses on problems relating to water and rivers. It advocates for improved skills and increased financial, legislative, management and political will. Many developed countries have expanded strongly functional and stable institutions for IRBM. These structural models have developed through the years, and are being gradually imposed and encouraged by policymakers and funders in developing countries. The main goal of this research is to identify and combine the main goals, concepts, effective practice examples and lesson learned of Integrated River Basin Management that emerged from the best practices management of River Thames in United Kingdom, European Unions’ Water Framework Directive, IWRM Canada and Malaysia. This research’s methodological approach compares the implementation structure of IWRM in four countries. The countries were chosen based on their numerous efforts in the field of water resource management. This is a practical water management framework focused on a holistic view of society’s goals integrated into good governance and sustainable development concepts. It also explains the advantages of expanding the idea behind IWRM core concepts.

River basins must be handled in a comprehensive and integrated way. To achieve that, Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) is a strong concept that will increasingly win discussions on natural resource management. IRBM focuses on the integration and coordination of policies, programs and practices. It focuses on problems relating to water and rivers. It advocates for improved skills and increased financial, legislative, management and political will. Many developed countries have expanded strongly functional and stable institutions for IRBM. These structural models have developed through the years, and are being gradually imposed and encouraged by policymakers and funders in developing countries. The main goal of this research is to identify and combine the main goals, concepts, effective practice examples and lesson learned of Integrated River Basin Management that emerged from the best practices management of River Thames in United Kingdom, European Unions’ Water Framework Directive, IWRM Canada and Malaysia. This research’s methodological approach compares the implementation structure of IWRM in four countries. The countries were chosen based on their numerous efforts in the field of water resource management. This is a practical water management framework focused on a holistic view of society’s goals integrated into good governance and sustainable development concepts. It also explains the advantages of expanding the idea behind IWRM core concepts.

The water management sectors are frequently challenged by the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principle to disregard structural, domestic, police and administrative support during their implementation process. Therefore, the implementation of the IWRM can lead to conflict, provocation, confusion and downfall of integration. Water sectors are a hugely relevant issue to be handled with the integrated mechanism during water management interventions. The need to incorporate long-term visions and alignment of basin-sub-basins is therefore to be relied to by all main players, which should provide a strong financial basis and be focused to strong awareness of the river basin and its interrelationships. This paper discusses the regulatory framework of water management as the key pillar of a successful IWRM implementation. Comparison are made with countries selected based on the many efforts that have been made under water resource management.