This special issue dedicated to the ecological economics of water aims at identifying the specific contribution of ecological economists to the scientific controversies on water resources management and policies. By discussing the social and political dimensions of water issues, considered as defining features of an ecological economics perspective on water, the papers reveal the pluralism of approaches in ecological economics regarding the way water resources are dealt with. As a whole, they develop a critical and reflexive overview of the ongoing debates within the community. Pluralism and controversies are addressed from several points of view. From a methodological perspective, the papers show a diversity of approaches ranging from qualitative methods and historical analysis to quantitative ones. As far as theoretical perspectives are concerned, the papers echo institutional and political economics as well as political ecology approaches. Moreover, they address the concepts developed by water scholars: hydrosocial cycle, hydraulic paradigm and hydrocracy, socio-hydrological coevolution, etc. From a policy angle, the tools analyzed range from market-based to participatory and to more regulatory solutions. Finally, from a geographical point of view, the case studies illustrate various contexts (US, EU and Southern countries).