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Project LIFE-Integrated Water Resources Management

Context

Over the last two decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked closely with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) improving water management to benefit the economy of Egypt. The current initiative of the USAID Environment Office and the Government of Egypt is known as the LIFE program, an acronym for Livelihood and Income from the Environment.  

The LIFE-Integrated Water Resources Management Project works with the MWRI to provide technical assistance, training, commodities, and small grants to support decentralization of water management. The aim is to increase water use efficiency and productivity. This is achieved by working with the MWRI to expand decentralization efforts through the establishment of Integrated Water Management Districts (IWMDs), and formation of Branch Canal Water Users’ Associations (BCWUAs). Project activities that focus on developing local capacity to better manage solid and liquid waste, as well as to encourage appropriate wastewater reuse in agriculture also support this aim.

Project number EPP-I-802-03-00013-00 Task Order 802
Subject(s) POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT
Acronym LIFE-IWRM
Geographical coverage Egypt
Budget (in €) 0
Programme The USAID/Egypt funded Livelihood and Income from the Environment (LIFE)
Web site http://www.iwrmeg.org/
Objectives

 The objective of this Task Order is to provide technical assistance, training, commodities, and small grants in support of the decentralization of water management decision-making and an increased participation of all rural inhabitants in such decision-making in two priority geographical areas and four Irrigation Directorates; Zifta and West Sharkiya in the Middle Delta, and Qena and Aswan in Upper Egypt.  With decentralization and participation USAID expects greater civic responsibility in maintaining the water conveyance infrastructure and improvements in the quality of local water resources through better management of locally generated liquid and solid wastes. The objectives are expected to be achieved through the formation and development of functional and sustainable Branch Canal Water User Associations (BCWUAs) and Integrated Water Management Districts (IWMDs) and developing the capacity of stakeholders to manage solid and liquid wastes in the targeted directorates.

Seven tasks are to be implemented under the LIFE/IWRM Program:

1. Formation of Integrated Water Management Districts

2. Formation of Branch Canal Water Users' Associations

3. Equitable Allocation of Water Resources

4. Improved Maintenance and Upgrading of Water Management Equipment

5. Environmental Services for Improving Water Quality Management

6. Improved Wastewater Reuse Practices

7. Graduate Degree Training for MWRI Staff

 

The IWRM Project supports integration at the district level in a variety of ways.

• Administration: MWRI Irrigation District offices are consolidated to bring all water management responsibilities together in a single office called an Integrated Water Management District (IWMD).

• Water Resources: All water sources are monitored and accounted for as part of the district water budget and allocation program; surface, groundwater, drainage, and treated wastewater.

• User Participation: Functioning Branch Canal Water User Associations (BCWUAs) are established to contribute as partners in decision making.

• Stakeholder Participation: Linkages between these BCWUAs, the IWMD office, local councils, other government/non-government agencies, and the private sector are encouraged.

• Information Systems: Data are gathered on water availability, allocation and quality, as well as on user needs and priorities to guide decision-making.

Cross-Cutting Activities

Environmental education, public awareness, and communication support all project elements. These activities are critical given the evident need to involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders in a participatory process to ensure acceptance and sustainability.

 Gender considerations, a major focus of the USAID-Egypt strategy and the GOE’s vision, are also a cross-cutting theme. The project provides gender training to initiate actions that contribute to women’s active participation at all levels and enhance their capacities to generate income.

 To provide baseline measures, guide implementation, and define results, monitoring and evaluation activities are a vital cross-cutting component of the project.

Results

Project Activities 

LIFE-IWRM Project activities are organized in three areas and consist of seven major tasks.

1. Decentralized Management of Water Resources

·  Formation of Integrated Water Management Districts

·  Formation of Branch Canal Water User Associations

·  Equitable Allocation of Water Resources

2.  Stakeholder Engagement in Water Resources Management

·  Improved Maintenance and Upgrading of Water Management Equipment

·  Environmental Services for Improving Water Quality Management

·  Improved Wastewater Reuse Practices

3. Capacity Building for MWRI Staff

·  Graduate Degree Training for MWRI
staff

Results

Formation of IWMDs with the capability and authority to coordinate all irrigation and water management activities will result in improved efficiency. Formation of BCWUAs linked with these IWMDs and other local partners will lead to greater civic responsibility for maintaining water ways; improving the quality of water resources through better local management of liquid and solid waste. By participating in water management decision-making and governance, rural inhabitants will realize economic benefits.

Beneficiaries

It is anticipated that approximately 9 million farmers and other water users will benefit from the project. The plan is to establish 27 IWMDs linked with approximately 1,000 BCWUAs covering 1.2 million feddans of agricultural land.

Geographical Locations
 
During this period, the Integrated Water Resources Management Project activities will focus on four Irrigation Directorates; Zifta and West Sharkiya in the Delta, and Qena and Aswan in Upper Egypt.

Partners 

The MWRI is the lead GOE partner for this initiative with collaboration from the Ministries of Environment, Education, Housing, and Health. Local councils, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations are also involved in the program areas. International Resources Group (IRG), as prime contractor, and the Integrated Water Management Unit (IWMU), the MWRI counterpart, lead and coordinate the project.
Period [01/10/2004 - 30/09/2008]

Publications

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