National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan 2019.

The National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. This policy lays down strategies to ensure effective management of water resources with the aim of securing the social, economic, and environmental well-being of current and future generations.
Sufficient water will be provided to farmers to sustain national food production with the aim of providing available and adequate food at all times. To this end, irrigation services will be improved to achieve food security. Furthermore, efficient water and land management practices will be promoted and new irrigation schemes will be introduced, to maintain the quantity and variety of agricultural produce available for consumption without putting pressure on surface and groundwater resources.
This policy emphasizes the importance of irrigated agriculture due to its contribution to rural development, employment generation, and the economies of farm families and rural communities. Moreover, stakeholder participation to the Integrated Water Resources Management Committees will be encouraged. Government-funded social programmes will be carried out to provide safe water and sanitation services to the most vulnerable.
Water sector will be developed by adopting Integrated Water Resources Management principles to provide universal access to basic services, access to water resources for economic growth, and to improve the quality and reliability of services. Therefore, integrated management of water, land and related resources will be ensured with an ecosystem approach that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable manner. The institutional coordination and framework for water resources management will be strengthened to ensure effective Integrated Water Resources Management and to define the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders. The participation of the private sector in the water sector will be promoted, with an emphasis on water supply, sewerage and irrigation services in order to boost the development and strengthen the infrastructure, storage, treatment and distribution of water. Standards will be developed for potable water supply and improved sanitation to enable the access of all citizens to safe, convenient, sufficient quantity, reliable and affordable water and to sewerage services. Different technical solutions and institutional arrangements will be considered to provide universal access to potable water and to improved sanitation facilities both in Utility Service Areas and Non-Utility Service Areas. Rainwater harvesting will be promoted for households in areas with adequate rainfall, however this Policy underlines that water supply from rainwater harvesting will be treated before consuming in accordance with standards of the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization. The access to improved sanitation facilities will be provided to all households to protect public health and the environment. Public awareness will be raised on water use efficiency and water conservation to prevent water losses. In addition, monitoring and control systems will be improved to reduce overflow and other losses at storage facilities and treatment plants.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into water resources management and conservation to reduce the vulnerability against the risks and negative impacts of climate change. Energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies will be used to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the water sector and to reduce energy costs. In order to combat the impacts of drought, an effective monitoring programme will be implemented to provide long-term planning and the development of plans and programmes, especially for vulnerable communities and in the agricultural sector. Moreover, conservation measures will be implemented to prevent water restrictions for domestic and agricultural use, including alternative means of collecting and storing water through rainwater harvesting. Flood management will be strengthened through effective flood water control by expanding adequate drainage networks and maintaining existing drains and gullies in order to prevent the loss of life and property. Finally, climate-smart agricultural practices will be encouraged, such as planting drought-tolerant crops to increase the resilience of the agriculture sector to disasters.
The Ministry responsible for water management will oversee the implementation of this Policy, including monitoring and evaluation of the implementation.