National Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Plan.

This National Integrated Water Resources Management Plan is a 5-year sectoral document aiming to mainstream IWRM principles into water resources management. It includes as well an implementation framework for priority interventions required to address current challenges facing the Mauritius water sector. To achieve the overall goal, the Plan sets out the following specific objectives (i) develop, protect and manage the water resources for the economic and social benefits of all on an equitable and sustainable basis; (ii) ensure the availability of water to all sectors of the economy; (iii) promote water efficiency; (iv) maintain high levels of water supply services by applying modern management practices; (v) develop an appropriate framework for the optimal integrated management of the water resources; (vi) heighten awareness of the value and benefits of integrated water resources management; (vii) provide a training/skills development programme in IWRM to technical staff; and (viii) mobilize resources and partners, including the private sector, for implementation of specific projects.
The IWRM Plan indicates the following 8 prority areas of action and, for each of them, a set of interventions required to achieve the targets has been identified (1) Integrated catchment management; (2) Water resources management/development, water use efficiency and water demand management; (3) Water quality and environmental sustainability; (4) Security from water related disasters; (5) Water resources information management; (6) Stakeholder participation, capacity building and water education; (7) Water and sanitation services provision; and (8) National water resources governance. Here are some of the main interventions indicated in the document: technical feasibility of aquifer recharge (with rainwater and treated wastewater) and the social acceptance of recharge with treated wastewater; evaluation of current water uses and abstractions and log them in a central water abstraction register; adopt a raw water pricing framework; improve water efficiency in businesses and household; identify new sources of water supply; new financing for water infrastructure and management; protect the integrity of water catchments; monitoring of water resources; strengthen the environmental enforcement mechanisms and capacity; prevent and reduce ground pollution; establish a comprehensive central national water resources database, and expand the sewerage network and bring down the amount of non-revenue water.
To make agriculture more productive and sustainable, the Plan envisages (i) the improvement of water use efficiency in irrigated agriculture in terms of pipe systems, new water meters, and more water efficient technologies; (ii) expansion of irrigation in the current rainfed areas by small-scale farmers to diversify from sugar to other crops; and (iii) reduction of polluted groundwater or river discharge into coastal waters.
In order to enhance the resilience of livelihoods to disaster, the interventions shall be directed to (i) develop a climate change adaptation strategy for the water sector; (ii) identify priorities in relation to the climate resilience of water infrastructure; (iii) ensure water safety during flooding events; (iv) re-allocate water use during dry spells; and (v) establish disaster mitigation systems and enhance disaster mitigation capacity.
As for the Governance, the main targets to be reached in the 5 years envisaged in the plan are (i) enactment of a comprehensive National Water Act; (ii) streamline an institutional framework for water management in accordance with IWRM principles; and (iii) establlish an IWRM coordination mechanism.