Abstract:
Water resources in many parts of the world, but particularly in Africa, face
multiple pressures. These growing pressures, along with rainfall variability, pose
significant risks to water resources and livelihoods. Over the past two decades
the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been
presented as a panacea, but subscription to this model has not delivered the
results expected. Despite a massive endeavour there is extensive evidence that
IWRM remains difficult to implement, particularly in fragile states. In contrast, at
local level the responsibility of communities to manage water supply systems
forms a central component of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector
policy. But WASH programmes are focused primarily on the supply of services,
and not enough on water resources. Consequently, remarkably little has been
written about the role of communities in monitoring and managing water
resources. Also, few studies have examined the transitions fragile government
institutions need to undertake to move from one (inferior) situation, to a much
better one. This study used Action Research (AR) to investigate the role
community-based institutions can play in monitoring water resources, alongside
government authorities. Initial field research was conducted in Darfur and Niger
before further work in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. It found that communities
could monitor water resources with high degrees of success; however,
continued external support is also required from responsible government
institutions. Community-Based Water Resources Management (CBWRM) is
considered a realistic and plausible approach for strengthening the water
component in WASH programmes. This research argues that in fragile states
there is greater potential to develop national water security plans from local-
level initiatives. Adopting a “localised” approach is particularly important for
countries that face the pervasive obstacles of short rainfall seasons: negligible
hydrometeorological monitoring, limited water infrastructure and weak
institutions. CBWRM warrants greater attention from the WASH sector and
further research is needed to identify how effectively communities can manage
water resources and scale up this approach once Water Resource
Assessments (WRAs) have been conducted.
