Dear Tracy and Jan,

many thanks for your detailed and positive responses to the referees’ comments. Both reviewers were broadly favourable about the paper but provided very specific suggestions for amendments to improve it, and I note in your replies that you have largely ccepted those.

For me, the over-arching issues are:
(1) the early part of the paper needs a more critical appraisal of the literature on game play in this area, making clear in what ways Irrigania improves or advances this.

(2) The later part of the paper needs more emphasis on the wider implications of the game play - taking the lessons from the classroom and examining their significance for professional water management. This revision accepts that this study was classroom- focused, but simply aims to make clear in the Discussion/Conclusions the broader utility of the approach.

I look forward to seeing a revised paper uploaded so that I can progress this further. I’d appreciate it if you could provide a supplement outline highlighting those changes that you have made in relation to the reviewer’s comments.

many thanks,

Iain

A clear and concise response to the constructive comments of the referees has sharpened this paper and it now presents a solid account of the use of serious games in water management, covering both the theoretical and practical aspects. The game play element is nicely reported and will, no doubt, inspire others to develop similar educational elements in the currciulum.