National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy.

The National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The overall purpose of the Policy is to protect and enhance the inland and coastal water resources of the country in order to ensure public health and the environmental and economic sustainability of the Cook Islands. This Policy sets forth objectives to achieve the purpose such as (i) establishment of standards for water quality and resource management, (ii) regular testing of water quality, (iii) sustainable management of both inland and coastal water resources, (iv) community participation, (v) water conservation, (vi) consistent and transparent application of water policy, plans and laws, and (vii) capacity building and public awareness-raising.
Effective and integrated water resources management will be strengthened with linkage to the management of land and wider economic, social, cultural, environmental and ecological considerations. This policy encompasses all water resources including ground water resources, lakes, streams and rivers, estuaries and wetlands, captured rain from rooftops, catchments, lagoon and coastal waters. Sustainable use and management of water will be ensured with water conservation principle with a special emphasis on the scarcity, fragility and value of freshwater resources. Natural ecology will be conserved with a precautionary principle by preventing serious or irreversible environmental damage or degradation to ensure environmental sustainability. Ecological flows will be maintained in natural streams and waterways to the greatest extent while designing and delivering future water supply, infrastructure, services and operations. Equitable access to freshwater resources for domestic and customary uses as well as to safe drinking water will be ensured to improve well-being of the current and future generations. Water standards will be established for drinking, residential, commercial and agricultural use. Water quality will be improved through better sanitation measures to meet standards. Procedures for testing of fresh water, drinking water and lagoon water will be developed by all agencies to ensure consistency, objectivity, and dependability. Farmers and growers will be educated to use techniques that will minimize water use whilst increasing crop productivity. The most appropriate water sources and storage methods will be improved to ensure adequate and affordable water for horticultural and agricultural production. In addition to that, commercial and agricultural use of water resources will be carried out in accordance with environmental protection and pollution control. Water used for commercial purposes will be reused and recycled. Water resources will be managed appropriately to protect and enhance the quality of water, inland and coastal water resources to ensure the health and safety of humans, terrestrial and marine animals and plants. Moreover, water quality standards will be established for streams, rivers and creeks to protect natural environment and native species from the impacts of effluent wastewater. Groundwater resources will be protected from contamination and pollution. Community knowledge and understanding will be promoted through knowledge dissemination. Water resources will be sustainably managed through greater planning and coordination between government agencies and islands. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced for effective management.
The resilience to climate change and natural disasters will be increased. The impacts of climate change on rainfall, cyclones and the greater ecology of the country will be reduced by addressing immediate concerns and vulnerabilities.
The National Environment Service shall be responsible for the regulation of water quality of streams, rivers and lagoon areas as well as land use practice that affects the water quality in these bodies. The Ministry of Health shall be responsible for the monitoring and regulation of drinking water throughout the country as well as awareness around health safety with respect to practices in treatment for safe drinking water. The Ministry of Marine Resources shall be responsible for water testing of lagoon and coastal areas in close cooperation with the National Environment Service. The Ministry of Agriculture shall be responsible for the encouraging and advocating the use of water conserving methods in agricultural and horticultural practices.