ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 1 Rafik Hirji and Jobo Molapo SOE Zambezi – CEP 2 CONTENTS 1.1 INTRODUCTION 3 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THIS TECHNICAL REPORT 5 1.3 KEY WATER RESOURCES ISSUES 5 1.3.1 Water scarcity in southern Africa 6 1.3.2 Emerging policy reforms 7 1.3.3 Integration of environmental sustainability criteria 7 1.4 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABILITY 10 1.4.1 A system in crisis: a degrading and undervalued resources base 10 1.4.2 Ecosystem goods and services 10 1.4.3 Elements of sustainable water resources management: balancing use and protection 11 1.5 CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES 11 1.5.1 Conceptual challenge 11 1.5.2 Absence of environmental quality criteria to define sustainability in the water sector 12 1.5.3 Inadequate economic analysis 12 1.5.4 Ineffective environmental impact assessment process 12 1.5.5 Inadequate consultations and participation during the EIA processes 12 1.5.6 Environmentally unsustainable water management policies 13 1.5.7 Environmental regulations for international waters 14 1.5.8 Capacity constraints 15 1.5.9 Emerging trends 15 1.6 OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD UPON 15 1.6.1 Consensus on principles of sound water resources management 15 1.6.2 International agreements, conventions and initiatives 16 1.6.3 Regional water management and environmental initiatives 17 1.6.4 National water policy, legal and institutional reforms 17 1.7 AN OVERVIEW OF OTHER PARTS OF THE REPORT 19 Part 1 Water Resources Development and Management: Striving for a Sustainable Balance 19 Part 2 Water Resources Management: Safeguarding the Resource Base 19 Part 3 Legal and Institutional Framework: Mainstreaming the Environment in Water Resources Management 19 Part 4 Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Way Forward 19 REFERENCES 20 3 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 1.1 INTRODUCTION (b) sustainable water resources management must balance between the short term needs of the people for The Southern African Development Community (SADC) their social and economic development and the protec- commissioned the preparation of this technical report on tion of the natural resource base. Defining and Mainstreaming Environmental Protection is a longer term goal for ensuring that the Sustainability in Water Resources Management in resource base is utilized wisely so that it can continue to Southern Africa to contribute to the public policy dis- provide benefits for improving people’s livelihoods and course and to support the development of practical quality of life, reducing poverty and fostering economic approaches for the integration of environmental quality growth into the future on a sustainable basis. objectives in the planning and management of the water The report is based on two fundamental assumptions sector.1 The report addresses a key SADC objective, “to that link water and environment to poverty alleviation. achieve sustainable utilization of natural resources and G First, strategies to reduce poverty should not lead to effective protection of the environment”, and supports further degradation of water resources or ecological the integration of environmental quality objectives into functions and services. the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Shared G Second, sustainable water use and improved environ- Watercourses and the Regional Strategic Action Plan mental quality should contribute to reducing poverty. (RSAP) for Integrated Water Resources Development and Table 1.1 below summarizes the elements of a basic Management in the SADC Countries (1999-2004). This framework for linking water, environment, and poverty. A technical report is also a SADC contribution to the United broad definition of poverty is adopted, that extends well Nation’s World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg Linkages between Water, Environment and Poverty Table 1.1 in August 2002 and to the New Partner- Dimensions of poverty Examples of water and environmental linkages ship for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The report provides policy guidance Income and Consumption Access to water for productive use, access to natural resources, sustainable growth and practical tools for addressing the Inequality and Equity Secure tenure and access to natural resources, specific challenges related to the water, water rights and entitlements environment and poverty nexus. The Sustainable Livelihoods Sustainable land and water use practices Health Water quality, safe drinking water and sanitation, central messages of the report are that, protection against water-borne disease (a) effective development and effec- Security and Vulnerability Improved disaster preparedness and response, water harvesting and conservation tive management of water resources are Inclusion and Empowerment Participation, devolution of ownership, rights and essential for sustainable growth and responsibilities to water users, community groups, poverty reduction in the SADC region, basin organizations, local governments and 1 This report is a joint initiative of the SADC Environment and Land Management Sector (ELMS) and the SADC Water Sector. 4 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT beyond income and consumption, to include inequality, stream communities. Often, these voiceless communities health, opportunity, livelihoods and vulnerability. are excluded during the planning and operations of major Understanding the biophysical, social, and socioeco- hydraulic infrastructure, and in this regard, the report nomic linkages is critical to addressing the environment, underscores their important role in project planning and water, and poverty nexus because in many cases it is the management decision-making. The report, however, does poor, who are most directly or indirectly dependent on not focus on individual water sector issues (such as terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for their livelihoods and domestic water supply or irrigation or hydropower) or on wellbeing. groundwater; and it does not focus on climate variability “Because of social and economic disadvantages, the or climate change considerations. poor often live in fringe areas, where access to potable supplies and adequate sanitation facili- Misconceptions about water Box 1.1 and water-dependent ecosystems ties is limited and where higher mortality, mor- bidity, and disease rates prevail. Or they live in There are a number of misconceptions about water and highly vulnerable areas (floodplains and water-dependent ecosystems that are so widespread they are often taken as fact by various sectors and individuals, degraded watersheds), where buffering capaci- including in some cases, at high levels of decision-making: ty to natural and anthropogenic shocks and G That water originates from pipes, and not from disasters is limited. Also, poor downstream watersheds, springs and aquifers. G That wetlands are wastelands with no social or communities relying on flood recession agri- economic value to society. culture, dry season livestock water supplies, G That freshwater biodiversity is not important to the region G fodder, firewood, or fishing are often left out That water flowing into the sea is wasted water. G That downstream impacts of major water projects are when major upstream water allocation or insignificant and therefore should be ignored. urban/industrial development decisions are G That environmental management is a concern of made without adequate considerations of outsiders and not of the region’s people. G That environmental management provides few downstream uses.” (Hirji and Ibrekk 2001: 2) benefits to society, but is costly and poses a huge The overall goal of the report is to inform economic burden. G the policy and decision makers about the com- That existing Environmental Impact Assessment policies and laws are sufficient for integrating environ- plex biophysical, social and economic dimen- mental sustainability criteria into water resources sions of environmental sustainability in the planning and management decision-making. water sector The report underscores the fact that sustain- able management of water resources must incorporate at an operational level, the ecological, economic and social considerations into water resources planning and manage- ment decision-making. Another goal is to, G provide policy guidance, practical approaches and operational tools for developing and managing the region’s basic and vital resource – water – in an environmentally sustainable manner, G share successful lessons and experiences about environmentally sustainable water resources management practices from the region, and G define in operational terms the elements of “environ- mentally sustainable water resources management”. The report attempts to dispel myths about water and dependent ecosystems (Box 1.1) in order to assist policy D. Martin, APG makers and water managers to make informed project This water well, built over 1,000 years ago at Unguja Ukuu in decisions on how to address significant adverse impacts southern Zanzibar and still in use, illustrates the long history of on important natural systems and livelihoods of down- development and management of resources in the SADC region. A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 5 This chapter provides the conceptual framework for the ing from direct water development activities, as well as report. It begins with the objectives of the report, and an indirect land use and other activities within the river overview of the key water