Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies
Implementation of IWRM as a measure for counteracting
changes
Presentation byAssociate Professor Martin HvidtUniversity of Southern Denmark
May 14th. 2008
The Association of Development Researchers in DenmarkAnnual Conference
Copenhagen Business School
Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies
Definition of IWRM
IWRM: Integrated Water Resources Management
IWRM is a process which promotes the co-ordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.
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The 3 overriding principles – the 3 e’sEconomic efficiency in water use: Because of the increasing scarcity of water and financial resources, the finite and vulnerable nature of water as a resource, and the increasing demands upon it, water must be used with maximum possibly efficiency
Equity: The basic right for all people to have access to water of adequate quantity and quality for the sustenance of human well-being must be recognized
Environmental and ecological sustainability: The present use of the resource should be managed in a way that does not undermine the life-support system thereby compromising use by future generations of the same resource
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What is to be integrated?
How is the integration to be facilitated ?
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Implementing the IWRM framework means:
Moving toward an enabling environment of appropriate polices, strategies and legislation for sustainable water resources development and management;
Putting in place the institutional framework through which the policies, strategies and legislation can be implemented, and
Setting up the management instruments required by these institutions to do their job
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The 3 pillars of IWRM
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IWRM is a process and implemented through a cycle
Establish Status and Overall Goals
- Water Resource issues
- Goals and progress towards IWRM framework
- Recent international developments
Analyse Gaps
- WR management functions required
- Management potentials and constraintsImplement
Frameworks
- IWRM framework
- Framework for water infrastructure development
- Build capacity
Build Commitment to actions
- Political adoption
- Stakeholder acceptance
- Identify financing
Prepare Strategy and Action Plan
- Enabling environment
- Institutional roles
-Management instruments
- Links to national policies
Monitor & Evaluate Progress
- Indicators of progress toward IWRM and water infrastructure development framework
Build Commitment to Reform process
- Political will
- Awareness
- Multi-stakeholder dialogue
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Nile - basin
Water volume : 81 billion m3(Khartoum)
Length: 6200 km.Blue Nile 80% of flowWhite Nile 20 % of flow
Evaporation:Main reservoir at Aswan High Dam. Evaporation from the surface of Lake Nasser: 13 billion m3 yearly (Water column 2,7 m high)
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Lessons learned according to Financial issues
Socio-economic development goals and demographic pressures in Egypt necessitates improved water management in the future.
Water management is seriously constrained by the lack of investments to finance the different components of the water system.
Cost of water supply is increasing dramatically for all types of uses (agriculture, municipal and sanitation etc.) and poses a significant burden on Government finances.
Current practices of cost recovery does not - and does not always aim to - cover neither supply costs nor full costs.
Incentives to limit water consumption for all types of uses should be introduced.
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Lessons learned according toFinancial issues (cont.)
The current policy to shift the role of Government toward planning and monitoring rather than implementation and operation should be continued.
The water sector should be established as one economic sector within the general state budget in order to improve economic efficiency.
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Lessons learned according to Institutional issuesInstitutional issuesThe current institutional set-up in water management is characterized by a fragmented management style based on a sectoral approach.
Clear definition of institutional responsibilities, functions and jurisdictions are lacking. Especially with regard to environmental management.
The inter-sectoral coordination and communication is currently insufficient to achieve the holistic approach necessitated by IWRM.
Capacity issues within the ministries in relation to holistic assessment and planning has to be increased.
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Stakeholders in the Egyptian water sector
Government sector
• Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) Ministry of Housing, Utilities and New Communities (MHUNC) Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs MoSEA / Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Ministry of Health and Population (MHP) Ministry of Industry (MoI/GOFI) Ministry of Scientific Research (MoSR) Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MoEE) Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) Ministry of Transportation (MoT) Ministry of Tourism Ministry of Interior and others
Private sector• Industry• WUAs• Federations of WUAs• Private sector companies (contractors, suppliers, consultancy firms)• Public sector holding companies (operated as private sector companies)• Fishermen• etc.
Civil society sector•NGO’s e.g local communities development programs (Shoroug)•Water Boards • etc.
International• Transboundary org.
Donors•USAID•World Bank•CIDA•KfW•etc.
Society at large(socio-economic benefits deriving from water)• etc.
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Lessons learned according to Institutional issues (cont.)
PoliciesPolicies and practices which aims for a more integrated, participatory and environmental sound management approach is endorsed and are under implementation.
Most policies are developed and set by each ministry and are as such not national policies.
Major discrepancies in current policies with implication for the overall water budget are found.
Current policies are more “supply” oriented than “demand” oriented.
Is current policy based on a consideration of water as a limiting factor for economic development?
Water quality issues are not predominant.
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Lessons learned according to Institutional issues (cont.)
Legal issuesThe current legislation concerning irrigation and drainage is not adequate for
water resources management in case of scarcity.
The current legislation concerning farmer participation is not adequate for
establishment of Water Users Organization in the old land establishment of e.g. various organisations at branch canal or higher
level
The current legislation concerning water quality and environment is adequate
However standards for industrial waste are very strict and can only be complied by large investment. The law is not enforced.
Standards for various toxic pollutants e.g. pesticides, herbicides are lacking
Fines for violation of laws are to low to be effective. Sampling procedures are inadequate
Generally enforcement of environmental laws is very weak.
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Lessons learned according to Institutional issues (cont.)
MiscellaneousConerning environmental issues:
There is a need to establish clear division of responsibilities within environmental monitoring and management e.g. establish a unified environmental monitoring program.
Minimum outflows for environmental consideration has to be allocated e.g. for outflows to the Mediterranean.
Initialize improved management of wastewater.
Concerning water management issues The ability to manage water depends on the O&M of the water
infrastructure. Thus the entire irrigation and drainage system require systematic evaluation of their state to assess deficiencies in their ability to perform as expected and to assist in planning and executing the proper system maintenance.
Improve and rehabilitate the conveyance system to allow for improved water distribution.
Metering of portable water and water for industries should be undertaken, in order to provide incentives for limiting water usage.
Water demand for fisheries should be explicitly recognized.
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So ……. Where is Egypt in the IWRM process?
By September 2005 Egypt signed their IWRM plan laying out the broad framework of the process ahead.
Focus was placed on - Irrigation Management Transfer- Institutional change processes- Cost recovery in the utilities sector- Encompassing legal changes.
Results so far ?- Lack of financing to carry through the changes- Lack of political will to centralize decisions concerning water use. Conflict Ministry of Agriculture and Min. of Water Resources.
