National Water Security Strategy in Libya 2015-2050.

This National Water Security Strategy is a sectoral document prepared and developed by the team appointed by the Steering Committee of the National Planning Council through the Resolution No. 3 of 2012 (attached to the Strategy). The main goal of the Strategy is to preserve the water resources and to limit the quantitative and qualitative deterioration of these resources, ensuring sustainable development. The National Planning Council is creating a new strategy to address water scarcity. This approach, similar to those used in other countries with limited water resources, focuses on (i) Estimating and managing water needs: The Strategy prioritizes calculating urban and industrial water needs while acting cautiously to limit demand from the agricultural sector; (ii) Balancing supply and demand: It involves calculating available water resources and comparing them to total consumption to predict potential deficits; (iii) Developing new sources: The plan seeks to fill any gaps in traditional water sources by developing non-traditional ones; (iv) Implementing sound management: The Strategy emphasizes comprehensive and effective water management to prolong the life of existing resources.
The main strategic objectives set out to achieve the aim of water security and water resources development for the longest possible period to meet future needs are (i) to reduce the increasing water deficit over time; (ii) to secure water needs with the appropriate quantity and quality for all water consumers and various development sectors. This includes focusing on providing drinking water and sanitation services for all residents; (iii) managing available water resources soundly to ensure sustainable development. This protects the current social and economic standard of living while securing the water rights of future generations; (iv) develop traditional and non-traditional water resources and ensure their optimal use; (v) protect water resources from depletion and pollution.
The Water Security Strategy is structured around 5 main axes designed to manage and overcome the increasing water deficit. These axes focus on implementing the following radical strategies and policies to address the challenges of distributing limited water resources among various sectors (i) reducing the water deficit (water demand management); (ii) developing human and institutional capacities; (iii) developing and enhancing traditional and non-traditional water resources; (iv) protecting water resources and the environment from pollution; (v) recovering the costs of water provision; (vi) developing water legislation; (vii) building an integrated national water information system and network; (viii) developing scientific research and localizing modern technology; (ix) raising water and environmental awareness among all members of society.
The Strategy provides a clear path to significantly reduce water consumption in the agricultural sector by focusing on a "crop water productivity" strategy. This approach offers several key guidelines (i) Relocate Crops: Moving irrigated crops from southern to cooler northern regions can cut water consumption in half while maintaining the same level of production; (ii) Shift to Cold-Season Crops: By replacing hot-season crops with those that thrive in colder seasons, or by simply planting the same crop during a cooler time of the year, farmers can save a substantial amount of water; (iii) Upgrade Irrigation Systems: Switching from traditional sprinkler systems to more efficient localized irrigation systems for suitable crops, such as grapes and olives, can dramatically reduce water use. The "crop water productivity" concept serves as a powerful planning tool for managing limited agricultural water resources. It helps with two main tasks (1) Crop Selection, assisting in selecting and comparing different crops based on their water efficiency; (2) Water Pricing, determining the appropriate price for irrigation water, allowing for the partial or full recovery of costs. These guidelines are designed to increase crop production and monetary returns per unit of water, reduce demand for irrigation water by controlling waste, and increase reliance on rainwater and groundwater sources. While in the urban utilization, although urban water use is minor compared to agriculture, the Strategy outlines several ways to reduce groundwater consumption in cities. These include improving the management and maintenance of water supply systems, enforcing monitoring and consumption fees, promoting the use of water-saving appliances, and raising public awareness about water conservation. Additionally, advancements in desalination technology are making it a more viable and cost-effective option for future water supply.