National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) 2012 - 2016.

This National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) is a nationwide sectoral document has to be considered as a part of the National Water Resources Management Strategy that includes the several reforms that the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI) has been undertaking since 2003 following the enactment of the Water Act, 2002. The NWQMS is in response to the need to (i) streamline and harmonize water quality management; (ii) establish a management framework which sets out the roles of the various stakeholders; (iii) enhance coordination of activities to reduce duplication and streamline overlaps for effective resource use and eventual positive impact. An effective Water quality management will also add to the attainment of the MDGs and Vision 2030, and is thus of national importance. The following are the goals of the NWQMS (i) improved water quality by reducing pollution from point and non-point sources; (ii) enhanced water quality monitoring programs, water quality data management, information management and sharing; (iii) harmonized water quality management guidelines recognizing differences in institutional, social and natural conditions; (iv) equipped laboratories at three levels with professional staff for improved water quality analysis; (v) enhanced trans-boundary water quality management by enacting Trans-boundary policies and protocols; (vi) improved enforcement and compliance to water quality standards and guidelines; (vii) establishment of applied water quality research programs for sustainable water quality management; and (viii) introduction of biological water quality monitoring techniques.
To make agriculture more sustainable, the document focuses on (i) awareness-raising of farmers and pastoralist on best usage and management of agrochemicals; (ii) farmers' education on good farm husbandry; (iii) environmental disposal of hazardous agrochemicals; (iv) isolation of livestock watering points from points where water is abstracted for domestic use.
In order to increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the NWQMS envisages to (i) design a National Water Quality Monitoring Program to further management decisions can be made, pollution control measures taken, and rules and regulations governing water use and protecting water sources developed; (ii) enhance Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Program by sampling and testing of urban, rural, and community water supplies; (iii) rehabilitate laboratories to assist in the implementation of the water quality management plans by carrying out water testing within the catchment; (iv) enhance guidelines and rules and regulations for the protection of rivers and lakes affected by human activities; (v) treat liquid wastes entering the lakes, and avoid dumping solid wastes into lakes; (vi) adopt the wise use principle as stipulated in the Ramsar Convention in management and use of wetland; (vii) ensure rainwater quality; (viii) adopt sanitary protection of the pans and ponds; (ix) promote groundwater protection; (x) protect coastal and marine waters; (xi) enhance sewerage management; (xi) promote industrial wastewater management; (xii) develop information, education and communication on water quality.
As for Governance, The MWI has the overall mandate to oversee the implementation of this strategy and coordinate the activities of the other water sector actors. The actual implementation of the NWQMS will be the primary responsibility of the Water Resources management Authority (WRMA). However, WRMA shall consult and work closely with Water Quality and Pollution Control Division and the Water Services Boards (WSBs) in the execution of this mandate. WRMA will also take the lead in guiding the other water sector stakeholders in playing their respective roles with regard to the conservation and protection of the national water resources.