Water Resources Management in Asia

Integration & Interaction for a Better Future

Prepared & Presented by:

Aparna & N. Mohan Reddy

Objective of water management

“International goals” in the UN Millennium Declaration

and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation

include two issues:

supply of safe drinking water

promotion of integrated water resources

management.

Issues related to Water Management

Earlier -“how to increase the water supply to meet

the increasing demand”

Little consideration to water resource conservation

Fragmented water management governance

Weak coordination among water-related agencies

Centralized decision-making system has often

been criticized

Proposals

Proposed paradigm to sustainable development

characterized by

1. cross-sectoral integration

2. Decentralization

3. demand-driven

4. focus on participation

5. interaction of the various stakeholders

State of Water Resources in Asia

32% of world’s freshwater resources

60% of the world’s population

Water availability per capita 4000 cu.m/year

Southeast Asian countries have higher water

availability

South Asian countries have least water resources

Seasonal variations of water availability i.e. floods

and droughts

Growing Demand and Pressure

Domestic water withdrawal expected to increase

from 9.9% to 15.2%

Similar trend of industrial water withdrawal

Conflict over limited water resources

Leads to environmental degradation

Affects river ecosystem, ground water table, land

subsidence

Degradation of Water Resources

BOD in Asian rivers 1.4 times higher than world average

Amount of suspended solids in rivers 4 times higher than world average

3 times as much bacteria from human waste as the world average

Asia’s surface water contains 20 times more lead than the average of OECD countries

Heavy metals and toxic chemicals contained in effluent from industry and agriculture

Causes water-borne diseases such as hepatitis A and E, typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea

International Water Dialogues

1st Period: 1970-the early 1980s: Human health

issues ignited international discussion of water◦ The Mar del Plata Action Plan

◦ United Nations International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade

2nd Period: 1980s-the early 1990s: Growing

recognition of water as an element of sustainable

development◦ Negative social and economic impact of water issues became

highlighted.

◦ Dublin Principles in 1992 that refer to the economic value of water, and the importance of “integrated water resource management.”

3rd Period: 1992-2000 Water issues jumping to priority issues

World Water Vision presented at the 2nd World Water Forum greatly promoted awareness of the critical conditions of water to international community

In the MDGs, a goal for safe water supply was included Johannesburg Plan of Implementation in 2002 reaffirms the

water supply goal of the MDGs and also set a sanitation goal. It also requests countries to formulate integrated water resources management and water efficiency plan by 2005

The 3rd World Water Forum was held in Kyoto, Japan as the first major international conference on water in Asia

The UN Commission of Sustainable Development (CSD) reviews the progress of implementation on water and sanitation sectors during 2004-05

Non-governmental bodies

World Water Council- ◦ “international non-profit umbrella organisation” that

brings key stakeholders together◦ initiated World Water Forum (WWF)◦ Developed World Water Vision in 2000:

comprehensive assessment of world water situations

Global Water Partnership- ◦ Acts as a facilitator for implementation◦ “Framework of Action” including a summary of

regional, national and local strategies, and recommendations for actions to deliver “tangible results”

Networks of NGOs

The International River Network Public Service International The Water and Gender Alliance

• Serve as Watchdogs

• Represent communities

• Bridge international funding institutions and

local communities

Interaction of international actors in water management in Asia

“Water for Asian Cities” : involves ADB and the UN

Habitat

ADB has partnership projects with NGOs, including

the GWP, the Water Gender Alliance etc.

GWP provides expertise to developing countries

through its regional technical advisory committees

UNDP has promoted a programme -“CapNet”

Some Examples

Water sector reform in Indonesia based on the World

Bank’s Water Resources Sector Adjustment Loan

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Water Resources and the

Water Resources Law formulated under the support

of the World Bank and the ADB

ADB financially and technically assisted water sector

reform in Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka, and

Viet Nam

Institutional arrangement for integration

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

1. Integration of such fragmented and sectoral

institutions-“ministry of water resources”

2. Creation of a ministry responsible for water resource

development with the exception of those responsible

for irrigation and environmental conservation

For example, Thailand’s National Water Resource

Committee (NWRC)

Integration of Stakeholders at a Basin Level

Includes assigning high importance to involving local

people directly in river basin management through the

adoption of participatory approaches

Constraints

◦ conflicts between national and local laws

◦ overlapping authorities among the institutions concerned

◦ shortage of human resources and their capacity

◦ lack of hydrological data and monitoring activities

◦ insufficient participation of stakeholders

Solutions to better river basin management

National government should be responsible for developing local

capacity, coordinating institutional arrangements suitable to

local situations, and providing financial resources

Local governments should enhance their capacity to practice

the river basin approach and should take over the coordinating

role of the national government

Involvement of local stakeholders enhances awareness and

capacity

Transparency of policy-making and ownership by the local

people are also important elements to encourage voluntary

participation of local stakeholders.

Interaction of stakeholders in the enhancement of water supply and sanitation

Safe Water & Sanitation : A complex Issue

Dam & Sewage Systems

Operational Problems

Inappropriate Technology

Low Economic Capability

Environment Problems

Rehabilitation Problems

Social Problems

Poor ? Do they really

receive benefits

Context

Rapid Urbanization

Large Population In Rural Areas

Safe Wate

r Supply &

Sanitation

•Urban Areas• Private Sector

Participation• Water Pricing

•Rural Areas• Small Scale

water supply services

• Community level water systems

Public-Private Partnership – Is it an option for the urban water supply?

Current Spending by Developing Countries on water infrastructure : S800 billion

In Next 20-25 years it will be more than double $180 billion

How to finance?Private SectorOr PPP

Manila: Privatization Success to Failure

Vendors charge 7.4 times the base rate charged by Govt.

owned works company

• Illegal Connections• Leakage

Given to Private Co’s , Tariffs decreased

But afterwards increased

Community participation in public-private partnership – a more participatory option

Manila Failure: Negative Reinforcement for many Asian countries lead to emphasis on new concept of PPP

Manila Water Changed Theme: Water for Community

Promotes◦ Responsibility on community◦ Co investigate target area◦ Community leader identification: Responsible for

meter reading, bill collection◦ Decides appropriate supply methods with community◦ Leakage & Illegal Connection reported by community

Potential roles of communities and local NGOs - a case in Dhaka

DSK: Facilitator between DWASA & poor DSK guaranteed security deposits and bill payments WMCs set up

◦ Responsible for the management of water points and the collection of fees.

◦ Committee members were selected among individuals of poor communities.

◦ Regular group meetings helped monitor the status of water services.

◦ In some cases, WMCs generated savings and promoted hygienic activities.

Successful Model

Water Harvesting – An option for more water

Rainwater Harvesting

◦ Simple Technology

◦ No High costs

◦ India, China ,Thailand

Singapore

◦ Treatment of waste water

◦ Desalination of Sea water

Conclusion in Light of Asia

National committees for integrated water management

Interaction between the international and national actors

National water policies

NGOs and community groups in water policy-making and

implementation

Private sector participation

Mobilization of all stakeholders at various levels

Provide adequate knowledge and information for decision-making

Establish participatory assessment and monitoring systems

Thank You