Implementation of IWRM as a measure for counteracting changes

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Implementation of IWRM as a measure for
counteracting changes

• Presentation by
• Associate Professor Martin Hvidt
• University of Southern Denmark
• May 14th. 2008
• The Association of Development Researchers in
  Denmark
• Annual Conference
• Copenhagen Business School

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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 es

• Economic 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
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Nile - basinWater volume 81 billion
m3(Khartoum)Length 6200 km.Blue Nile 80 of
flowWhite Nile 20 of flowEvaporationMain
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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(No Transcript)
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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 issues

• Institutional issues
• The 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
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Lessons learned according to Institutional
issues (cont.)

• Policies
• Policies 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 issues
• The 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.)

• Miscellaneous
• Conerning 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 OM 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.