Irrigators' associations are making reforms based on what they find just and fair

Abstract

Internal rules revisions and users participation are needed for the sustainability of irrigation collective institutions as shown in the literature. This article reports three institutional reforms carried out by three groups of farmers organized in Water User Association (ASA) in the Lot administrative unit (France). These reforms lead to different modalities of water and cost sharing among neighbouring farmer groups. This diversity is due to the variety of justice and equity concepts mobilized by the involved groups. It does not exist a unique equitable pricing system, a single just water allocation, an impartial control system, but different solutions perceived as just by those who elaborate and live its. This speaks for a large autonomy of communities managing common pool resources in the definition of their internal functioning rules.