review of stakeholders, relevant policies in non-european

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for

research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No. 603608

DG Research –FP7-ENV-2013-two-stage

Global Earth Observation

for integrated water resource assessment

Review of stakeholders, relevant policies in

non-European case study river basins

Deliverable No: D.2.3 – Review of stakeholders, relevant policies in non-European case study

river basins

Ref.: WP2 - Task 2.2

Date: October 2014

WP2 - Task 2.2 – D.2.3

Review of stakeholders, relevant policies in non-European

case study river basins

Deliverable Title D.2.3 – Review of stakeholders, relevant policies in non-

European case study river basins

Filename D.2.3-Review_Stakeholders_Policies_v1

Authors Alexander Kaune Schmidt (UNESCO-IHE)

Clara Linés Díaz (UNESCO-IHE)

Reviewers Jaap Schellekens (Deltares)

Contributors Micha Werner (UNESCO-IHE)

Date 31/10/2014

Prepared under contract from the European Commission

Grant Agreement No. 603608

Directorate-General for Research & Innovation (DG Research), Collaborative project, FP7-ENV-2013-

two-stage

Start of the project: 01/01/2014

Duration: 48 months

Project coordinator: Stichting Deltares, NL

Dissemination level

X PU Public

PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission

Services)

RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission

Services)

CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission

Services)

Deliverable status version control

Version Date Author

1.0 31/10/2014 Alexander Kaune Schmidt and Clara Linés Díaz

(UNESCO-IHE)

2.0 10/11/2014 Alexander Kaune Schmidt and Clara Linés Díaz

(UNESCO-IHE)

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Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1

2 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 3

3 Review of stakeholders and water policies in Australia ........................................................................... 5

3.1 General context [1] ...................................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Water Act 2007 [1] [2] .................................................................................................................. 6

3.3. Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) [2] [3] [4] ..................................................................... 7

3.4 Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) [5] [6] [7] ............................................ 12

3.5 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) [8] .............................................. 14

3.6 The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) [9] [10] [11] ....................................................................... 15

3.7 Water Amendment Act 2008 ...................................................................................................... 20

3.8 Water Regulations [1] ................................................................................................................ 21

3.9 Water charge and water market rules [12] ................................................................................. 23

3.10 Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 [13] .......................................................... 24

3.11 The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) [5] [14] 25

4 Review of stakeholders and water policies in Ethiopia .......................................................................... 29

4.1 Water resource management [15] [16] ....................................................................................... 29

4.2 River Basin Master Plan Study - Abbay River Basin [16] [17] .................................................... 34

5 Review of stakeholders and water policies in Colombia ........................................................................ 39

5.1 General context [18] .................................................................................................................. 39

5.2 National Policy for Integrated Water Resource Management (PNGIRH) [18] [19] ..................... 41

5.3 Guidelines and Methods for the Regional Water Evaluation (ERA) [19] ................................... 47

6 Review of stakeholders and water policies in Bangladesh .................................................................... 51

6.1 General context [21][22] .......................................................................................................... 51

6.2 National Water Policy (1999) [21] ............................................................................................. 54

6.3 National Water Management Plan (2001) [22] .......................................................................... 56

6.4 Water Act 2013 [23] .................................................................................................................. 58

7 Review of stakeholders and water policies in Morocco ......................................................................... 61

7.1 General context [24] .................................................................................................................. 61

7.2 Water Law 10-95 (1995) [25][26] [27] ..................................................................................... 64

7.3 National Strategy for the Development of the Water Sector (2010) [28][27] .............................. 67

7.4 Decree 2-05-1534: Integrated Water Resources Development Plans and National Water Plan Terms, Methods and Procedures (2005) [29][30] ................................................................................ 70

8 References ............................................................................................................................................ 72

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List of Figure

Figure 1. An outline of how a program logic approach will be implemented through planning for the use of Commonwealth environmental water. [7] ............................................ 13

Figure 2. Strategic Plan 2010-2015: Transforming the core framework into one capable

of providing a comprehensive environmental intelligence service to the Australian public. [10] ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

Figure 3. The Bureau's Data and Information Framework [11] .................................................. 19

List of Tables

Table 1. Progress in the implementation of the Water Law [26] ................................................ 66

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1 Executive Summary

This report provides a review of relevant stakeholders and policies in the case study

river basins in non-European countries; Australia, Ethiopia, Colombia, Bangladesh,

and Morocco. It has been elaborated in the framework of a 4-year international project

called “eartH2Observe: Global Earth Observation for Integrated Water Resource

Assessment”. The main aim of the project is to integrate available water related data

from different sources in order to construct a global water resource re-analysis

dataset which would help to improve water management at all levels.

For each of the countries, the stakeholders and policies were reviewed and

summarized. The scope of this first report in a series of three reports is to provide an

overview of the policies that are relevant to the management of water resources in the

countries (basins) considered. For each policy the report focuses on the purpose, aims

and objectives, implementation.

This document complements a parallel report on European policies related to water.

The information provided in these two reports will be extended in two subsequent

reports. For both the European and non-European policies these subsequent reports

will identify the gap between the data requirements and the data available. The

information on the policy data needs is an important input to the project, as it will

provide an insight on the potential contribution of the eartH2Observe re-analysis

dataset to fulfilling key water management policies. In the final reports an analysis will

be made as to the extent that the identified gaps can be filled through the datasets

developed within the project.

The review of policies in the basin case studies show that in all cases relevant policies

have been developed to govern the management of water resources. However, it also

shows that there are differences in the level to which such policies have evolved. In

several of the cases (notably in the case of Australia) the policies are well developed

and implemented. In the case of Colombia the policy includes both the legal setting, as

well as an underlying policy that focuses on the indicators and metrics to be

developed. In other cases the policies provide more general guidelines without

providing detailed information these indicators and metrics. It is also clear from the

review that the number of institutions involved varies widely, with the most being

involved in the case of Bangladesh.

The review provided in this document provides an important input to the next step, in

which the data requirements to fulfil the requirements of the policy will be detailed, as

well as the data gaps that may exist in fulfilling those requirements.

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2 Introduction

This deliverable is one of the outputs of Work Package 2 that focuses on the potential

the comprehensive datasets developed within the project can support policy and

efficient decision. In the task under which this report has been developed (Task 2.2),

the focus in on the role these comprehensive datasets have in managing water

resources at the (international) river basin scale. The focus is on the river basin scale

case studies in Work Package 6.

This report provides a review of relevant stakeholders and water policies in the case

study river basins in non-European countries. Policies are assessed in those case study

countries where there is an explicit link to the users and decision making in the case

study. This includes Australia, Ethiopia, Colombia, Bangladesh, and Morocco. New

Zealand has not been included in the analysis as the case study objectives are

primarily focused on groundwater. The report summarises Water Policies, River Basin

Management Plans, and implementation and monitoring programs. It has been

developed in the framework of a 4-year international project called “eartH2Observe:

Global Earth Observation for Integrated Water Resource Assessment”.

‘EartH2Observe: Global Earth Observation for Integrated Water Resource Assessment’

is an international project that aims at integrating available water related data from

different sources (earth observations, in-situ datasets and models) in order to

construct a consistent global water resource re-analysis dataset of sufficient length

(several decades). The Earth Observation (EO) products developed within the project

will be supported by case studies and validated based on end-user needs and metrics,

ensuring the value of the project’s final datasets for local and regional decision making

and water management at local, European and global level.

For each of the international river basins in the case studies, the stakeholders and

policies relevant to water management are reviewed and summarised. An overview of

each policy is provided focusing on their purpose, aims and objectives,

implementation, and introducing the datasets and measures used or needed to fulfil

the requirements of these policies.

This document complements a parallel report on the European policies related to

water. Both for the international basin case studies as well as for Europe, this report is

the first of three documents. In this first document the relevant policies are identified

and the objectives analysed. In a second report the data requirements of each of these

policies are analysed and the gaps in available data sets in meeting those

requirements evaluated, as well as the potential of the datasets established within the

Earth2Observe project infilling those gaps. In the third and final stage in June 2017,

close to the end of the project, we will report on opportunities for complementing data

requirements and on how the gaps can be filled in by using some of the datasets that

will be provided from eartH2Observe project.

The report is divided into five sections, providing an analysis of the policies of the five

non-European countries within which the project case study basins lie. These include

Australia, Ethiopia, Colombia, Morocco, and Bangladesh. For each of these a general

context of the water related policies is provided, and subsequently for each policy the

purpose, implementation and data needs are explored.

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Australia

3 Review of stakeholders and water

policies in Australia

3.1 General context [1]

For more than a century the largest system of rivers and aquifers in Australia, the

Murray-Darling Basin, was managed between five states and territories, each of which

has had competing interests.

The River Murray Waters Agreement was signed in 1914 by New South Wales,

Victoria, South Australia and established the River Murray Commission (which later

became the Murray-Darling Basin Commission). The resulting governance model

required the agreement of all Basin jurisdictions before anything could be done by the

Commission. These arrangements hindered reform and encouraged decision making

that was not in the interest of the Basin as a whole. At the time the River Murray

Waters Agreement was signed, the present over allocation of water resources in the

Basin, combined with record low inflows and the onset of climate change, were not

envisaged.

In the last years, the Australian Government has developed policies and established

National Agencies to manage the challenges of meeting future demand for water in a

drying climate.

The key elements of water legislation in Australia are the following:

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• Water Act 2007

• Water Amendment Act 2008

• Water Regulations

• Water charge and water market rules

• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

3.2 Water Act 2007 [1] [2]

Purpose

The Water Act makes provision for the management of the water resources of the

Murray-Darling Basin, and to make provision for other matters of national interest in

relation to water and water information, and for related purposes.

Aims

• To enable the Commonwealth, in conjunction with the Basin States, to manage

the Basin water resources in the national interest.

• To give effect to relevant international agreements (to the extent to which

those agreements are relevant to the use and management of the Basin water

resources) and, in particular, to provide for special measures, in accordance

with those agreements, to address the threats to the Basin water resources.

• In giving effect to those agreements, to promote the use and management of

the Basin water resources in a way that optimizes economic, social and

environmental outcomes.

• To ensure the return to environmentally sustainable levels of extraction for

water resources that are overallocated or overused.

• To protect, restore and provide for the ecological values and ecosystem

services of the Murray-Darling Basin (taking into account, in particular, the

impact that the taking of water has on the watercourses, lakes, wetlands,

ground water and water-dependent ecosystems that are part of the Basin

water resources and on associated biodiversity).

• To maximize the net economic returns to the Australian community from the

use and management of the Basin water resources.

• To improve water security for all uses of Basin water resources.

• To ensure that the management of the Basin water resources takes into

account the broader management of natural resources in the Murray-Darling

Basin.

• To achieve efficient and cost effective water management and administrative

practices in relation to Basin water resources.

• To provide for the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of

information about, Australia’s water resources, and the use and management

of water in Australia.

Implementation

The Water Act 2007 started on 3 March 2008 and implemented key reforms for water

management in Australia.

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The key features of the Act are the following:

• The Act establishes the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) with the

functions and powers, including enforcement powers, needed to ensure that

Basin water resources are managed in an integrated and sustainable way.

• The Act requires the MDBA to prepare the Basin Plan - a strategic plan for the

integrated and sustainable management of water resources in the Murray-

Darling Basin.

• The Act establishes a Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

(CEWH) to manage the Commonwealth's environmental water to protect and

restore the environmental assets of the Murray-Darling Basin, and outside the

Basin where the Commonwealth owns water.

• The Act provides the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

(ACCC) with a key role in developing and enforcing water charge and water

market rules along the lines agreed in the National Water Initiative.

• The Act gives the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) water information

functions that are in addition to its existing functions under the Meteorology Act 1955.

Review of the Water Act 2007:

On 12 May 2014, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment,

announced an independent review of the Water Act 2007. It is the first review of the

Water Act since it commenced on 3 March 2008.

The overarching focus of the Review is to consider whether the Water Act is delivering

on its objectives effectively and with the minimum necessary regulatory burden

imposed on the water industry, water managers and irrigators.

The Review will also address the mandatory terms of reference set out in section 253

of the Water Act, which focus on the extent to which the objectives and outcomes of

the Basin Plan and related reforms are being met.

Datasets and measures

The Water Act 2007 sets responsibilities and functions for different water authorities

like Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder,

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Each water authority needs to generate data and measurements in order to follow the

water legislation aims and requirements. In the following subsections the authorities'

purpose, aims, implementation and datasets/measures are summarized.

3.3. Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) [2][3][4]

Context

In March 26, 2008 according to the Murray-Darling Basin Reform it was agreed that

the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission be

brought together as a single institution, to be known as the Murray-Darling Basin

Authority in order to implement co-operative, efficient and effective arrangements in

the Murray-Darling Basin, the Commonwealth and the Murray-Darling Basin States –

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New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital

Territory.

Purpose

The purpose of the MDBA is to restore the Basin's rivers and wetlands to health while

supporting strong regional communities and sustainable food and fiber production by

the implementation of the Basin Plan. The Department is responsible for the Water

programmes and projects that support this reform. This includes investments in

water-saving infrastructure, easing environmental flow delivery constraints, options

for works and measures, and water purchases to achieve more efficient outcomes for

the environment.

Aims

The MDBA functions according to the Water Act 2007 are the following:

• Measuring, monitoring and recording the amount and quality of Basin water

resources and condition of water-dependent ecosystems.

• Research to improve knowledge on Basin water resources and water-

dependent ecosystems.

• Fair, efficient and sustainable use and delivery of Basin water resources.

• Development of a water model for the Basin.

• Collecting, utilizing and sharing information about Basin water resources and

water dependent ecosystems.

• Educating the Australian community about Basin water resources.

Implementation

The Basin Plan:

The aim of the Basin Plan is to achieve a balance between environmental, economic

and social considerations. It is a seven year plan that serves as an adaptive framework

that provides an integrated and strategic approach for water reform across the Basin's

four States, consistent with the requirements of the Water Act.

The Plan includes:

• An environmental watering plan to optimize environmental outcomes for the

Basin.

• A water quality and salinity management plan.

• Requirements that state water resource plans will need to comply with, if they

are to be accredited.

• A mechanism to manage critical human water needs.

• Requirements for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the

implementation of the Basin Plan.

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Implementation of the Basin Plan:

The implementation of the basin plan started in the year 2012 and is projected to

finish in the year 2024 considering the following yearly tasks:

2012:

• Basin Plan comes into effect.

2013:

• Constraints management strategy released.

• First Annual environmental watering priorities published.

• Monitoring and evaluation on Basin Plan implementation commences.

2014:

• Basin environmental watering strategy published.

• Water trading rules begin.

• 3 groundwater sustainable diversion limits determined.

2015:

• Long-term State environmental watering plans published.

• Review of Northern Basin sustainable diversion limits completed.

2016:

• Adjustment of sustainable diversion limits determined.

2017:

• Environmental watering plan, water quality and salinity targets reviewed.

• Five yearly reports on the effectiveness of Basin Plan published.

2019:

• Sustainable diversion limits come into effect.

• All state water resource plans revised in line with the Basin.

2022:

• Basin Plan is reviewed.

• Environmental watering plan, water quality and salinity targets reviewed.

• Five yearly reports on the effectiveness of the Basin Plan published.

2024:

• Completion of agreed constraints measures.

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• Completion of "supply" and "efficiency" measures for the sustainable diversion

limit adjustment.

• Specific strategies:

• Sustainable Diversion Limits: The limits of water use in the basin are

established at environmentally sustainable levels by determining long-term

average Sustainable Diversion Limits for both surface water and groundwater

resources.

• Water Recovery Strategy: Part of the water currently used for human purposes

in the Murray-Darling Basin is being recovered and returned to the

environment.

• Investment in the Basin to improve the efficiency of irrigation networks and

on-farm infrastructure, recover water for the environment and explore

additional environmental works and measures.

Important programmes and initiatives are presented below:

• The Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP):

National programme investing in rural water use, management and efficiency,

including improved water knowledge and market reform, and water purchase

for the environment. It is the key mechanism to ‘bridge the gap’ to the

sustainable diversion limits under the Murray Darling Basin Plan and consists

of three main components: irrigation infrastructure projects; water purchase

and supply measures.

• South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program: aims to increase the

efficiency and productivity of South Australian businesses, and secure and

return 36 gigalitres of long term annual average yield ‘gap bridging’ water to

the Commonwealth for environmental water use.

• Living Murray Initiative: This program was established to help improve the

health of the River Murray, with a focus on six icon sites that are

internationally significant wetlands supporting a rich biodiversity. The

program is managed by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.

Currently the Murray-Darling Basin Authority water plan faces several challenges,

such as:

• Plan-farmers and townspeople in irrigated areas of the watershed-had not

been adequately consulted or engaged in the plan's formulation.

• Get the local community members more involved in the decision making, and

get them excited about science.

• Emphasizes the importance of communicating environmental goals with local

communities.

• Uncertainty in water consumption reduction to provide a high degree of

confidence in ecological restoration.

• More effort needs to be put forth to empower those in rural areas to have

more influence over their future, helping them contribute to a shared vision

for water management.

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The MDBA has the function to measure, monitor and record the quality and quantity of

the Basin water resources. MDBA collates and processes daily data to maintain

databases checked and provides a long-term record of river flows, storage levels,

salinity and other water attributes.

This means the measuring, monitoring and recording of the following variables or

conditions:

• Flows of surface water forming part of the Basin water resources.

• Levels and pressures of ground water forming part of the Basin water

resources.

• Inflows to river flow control works.

• Volumes held within river flow control works.

• The taking of water from the Basin water resources.

• Interception activity.

• Water dependent ecosystems associated with the Basin water resources.

• Furthermore the MDBA has the function to support, encourage and

conduct research and investigations about the Basin water resources,

including research and investigations about:

• Using the Basin water resources in an equitable, efficient and sustainable

manner.

• Conserving inflows to, and other sources of, the Basin water resources.

• Improving the quality of the Basin water resources.

• Improving the condition of water dependent ecosystems connected with

the Basin water resources.

• The desirability and practicality of measures that could help achieve any

of the objectives set out in the above subparagraphs.

Monitoring:

• The MDBA coordinates the monitoring and reporting of the Basin's condition,

using the Basin Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Program's framework and

principles. The program includes provisions for:

• Compliance audits.

• Review of the water quality and salinity targets and the Environmental

Watering Plan.

• Periodically assessing the condition of the Basin to inform changes to the Basin

Plan.

• The Basin Plan evaluation framework.

The MDBA has a number of key monitoring partners that collect research,

modelling, local and other knowledge:

• Federal agencies — including Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder;

Department of Environment; Bureau of Meteorology; Australian Bureau of

Statistics; Geoscience Australia; National Water Commission.

• Basin state governments and their agencies.

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• Industry and scientific organisations — including CSIRO, South Eastern

Australian Climate Initiative and Caring for our country.

• Local communities.

3.4 Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH)

[5][6][7]

Context

The Water Act 2007 establishes a Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to

manage the Commonwealth's environmental water.

Purpose

The Water Holder, supported by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office,

manages the Commonwealth’s environmental water portfolio, research projects that

inform approaches to aquatic ecosystems and environmental watering policy, and

major projects to improve water quality and the ecological health of iconic wetland

assets in the Murray Darling Basin. The Office is also the administrative authority

within Australia for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

Aims

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder is responsible for government

policies and programs that aim to protect and restore environmental assets – rivers,

floodplains and wetlands – that contain a wide diversity of life and provide habitat for

native animals and plants.

Implementation

The planning, prioritization, use and monitoring and evaluation of Commonwealth

environmental water is informed by a range of stakeholders including the Department

of the Environment and other Commonwealth and State government agencies,

scientists, catchment and local natural resource management agencies, environmental

water advisory groups, water user associations, Indigenous communities and local

landholders.

Following the ratification of the Murray Darling Basin Plan on 21 November 2012, the

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s decisions on water use, carryover and

trade have been made in the context of, and consistent with, the Basin Plan’s

Environmental Watering Plan, and annual priorities.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office develops, in conjunction with

delivery partners, watering options for every catchment where water is held. These

are considered in the context of wider portfolio management strategies. The alignment

of the relevant planning documents and Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and

Improvement (MERI) activities with immediate, intermediate and long term

timeframes is summarized as follows:

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Figure 1. An outline of how a program logic approach will be implemented

through planning for the use of Commonwealth environmental water. [7]


Operational monitoring will assess whether water has been delivered as planned and

at a high level will monitor immediate environmental response. It will provide

information to report annually (consistent of the Basin Plan) on the use of held

environmental water to achieve environmental outcomes (including the volumes,

frequency and duration, location and flow rates of that water).

Details of operational monitoring will be agreed with delivery partners and may

include the following measurements and information:

• Hydrologic monitoring of the primary components of the flow regime relevant

to the expected ecological response (e.g. timing, frequency, duration,

variability) to identify whether the water was delivered in the agreed volumes,

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at the agreed times and using the agreed delivery methods and guide

improvements in delivery.

• Inundation extent and depth.

• Changes in connectivity among and between environmental assets

• Monitoring indicators of operational risk, such as water quality (e.g. excessive

nutrients and toxic algal blooms, fluctuations in dissolved oxygen and

backwater events, acid sulphate mobilisation, salinization, turbidity and

sedimentation) for the purpose of managing those risks.

• Monitoring indicators in relation to the Basin Plan’s water quality and salinity

targets for managing flows.

• Observations about the immediate environmental responses to watering.

3.5 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

(ACCC) [8]

Context

The ACCC is an independent statutory authority that was established in 1995 to

administer the Trade Practices Act 1974 (renamed the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 on 1 January 2011) and other acts.

Purpose

The ACCC purpose is to promote competition and fair trade in markets to benefit

consumers, businesses, and the community, and regulate national infrastructure

services. Basically, making markets work for consumers, now and in the future.

Aims

The primary aim is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with Australian

competition, fair trading, and consumer protection laws - in particular the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

The priorities are reflected in four key goals:

• Maintain and promote competition and remedy market failure.

• Protect the interests and safety of consumers and support fair trading in

markets.

• Promote the economically efficient operation of, use of and investment in

monopoly infrastructure.

• Increase engagement with the broad range of groups affected by what is done.

The Water Act 2007 provides the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

(ACCC) with a key role in developing and enforcing water charge and water market

rules along the lines agreed in the National Water Initiative.

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Implementation

The ACCC's corporate plan sets out the commission's purpose, objectives and the key

areas of focus each year.

According to the four goals established, the ACCC's implements different strategies,

the following are relevant for decision making and risk issues:

• Make decisions on authorisation and notification applications and merger

reviews thoroughly and efficiently and give clear guidance to merger parties,

authorisation and notification applicants, and market participants.

• Identify and implement nationally integrated approaches to minimise the risk

of injury and death from safety hazards in consumer products.

Datasets and Measures

According to the ACCC's corporate plan the following measures are established for

decision making and risk issues:

• Outcomes and impact of actions and policies to promote competition.

• Outcomes and impact of actions to prevent or address consumer harm or

unfair trading.

• Efficiency and effectiveness of actions to promote consumer safety and fair

trading, and both consumer and small business awareness and assertion of

their consumer law rights.

• Timely, considered and evidence-based regulatory decisions based on

constructive engagement and complemented by effective enforcement and

compliance activities.

3.6 The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) [9][10][11]

Context

On 1 July 2002, the Bureau of Meteorology became an Executive Agency under the

Public Service Act 1999, and on 12 September 2002 it became a prescribed agency

under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. Under the Public

Service Act 1999, the Director of Meteorology has the powers and responsibilities of

an agency head. Under current administrative arrangements the Bureau reports to the

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment. The Parliamentary

Secretary’s portfolio responsibilities include all aspects of the functions and powers of

the Bureau of Meteorology and Director of Meteorology that are the responsibility of

the Minister for the Environment under the Meteorology Act 1955 and the Water Act

2007. These acts provide the legal basis for Bureau´s activities, while its operation is

continually assessed in accordance with the national need for climatic records, water

information, scientific understanding of Australian weather and climate and effective

service provision to the Australian community. The Bureau of Meteorology must also

fulfill Australia's international obligations under the Convention of the World

Meteorological Organization (WMO) and related international meteorological treaties

and agreements.

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Purpose

The Bureau of Meteorology is Australia's national weather, climate and water agency.

Its purpose is to assist Australians in dealing with the harsh realities of their natural

environment, including drought, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones,

through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice spanning the Australian

region and Antarctic territory.

Under Part 7 of the Water Act 2007, the Bureau of Meteorology is required to collect,

hold, manage, interpret and disseminate Australia's water information. Section 126 of

the Act places an obligation on persons specified in the Regulations to give certain

water information to the Bureau.

Aims

The Bureau contributes to national social, economic, cultural and environmental goals

by providing observational, meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic services

and by undertaking research into science and environment related issues in support of

its operations and services.

The Bureau's responsibilities and aims under the Water Act 2007 include:

• Issuing national water information standards.

• Collecting and publishing water information.

• Conducting regular national water resources assessments.

• Publishing an annual National Water Account.

• Providing regular water availability forecasts.

• Giving advice on matters relating to water information.

• Enhancing understanding of Australia's water resources.

Implementation

In order to implement the different functions and aims of the Bureau of Meteorology

the following divisions were created in order to focus in different working areas:

Hazards, Warnings and Forecasts Division

• Weather Forecasting Branch

• Flood Forecasting Branch

• Hazards Prediction Branch

• Bureau National Operations Centre

• Regional Forecasting (Regional Offices)

Observations and Infrastructure Division

• Observing Strategy and Operations Branch

• Infrastructure Management Branch

• Regional Operations (Regional Offices)

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Environment and Research Division

• Climate Information Services Branch

• Water Information Services Branch

• Environmental Information Services Branch

• Research and Development

Information Systems and Services Division

• Information Technology Services Branch

• Systems Development and Maintenance Branch

• Environmental Information Management Branch

• Digital Data Delivery

Corporate Services Division

• Finance and Budgets Branch

• People Management Branch

• Strategy, Parliamentary, International and Communication Branch

• Business Development Office

Strategic Plan 2010-2015:

According to the Strategic Plan 2010-2015, the Bureau of Meteorology set a goal to

transform its core into one capable of providing a comprehensive environmental

intelligence service to the Australian public. Retaining a strong focus on

meteorological services but also developing more information on the interactions with

the ocean, land and water resources, as well as the ecosystems that depend on them.

To enable this transformation the Bureau will focus on the following points:

• Stakeholders: Closer engagement with government, industry and the

community to better inform our priorities and activities.

• Products and services: Design and deliver products and services to maximise

the value to Australia.

• People: Create a high-performing and diverse workforce, a culture of

innovation and service, and a workplace that keeps people safe and fulfilled

professionally.

• Infrastructure: Modernise and extend the capability of information and

communication technologies, observing system and facilities to meet future

challenges.

• Operations: Pursue improvements to deliver efficient and effective outcomes.

• Scientific and technical capability: Extend the understanding of, and ability to

forecast Australia’s climate, land and water resources, and the ecosystems that

depend on them.

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Figure 2. Strategic Plan 2010-2015: Transforming the core framework into one

capable of providing a comprehensive environmental intelligence service to the

Australian public. [10]

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Data and Information Framework:

The Bureau's Data and Information Framework (Figure 3) underpins and supports the

achievement of the Bureau's priorities and strategies that impact and depend on the

management of data and information through its lifecycle and in all its forms.

Figure 3. The Bureau's Data and Information Framework [11]

The key elements of this framework are the following:

• Data and information principles: High level, strategic, and enduring. They

represent the Bureau’s values and fundamental beliefs in relation to data and

information.

• Data and information strategies: More detailed, executive-endorsed road

maps. They set out what is needed to realize the Bureau’s vision for

environmental data and information management.

• Policies: executive-endorsed rules and protocols that are practical in nature

and direct how the Bureau manages its data and information assets.

• Systems and tools: Provide the mechanisms, methodologies and procedures

that facilitate implementation of the policies.

• Structures and processes: Define the organization, coordination and

governance elements of the Framework.

The purpose of this framework is to enhance operational performance, improve

business efficiency, provide informed decision-making, mitigate risk and comply with

government information management requirements.

Available data and information:

In the Bureau of Meteorology website a variety of useful data and information is

available. Daily or monthly data and graphs about weather & climate, rainfall,

temperature, and solar exposure can be obtained online for different weather station.

More information on rainfall, temperature, evaporation, evapotranspiration, humidity,

wind, sunshine duration, solar ultraviolet (UV) Index, cloud, tropical cyclones, thunder

& lightning is available in map format for recent or average conditions in Australia.

For the following additional data or information, an online request is needed,

including in some cases a payment fee:

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• Past observations and statistics

• Radar, satellite and MSLP maps

• Maps, gridded and model data

• Storm confirmation and legal

• Solar data

• Ocean maps and data

• Climate variability and change

• Water and environmental data

• Climate reports and summaries

• Subscriptions and custom services

• Risk assessment and design

• Past forecasts and warnings

• Other commonly requested data

3.7 Water Amendment Act 2008

Purpose

The Amendment Act 2008 is an Act to amend the Water Act 2007, and for related

purposes. Amendment includes the insertion, omission, repeal, substitution, addition

or relocation of words or matter.

Aim

• To amend the Water Act 2007.

Implementation

The Water Amendment Act 2008 was based on a combination of Commonwealth

constitutional powers and a referral of certain powers from the Basin States to the

Commonwealth. The Act passed through the Commonwealth parliament following the

passage of referring legislation through the Basin states - Queensland, New South

Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

As part of the Government's collaborative approach to water management, the Water

Amendment Act 2008 was achieved after negotiating two intergovernmental

agreements:

• March 2008: The Memorandum of Understanding on Murray-Darling Basin

Reform was signed by the Prime Minister and the Premiers of New South

Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, and the Chief Minister of the

Australian Capital Territory.

• July 2008: An Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform

was signed by First Ministers, which built on the principles of the

Memorandum of Understanding. In the Intergovernmental Agreement,

Governments committed to a new culture and practice of Basin-wide

management and planning, through new governance structures and

partnerships.

Some key outcomes of the Water Amendment Act 2008 are the following:

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• The functions of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission were transferred to the

Murray-Darling Basin Authority. This means that a single body is responsible

for overseeing water resource planning in the Murray-Darling Basin.

• The role of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was

strengthened by providing for the water charge rules and the water market

rules to apply to all water service providers and transactions.

• The current powers of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

(ACCC) were extended to determine or accredit determination arrangements

for all regulated non-urban water charges.

• It enabled the Basin Plan to provide arrangements for meeting critical human

water needs.


The Water Amendment Act 2008 amends the Water Act 2007 in order to sets

responsibilities and functions for different water authorities like Murray-Darling

Basin Authority, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Australian Competition

and Consumer Commission, and the Bureau of Meteorology. Each water authority

needs to generate data and measurements in order to follow the water legislation

aims and requirements, as presented in the subsections of this document.

3.8 Water Regulations [1]

Context

On 19 June 2008 the Federal Executive Council approved the Water Regulations 2008,

also referred to as the Principal Regulations.

Purpose

To prescribe certain matters as provided for under the Water Act 2007. Any

regulations made under the Act after the principal regulations will be Water

Amendment Regulations.

Aim

• To stipulate regulations as provided for under the Water Act 2007.

Implementation

In the year 2008 the principal regulations and amendment regulations deal with the following issues:

• The process the Minister must follow for making water market and water

charge rules.

• Matters relating to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement.

• Amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement.

• The definition of the boundary of the Murray-Darling Basin.

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• Murray-Darling Basin Authority special powers.

• Water information.

Water Amendment Regulations (2010):

• To enhance the coverage of the water charge rules under the Water Act 2007.

Water Amendment Regulation (2012, No.1):

• Enables two variations made to the Snowy Hydro Licence to have precedence

over the Basin Plan.

• Enables specified Victorian water resource plans to continue to have effect

until 30 June 2019 as transitional water resource plans.

• Refines the obligations on water information holders and the subcategories of

water information that must be provided to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Water Amendment Regulation (2012, No.2):

• Excludes some water resources from the definition of Basin water resources

and from water resource planning areas under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

• Changes the boundary of the 'Hundreds of Livingston and Carcuma overlap

area' to ensure consistency with the new exclusions made by this regulation.

• Sets the 28 October 2011 as the date from which the Commonwealth accepts

certain obligations under the risk assignment framework in relation to

Queensland.

• Enables more Victorian water resource plans to continue in effect until 30 June

2019, as transitional water resource plans.

The Water Amendment (Interactions with State Laws and Water Information) Regulation (2013):

• Enables Victorian and South Australian plans to have extended transitional

water resource plan recognition.

• Delays the requirement to have an accredited or adopted water resource plan

for specified water resource plan areas.

• Provides for water information requirements to support the National

Groundwater Information System (NGIS).

• Provides for the Director of Meteorology to specify the format in which data

providers give their water information to the Bureau of Meteorology.


Water Amendment Regulations establishes detailed set of rules for different water

authorities like Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Commonwealth Environmental

Water Holder, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and the Bureau of

Meteorology. Each water authority needs to generate data and measurements in order

to follow the water legislation aims and requirements, as presented in the subsections

of this document.

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3.9 Water charge and water market rules [12]

Context

The following water market rules and sets of water charge rules have been made

under the Water Act 2007:

• Water market rules and water charge termination fee rules.

• Water planning and management information charge rules.

• Water infrastructure charge rules.

Purpose

The water market rules purpose is to ensure that the policies or administrative

requirements of irrigation infrastructure operators do not represent a barrier to trade

and contribute to the first of the Basin water market and trading objectives by

facilitating trade.

The water charge rules purpose is to provide that irrigators who sell water titles have

the option of maintaining or terminating their network connection, cap any

termination fee and also set out the circumstances when an operator can seek security

for future access fees.

Implementation

The Water Act 2007 provides for water charge and water market rules to be made to

regulate the water market and water charges across the Murray-Darling Basin. The

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is

required to seek, and have regard to, advice from the Australian Competition and

Consumer Commission (ACCC) in making, amending or revoking the water charge and

market rules. The ACCC is also responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance

with the rules once they have been made.

Amendments:

Currently the Water Market Rules 2009 and the Water Charge (Termination Fees)

Rules 2009 are in full effect. The Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules 2009 were

amended in 2011 to allow irrigation infrastructure operators to add goods and

services tax (GST) to termination fees. The amendments came into effect 17 February

2011. On 10 October 2012 the Minister made amendments to the Water Market Rules

2009 and Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules 2009 to address technical issues

that arose during implementation. The amendments provide clarity for irrigation

infrastructure operators and irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin about how the

rules operate.


Water charge and water market rules establishes detailed set of rules for different

water authorities like Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Commonwealth

Environmental Water Holder, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and

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the Bureau of Meteorology. Each water authority needs to generate data and

measurements in order to follow the water legislation aims and requirements, as

presented in the subsections of this document.

3.10 Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 [13]

Context

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) began in 2005. Projections were

made on the reduction in the demand for water and energy to the year 2021. A study

concluded that by 2021, Australians could save more than one billion dollars through

reduced water and energy bills by simply choosing more efficient products. A legal

framework was needed to implement these labelling and standards.

Purpose

The Australian Government's Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005,

purpose is to provide the legal framework for the Water Efficiency Labelling and

Standards (WELS) scheme. This scheme requires certain products to be registered and

labelled with their water efficiency.

Aim

• To provide for water efficiency labelling and the making of water efficiency

standards, and for related purposes.

Implementation

In order to implement the WELS legislative framework, different regulations and

standard declarations were established:

• The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Regulations 2005

• The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Determination 2011

• The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Declaration 2005

The WELS Standard:

The standard that sets out the criteria for rating the water efficiency and/or

performance of each WELS product type is the Australian and New Zealand

Standard AS/NZS6400:2005 Water-efficient products—Rating and labelling. This

standard is the basis for the star ratings and water consumption and flow displayed on

the WELS label.

In summary the Australian Government's WELS legislation covers the following points

for an adequate implementation:

• The establishment of the WELS Regulator to administer the scheme.

• Authority for the Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water,

Population and Communities to specify the products to be covered by the

WELS scheme, the standards they must meet and other requirements.

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• Requirements for the registration and labelling of WELS products, including

setting the fee to register a product

• Monitoring and enforcement measures, including the appointment of WELS

inspectors.

• Procedures for issuing and paying penalty infringement notices as an

alternative to prosecution for offences.


Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) 2005 established detailed set of

rules for different water authorities like Murray-Darling Basin Authority,

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Australian Competition and Consumer

Commission, and the Bureau of Meteorology. Each water authority needs to generate

data and measurements in order to follow the water legislation aims and

requirements, as presented in the subsections of this document.

3.11 The EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversity

ConservationAct1999(theEPBCAct)[5][14]

Context

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is the central

piece of environmental legislation in the Australian Government which commenced 16

July 2000.

Purpose

The purpose of the EPBC Act is to provide a legal framework to protect and manage

nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and

heritage places—defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental

significance.

Aims

• Provide for the protection of the environment, especially matters of national

environmental significance.

• Conserve Australian biodiversity.

• Provide a streamlined national environmental assessment and approvals

process.

• Enhance the protection and management of important natural and cultural

places.

• Control the international movement of plants and animals, wildlife specimens

and products made or derived from wildlife.

• Promote ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and

ecologically sustainable use of natural resources.

• Recognise the role of Indigenous people in the conservation and ecologically

sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity.

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• Promote the use of Indigenous peoples' knowledge of biodiversity with the

involvement of, and in cooperation with, the owners of the knowledge.

Implementation

The Australian Government's Department of the Environment implements the policies

from the EPBC Act. According to the EPBC Act, the nine issues of national

environmental significance are the following:

• World heritage properties.

• National heritage places.

• Wetlands of international importance (often called 'Ramsar' wetlands after the

international treaty under which such wetlands are listed).

• Nationally threatened species and ecological communities.

• Migratory species.

• Commonwealth marine areas.

• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

• Nuclear actions (including uranium mining).

• A water resource, in relation to coal seam gas development and large coal

mining development.

2013 EPBC Act amendment – Water trigger

Australia's national environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), was amended in June 2013, to provide that water

resources are a matter of national environmental significance, in relation to coal seam

gas and large coal mining development.

The water trigger allows the impacts of proposed coal seam gas and large coal mining

developments on water resources to be comprehensively assessed at a national level.

The Department of Environment has released a guidelines document called:

Significant impact guidelines 1.3: Coal seam gas and large coal mining developments-impact on water resources.

The purpose of this document is to assist any person who proposes to take an action

which involves a coal seam gas development or a large coal mining development to

decide whether the action will have or is likely to have a significant impact on a water

resource.

According to this document an action is likely to have a significant impact on a water

resource if there is a real or not remote chance or possibility that it will directly or

indirectly result in a change to the hydrology of a water resource and the water quality

of a water resource. In the case of sufficient scale or intensity as to reduce the current

or future utility of the water resource for third party users, including environmental

and other public benefit outcomes, or to create a material risk of such reduction in

utility occurring.

• The following aspects may need to be considered when assessing changes in

hydrological characteristics:

• Flow regimes (volume, timing, duration and frequency of surface water flows).

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• Recharge rates to groundwater.

• Aquifer pressure or pressure relationships between aquifers.

• Groundwater table and potentiometric surface levels.

• Groundwater-surface water interactions.

• River-floodplain connectivity.

• Inter-aquifer connectivity.

• Coastal processes including changes to sediment movement or accretion,

water circulation patterns, permanent alterations in tidal patterns, or

substantial changes to water flows or water quality in estuaries.


The level of information and data provided to the Department of Environment at the

referral stage should be sufficient to allow a decision to be made as to whether an

action is a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act. Where the Minister decides that an

action requires assessment and approval, additional, more detailed information and

data may be required to fully assess the impacts of the action.

Information provided to the Department at the referral stage should include:

• The characteristics of the potentially impacted water resources.

• Known baseline conditions of the water resources, including existing third

party uses, including environmental and other public benefit outcomes.

• Reasonably foreseeable future use of the water resources.

• The likely impact of the action on the water resource, including consideration

of impacts in the context of existing impacts.

• Proposed avoidance and mitigation measures.

• The alignment of the action with any relevant water resources and/or water

quality plans.

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Ethiopia


policies in Ethiopia

4.1 Waterresourcemanagement[15][16]

Context

Since 1995 water resources management in Ethiopia has been elevated to the

ministerial level when the government established the Ministry of Water Resources

(MoWR), today known as the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE).

According to Proclamations No. 4/95 and No. 471/2005, the powers and duties of the

Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) include the following:

• Undertake basin studies and determine the country's ground and surface

water resource potential in terms of volume and quality and facilitate their

utilization.

• Determine conditions and methods required for the optimum and equitable

allocation and utilization among various uses of water bodies that flow across

or lie between more than one Regional States.

• Undertake studies and negotiations of treaties pertaining to the utilization of

boundary and transboundary water bodies and follow up the implementation

of the same.

• Carry out the study, design and construction works to promote the expansion

of medium and large scale irrigation dams.

• Issue permits and regulate the construction and operation of water works

relating to water bodies.

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• Administer dams and hydraulic structures constructed with federal budget

unless they are entrusted to the Authority of other relevant bodies.

• Ensure the provision of meteorological services.

The Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) was established in 2010 by the Federal

Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) proclamation number 691/ 2010.

The ministry makes efforts to achieve the following targets set for the water and

energy sector:

• Potable drinking water and sanitation programs

• Irrigation and drainage development studies

• Design and construction

• River basin and master plan studies

• Energy development such as hydropower and alternative energies (solar,

wind and bio-fuel).

Some institutions affiliated to the Ministry are:

• Meteorological Service Agency

• Awash Basin Water Resource Management Agency

• Specialized public enterprises engaged in the study, design, supervision and

construction of water related activities

The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy (WRMP) was issued in 1999 and

is still valid today as the main policy for water resource management. It addresses

three main sub-sectoral development programs:

• Water supply and sanitation (WSS)

• Irrigation and Drainage

• Hydropower Development

Purpose

The overall goal of the Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy (WRMP) is to:

"Enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient, equitable and

optimum utilization of the available water resources of the country for significant

socio-economic development on sustainable basis".

Aims

The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy (WRMP) contains the following

aims:

• Enhance the integrated and comprehensive management of water resources

that avoids fragmented approach.

• Recognize water as a scarce and vital socio-economic resource that should be

managed on strategic planning basis with long term visions and sustainable

objectives.

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• Ensure the integration of water resources development and utilization with

Ethiopia's overall economic development framework.

• Ensure that water resources management is compatible and integrated with

other natural resources as well as river basin development plans and with the

goals of other sectoral developments in health, mines, energy, agriculture, etc.

• Recognize and adopt the hydrologic boundary or basin as the fundamental

planning unit and water resources management domain.

• Promote and advocate institutional stability and continuity in water resources

management and ensure smooth transition during times of changes.

• Promote and enhance traditional and localized water harvesting techniques in

view of the advantages provided by the scheme's dependence on local

resources and indigenous skills.

• Promote the full involvement of women in the planning, implementation,

decision-making and training as well as empower them to play a leading role

in self-reliance activities.

• Promote the involvement and meaningful participation of the private sector in

the management of water resources.

• Promote appropriate linkage mechanisms for the coordination of water

resources management activities between the Federal and Regional

Governments.

• Establish phase-by-phase Basin Authorities for efficient, successful and

sustainable joint management of the water resources of the basins through

concerted efforts of relevant stakeholders.

• Create a conducive environment for the enhancement of linkages and

partnerships between the Federal and Regional States on the basis of the

Constitution for the realization of efficient, sustainable and equitable water

resource management.

The fundamental principles of the Ethiopian WRMP that guide the equitable,

sustainable and efficient development, utilization, conservation, and protection of

water resources in Ethiopia include:

• Water is a natural endowment commonly owned by all the people of Ethiopia.

• Every Ethiopian citizen shall have access to sufficient water of acceptable

quality to satisfy basic human needs.

• Water shall be recognized both as an economic and social good.

• Water resources development shall be underpinned on rural-centered,

decentralized management, participatory approach as well as integrated

framework.

• Management of water resources shall ensure social equity, economic

efficiency, systems reliability and sustainability norms.

• Promotion of the participation of all stakeholders and user communities in

water resources management, most particularly by women.

Implementation

National Water Sector Strategy (2001):

The National Water Sector Strategy is taken as an instrument to translate the

Ethiopian WRMP into action. This Strategy has set guidelines on how to make

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meaningful contribution towards improving the living standards and the general

socio-economic wellbeing of the Ethiopian people.

The following objectives are presented in the water sector strategy in order to realize

the policy goal:

• Realizing food self-sufficiency and food security in the country.

• Extending water supply and sanitation coverage to large segments of the

society.

• Generating additional hydropower.

• Enhancing the contribution of water resources in attaining national

development priorities.

• Promoting the principles of IWRM.

General water resources strategies

The overall goal of the Water Resources Strategy is to enhance and promote all

national efforts towards the efficient, equitable and optimum utilization of the

available water resources of Ethiopia for significant socio-economic development on a

sustainable basis. Towards this aim, the following strategic directions will be adapted

with respect to main elements of the strategy:

• Water Resource Development

• Water Resources Management

• The Enabling Environment

• Trans-boundary Waters

• Finance and Economics

• Research and Development

• Stakeholders Participation

• Gender Mainstreaming

• Disasters and Public Safety

• Environment and Health Standards

• Technology and Engineering

Specific water resources strategies

• Hydropower Development Strategy:

The principal objective of the hydropower development strategy is to guide the

development of potential hydropower resources as permissible by economic

feasibility, and by social and environmental constraints, to meet the present and

future domestic demand and, if possible, to generate additional hydropower to cater

for the demand of neighbouring external markets.

• Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy:

The principal objective of the strategy is to secure basis for the provision of

sustainable, efficient, reliable, affordable and users-acceptable WSS services to the

Ethiopian people, including livestock watering, in line with the goals and objectives of

relevant national and regional development policies.

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• Irrigation Development Strategy:

The principal objective of the irrigation development strategy is to exploit the

agricultural production potential of the country to achieve food self-sufficiency at the

national level, including export earnings, and to satisfy the raw material demand of

local industries, but without degrading the fertility and productivity of country’s land

and water resource base. More specific objectives of the strategy are to: expand

irrigated agriculture, improve irrigation water-use efficiency and thus the agricultural

production efficiency, develop irrigation systems that are technically and financially

sustainable, and address waterlogging problems in irrigated areas.

Water Sector Development Program:

Following the issuance of the WRMP and the development of the Strategy, the Ministry

of Water Resources embarked upon the preparation of the Water Sector Development

Program (WSDP). The Ethiopian government has developed a 15 year WSDP time

frame from 2002 to 2016. It has three main sub-sectoral development programs with

specific targets as presented below:

• Water Supply and Sanitation:

The WSDP is divided into short-term (2002-2006), medium-term (2007-2011) and

long-term (2012-2016) plans. The settings of targets are defined in accordance with

the government's commitments to attain the Millennium Development Goals. The

main goal is to increase the national water supply coverage to 76% by 2015.

• Irrigation and drainage:

A number of projects are focused on small-scale irrigation schemes with average size

ranging between 70 to 90 hectares. Moreover medium size schemes between 100 and

300 ha, and large size schemes (above 3000 ha) are planned to be developed.

• Hydropower development:

The goal is to raise the total installed capacity of the National Electric Company to

about 1300 MW by the end of the program period. The per capita generation of

electricity is expected to grow from 27 kWh/year (2000) to 52 kWh/year (2016).

The WSDP study has determined the following implementation strategy points:

• Capitalize and build upon existing government institutional structures.

• Coordinate and integrate program components during implementation.

• Envisage decentralized management of program implementation of all the

program components.

• Promote and create innovative partnership among stakeholders.

• Relay on national expertise, without overlooking external technical assistance.

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• Preparation of the Program Implementation Manual (PIM). Monitoring

indicators should be outlined in the manual for continuous adjustments.


The requirement of datasets and measurements are not explicitly mentioned in the

water resource management policy (WRMP). However, a Program Implementation

Manual (PIM) is under preparation to establish monitoring indicators.

4.2 River Basin Master Plan Study - Abbay River Basin [16]

[17]

Context

River Basin Master Plan Studies:

The objective of river basin study is to identify the natural resources of the country in

type and quantity and prepare a well-studied master plan for better utilization and

development of the country’s resources. Ethiopia has 12 major river basins out of

which eight river basins master plan studies are completed. In the Growth and

Transformation Plan period the remaining river basins master plan studies are

expected to be completed.

Abbay River Basin

The Abbay River basin is one of the sources of the Nile River located in the Ethiopian

Mountains. The basin provides the country’s main food supply and important water

resources for 15 million people, mainly living in conditions of poverty. The following

are key issues that have to be taken into account in the development of this basin.

• The basin population is expected to triple within the life of the master plan (50

years). The capacity of the system to adjust to increasing population is under

increasing pressure and may be approaching a breaking point.

• The existing agricultural land base in the highlands is already fully used (or

will be so in a few years) within the context of the existing farming systems. • There is a reduction in land area in the predominant highlands, due to soil

erosion and degradation. Along with soil degradation, general land

degradation is also advanced and increasing rapidly. Most of the forests have

disappeared from the basin.

• The fuel imbalance in the highlands is severe and increasing at alarming rates.

• While land and climate are favorable to agriculture through most of the

lowlands, development is constrained by the presence of tsetse which

constrains the animal traction required under existing farming systems.

• Agricultural production is trending upwards, benefiting from the positive

policies and several years of good rains. However, setbacks in the 1997/98

season demonstrate the continuing susceptibility of agriculture, and thereby of

the whole basin economy, to uncontrollable climatic variations.

• Livestock conditions are deteriorating. In part the expansion of crop

production, in the face of increasing population and degrading resources, has

come at the expense of livestock.

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• The population - land imbalance is highest in Amhara Region and lowest in

Benishangul-Gumuz. In Amhara, population pressure is extreme, large areas

are already degraded and current cultivation unsustainable, and even if the

lowlands are included, there are few areas within the Region to which the

Amhara population can move.

• Urban growth is very low. However, given the inevitable population growth,

and the incapacity of the land to support that projected population, massive

urbanization over the life of the master plan appears inevitable.

• General social indicators (health, education, etc.) are amongst the lowest in the

world and are all trending downwards. The condition of the people in many

respects is declining. People are in a state of poverty and poverty is deepening

and widening. As the land is fully used and alternate employment remains

unavailable, so people start to over-use the land.

Purpose

The Abbay River Basin Master Plan Development Project is a project of the

Government of Ethiopia (GOE), under the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE). It is

one of a series of projects designed to prepare integrated development master plans

for all the major river basins of Ethiopia. This Master Plan will particularly guide the

development of water resources in the basin for the following 30 to 50 years.

Furthermore, the water allocation and utilization plan will contribute to the future

negotiations with downstream countries.

Aims

The following are the aims of the Master Plan:

• To commence a comprehensive inventory of the natural and human resources

of the basin and their inter-relationships to be used in the preparation of the

river basin development master plan, and to establish the baseline data for

future development and environmental monitoring.

• To define the existing and potential systems of exploitation and regeneration

covering principal resources of land, vegetation and water, with a view to

determining the overall impacts of particular patterns of use or intervention.

• To develop sustainable patterns of resources exploitation, which will help

minimize adverse environmental impacts.

• To develop a policy framework for the development of the river basin, which is

both sectoral and multi-sectoral in scope, reflects international, national and

regional perspectives, and acknowledges roles of public and private

investment.

• To establish a number of prioritized development projects in the fields of

water resources development, sectoral development, and infrastructure, and

to support development, for subsequent implementation by appropriate

agencies.

• In the case of water resources development projects, to develop the selected

and prioritized developments to internationally accepted levels of pre-

feasibility.

• To prepare a land use and infrastructure development plan for the river basin.

• To prepare development control guidelines to assist national government in

the consideration of future major development proposals of international and

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36

inter-regional extent and a separate guideline of national significance and

regional authorities in the consideration of routine authorities in the

consideration of routine land allocations for all development proposals.

Implementation

For implementation purposes, government will not be directly involved, either

directly or in financing, in the majority of ‘private sector’ developments. Such

developments include commercial agriculture (mechanized rainfed and irrigated).

Government investment will be limited to ‘public goods’, essentially to creating the

right enabling environment (infrastructure, institutions, and capacity building) and

providing management of public resources (e.g. forest management, although much of

this could also eventually be contracted/leased to the private sector).

The role of the private sector at the regional level is likely to be relatively less but is

still critical, and the regional governments must clearly give high priority to creating

the necessary enabling environment. Priority attention should be given to the

following:

• Development of an efficient and responsive tax base to fund both capital and

recurrent expenditures, both at a regional and federal level.

• Adoption of cost recovery programmes to the extent that these are politically

acceptable and practically possible. The opportunities for cost recovery are

particularly important in respect of economic infrastructure e.g. electric

energy, irrigation, and urban water supply.

• Encourage beneficiary participation in publicly-sponsored programmes. Areas

where this has particular potential include soil conservation, farm and

community forestry, rural roads, rural water supply, and small-scale (and

tertiary distribution systems in large/medium scale irrigation). Opportunities

should be aggressively pursued in the design of specific programmes.

• External donors are increasingly focusing on poverty-orientated programmes

in particular in association with those that also address environmental issues.

Donor assistance should also be tapped as far as possible, for major

infrastructural investments in both the economic and social sectors. However,

donors have become increasingly cautious of supporting large-scale irrigation

development in Africa, emphasizing again the importance of involving the

private investment in this sector.

In terms of impacts, according to qualitative assessments, three broad scenarios

for the implementation of the Master Plan are foreseen:

1. The plan is not implemented

Failure to implement the master plan will cause a growing imbalance between the

available land and the demands on it from the population. The net effect will most

likely be:

• Accelerated soil erosion and degradation, and extension of highly degraded

areas no longer able to support cultivation.

• Increased use of grazing land and other marginal lands for cultivation.

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37

• As grazing land decreases, so farmers will be forced into less productive hand

cultivation, while the security currently provided by animals will be lost. Farm

incomes and security will decline.

• Associated with the above, a declining capacity to feed the nation and, in the

long term, an increased dependence on expensive alternatives, such as

commercial irrigation. However, at the same time the water potential will be

declining due to increased runoff rates and increased sedimentation.

• With land degradation, increased numbers of farmers will be forced from the

land and rural unemployment will increase.

• From the above, there will be a steady drift of unemployed laborers to the

cities in search of employment and livelihood.

• From the previous point, and the increase in population, unemployment

overall will increase.

2. Selected parts of the plan are implemented

Partial implementation of the plan may not produce proportional results because

the Master Plan requires synergy between its components. A partial

implementation of the Master Plan could potentially be worse than no

implementation. Therefore a great caution is required in selective implementation

of the proposals.

3. The total plan is implemented

The master plan provides a framework and models for analyzing and

understanding the implications of government policies and actions.

Several details arise from implementing this plan:

• Most issues in most of the development directions are supported by specific

programmes and projects. Thus, if fully implemented, the Master Plan would

go far to addressing the key development issues.

• Many of the programmes and projects support more than one development

direction. It is therefore difficult to separate the impacts of different

programmes and projects or, at a broader scale, of the different identified

development directions.

• There are a few identified issues which do not have supporting programmes.

Most often this is because the issue lies outside the master plan framework,

such as policy issues which may constrain development of the master plan.

Other issues, such as land tenure, have no projects or programmes but are

discussed in a different context.

• The Master Plan as presented is not definitive. Firstly, it may be modified to

meet government priorities. However, such modification must respect the

interlinkages between components. Powerful analytical tools have been

provided to assist in the analysis. Secondly, the Master Plan must be a living

document, constantly adjusted to the changing circumstances.


There is a need to monitor, either independently or as part of plan monitoring, the

physical and socio-economic condition of the basin.

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In terms of the physical resource, satellite imagery and GIS, linked to a routine

sampling programme, can provide a powerful and dynamic monitoring system. This

can be linked to other on-going related data collection activities, most notably the

agricultural surveys undertaken by the Ministry of Water and Energy.

According to the master plan there should be two primary objectives for a monitoring

plan:

• Identification of trends.

• Identification of associations, such that cause and effect relationships can

be better understood as a basis for management.

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39

Colombia


policies in Colombia

5.1 Generalcontext[18]

As established by Law 99 of 1993, the Ministry of Environment, Housing and

TerritorialDevelopment(MAVDT),todayknownastheMinistryofEnvironmentand

SustainableDevelopment,ascoordinatoroftheNationalEnvironmentalSystem,isthe

leadagencyforthemanagementoftheenvironmentandrenewablenaturalresources,

responsible for defining and developing, ensuring community participation, policies

and regulations inorder to achieve recovery, conservation, protection,organization,

management,useandexploitationofrenewablenaturalresources,includingwater.

Specificallyonwater issues, it isup to theMinistryofEnvironmentandSustainable

Development (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, MADS), to guide the

process of policy formulation; regulate the general conditions for environmental

sanitation; set guidelines for the management and watershed management; establish

maximum permissible levels of discharges; set the minimum amount of environmental

taxes, and regulate resource management in marine and coastal areas, among others.

The Ministry has two inter-institutional and inter-sectorial policy and rules advisors:

1. The National Environmental Council.

2. The Technical advisory committee of environmental policies and

norms.

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Furthermore, the ministry receives technical and scientific support from five research

institutes:

1. Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies -IDEAM, which

manages related information, among other things, hydrology, hydrogeology,

meteorology and ecosystems, studies and research concepts and issues in

these areas.

2. Institute of Marine and Coastal Research "José Benito Vives de Andreis" -

INVEMAR, which provides advice and scientific and technical support on

renewable natural resources and coastal and ocean ecosystems in the seas

adjacent to the territory national.

3. Research Institute of Biological Resources "Alexander von Humboldt",

responsible for research related to biodiversity.

4. The Amazon Institute of Scientific Research "Sinchi".

5. The Environmental Research Institute of the Pacific "John von Neumann",

which aims to develop research science and technology to contribute to

sustainable development in the Amazon and the Pacific.

In addition, there are other national entities that have competences related in varying

degrees to the integrated management of water resources, such as:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: Formulates, coordinates and

evaluates policies and strategies for the agricultural sector. It has the support

of the Colombian Institute for Rural Development and -INCODER Colombian

Agricultural Institute.

• Ministry of Social Protection: Delivers health policy, including measures

relating to the risks associated with the environmental conditions of water

resources for human consumption. It has the support of the National Institute

of Health -INS and its National Reference Laboratory for analysis of drinking

water quality.

• Ministry of Education: Coordinates education policy including strategies in

environmental education.

• Ministry of Mines and Energy: Adopt and develop policies for the exploitation

of minerals and hydrocarbons, as well as the development of energy, including

hydropower. It has the support of the Colombian Geologic Service (SGC,

previously INGEOMINAS) who, besides the mining issues, develops

groundwater exploration.

• Superintendent of Public Services -SSPD: Controls, inspects and monitors

entities.

• Commission for Drinking Water Regulation and Basic Sanitation (CRA)

• National Maritime Authority (Dirección General Marítima, DIMAR)

Regional entities:

• Regional Autonomous Corporations (Corporaciones Autónomas Regionales, CARs).

• Environmental Units in Large Urban Areas (Unidades Ambientales de Grandes Centros Urbanos). Grandes Centros Urbanos have the same functions of the

CARs in urban areas with more than one million inhabitants (Law 99 -1993).

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5.2 National Policy for Integrated Water Resource

Management (PNGIRH) [18] [19]

Context

One of the first policy documents to be issued was in 1996 called "Policy Guidelines for

Integrated Water Management". In this document, the Ministry defined the basis and

objectives to manage the national water supply and address the social and economic

development requirements in terms of quantity, quality and spatial and temporal

distribution.

During the years from 2002 to 2006 it was sought to redirect water policy through the

preparation of a draft "Water Act" that was presented to the Congress without being

approved. However, the need to redirect water policy, in order to harmonize and make

more efficient management tools was evident.

The National Development Plan 2006-2010 first incorporated a specific component of

integrated water resources management, where the formulation of national policy was

proposed. As a result, the Ministry was strengthened internally and created the Water

Resources Group and began working with an inter-autonomous corporations, IDEAM

and others, to develop the National Water Policy, including some regulatory update

priority actions for watershed management, resource management and information

management.

In 2010 broad guidelines were developed, which emerged from the discussion

between all actors involved at national level in the formulation of the National Policy

for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

Purpose

The National Policy for Integrated Water Resource Management purpose is to set the

objectives, strategies, targets, indicators and strategic lines of action for the

management of water resources in the country and is oriented to a 12 year

programme (until 2022).

Aims

To ensure the sustainability of water resources by managing an efficient and effective

use linked to planning and land use and conservation of ecosystems that regulate

water supply, considering water as a factor in economic development and welfare

social processes and implementing equitable and inclusive participation.

1. Conserving ecosystems and hydrological processes which provide the water

supply for the country.

2. To characterize, quantify and optimize the water demand in the country.

3. Improve the quality and minimize pollution of water resources.

4. Develop comprehensive management of the risks associated with the supply

and availability of water.

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5. Create the conditions for capacity building in integrated water resources

management.

6. Consolidate and strengthen the integrated management of water resources.

Implementation

The National Water Plan will be formulated and implemented, that defines in detail

each of the programs and projects to be implemented to achieve the specific policy

objectives. The plan will have three phases: short-term (2010-2014), medium term

(2015-2018) and long term (2019-2022) and consider structuring the different

features and characteristics of each of the regions.

Different strategic actions are defined to approach each aim or objective of the policy.

For objective 1 the following strategic actions are defined:

• Expansion and consolidation, at the basin level, knowledge of the total and

available water supply in the country to have reliable water balances.

• Improve understanding of supply (reserves and resources) of groundwater in

the country.

• Quantify the environmental goods and services related to water ecosystems

that provide the key to the regulation of water supply and water resource.

• Perform strategic analysis of the five major river basins in the country to

establish standards and guidelines for planning and sustainable management.

• Prioritize, develop and implement management plans and watershed

management to develop watershed planning and management object

corresponding to subsequent level basins or sub-areas as defined by IDEAM.

• Promote joint management plans, territorial management plans and

watershed management as determinants for the conservation and protection

of the environment, natural resources and the prevention of natural hazards

and risks.

• Develop and implement management plans for prioritized aquifers defined in

the National Water Plan, which are not within one of the management plans

and watershed management prioritized in the National Water Plan.

• Orient land occupation strategies in land use plans and regional development

plans, to take into account the availability and quality of water.

• Promote and support national, regional and local processes for the protection,

conservation and restoration of the key for the regulation of water supply

ecosystems through actions such as the formulation and implementation of

management plans when appropriate.

• Acquire, define, manage and monitor the areas where the key to the regulation

of the supply of the water resource ecosystems.

• Define the minimum flows necessary for the maintenance of surface currents

and their associated aquatic ecosystems, and implement measures to

guarantee them.


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• Inventory and user records (legal and legalize) of water resources at the basin

level prioritized in the National Water Pan, in relation to coastal surface,

ground and marine waters.

• Quantify the demand and quality of water required for the development of the

activities of the major water users sectors, sectoral and regional levels.

• Implement and periodic monitoring systems for measuring water

consumption for users prioritized in the National Water Plan.

• Apply the methodology of water balance (supply vs. demand) at the basin level

to manage demand, taking into account the minimum environmental flow.

• Structure and implement the environmental component of departmental plans

for water and sanitation.

• Incorporate the guidelines of the National Policy for Integrated Water

Resource Management in the strategic and action plans of the major water

users sectors prioritized in the National Water Plan.

• Increase the use of energy-saving technologies and water efficiency.

• Adopt programs to reduce water losses and improvement of existing outdated

infrastructure in water supply systems for any application.

• Increase the implementation of efficiency programs and water saving in water

and sewerage companies, irrigation and drainage, hydropower and other

users, prioritized in the National Water Plan production.

• Develop and implement mechanisms to encourage changes in unsustainable

consumption habits on water users.


• Develop and implement the management, regulation and registration of users

in the basins prioritized in the National Water Plan, and track their obligations.

• Reduce water bodies prioritized in the National Water Plan, the contributions

of point and nonpoint pollution implemented, in order, shares of source

reduction, cleaner production and waste water treatment to reduce further

pollution by subject organic and suspended solids, pathogens, nutrients and

substances of medical interest.

• Remove the disposal of solid to water bodies.

• Develop and implement a national monitoring program of water resources.

• Optimize, enhance and maintain permanent monitoring network operation

quality and quantity of water in the 41 basins object instrumentation and

monitoring at the national level.

• Continue with the program of accreditation and certification of environmental

laboratories IDEAM develops.

• Coordinate and optimize networks and regional monitoring programs of

surface, underground and coastal marine water resources, through actions

such as the integration of monitoring networks, the establishment of rules and

protocols for monitoring the quality of water resources, among others.

• Increase and / or improve monitoring systems, monitoring and evaluation of

dumps, so to enable regular reports on progress, as well as the quality and

status of water bodies receiving prioritized in the National Water Plan.


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• Generate awareness about the risks associated with water resources, through

actions such as the identification and characterization of the vulnerability of

key ecosystems for water regulation and artificial systems for water

regulation.

• An inventory and identify risks to water supply infrastructure of different

users, to natural or anthropogenic threats affecting water availability.

• Systematize information related to the risks affecting supply and water

availability, and disclose it to the community so that you can understand and

prevent.

• Incorporate the management of risks associated with the supply and

availability of water resources in land management plans, spatial development

plans and care plans and disaster prevention of local authorities.

• Incorporate the management of risks associated with supply and water

availability in the strategic and action plans of the main productive sectors

water users.

• Incorporate the management of risks associated with the supply and

availability of water resource management plans and watershed management,

sanitation and management plans of dumping (PSMV) Programs-efficient and

water saving (PUEAA) in management plans and groundwater management

plans of the other key ecosystems for the regulation of water supply.

• Design and implement measures to adapt to the effects of climate change on

key for the regulation of water supply ecosystems and, by the following

sectors: hydropower, agriculture, inland waterways and drinking water.

• Design and implement a regional and local level risk reduction measures for

climate variability (El Niño and La Niña) and other natural threats that affect

key ecosystems for water regulation and water supply and availability of

major water users in the country.


• Improve the comprehensive management of water resources in the

environmental authorities and other decision makers.

• Articulate and coordination between the Ministry of Environment and

environmental authorities, the actions that have an impact on water resources,

with other ministries and local authorities.

• Implement programs to legalize fact users of water resources.

• Orient and increase conservation actions and efficient use of water resources

to voluntarily develop resource users (individuals, public and private entities,

and the community in general).

• Regulate water bodies prioritized in the National Water Plan.

• Implement logging water users (Ruhr) (Decree 1324 of 2007).

• Formulate and implement a national plan for research and training in

integrated management of water resources.

• Implement the system of water resource information (Decree 1323 of 2007).

• To integrate, harmonize and streamline the rules on integrated water

resources management, and design and implement protocols, guidelines and

toolkits for its correct application.

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• Influence public or private policies that significantly affect water resources,

coordinating the actions of the policy for IWRM with other environmental,

sectoral and cross-sectoral policies such as the National Ocean Policy and

Coastal Regions.

• Establish and implement criteria and quality standards for uses of water

resources in need of regulation, such as coastal marine waters, groundwater

recharge and re-use of treated wastewater.

• Establish the rules and criteria of environmental regulation of land use in the

context of management plans and watershed management.

• Regulate environmental management in the adjacent seas.

• Quantify and prioritize investments and appropriate the resources necessary

to finance the National Water Plan.

• Articulate and optimize existing funding sources for the integrated

management of water resources and managing new sources necessary for the

financial closure of the priority programs and projects of the National Water

Plan.

• Monitor and make regular public evaluation of the results of the investments

made under the National Water Plan.


• Increasing the capacity of participation of all stakeholders in integrated water

resource management.

• Implement programs to promote social control and citizen oversight to the

sustainable management of water resources.

• Implement programs to ensure participation in the integrated management of

water resources in the most vulnerable social groups.

• Implement mass communication programs and information at national,

regional and local level on the developed and planned to implement the

National Water Plan actions.

• Develop and implement local community management schemes to use and

manage water responsibly.

• Implement awareness campaigns and educational campaigns about the

integrated management of water resources, which include all water use

sectors.

• Develop and implement curricula in the field of integrated water resource

management adapted to local contexts.

• Identify, characterize and classify conflicts over water resources.

• Develop and implement scenarios and spaces for the management and conflict

transformation and ensure equitable sharing of water use.

• Provide resources, tools and training necessary to manage and conflict

transformation in the integrated management of water resources.

Regional Autonomous Corporations and River Basin Management Plans (POMCH)

According to Law 99, 1993 Regional Autonomous Corporations (CARs) were created

in Colombia, represented and articulated by the Association of Regional Autonomous

Corporations and Sustainable Development (ASOCAR).

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According to the Decree 1729, 2002 CARs and Joint Commissions have the

responsibility to elaborate River Basin Management Plans (POMCH), with the goal of

prevention, protection, restoration and conservation of natural resources, especially

for water availability and demand studies.

The Río Grande de La Magdalena constitutes the most important river in the

Colombian Andes. Act 161 of 1994, created the Regional Autonomous Corporation of

the Río Grande de La Magdalena -CORMAGDALENA, in order to promote recovery,

sustainable development and the preservation of the environment and other fish and

renewable resources. CORMAGDALENA coordinates the hydrological and integral

management of the river and activities in relation to the aspects that affect the

behaviour of the current, especially reforestation, water pollution and artificial flow

restrictions.

In the case of basins shared by two or more Regional Autonomous Corporation (CAR)

or environmental authorities, Joint Committees have been established, which are

regulated by Decree 1604 of 2002, which aims to "agree, harmonize and define

policies for planning and management of shared river basins " (Article 1).

Ground Water National Program (Programa Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas, PNAS)

[20]

The Ground Water National Program has been developed by the MADS, with the

technical support of IDEAM, to guide groundwater management in Colombia in the

framework of the PNGIRH. The elaboration of this Program counted also with the

participation of the Colombian Geologic Service, the CARs, the academic sector and the

Colombian Association of Hydrogeologists (Asociación Colombiana de Hidrogeólogos, AHS).

The overall objective of the program is to formulate strategies and actions at national

and regional level for the integrated management and assessment of groundwater in

Colombia, within the framework of the PNGIRH.

Strategic lines:

• Knowledge and research: This line includes objectives as improving the

knowledge in the field of hydrogeology at national and regional level,

developing models for decision making in relation with hydrogeological

heritage management or designing academic programs to train the types of

professionals required by this field.

• Hydrogeological monitoring: Aims at designing and implementing tools to

monitor the quality, quantity and dynamics of the groundwater.

• Institutional strengthening: The implementation of the PNGIRH involves

institutional changes in relation with groundwater competencies. The

assessment and diagnosis of groundwater reveals the need of some normative

changes and improvements, including the elaboration of technical protocols

for data acquisition, data dissemination, etc.

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• Groundwater Information System and SIHR: This line focuses on the

development of regional information systems to support the management of

the resource by providing the necessary information and indicators.

• Participation: Aims at strengthening the links with the different stakeholders

and increase the awareness of the aquifer system among the users.

• Management and use: Management Plans must be elaborated for the aquifers

to implement tools for a sustainable management and guidelines for the

requirements that impact assessment studies should fulfil, as well as the

mitigation or conservation measures that should be required because of the

impacts.

The strategy defined for the implementation of the PNAS includes:

• Establishing a consulting body that represents the institutional to help in the

implementation of the PNAS. This body has been denominated National

Groundwater Committee (Comité Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas, CONA).

• Engaging the necessary financing commitments by the stakeholders.

• Defining communication strategies to disseminate PNAS results and progress.

The strategy includes organizing forums, conferences, seminars and other

events that reach the general public.

• Formulating institutional projects and programs at national and regional level.

• Defining a strategy to strengthen skills and capacities.

• Monitoring and assessment.


The National Policy for Integrated Water Resource Management sets responsibilities

and functions for different water authorities like the Regional Autonomous

Corporations (CARs). Each water authority needs to generate data and measurements

in order to follow the water legislation aims and requirements. IDEAM has created the

Guidelines and Methods for the Regional Water Evaluation (ERA), which establishes

the measurements and indicators that have to be applied by the regional authorities. A

review of this document is presented in the next subsection.

5.3 Guidelines and Methods for the Regional Water

Evaluation (ERA) [19]

Purpose

The purpose of the Guidelines and Methods for the Regional Water Evaluation (ERA) is

to provide a framework to evaluate the state, dynamic and tendencies of the water

systems as the results of the interaction of the natural and atrophic processes for an

adequate administrative, use and sustainable water management in the regions of

Colombia.

Aims

The aims of ERA are the following:

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• Characterize and evaluate the state, dynamic and tendencies of the superficial

and groundwater availability, in representative water unites in the country

regions.

• Characterize and evaluate the actual state and tendencies of the water system

pressures due to water demand and contaminants coming from sector

resource users in representative units in the country regions.

• Characterize and evaluate the conditions of water quality in rivers and lakes of

the regions and the influence of the different resource users for actual and

future conditions.

• Evaluate the hazard and vulnerability associated to the influence of the

hydrological cycle that affect the natural availability and quality, the

vulnerability of the water resource and the hazard over the related territory

with natural water dynamics.

• Realize integrated analysis of the actual conditions and tendencies of the

hydrological cycle related to the condition and availability from hydrological

and biological indicators.

Implementation

National Water Resource Monitoring Programme and Implementation Strategy

The National Water Resource Monitoring Programme constitutes the principal tool for

the Regional Water Evaluation, because it searches for the integration in the

monitoring of the principal follow up variables of water quantity and quality

conditions.

The principal monitoring conditions in the hydrological cycle are classified as follows:

• Precipitation and evaporation

• Superficial water (rivers, lakes, oceans)

• Groundwater (Aquifers)

The PNGIRH pretends to homologate the process of data collection at national,

regional and local level. Furthermore, homologate methods and procedures for

sampling, measurement, process, validation, storage and data sharing at regional and

national level.

The Programme as basic referent in IDEAM's progress in design and optimization of

the basic network and the protocols for the follow up and water monitoring in the

document Guidelines and Protocols for Monitoring Water (Guía y protocolos del monitoreo y seguimiento del agua).

The standardization in the monitoring protocol and water follow up involves different

phases in the information flow from the design of the observation network and

measurement, disclosure, including processing, validation, storage and outreach of

data at national level between different authorities.

The consolidated protocols take into account the monitoring of variables in surface

water like precipitation, temperature, evaporation, levels and discharges, including

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49

quality variables like sediments and physical-chemical concentrations. Groundwater

and costal-marine water are also monitored.

Additionally, this guideline incorporates the protocol for the monitoring of the sewage

spill in superficial and groundwater according to the decree 3930, 2010.

Users water resource registration

User's registration is a tool designed to establish information of water concessions and

pollution spill permits. In this way, the basic information is to be standardized for

submission to the environmental authorities, according to the decrees 1324, 2007, and

303, 2012.

Groundwater Inventory (FUNIAS)

IDEAM, MAVDT and INGEOMINAS designed the "Formulario Único" for the inventory

of the groundwater FUNIAS. Additionally a tool was developed for environmental

agencies for them to store, process and transfer information to the users and to

IDEAM. This allows having information of the location of wells, use, characteristics of

design and construction, volumes of extraction, water quality and sources of

contamination.

Data and measurements

According to the National Water Resource Monitoring Programme and Implementation Strategy the following variables have to be measured at a surface, groundwater and

costal-marine level:

• Precipitation

• Temperature

• Evaporation

• Levels and discharges

• Sediments

• Physical-chemical concentrations

For analysing the water resource at basin level, the Guidelines and Methods for the

Regional Water Evaluation (ERA) defines a variety of metrics used to determine/

categorise the hydrological conditions. Some of the metrics applied in categorising the

hydrological conditions include:

• Retention and water regulation index

• Dryness index

• Superficial water consumption index

• Integral water consumption index

• Groundwater extraction index

• Groundwater index for public supply in respect to the number of inhabitants

The metrics presented are an input to the development of policy in the development of

river basin management plans. This metrics are generated from three main

hydrological indicators:

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• Indicators of the natural water system

• Indicators of pressure of water use

• Indicators of risk

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Bangladesh


policies in Bangladesh

6.1 Generalcontext[21][22]

Bangladesh lies in the delta of three major rivers; the Ganges, Meghna and

Brahmaputra and their numerous tributaries.

Water policy in Bangladesh needs to address multiple challenges, as the country, with

a growing population, is experiencing increasing urbanization rates, high levels of

poverty, rise of industrial pollution, particularly arsenic contamination of the shallow

aquifer, intense pressures on agriculture, water resources and the natural

environment. Moreover, climate change is expected to aggravate flooding, reduce

drainage flows, increase water demand in the dry season and augment the frequency

of natural disasters.

Review of stakeholders

Government organizations with water related functions in Bangladesh are numerous.

The main stakeholders in charge of national water policy development and

implementation are:

• The National Water Resources Council (NWRC) is the highest national body for

water resources management in the country. NWRC functions include the

development of water resources management policies, coordination of the different

agencies and the oversight of the National Water Management Plan (NWMP)

preparation, implementation and updates. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and has

47 members from different organizations (Ministries, Institutes, NGOs...). Its

Executive Committee (ECNWRC) provides directives and guidance to water

management institutions. NWRC functions are described in Water Act (2013).

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• Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO) acts as the secretariat of the

ECNWRC and is responsible for water sector planning at national level, including the

preparation, update and implementation monitoring of the NWMP. It is also

responsible for establishing and maintaining the National Water Resources Database.

• The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) is the Government's body responsible

for the development and management of the water sector. It elaborates policies and

guidelines and carries out development projects for flood control, irrigation, water

conservation, surface and groundwater use, and river management.

• The National Economic Council (NEC) is the highest body in the Government’s

planning process and is responsible for national policies and objectives. It is formed by

all Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head. NEC proposals have to be approved

by its Executive Committee (ECNEC). NEC and ECNEC are committees of the

Planning Commission (Ministry of Planning).

Other organizations related to water management in Bangladesh:

• The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is responsible for the development of

agriculture in the country, including minor irrigation activities. In addition it oversees

the agricultural agencies and research institutes.

• The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is in charge of setting policies

for environmental protection and management and through the Department of

Environment (DoE) it enforces environmental management, including pollution

control of water resources and ensuring the adequacy of Environmental Impact

Assessments.

• The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives

(MoLGRDC), is responsible for setting policies for rural development and overseeing

the functions of local governments.

• The Department Public Health Engineering (DPHE), under the MoLGRDC, is

responsible for the drinking water supply and sanitation systems in the country, with

the exception of Dhaka and Chittagong cities.

• The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), under the MoLGRDC, is

responsible to plan, develop and maintain local level and small scale water

infrastructure.

• The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), under the Ministry of Water

Resources (MoWR), is responsible for planning water resource development projects,

providing technical reviews and support to other water agencies and performing

hydrological studies, data collection and research.

• The Joint Rivers Commission is responsible for dealing with similar organizations

in India and other co-riparian countries for the management of the water resources of

shared rivers.

• Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), under the Ministry of

Shipping, is responsible for the maintenance of the main inland waterways.

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• The Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries.

• The Department of Forest (DoFo) is responsible for controlling forested watershed

areas in Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban.

• The Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI), under the Ministry of

Agriculture, is responsible for soil conservation.

• Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board (BHWDB) is responsible for

monitoring, coordinating the integrated development of the haor areas.

• The River Research Institute (RRI), under the Ministry of Water Resources, is

responsible for multi-disciplinary and problem-oriented research, especially by means

of physical and mathematical river modelling at national and regional levels, with the

aim to provide information and recommendations.

• Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) provides services in the field of Water

Modelling, Computational Hydraulics and related sciences for improved integrated

Water Resources Management.

• Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), under

the Ministry of Water Resources, it aims at supporting the management of natural

resources for sustainable socio-economic development through integrated

environmental analysis, geographic information system, remote sensing technique,

database and information technology.

Local Authorities:

Water Supply and Sewerage Authorities (WASA): formed in accordance with the 1996

WASA Act and are responsible for drinkable water supply, sewerage and storm

drainage in Dhaka and Chittagong.

In the other towns and cities, each Paurashava (Municipality) is responsible for its

own water supply, sewerage and storm drainage and for charging, with the assistance

of the DPHE, LGED and the Public Works Department (PWD), under the Ministry of

Housing and Works.

Private sector:

With the progressive liberalization of the water sector during the past 20 years, the

private sector has expanded its activities significantly and it is particularly well-

established and active in low-cost minor irrigation and rural water supply and

sanitation.

Other:

NGOs, both local and international are very active in the country and are gaining

influence over public policy on issues such as land reform, primary education,

environment and water management planning.

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Universities, and in particular the Department of Water Resources Engineering at the

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, also have an active in the water

sector, mainly through research and training activities.

Review of policies

The following policies are reviewed in this document:

• National Water Policy (NWP), 1999: It is a framework to guide future public

and private actions towards an optimal development and management of

water in benefit of all users and of society as a whole.

• National Water Management Plan (NWMP), 2001: Elaborated by WARPO

with the objective of implementing the directives given by the National Water

Policy. It is a framework plan within which line agencies and other

organisations are expected to plan and implement their own activities in a

coordinated manner.

• National Water Act 2013: The National Water Act is based on the NWP

(1999), as an update of the framework for integrated management of water

resources in the country.

Other related policies that are not discussed here include:

• Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (GPWM). Prepared by the

Ministry and widely followed by stakeholders at all levels.

• Flood action plan (FAP).

• Bangladesh Conservation Act (1995) applies for the prevention of water

pollution.

• Treaty on Sharing of the Ganges Waters with India (1996). In force until 2026.

Policies from diverse sectors that have direct or indirect relation with the water sector

include:

• National Environment Policy (1992)

• National Forestry Policy (1994)

• National Energy Policy (1996)

• National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation (1998)

• National Fisheries Policy (1998)

• National Agricultural Policy (1999)

• Industrial Policy (1999)

A detailed description of national water policies developed in Bangladesh since 1964

can be found in the National Water Management Plan [22] (section 1.1.1).

6.2 National Water Policy (1999) [21]

Context

The National Water Policy was elaborated to guide future public and private actions

towards an optimal development and management of water in benefit of all users and

of society as a whole. Its overall purpose is to ensure progress towards fulfilling

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national goals of economic development, poverty alleviation, food security, public

health and safety, decent standard of living for the people and protection of the

natural environment.

Aims and objectives

The National Water Policy aims to be a framework to guide the different stakeholders

of the water sector in the achievement of the following general objectives:

• To improve water resources management and the protection of the environment.

• To ensure the availability and delivery of water through an efficient management

and appropriate legal and financial measures, including the definition of water rights

and pricing.

• To progressively decentralise the management of water resources by transferring

functions to local authorities and to the private sector.

• To acquire the necessary knowledge and capability to enable the country to design

autonomously sound future water resources management plans.

Implementation

The National Water Management Plan described in the next section, has been

elaborated to define the necessary actions that should be executed by the different

agencies and organizations to implement the National Water Policy in a coordinated

way.

Some of the content of the National Water Plan has been updated by the National

Water Act (2013).


The National Water Plan is a general framework to guide the different stakeholder

towards the achievement of national objectives. Details about measures and data are

not provided at this level, in which required actions are described only in general

terms. The National Water Management Plan will specify the necessary tools and

methods to implement them. Some examples of actions described in the National

Water Plan that require data to be implemented are:

River basin management: Establish a system for exchange of information and data

on relevant aspects of hydrology, morphology, water pollution, ecology, changing

watershed characteristics, cyclone, drought, flood warning, etc., with other co-riparian

countries.

Planning and Management of Water Resources: Through its responsible agencies,

the Government will develop early warning and flood-proofing systems to manage

natural disasters like flood and drought.

Water rights and allocation: Specific drought monitoring and contingency plans will

be prepared for each region experiencing recurrent seasonal shortages of water with

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due consideration to conjunctive use of rainwater, surface water and ground water

and alternative ways of satisfying demand.

Research and Information Management: Develop a central database and

management information system (MIS) consolidating information from various data

collection and research agencies on the existing hydrological systems, supply and use

of national water resources, water quality, and the ecosystem.

Data exchange: As a long time measure, the Government will endeavour to enter into

agreements with other co-riparian countries to share the flows of the transboundary

rivers of the country. One of the objectives is to establish a system to exchange

information and data on relevant water management aspects as water pollution,

changing watershed characteristics, natural hazards, etc., and to help each other

understand the current and emerging problems in the management of the shared

water sources.

6.3 National Water Management Plan (2001) [22]

Context

The National Water Management Plan has been elaborated by WARPO under the

oversight and guidance of the National Water Resources Council, as stated in the

National Water Policy from 1999, which established that WARPO would first

"delineate the hydrological regions of the country, based on appropriate natural

features, for planning the development of their water resources" and then "prepare,

and periodically update, a National Water Management Plan (NWMP) addressing the

overall resource management issues in each region and the whole of Bangladesh, and

providing directions for the short, intermediate, and long runs".

WARPO has delineated eight hydrological regions: Northwest, North Central,

Northeast, Southeast, South Central, Southwest, Eastern Hills, plus the active

floodplains and charlands of the Main Rivers and Estuaries.

Objective

The overall purpose of the NWMP is to define the necessary actions that should be

executed by the different agencies and organizations to implement the National Water

Policy in a coordinated way. It should also serve as a framework to prepare and

implement sub-regional and local water management plans.

Implementation

The Government’s Development Strategy acknowledges that to achieve these

objectives will require a comprehensive implementation package involving:

• New legislation and regulations, particularly a Water Resources Act and a

regulatory framework for private sector participation;

• Institutional development and strengthening at central and local levels;

• Consultation and participation with the direct beneficiaries in the hand-over

and development of water schemes;

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• Decentralisation and devolution of responsibility for management and

operation of water schemes to local government and local water groups; and

• Private sector participation in the development, financing, management and

operation of water schemes at the local and regional levels, as well as in the

major cities. This could involve companies with the appropriate qualifications,

financial backing and expertise.

Together with the implementation of a range of structural and non-structural

measures designed to:

• Improve efficiency of resource utilisation through joint use of all forms of

surface water and groundwater for irrigation and urban water supply

• Facilitate availability of safe and affordable drinking water supplies

• Comprehensively develop and manage the main rivers for multipurpose use

• Remove the silt of watercourses to maintain navigation channels and proper

drainage

• Develop flood-proofing systems to manage natural disasters

• Provide desired levels of protection in designated flood risk zones

• Implement river training and erosion control works for preservation of scarce

land and prevention of landlessness and pauperisation

• Reclaim land from the sea and rivers

• Develop mini-hydropower and recreational facilities at or around water

bodies

• Implement environmental protection, restoration and enhancement measures

consistent with the National Environmental Management Action Plan.


According to the Water Act 2013, the Plan should contain, in addition to what is

required by the NWP (1999), among other, the following information:

• Description of water resources.

• Analysis of economic, natural, social, political, environmental, and ecological

and institutional elements, characteristics, and impacts of water resources.

• Scientific analysis of all data and information on water resources.

• Development of overall planning, infrastructure and formulation of

instructions for short, medium and long term.

• Present and future use of water resources.

• Assessment of availability of water.

• Determination of water quality standard.

• Basin-wise development plan.

• Fixation of priority of water use.

The Plan identifies some knowledge gaps, for which further research is urgently

needed. Among them, the following are require specific hydrologic data and

measurements:

• Arsenic: Assessing the current and future extent of contamination.

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• Groundwater resources: Improve the knowledge about the sustainable limits

of groundwater use.

• Climate change: Improve the knowledge about the implications of climate

change and develop appropriate responses.

• Natural environmental water requirements: Study the relationship

between water and the natural environment and establish key indicators and

thresholds for environmental health and sustainability.

• Management models: Determine the most appropriate management models

for Bangladesh.

6.4 Water Act 2013 [23]

Context

The Water Act 2013 has been elaborated on the basis of National Water Policy (1999)

and constitutes a framework for integrated management of water resources in the

country.

Aims and objectives

The main issues covered by the Water Act are the following:

Right to water

- Right to water: All rights over surface water, groundwater, sea water, rain water

and water in the atmosphere vest upon the State. Notwithstanding, the right to use

surface water on private land belongs to the owner of the land.

- Right to potable water and water for hygiene shall be treated as highest priority.

- Right to use water allowed prior to this Act, shall remain uninterrupted, but shall

not be transferable without the permission of the appropriate authority.

National Water Resources Council

Description of the National Water Resources Council, its executive committee and its

duties, responsibilities and powers. The Prime Minister will be the head of this Council

and an Executive Committee, headed by the Water Minister, will be in charge of

implementing the decisions taken by the Council.

National Water Resources Plan

The Water Act 2013 describes the procedure to approve the National Water

Resources Plan and adds further details to the requirements for the National Water

Resources Plan established in the Water Resources Planning Act of 1992.

Conservation of water resources

- The Government may declare any area as Water Stress Area for a specified period

and manage it thereof, imposing restrictions if necessary.

- The Executive Committee may fix the lowest safe yield level of any aquifer.

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- The Executive Committee may demarcate any area as industrial, agricultural,

brackish water aquaculture and hatchery water zone. They may also issue a

protection order for ensuring efficient management of these water zones.

- The Executive Committee may declare any wetland as flood control zone.

Implementation

The act entered into force after its notification in the official Gazette, which took place

on the 6th of November of 2013. The document itself doesn't include details about

required time frames or processes to implement the provisions contained within it.

Data and Measurements

The Water Act intends to be a general framework for integrated management of water

resources. Details about measurements and data are not described at this level and

only a few mentions to these aspects are included in the document. For example,

article 7 states that the Government may, in consultation with the Council, exchange

and assess any information and data in respect of common water resources with any

foreign country, government or organization, and it may also undertake joint research

on international rivers.

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Morocco


policies in Morocco

7.1 Generalcontext[24]

The administration of the kingdom of Morocco is divided into 16 regions. Each region

is subdivided into provinces and prefectures, which are subdivided into rural and

urban communes.

The water sector in the country is governed by the Water Law 10-95 from 16 August

1995. This law also introduced the creation of Basin Agencies, which are currently the

key stakeholder at regional level. There are seven Basin Agencies (Oum Er Rbia,

Moulouyas, Sebou, Loukoss, Bou Regreg, Tensiftand Souss–Massa).

Review of stakeholders

Stakeholders at the national level

• The High Council for Water and Climate (Conseil Supérieur de l'Eau et du Climat).

Introduced by the Water Law 10-95, its main duty is to examine and make

recommendations about the national strategy for improving the awareness about

climate and its impacts on water resource development; the National Water Plan, and

the general integrated water resources development plans for the hydrological basins,

with an special attention to water allocation among different user sectors and regions,

and to the protection and conservation of water resources. It is formed by

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representatives of the State, basin agencies, National Office of Drinking Water,

National Office of Electricity, Regional Agricultural Development Offices, water users,

prefectorial and provincial assemblies and scientific community.

• Ministry of Energy, Mining, Water and Environment (MEM). The Ministry has a

subsection for water, the Ministère délégué auprès du MEM- chargé de l'Eau, created in

October 2013 from the Département de l'Eau. This department counts with three

directorates:

- The Directorate General of Hydraulics (Direction Générale de l'Hydraulique).

- The Directorate for Water Research and Planning (Direction de la Recherche et la Planification de l'Eau).

- The Directorate for Administration and Finances (Direction des Affaires Administratives et Financières).

Basin Agencies are also under this Department, as well as the National Agency for

Electricity and Drinking Water (Office National de l'Electricité et de l'Eau Potable,

ONEE). The water branch of the Agency is responsible for planning, production,

distribution, management and control of drinking water.

• National Council for the Environment (CNE), under the MEM (Environment

branch), is a consultative and coordination body for stakeholders, especially

Ministries, for environment issues.

• Council for Agricultural Development (Conseil Général du Développement Agricole,

CGDA), under the Ministry of Agriculture, is a consultative body for agriculture related

issues.

• The High Commissariat for Water, Forest and Fight against Desertification

(Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte contre la Désertification) has the

mission to design and implement national policies in relation with the conservation

and sustainable development of forests; to coordinate the implementation of

measures related with the fight against desertification, and to contribute to the design

and implementation of rural development policies.

• The National Directory of Meteorology (Direction de la Meteorologie Nationale,

DMN), is an autonomously managed state service, under the supervision of the MEM.

Its main responsibilities are to provide the necessary meteorological and

climatological information; research in the field of theoretic and applied meteorology

and climatology, and participate in the preparation of international agreements.

Basin agencies

Basin agencies were introduced by Water Law 10-95, which establishes the following

responsibilities for them:

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• Prepare the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the basin and

ensure its implementation

• Issue concessions and authorizations for the use of the public hydraulic

domain and keep the record of all the water rights and permits granted

• Provide financial and technical assistance in relation with prevention of water

pollution and development or use of the public hydrological domain

• Perform qualitative and quantitative studies and gather the necessary

piezometric and stream gauging data

• Contribute to the protection and recovery of water resources

• Design and implement water shortage and flood prevention plans.

• Manage and control the use of water resources

The basin agency administration board is composed mainly by representatives of the

State and public entities, but agricultural councils; chambers of commerce, industry

and service, local assemblies, ethnic groups and agricultural users are also

represented.

The first basin agency to be established was the Oum Er Rbia basin agency, which was

created as a pilot basin agency in 1999. Other six agencies were established in 2002:

Moulouyas, Sebou, Loukoss, Bou Regreg, Tensiftand Souss–Massa.

Prefectorial and provincial water commissions

Prefectorial and provincial water commissions were introduced by Water Law 10-95,

which defines for them the following main tasks:

• Contribute to the establishment of integrated water resources

development plans for the basin

• Promote water saving and protection among communes and population

The commissions are composed in equal parts by representatives of the state and

public institutions on one side, and the president of the corresponding local assembly,

the president of the Agricultural Council, the president of the Chamber of commerce,

industry and services, three representatives of the communal councils and one

representative of the ethnic groups.

Other stakeholder at regional and local level:

• ORMVAs: Regional offices for agricultural development (Offices Régionaux de Mise en Valeur Agricole) are in charge of managing and promoting

improvements in irrigation systems.

• Water user associations (WUAs) were created to jointly manage irrigation at

tertiary level.

• Regional Agricultural Directorate (Direction régionale de l’agriculture, DRA).

• Regional Councils for Environment (Conseils Régionaux de l'Environnement,

CRE).

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Review of policies

The following policies are reviewed in this document:

• Water Law 10-95 (Loi n° 10-95 sur l'eau), 1995. The whole water sector in

Morocco is governed by this law. It establishes the creation of Basin Agencies,

of the High Council of Water and Climate and prefectoral and provincial

commissions. It contains as well the terms and requirements for the

elaboration of the National Water Plan and the General Integrated Water

Resources Development Plan for each Hydrological basin or group of basins.

• National Strategy for the development of the water sector (Stratégie nationale de l’Eau ), 2010, elaborated with the aim to update and adapt the

National Strategy in the Water sector.

• Decree 2-05-1534 of 24 November 2005 regarding the terms, methods

and procedures for drafting and revising integrated general water

resources development plans and the National Water Plan. This decree

implements the provisions included in the Water Law 10-95 regarding the

elaboration of the Integrated Water Resources Development and the National

Water Plan.

7.2 Water Law 10-95 (1995) [25][26][27]

(Loi n° 10-95 sur l'eau)

Context

This law was elaborated as a response to the need to perform an integrated update of

the water legislation to adapt it to the new circumstances of the time, such as the

increase of the demand or the availability of new technologies, as previous documents

dated back to the first decades of the century and had been updated in phases at

different moments. Previously the water legislation in Morocco was based in a Royal

Decree from 1914, completed by two other decrees of 1919 and 1925 and other texts

that were drafted along the years to cover the new needs and circumstances.

Aims and objectives

The Water law aims to be a framework for the management of the whole water sector

of the country and to guide the implementation. It aims at the

Institutional provisions:

The main institutional provisions aim at the decentralization of water management

through water resource management at basin level.

• Creation of the High Council for Water and Climate (Conseil Supérieur de l'Eau et du Climat) and definition of its composition and responsibilities (Chapter IV,

Section I).

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• Creation of basin agencies and definition of their responsibilities and

composition (Chapter IV, Section III).

• Creation of prefectorial and provincial water commissions. Responsibilities

and composition. (Chapter XII).

Planning provisions:

The law contains general terms and requirements for the elaboration of the National

Water Plan and the General Integrated Water Resources Development Plan for each

Hydrological basin or group of basins (Chapter IV, Section II). The National Plan

should be established on the basis of the results and conclusions of the basin plans, for

a period of 20 years and reviewed every five years. Both Basin Plans and the National

Plan must cover a period of 20 years and be reviewed every 5 years. The National Plan

must cover the following issues:

• National priorities in the areas of mobilization and use of water resources

• National program for hydraulic developments

• Relation between the National Water Plan and other plans such as the general

integrated water resources development plans, land use plans, etc

• Necessary implementation measures

• Terms for water transfer among basins

Protection provisions:

Protection provisions aim at the quantitative and qualitative conservation of the

whole hydrological public domain, mainly the fight against water pollution (Chapter

VI).

Water use provisions:

• Water for Human Consumption (Chapter VII).

• Provisions regarding the exploitation and sale of natural waters having

medicinal properties (Spring waters and Table waters) (Chapter VIII).

• Provisions regarding the development and utilization of water for agricultural

use (authorization terms and requirements, users' obligations) (Chapter IX).

• Provisions Regarding the Use of Water in the Event of Shortage (Chapter X).

Other provisions:

• Definition of the Hydrological Public Domain (Chapter I).

• Recognition of the acquired rights over the Hydrological Public Domain and

provisions applied to them (Chapter II).

• Prohibitions in relation with altering the hydraulic public domain without

previous authorization (Chapter III).

• Property Owners' Rights and Obligations; Authorizations and Concessions

Relative to the Hydrological Public domain, and definition of preservation and

prohibition zones (Chapter V)

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• Provisions regarding Ground Water exploration (terms, requirements and

obligations in relation with drilling exploration in search of water); Fight

against floods (Prohibitions and obligations in relation with the construction

of protective structures) and transitional provisions (Provisions for the

transitional period until the provisions of this law come into force) (Chapter

XI).

• Water Police. Infractions and sanctions (Chapter XIII).

Implementation

This law was voted by the Parliament in 1995 and adopted by the Government. It

currently regulates the whole water sector in Morocco.

Some of the decrees that implement different aspects contained in Water Law are:

• Decree 2-97-875 regarding waste water use (Décret n° 2-97-875 du 6 chaoual 1418 relatif à l'utilisation des eaux usées), published in February 1998.

• Decree 2-97-787 regarding water quality standards and the inventory of

pollution of waters (Décret n° 2-97-787 du 6 chaoual 1418 relatif aux normes de qualité des eaux et à l'inventaire du degré de pollution des eaux), published in

February 1998.

• Decree 2-05-1533 regarding independent waste water treatment (Décret n° 2-05-1533 du 14 moharrem 1427 relatif à l'assainissement autonome), published

in March 2006.

• Decree 2-97-657 relative to the delimitation of protected areas and

preservation and prohibition zones (Décret n° 2-97-657 du 6 chaoual 1418 relatif à la délimitation des zones de protection et des périmètres de sauvegarde et d'interdiction), published in February 1998.

• Decree 2-04-553 regarding dumping, discharges, disposals direct or indirect

releases of effluents into surface waters or groundwaters (Décret n° 2-04-553 du 13 hija 1425 relatif aux déversements, écoulements, rejets, dépôts directs ou indirects dans les eaux superficielles ou souterraines), published in February

2005.

However, a study carried out in 2011 and included in the Water Strategy (2011) about

the progress in the implementation of the Water Law shows that it is not complete yet,

as reflected in the following table:

Table 1. Progress in the implementation of the Water Law [26]

Published Approval

pending

Under

examination

To be

elaborated Total

Decree 27 2 2 0 31

Order 52 6 5 37 100

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Total 79 8 7 37 131


The water law aims to be a framework for water policy in the country and it contains

mainly provisions to guide the specific legislation. The measurements and data

required for the implementation of the provisions of the Water Law are not detailed at

this level and only a few mentions to these aspects are included in the document. For

example, the article 90, states that the administration will provide information to

anyone who wishes to undertake drilling, particularly information of a technical,

hydrological and hydrogeological nature, and the article 106 envisages sample taking

with the purpose of identifying infraction (art 106).

7.3 National Strategy for the Development of the Water

Sector (2010) [28][27]

(Stratégie nationale de l’Eau)

Context

The National Strategy for the Development of the Water Sector was presented in April

2009 and adopted in 2010. It constitutes a strategy for the period 2010-2030. Its aim

is to adapt and update the National Water Strategy, to regulate the most pressing

problems related to water and to advance towards a sustainable development.

Aims and objectives

The main objectives of the National Strategy for the Development of the Water Sector

are grouped in six strategic lines:

I) Management of water demand and conservation of water resources.

• Conversion to local irrigation.

• Improvement of water supply system networks in irrigated areas.

• Improvement of urban water supply networks.

• Awareness campaigns and incentives for the of use technologies to save water.

• Revision of the tariff system.

II) Management and development of water supply.

• Construction of around 60 large dams and strengthening of the small dams

program for local development.

• North-south water transfer programs.

• Desalination and demineralization programs.

• Wastewater treatment and re-use programs.

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• Collection of rainwater.

III) Preservation and protection of water resources, natural habitats and fragile areas.

• Protection and recovery of groundwater: pumping limitations, control system

reinforcement, safeguard perimeters...

• Prevention of water resources pollution: implementation of the National

Program of sanitation and wastewater treatment and development of a

National Program for prevention and fight against industrial pollution.

• Protection of watersheds upstream of the dam against erosion.

• Protection Programs for springs, humid zones, natural lakes, oasis and coasts,

and fight against desertification.

IV) Reduce vulnerability to natural water risk and adaptation to climate change.

• Improve protection against floods: Complete the actions set out in the National

Plan for Protection against Floods; integrate flood risk in urban planning;

implement a flood alert system; improve the knowledge in forecasting and

urban hydrology, and develop financial support mechanisms.

• Implement proactive plans for drought mitigation: Identification of droughts

and proposal of indicators; implementation of structural measures and

emergency plans; management of impacts and establishment of financial

support mechanisms.

V) Continuation of the legislative and institutional reforms.

• Complete the legal framework necessary for the implementation of all

provisions of water Law N°10-95.

• Review it in order to include issues that are not covered, such as rejection of

waste water in the sea, desalination of sea water and water economy.

VI) Updating of the information systems and improvement of methods and capacities

• Modernisation of the administration and development of information systems,

especially the implementation of a Water Information System.

• Updating of measurement networks.

• Strengthening of research and capacity building.

Expected impacts:

The main expected impacts mentioned in the Water Strategy are:

• Actions related to water demand management are expected to save 2.5 billion

m3/year by 2030, while actions related to offer management are expected to

release 2.5 additional billions m3/year of water resources.

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• Water resources mobilization projects are expected to have a significant

impact in Sebou, Bouregreg, Oum Er Rbia et Tensift regions. In particular, the

North-South water transfer should allow urban development in Marrakesh

region and improve agriculture in Doukkala and Chaouïa regions.

• Other expected impacts are:

- More responsible use of water resources and change in consumption

habits.

- Improvement of irrigation techniques.

- Valorisation of water resources currently lost to the sea and recovery

of groundwater.

- Widespread access to drinking water and improved access to

sanitation in rural areas

- Decrease of pollution and enhancement of waste water use.

- Protection of lakes against drying up and pollution.

Implementation

The strategy anticipates that the implementation of the actions will be complex. On

one side because of the long-term character of the program, which covers a period of

20 years, and in the other because of the variety of issues addressed and the large

number of actions required (22 actions are defined in the strategy). Moreover, some of

the aspects, such as desalination, waste water reuse and waste water treatment in

rural areas are new for the country.

To facilitate the implementation, the actions were divided in three phases:

• Short-term actions, to be implemented by 2012. Includes norms regarding

rationalization of water use; involvement of the different stakeholders;

protection and valorisation of water resources, natural areas and biodiversity;

preventions and mitigation of water related risks, water treatment.

• Medium-term actions, to be implemented by 2015.

• Long-term actions, to be implemented by 2030.


The strategy requires the improvement and update of measurement networks and

information systems, with particular emphasis in the creation of a Water Information

System addressed both to professionals and the general public.

The strategy also expresses the need to increase the knowledge in forecasting and

urban hydrology, and to develop flood and drought alert systems.

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7.4 Decree 2-05-1534: Integrated Water Resources

Development Plans and National Water Plan Terms,

Methods and Procedures (2005) [29][30]

Context

Integrated Water Resources Development Plans (Plans Directeurs d'Aménagement Intégré des Ressources en Eau, PDAIRE) and the National Water Plan are two planning

documents required by the Water Law 10-95. The implementation of the provisions

included in this law is regulated by the Decree 2-05-1534 of 24 November 2005,

which defines the terms, methods and procedures for the elaboration and review of

these two plans.

The decree states that the Basin Plans must be elaborated for each of the basins or

group of basins by the corresponding Basin Agency. The National Water Plan must be

elaborated by the minister responsible for water, in consultation with the ministerial

departments and institutions that are members of the High Council for Water and

Climate. For both documents, the decree indicates the studies and content that are

required and the necessary consultation and submission processes.

Aims and objectives

The purpose of the decree is to implement the provisions included in the Water Law

10-95 regarding the elaboration of the Integrated Water Resources Development and

the National Water Plan. Its aim is to specify the how the documents must be prepared

and what should they include.

Implementation

The decree was published in the official bulletin on the 24th of November 2005 and it

is currently being applied for the elaboration of the Integrated Water Resources

Development Plans and the National Water Plan.


Integrated general water resources development plan

The studies needed for the basin plans include, among others, the following:

• Evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative evolution of the water resources

and aquatic ecosystems, consisting mainly of:

- Determination of the characteristics of the water resources in

quantitative and qualitative terms, and their variability in time and

space.

- Inventory of the aquatic ecosystems, as well as their description and

the establishment of their mode of functioning and management.

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• Analysis of the achievements, assets and constraints in the field of water.

• Evaluation and development of the water needs and potential uses of water

resources and of the aquatic ecosystems, consisting of:

- Evaluation of current and future demands for water from the various

user sectors in a context of scarcity, and water demand management;

- Identification and evaluation of the water needs of the aquatic

ecosystems;

- Identification of new water needs and other potential uses.

• Study of the preservation of the quality of water resources, aquatic ecosystems

and hydraulic infrastructures.

• The analysis of flood risks, the identification and evaluation of needs in the

area of protection against floods.

The basin plan must also include a plan for monitoring the implementation.

National Water Plan

In addition to the summary of the results and conclusions of the integrated general

water resources development plans of the hydrological basin agencies, the studies

associated with the National Water Plan include, among other elements:

• Analysis of the state of art in the water sector, consisting mainly of:

- Analysis and assessment of the policy pursued in the development and

management of the water sector.

- Analysis of the institutional and regulatory context.

- Summary of the achievements and constraints affecting the

development of water resources and the water sector

• Summary of the quantitative and qualitative knowledge of the water resources

and aquatic ecosystems, after they have been updated.

• Overall prospective analysis of the quantitative and qualitative evolution of the

water sources and aquatic ecosystems and of their use. This analysis must

include:

- Overall evaluation of water demand and of potential uses of water and

aquatic ecosystems.

- Comparison of the potentials and planned and potential uses of water

resources and aquatic ecosystems.

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8 References

[1] D. of the Environment, ‘Water legislation’, 29-Aug-2009. [Online]. Available:

http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/water/australian-government-water-

leadership/water-legislation#amendment-2008. [Accessed: 27-Oct-2014].

[2] ‘Water Act 2007’. [Online]. Available:

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27-Oct-2014].

[3] ‘Murray-Darling Basin Authority’. [Online]. Available: http://www.mdba.gov.au/.

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[4] B. Richter, Chasing Water: A Guide for Moving from Scarcity to Sustainability.

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[11] Australian Government-Bureau of Meteorology, ‘Data and Information

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[12] ‘Water Market Rules 2009’. [Online]. Available:

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[13] ‘Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005’. [Online]. Available:

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[17] BCEOM - French Engineering Consultants - in association with ISL and BRGM,

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[18] ‘Sistema de informacion Ambiental de Colombia - SIAC - Política Nacional para la

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[21] Ministry of Water Resources, ‘National Water Policy - Government of the People’s

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[24] JRC, NFC, WaterNet, IAV, and PIK, ‘Implementation of improved methodologies in

comparative case studies - Inception report for each case study’, D6.1, May 2012.

[25] ‘Dahir n° 1-95-154 (18 rabii I 1416) portant promulgation de la loi n° 10-95 sur

l’eau’. Official State Gazette, 20-Sep-1995.

[26] ‘Law no. 10-95 on Water’. Official State Gazette no. 4325, 20-Sep-1995.

[27] S. Moutaouakkil, ‘Moroccan Water Strategy’, presented at the Regional Workshop

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[28] Secrétariat d’Etat chargé de l’Eau et de l’Environnement - Royaume de Maroc,

‘Stratégie National de l’Eau’, 2011.

[29] ‘Décret n. 2-05-1534 du 21 chaoual 1426 (24 novembre 2005) relativ aux

conditions et modalités d’elaboration et de révision des plans directeurs d’aménageament

intégré des ressources en eau et du plan national de l’eau’. Official State Gazette, 24-Nov-

2005.

[30] ‘Decree no. 2-05-1534 of 24 November 2005 regarding the terms, methods and

procedures for drafting and revising integrated general water resources development

plans and the National Water Plan’, Nov. 2005.

review of stakeholders, relevant policies in non-european

Documents