Sudan National Water Policy 1999.

This National Water Policy is a sectoral document concerning Sudan's development, management, and protection of water resources. It brings together, for the first time, policies related to many aspects of water, including resources, utilization protection, and integrated management. The document also covers various other activities such as agriculture, forestry, industry, health, energy, and transportation. The main objectives of the document are as follows (i) bring together and clarify existing policy; (ii) review and adapt water policy to meet changing circumstances within the country; (iii) ensure that the water resources are appropriately managed, protected, and efficiently utilized for the benefit of all; (iv) provide the basis for the ongoing development of water-related regulations and legislation; (v) strengthen and rationalize water-related institutions in both the public and private sectors. The main specific areas of concern in water resources development, management, and protection are set out according to the following categories (i) Water Resources, concerning the various water resources available for development and the policy applicable; (ii) Water Utilization, including human consumption, agriculture, industry, and municipal uses, each of them requiring a different utilization policy; (iii) Water and the environment, since the latter has a direct influence on the availability of water and its quality, it is necessary to consider like the policy affects the environment and related matters such as pollution and catchment degradation; (iv) Regional water issues, since most of the water available to Sudan is regional water which introduces a number of complexities; (v) Socio-economic issues, as water has a direct impact on many areas of life and the economy; (vi) Disaster management and public safety, for which a clear policy framework is required, as does for the factors affecting public safety in the construction of dams and other hydraulic structures; (vii) institutions, capacity building and technical assistance.
The basic principles for a proper water resources management are (i) water is a scarce and valuable resource, which has to be equitably, economically, and efficiently used; (ii) access to water for basic human needs is the highest priority in the development of water resources; (iii) development of water resources must be demand-driven; (iv) development and management of water resources, and the operation and maintenance of water services must be economically sustainable through the recovery of costs from those who benefit; (v) all water, including surface and groundwater, should be managed in an integrated manner; (vi) water resources management affects everybody and should be undertaken with the participation of relevant stakeholders; (vii) the national government is the custodian of all water in Sudan for the equitable benefit of all and in the public interest; (viii) the gathering and management of accurate information for the recording and ongoing monitoring of water resources is essential for the proper development, management and protection of water resources; (ix) the environment needs to be protected in order to ensure sustainable utilization for present and future generations; (x) public institutional arrangements at federal and state levels shall be integrated, efficient and transparent; (xi) water and water related issues are an integral part of the wider economy and have direct effects on many other sectors.