This chapter provides the conceptual and theoretical arguments for urban water governance. It recognizes that water governance is a complex process that requires governments to uphold the social, economic, environmental and political issues inherent in water governance processes. The dimensions of water governance illustrate the need to adopt a holistic perspective through which water governance is conceptualized as a continuously evolving process that ought to satisfy the fundamental water rights of all without marginalizing them. The types of water governance are discussed with a focus on authoritarian and participatory water governance processes. The chapter further explains the principles of good governance, which help to determine the success or failure of urban water governance. The chapter ends with theoretical discussions on resilience and sustainability, which are critical in spurring the effectiveness and robustness of urban water governance processes.