Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

2 INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

2.1 EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF IWRM

The concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) arose from the need to
manage water resources ensuring both the environment and society's well being through both
supply and demand. Usually, authorities attribute more weight to socio-economic development
for economic reasons without consideration of the well being of the environment resulting into
degradation of water resources - this leaves future generations without reliable water resources
for their well being. An integrated approach of managing water sources and ensuring social well
being at the same time is therefore required.

The development of the IWRM concept really arose from the International conference on
Water and Environment held in Dublin, Ireland on 26 - 31 January 1992 . This conference
attracted over 500 water experts from around the world to come up with clear approaches to
ensure integrated management of water resources.

A key note paper from this conference was " Water and Sustainable Development by
Koudstaal, Rijseberman & Savanije (1992) ". These authors proposed 3 important approaches
of ensuring sustainable water resources management.

1 The carrying capacity or potential of the natural environment is logical

the starting point rather than the traditional approach in which the deterioration of the
environment is seen as an unavoidable cost of economic development.

2 Demand management: The need to limit the demand for water by increasing
efficiency and reducing waste should be considered as one of the most important
components of the IWRM

3 Integrated management: Here, water resources should be managed as an

integral part of the nation's social and economic development.

This paper by Koudstaal et al. (1992) contains almost all the modern aspects of IWRM seen
today. The paper by Falkenmark and Lundqist (1992) (coping with multi-cause
environmental challenges-A water perspective on development) further highlights the
importance of management of land resources for quantity and quality of water resources.

The major outcome of the Dublin conference was:

Integrated Water Resources Management is referred to as the management of water
resources as an integral part of the nation's social and economic development.

This conference also came up with four guiding principles for integrated water resources
management (the so called Dublin principles)
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

The four Dublin principles and the statement on the IWRM were commended and adopted at
the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 .
This now become the defining moment in global water policy, with a shift towards 'Integrated
Water Resources Management'
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

2.2 DEFINITION OF INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The major weakness of the Dublin definition of IWRM was that it did not prioritise the need to
manage the natural environment, which determines the quality and quantity of water resources.
Water resources have to be protected taking into account the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
Beyond this, water uses should be changed appropriately.

Hence, the definition of IWRM was improved at the Hague conference 2000 to formulate the
World Water Vision at the second World water forum"

IWRM is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water,
land and related resources, in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in
an equitable manner without compromising the suitability of vital ecosystems.

Implementation of IWRM is one of the key water security targets especially in this era where the
demand for resources is greatest.

The principles of IWRM have been difficult to practice because they involve difficult allocation
politics between competing uses of water resources.

2.3 IWRM INTIATIVES AND PROGRAMS IN UGANDA

1. Lake Victoria Environment Management Project (LVEMP project)

A regional project implemented by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to enhance economic growth
and reduce poverty, while protecting Lake Victoria for present and future uses.

2. The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)

Uganda is part of the Nile Basin Initiative. The initiative was formed by Nile basin states in
1999 in order to utilise, protect and manage Nile waters in an integrated sustainable way
ensuring international cooperation between riparian countries. These countries (10 No.-
formerly 9) include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan
& South sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Eritrea only participates as an observer.

3. The Kagera Trans boundary IWRM

Was formed under NBI to establish a sustainable cooperative framework for joint management
of water resources of Kagera river basin to prepare for sustainable development investments that
will improve the living conditions of people while protecting the environment. Kagera basin is
shared by Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. This basin is the source of the Nile River.

The Pangani river basin management project, in Tanzania is also one of the success stories of
IWRM in east africa. It has a population of 2.6 million. The river must meet increasing and
conflicting demands for drinking water, irrigation, water for cattle and ecosystem services yet it
is vulnerable to cycles of drought and floods due to climate change. The project aims to promote
IWRM by engaging local government authorities, CBOs and local communities.

4. Catchment-based water management zones

Catchment Water Management Zones (WMZs) have been set up by the directorate of water
resources management (DWRM) of the Ministry of Water and Environment (Uganda) for
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

effective planning and management of Uganda’s water resources at the lowest appropriate level
(i.e catchment level).

The country is divided into 4 WMZs:

(a) Lake Victoria WMZ – Head quarters are located in Mbarara town
(b) Lake Albert WMZ
(c) Lake Kyoga WMZ - and
(d) Upper Nile WMZ.

The functions of these zones are:

• Water resources monitoring and assessment
• Water quality testing
• Water permit assessment
• Compliance and enforcement
• Review of Environmental Impacts Assessments and
• Raising awareness

The catchment management interventions are key in ensuring that water of adequate quality and
good quality is available to meet various demands of the present and future generations.

For more examples, refer to Rugumayo, A. (2012). An introduction to hydrology and water
resources engineering in Uganda.

2.4 ISSUES AFFECTING IWRM PRACTICE

2.4.1 Water as an economic good

Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and it should be recognised as an
economic good.

Example: Water supplied by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (Uganda) is an
economic good because the Government gets revenue. Hydropower production from river water
is also an example of water as an economic good.

It is therefore important to recognise that the management of water resources is also part of the
nation's development. This is also one of the guiding principles of IWRM.

Following this, it is also vital to recognise the basic right of all human beings to have access to
clean water and sanitation at an affordable price.

In the past, there was a weakness in recognising the economic value of water which led to
wasteful and environmentally damaging uses of the resources.

Exercise: What are the six main characteristics that make water a special economic good?

(Refer to: Savenije, H.H.G. (2002). Why water is not an ordinary economic good, or why the
girl is special. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 27: 741-744.)
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

2.4.2 Health, agriculture and ecosystems

Water for domestic consumption should be clean to ensure good health of the consumers. Most
rural populations in Uganda obtain drinking water from springs, wells, boreholes and from rain
water harvesting. These sources can be of varying quality and quantity.

With regard to boreholes and wells, groundwater extraction rates can exceed recharge rates,
which can lead to drying of wells. There is therefore a need to regulate extraction rates.
Likewise, urban populations can impact on the quality of water resources due to large
concentrations of the population in one area (e.g. in informal settlements). Sometimes, they
discharge untreated sewage into water bodies which pollutes water resources. Catchment's
based management systems are therefore required to monitor and assess the catchments quality
of water resources and to control pollution of these resources.

Agriculture, on the other hand, is rain-fed and the main area of concern is the use of wetlands for
farming. Wetlands have been drained, which can cause reduction in the replenishment of
groundwater. Draining these wetlands also means removing the natural pollutant filters, which
prevent pollution to reach larger water bodies. Current studies show that there is potential for
irrigation of up to 410,000 ha in Uganda yet irrigation is still limited. However, care should be
taken to avoid over exploitation of water resources for agriculture because it can present the
largest demand for water resources.

Livestock and wildlife can also put pressure on water supply especially in dry areas and should
therefore be taken into account when implementing IWRM.

Maintaining healthy water ecosystems should be the first priority for sustainable development.
Hence, the protection of water resources should take into account the functioning of aquatic
ecosystems in order to satisfy needs for water for human activities. Ecosystems include
wetlands, bio-diversity, landuse and so on. Changes in aquatic ecosystems can affect both water
quality and quantity.

2.4.3 Water Governance

Practicing and enforcing IWRM principles has been difficult because it involves difficult
allocation politics between competing uses of water resources. Good water governance is
therefore key to achieving IWRM.

Four principle areas should be considered to achieve good governance for IWRM:
a. Policy framework
b. Legal and regulatory matters
c. Institutions and human resources
d. Technical aspects

1 Policy framework

In Uganda, the policy framework for ensuring IWRM is considered based on the Dublin's
guideline principles for IWRM. The general policy for IWRM generally includes the Uganda
Water action plan, The Uganda National water policy and the World water vision.
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

The Uganda water action plan (1995)

The objective of this plan is to manage and develop water resources of Uganda in an integrated
and sustainable manner so as to secure and provide water of adequate quantity and quality for all
the social and economic needs. This plan provides a guideline or framework for the sustainable
development and protection of water resources in Uganda.

The plan defines actions leading to the establishment of an enabling environment for water
resources management with linkages between land and water resources. It defines management
roles and identifies appropriate institutional structures for water resources management at
national, district and local levels.

The Uganda National water policy

The national policy (MWLE, 1999) promotes a new integrated approach to manage water
resources in ways that are sustainable and beneficial to the people of Uganda. It also states that
monitoring assessment and research are necessary to understand the availability of water
resources and that there is a need to determine appropriate techniques for sustainability.

World Water Vision

It aims to project global aims of the year 2025 with the purpose of having sufficient clean water
for all the worlds' population by that time. Uganda is party to the world water vision

2 Legal and regulatory matters

To ensure effective implementation of IWRM, the government of Uganda has put in place an
enabling legal framework in the form of The Water Act1 , Cap 152 and accompanying
regulations: Water resources regulation (1998), Waste discharge regulations (1998).

The Water Act (1995) provides the legal framework for the use of water.
(It provides for the use, protection and management of water resources and supply; to
provide for the constitution of water and sewerage authorities; and to facilitate the
devolution of water supply and sewerage undertakings.)

The Water Resources Regulation (1998): In this regulation, the director of water
development, when considering an application for a water permit for water abstraction,
shall take into account 3 things: 1) the present and future availability of water 2) present
and future quality of water and, 3) any adverse effects on the water to be used.

Note: An Act is passed by Parliament, and is the highest form of law in the land. A regulation is a form of a
secondary regulation to support the act. It is usually adopted by the department in charge of overseeing an Act and
not the parliament. The regulation sets out the way in which an Act will be implemented and enforced.

In addition, the Environmental Act, with its accompanying regulations: Environmental Impacts
Assessment Regulation (1998), The National Environment Regulation for effluent discharge
into water or on land (1999), The National Environment Regulation for waste management into
water or on land (1999) were put into place to ensure sustainable use of environment and natural
resources across the country.
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

The Directorate of Water Resources Management is responsible for implementing the

provisions of the Water act and related regulations. It does this through water use allocation
(abstraction and wastewater discharge), water service regulation (drilling, construction, dam
safety), compliance monitoring and enforcement of water laws. The directorate processes
permits to regulate abstraction of water using motorised pumps and canals, discharging
wastewater into the environment, drilling water wells, construction of dams and reviews of EIA
reports. Permits include

• Water abstraction permits – Issued to water users.

• Wastewater discharge permits – Mainly used to companies, institutions and
organisations
• Borehole drilling permits – Issued to drilling companies.
• Mineral water extracting and bottling permits

3 Institutional framework

The lead national agency for the management of water resources in Uganda is the Directorate of
Water Resources Management (DWRM). It is one of the 3 directorates of the Ministry of Water
and Environment.

The mandate of DWRM is to promote and ensure the rational and sustainable utilisation and
development, and effective management and safeguarding of water resources of Uganda for
social and economic welfare and development.

DWRM is sub-divided into 3 departments:

• Water quality department: It monitors, assesses and provides advice on management

of the quality of water resources including pollution control.

• Water regulation: It regulates water use through processing, issuing, monitoring and
enforcing of permits for water abstraction, wastewater discharge, borehole drilling and
construction and giving advice NEMA.

• Monitoring and assessment: Monitors, assesses and advise on quantitative aspects of

national and Tran boundary water resources in Uganda

A part from national level institution, there are also a number of region institutions including:

District level: Under the District Local Government Councils, a District Environment and
Natural Resources Committee exists comprising of water, environment,
forestry and meteorology, departments which is designed to ensure coordinated
management of natural resources and the environment as well as those of
agriculture, fisheries and livestock at the district.

Local Level: The Sub-county is the legal entity and has responsibilities in the areas for the
provision of water and sanitation services and protection of natural resources
including water, with the assistance of the extension staff. Local Councils
(LC1-LC3) and local government chiefs will play a role in setting local
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

priorities and enforcing byelaws, monitoring and mediating in water

management issues.

There are also a number of regional programs that compliment the activities of DWRM
including the Lake Victoria Environmental Management program, Nile Basin Initiative (NBI),
Nile basin water resources (NBWR) and water management zones to decentralise water
resources management functions at lower levels (catchments and districts).

4 Technical and technological aspects

The need for IWRM must be implemented by appropriate technology which varies from country
to country. Most international funding agencies have focused on promoting water sector
reforms which has been only governance - IWRM oriented. But these agencies have ignored the
technical component of the water management interventions, which are equally important as
governance reforms.

Technological solutions may refer to application of high-tech information technologies (e.g.

Geographical Information Systems, modelling, remote sensing etc.,) to the water sector. There
has been considerable progress in this aspect through research.

Technical infrastructure here refers to the upgrading of water infrastructure. This has not been
given proper attention with regard to IWRM. This covers all aspects related to the lack of access
to, and awareness of, appropriate technologies and methodologies for IWRM and water-use
efficiency or water saving technologies (e.g. for irrigation and industries), including wastewater
management and sanitation.

Key references:
Koudstaal, R., Rijsberman, F. R. and Savenije, H. (1992), Water and sustainable development.
Natural Resources Forum, 16: 277–290. doi: 10.1111/j.1477- 8947.1992.tb00859.x

Nicol and Odinga, 1992. Progress of IWRM in Uganda, Water Alternatives - 2016 Volume 9,
Issue 3

Savenije, Hubert H.G., and Pieter van der Zaag, 2002. “Water as an economic good and demand
management: paradigms with pitfalls’, water international, Vol 27, No.1