Water Sector Policy for Demand Management 2023.

This Water Sector Policy for Demand Management is a part of a set of new policies developed by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to define rules to manage the scarce national water resources efficiently and sustainably. These new policies lay out the measures and actions required to achieve the national goals for long-term water security. These result-oriented policies are built upon and updated from previously adopted strategies, policies, and plans. The main objective of the Policy is to maximize the utilization of available water resources, limit water losses, conserve water sources, minimize commercial and technical losses, and promote the principles of efficiency through technical solutions, guidance and awareness, and advanced technologies to adapt with water scarcity and poverty and reduce the gap between available water supplies and increasing water demand. It is an important tool to change water usage methods and behaviors in alignment with the principles of sustainability, efficiency, and equity. In light of the significant increase in water demand, implementing the Water Demand Management Policy, following the best approach to protect and manage all water resources efficiently and effectively, expanding wastewater treatment, and developing new water resources will have a positive effect on the water sector currently and in the future. This Policy addresses water management for all sectors, including the municipal (residential and commercial), industrial, tourism, and agricultural sectors, alongside other activities of national importance. As per the National Water Strategy, priority will be given to municipal uses, followed by the industrial and tourism sectors, and finally the agriculture sector.
Considering the features of water usage in the municipal, industrial, tourism, energy, mining, and irrigated agriculture sectors, the Policy will include three main sections, in addition to cross-sectoral policy statements (1) Municipal, Tourism, and Industrial Sectors: The strategy for these sectors focuses on conservation, mandating water-saving fixtures, promoting harvesting systems, and upgrading infrastructure to reduce water loss. For the energy and mining industries, it prioritizes using non-network sources like treated wastewater. The overall goal is to maximize the economic return on water use, regulate tariffs based on true value, and collaborate with academia to advance water-saving technologies; (2) Irrigated Agriculture Sector: This section emphasizes expanding the use of treated wastewater to replace freshwater for agricultural and industrial activities, ensuring the water quality meets national and international standards. To boost water efficiency, the policy promotes modern irrigation techniques and preemptive maintenance. The strategy also aims to expand water harvesting systems to support agriculture, recharge groundwater, and mitigate floods, with a focus on the role of women in residential projects. Finally, it calls for increased collaboration with academic and research centers to develop drought-tolerant crops and improve water management practices; (3) Cross-Sectoral Statements: These statements outline a broader strategy that includes (i) updating legislation to increase water efficiency, conserve resources, and curb illegal use; (ii) leveraging water tariffs as a key management tool, with pricing designed to be fair, encourage optimal usage, and reflect the true value of treated or mixed water; (iii) prioritizing awareness, training, and capacity-building through national campaigns to educate the public, industry staff, and farmers on water scarcity and conservation. The Policy also includes a comprehensive incentive program to encourage water efficiency across all sectors, utilizing financial tools like loans, grants, tax exemptions, and awards to promote the adoption of water-saving technologies, the cultivation of low-water-use crops, and the development of alternative water sources.