Integrated Water Resources Management
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My previous blogs have largely focussed on the Nile Basin itself and the countries that lie on it. For this week's blog, I'm going to be slightly deviating from that theme and shall be discussing a concept known as 'integrated water resources management'.
As mentioned in last week's blog, water scarcity is a significant issue which is impacting many African countries such as Kenya. This issue has become exacerbated by other factors, such as the management of water and the accessibility to water. It therefore becomes apparent that 'solutions to water problems depend not only on water availability, but also on many other factors, among which are the processes through which water is managed' (Biswas, 2008:5).
What is integrated water resources management?
The concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) is not entirely new - its basic principles have been around for decades. IWRM is a 'call to consider water holistically, to manage it across sectors, and to ensure wide participation in decision making' (Giordano et al, 2014: 364). As shown in the picture below, there are several stages with regards to the implementation of IWRM.
The Global Water Partnership (2000:22) defines integrated water resources management (IWRM) as:
'a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems'.
The International Conference on Water and the Environment in 1992 saw the agreement on the 'Dublin Principles' by 'government-designated experts from 100 countries' (Hassing et al, 2009:3). These principles were key aspects of integrated water resources management. The four key principles were as follows (quoted from Hassing et al, 2009:3):
My previous blogs have largely focussed on the Nile Basin itself and the countries that lie on it. For this week's blog, I'm going to be slightly deviating from that theme and shall be discussing a concept known as 'integrated water resources management'.
As mentioned in last week's blog, water scarcity is a significant issue which is impacting many African countries such as Kenya. This issue has become exacerbated by other factors, such as the management of water and the accessibility to water. It therefore becomes apparent that 'solutions to water problems depend not only on water availability, but also on many other factors, among which are the processes through which water is managed' (Biswas, 2008:5).
What is integrated water resources management?
The concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) is not entirely new - its basic principles have been around for decades. IWRM is a 'call to consider water holistically, to manage it across sectors, and to ensure wide participation in decision making' (Giordano et al, 2014: 364). As shown in the picture below, there are several stages with regards to the implementation of IWRM.
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| The various stages of IWRM (United Nations, 2014) |
The Global Water Partnership (2000:22) defines integrated water resources management (IWRM) as:
'a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems'.
The International Conference on Water and the Environment in 1992 saw the agreement on the 'Dublin Principles' by 'government-designated experts from 100 countries' (Hassing et al, 2009:3). These principles were key aspects of integrated water resources management. The four key principles were as follows (quoted from Hassing et al, 2009:3):
- 'Freshwater is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment'
- Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach involving users, planners and policy makers at all levels
- Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water
- Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognised as an economic good '
With regards to the definition provided by the GWP, it is important to consider that there are a number of questions that can posed due to the vagueness of the definition (Biswas, 2008). Who is doing the promoting? What is an 'equitable manner'? Who is this process equitable for? Will it benefit everyone?
The IWRM Approach in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one country that has seen the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management, with the aim of being more sustainable with regards to how it manages its water resources (Mersha et al, 2015). The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy was introduced in 1999 and 'adopted IWRM as a general framework' for the management of the country's water (Hailu et al, 2018: 61). Using the principles of IWRM set out in the Dublin conference, Ethiopia has 'set up a water policy, legislation and strategy', essentially reforming the country's water sector (Mersha et al, 2015: 336). As mentioned in previous blogs, Ethiopia has a water scarcity problem which has worsened due to issues regarding accessibility to water and the management of water resources. This is despite the fact that Ethiopia has been referenced as the 'water tower of Northeastern Africa' and has significant water resources (MoWR, 2001: 41). The IWRM Policy which was introduced within Ethiopia aims to address the country's water scarcity issues, with an overall aim of 'enhancing and promoting efforts towards efficient, equitable and optimum utilisation of the available water resources for sustainable development' (Mersha et al, 2015: 339).
In 2003, the Ethiopia Country Water Partnership (ECWP) was created with the aim of 'promoting and implementing' IWRM, including a wide range of members including 'institutions from Federal and Regional Government offices, Local and International NGOs, Donors, Research and Academic Institutions, Women and the Private sector' (GWP, 2009: 11). The ECWP was responsible for initiating 'water partnerships in Tigray and Amhara National Regional States' in 2005, which aimed to educate and make local communities more aware of the benefits of cooperation with regards to water management through a number of workshops (GWP, 2009).
Similarly, a water partnership introduced in the Berki catchment has been responsible for bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss how its water resources can be managed in a way that is sustainable and equitable for all (GWP, 2009). Berki, located in the 'Tigray region of northern Ethiopia', was an area that was specifically targeted by IWRM (GWP, 2015: 23). The Berki watershed was a space where water was mismanaged and used beyond its limits with little consideration of the possible negative connotations it could have for other users - for this reason, conflict was a common outcome (GWP, 2015). Through the integration of IWRM, there were efforts to involve a wide range of stakeholders in a process which identified existing gaps with regards to the management of water resources, such as 'a lack of regulations for managing demands and conflicts' and 'low levels of awareness' with regards to the implications of the manner in which water is used. (GWP, 2015:25).
Outcomes
There have evidently been positive outcomes from the IWRM implemented in Ethiopia:
- Increased cooperation - There is a shift in attitudes in local communities with regards to water resources in the Berki catchment. People are more aware that they need to cooperate together with neighbouring areas in order to maintain an equitable distribution of water for everyone living in the area (GWP, 2009). One example that shows this change in attitude is the willingness of people living in downstream 'woredas' or districts to support conservation programmes in upstream areas (GWP, 2009: 15).
- There has been a decrease in conflict at the 'local level' (GWP, 2009:15) - There is a general recognition that 'working together is the best means to resolve water conflicts' (GWP, 2009:15). The introduction of the ECWP, coupled with annual meetings consisting of a wide range of members representing different fields, has played a significant role in terms of minimising conflict related to water.
A few thoughts to bare in mind...
For IWRM to be successful, there are still several factors which must be met:
- IWRM needs to 'support people's livelihoods' - there needs to be a recognition amongst communities that having a sustainable and equitable management of water is a key aspect of their livelihoods, and they therefore must be a part of this process (GWP, 2009:18).
- IWRM needs to involve stakeholders 'at all levels' in the process - it is mandatory that the process is equitable for all, and involves even those who may have previously had less of a say in such matters (GWP, 2009:18)
- IWRM needs 'move away from the large, top-down infrastructure building mentality' (GWP, 2009:18).
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