Water for people.pdf - WHO Thailand Digital Repository

4 2 2 / P I L O T C A S E S T U D I E S : A F O C U S O N R E A L - W O R L D E X A M P L E SRuhuna Basins, Sri Lankapopulation. Traditions also emphasize that water is a valuableresource that is not to be wasted. A local management structure forwater resources was developed that included provisions for costrecovery and regulation. These provisions enabled a self-sustainingrural agrarian society to exist in the villages.Water-related cultural practices among the rural societyemphasized the optimum use of water. However, this managementstructure was disturbed during the period of colonial occupations.An increase in rural poverty made people more dependent on statesubsidies. To some extent this dependency continues under modernirrigated agriculture where, especially in major irrigation areas, thereis a heavy emphasis on state control. Farmers are often perceived asmere beneficiaries rather than key partners in management ofirrigation and water resources.The broad recognition of centuries-old water traditions in SriLanka, and the considerable number of people still living below thepoverty line, enhance the importance of water’s social,environmental, cultural and economic values. For example, thenumerous minor irrigation systems provide water for domestic use,livestock, wildlife, recharge of groundwater and also for enhancingthe village environment. These multiple dimensions that make up thevalue of water must be considered equitably in planning, developingand managing water resources.The economic value of water, however, has been the subject ofintense discussion in the recent past. A draft policy document thatmade reference to water as an economic good was rejected followingstrong pressure from the public and media. Leading politicians havemade statements implying that water is set to remain a free good forthe foreseeable future.In agriculture, still the main water use sector, farmers contributeto the maintenance costs of the irrigation network. But, in general,they pay no water supply or service fees. Operation and maintenancecosts are minimal and farmers mostly pay through provision of labourfor cleaning canals. This is similar to ancient practice. However, insome modern irrigation systems, a minimal service fee is levied.Political set-up: institutions and legislationSri Lanka is a parliamentary democracy divided into eight provinces andtwenty-four districts. Rivers flowing through more than one province,and irrigation systems that are served from these channels come underthe purview of the central government. The Provincial Councils, whichconstitute the provincial government, manage smaller rivers, village andprovincial irrigation, and environmental issues. The Ruhuna basinsbelong to the Southern, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces.Water management responsibilities in the basins lie withinstitutions at the national and local levels: approximately fortyagencies exist with responsibility or interest in water. These includethe sector agencies dealing with domestic water supply, health andsanitation, agricultural and irrigation services, hydropowergeneration, groundwater development and ecosystem management.In addition, Provincial Councils established after the thirteenthamendment to the constitution in 1987 have devolved powers forwater-related functions. The chief secretary of the province, districtsecretary and divisional secretary are key government officers thatmake decisions regarding the management of water resources atthe respective levels. At the district and scheme levels, the DistrictCoordinating Committee, District Agricultural Committee and ProjectManagement Committee are also decision-makers.Such a multitude of institutions requires effective coordinationat different levels. At the national level, the Central CoordinatingCommittee on Irrigation Management provides a forum for policyissues in irrigation management. A similar forum is the SteeringCommittee on Water Supply and Sanitation. The recent formation ofa Water Resources Council (WRC) addresses the need forcoordination of water resource issues. Moreover, the proposedformation of river basin committees would rectify the existinginadequacy in dealing with issues of IWRM.Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) make a significantcontribution to water resource management. Several NGOs haveinvested in minor irrigation, and significant numbers play a vital rolein protecting ecosystems and rainwater-harvesting activities. Bettercoordination of NGOs and government agency actions is essentialand could be of great benefit.Over fifty Acts of Parliament have been established to managewater resources (Ratnayake, 2002). A large number of agencies,each dealing with different aspects (such as irrigation, water supply,sanitation, industries and environment), are charged withimplementing these acts. The proposed Water Resources Act,expected to be operational in 2003, should address gaps andimplementation problems in the existing legislation.FinancesPublic investment in water resources focused on developing irrigationinfrastructure from 1950 until the 1980s. The emphasis has since shiftedtowards investments in rehabilitation of existing infrastructure andimprovement of water management. In the year 2000, nationalinvestments in agriculture and irrigation remained at about 8.5 percentof the total capital expenditure. The corresponding figure for the energyand water supply sectors was about 16.5 percent (Central Bank, 2001).The main investors in urban water supply and sanitation havebeen the public sector, including the central government, theNational Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), ProvincialCouncils and local authorities. Investments by community-basedorganizations and private individuals are significant in rural areas.Additionally, a substantial portion of irrigation and water supplyprojects are foreign-funded. Two major irrigation rehabilitation