Puntland Water Policy 2007.

This Policy concerns the development and management of water resources in Puntland. The Policy is largely concerned with establishing principles rather than definitive and fixed directives. Most water is currently used for livestock watering and the water systems in Puntland rely on traditional water management mechanisms (harvesting rainfall and runoff catchment in berkads and ballehs). The Policy sets out the key challenges and priority actions for the development of the water sector. Among the key actions there's establishing a framework for water resource management. The Policy also sets out overall water sector principles, among them, water as a fundamental human need, priority of use, water is a social as well as an economic good, devolved administration and public participation, the polluter pays, and integrated water resources management.
As to development of the water sector, the Policy touches upon the following matters: The Role of Government; the role of the public and communities; the role of private sector; the role of international agencies and NGO’s; financing water development; rural and urban drinking water supply; water for livestock, and agriculture; water for industry, mining and energy; fisheries and marine resources.
Water management concentrates on the fundamental human need for water of the population of Puntland. It also concerns the economic aspects of water systems and seeks to enhance the involvement of women and children in the decision-making process. The Policy also sets out a future institutional and legal framework and briefly addresses, a permitting system, disaster management, shared transboundary water resources and environment protection.