Systems analysis techniques have now been available for more than twenty years. There was initially some reticence in using these techniques in practical applications within water resources management, even though there was a large volume of technical literature on the subject. The paper will explore the reasons behind this reluctance. In more recent years there has been a great expansion in .the use of systems based techniques in both the planning and operational management of water resources systems. The paper will discuss the way in which these analytical techniques can be successfully implemented in practice to help address real world problems. The role of such techniques in the effective management of water resources within England and Wales will be addressed and examples of the techniques used and their application will be given. This will be in the context of both the water services companies who are responsible for the provision of water and sewage services, and the National Rivers Authority (NRA) the regulator on water resources matters in England and Wales. Both the NRA and the water services companies have a significant role to play in water resources management though their perspectives and priorities are different. Nevertheless many of the analytical tools which can be used are the same and the successful implementation of sophisticated computer based techniques requires the same philosophy. The full potential for these techniques will not be achieved unless the practical problems facing water resources managers are addressed and provision is made for extensive dialogue and collaboration between modellers and water resources managers and planners. Sound science is not enough. These issues will be considered with particular reference to the north west of England.

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