Water Resources Management Policy.

The Water Resources Management Policy lays down a policy framework for an integrated and sound management of water resources within the country to ensure sustainable development of water as a resource, adequate supply of potable water even in times of drought, and proper assessment and protection of available water resources. The Government recognizes that the most demanding task in the Water Sector over the coming decades will be the provision of domestic water for the rapidly urbanizing population. In order to meet this requirement and the national coverage as a whole, there will need to be a considerable investment in water storage, delivery, and distribution. All water resources development projects will have to undertake environmental impact assessment.
In order to ensure rational exploitation and management of Lesotho’s water resources, the following strategies are outlined: a) improve and develop technical and managerial capabilities of water institutions; b) improve coordination of water sector activities in Lesotho; c) ensure equitable allocation of water resources among regions according to the demography and level of development; d) improve the existing legal framework governing the management of water resources; e) improve data collection, archiving and analysis on the availability of water resources.
The second policy statement refers to water as a basic necessity and adequate access of potable water for every citizen. According to the third policy statement, every citizen is entitled to potable water for basic human needs and any requirement beyond this basic need will be paid for by the user. The Government will ensure access to potable water by all People of Lesotho. To achieve this, the following strategies shall be implemented: a) increase investment in water storage, delivery and distribution; b) establish two separate management units, one dealing with bulk water supply and the other with distribution; c) encourage privatization in the management of the distribution systems.
The fourth policy statement stipulates that all environmental aspects of water resources will be protected. The following strategies shall be implemented: a) increase and improve natural resources environmental awareness through education; b) wastewater from industries, commercial entities, municipal and health institutions must be treated before discharge into waterways.
In the field of governance, the policy promotes public participation. Stakeholders will be involved in every stage of the design and implementation of water resources development projects. The expansion of water supply systems will also be demand driven. It promotes community-based fora on water resource developments and consultation to customers in the identification of their needs. Coordination among village water committees is promoted as well.