The 2^nd United Nations World Water Development Report, "Water: A Shared Responsibility"

CASE STUDIES

The Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (ACB) is 1 of 17 autonomous bodies of Spain. The region's rugged surface conditions and high rainfall have, in the past, prompted serious flooding and a number of droughts. The last major flood, in 1983, registered over half a metre (500 mm/m²) of rainfall in 24 hours, leaving 34 people dead and more than 1,200 millions euros in damage.

As a response to these extreme events, in 1992, ACB implemented an Integral Plan of Flood Prevention and the region has also established an extremely dense hydrometeorological monitoring network, with over 330 control stations currently in operation. Furthermore, a network with 360 sampling points has been set up in order to survey the environmental status of all aquatic ecosystems and regional water bodies.

:: Read the Basque Country case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 295 KB]
:: Read the full Basque Country case study report prepared in 2003-2006 [PDF format - 5.26 MB, in Spanish]

The Danube River Basin (DRB) covers parts or all of 18 states comprising Albania, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine. There are marked differences between these countries in terms of economy, sociology and topography that make managing water a complicated matter.

The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), with 13 cooperating states and the European Union, was established in 1998 to promote and coordinate sustainable and equitable water management practices. The ICPDR makes recommendations for improving water quality, developing mechanisms for flood and industrial accident control, agreeing on standards for emissions and ensuring that these measures are reflected in the cooperating states' national legislations and applied in their policies.

:: Read the Danube River Basin case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 554 KB]

As one of the poorest countries in the world, Ethiopia's ability to develop water and land resources for the promotion of socio-economic development is greatly limited by the fact that only 1 child out of 3 goes to school and about only 37% of those children are girls. Often, women and girls are responsible for carrying water from considerable distances away, and during dry periods, they walk longer distances for even smaller quantities of water of lower quality. Although women bear the responsibility of providing water in many communities, they are excluded from important planning and decision-making in water management.

The incidence of disease related to unsafe water supply and inadequate sanitation, to which children are especially susceptible, is very high. High population growth rates, low-education levels and high rates of illiteracy have also contributed to the burden of ill-health.

:: Read the Ethiopia case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 707 KB]
:: Read the full Ethiopia Case Study report prepared in 2003-2006 [PDF format - 1.84 MB]

France's 6 major river basins have different climatic, hydrological and socio-economic characteristics. As challenges in each basin are different, each is managed by a separate basin agency and the regional, departmental and local administration, using an integrated water resource management approach. Most of these challenges are being addressed by updated laws and regulations, better management practices and utilization of the latest technology.

The Adour Garonne Basin is an agricultural area, where irrigated surfaces have doubled over twenty years. Decades of unsustainable use associated with heavy industry greatly deteriorated the Artois Picardy Basin's natural water resources. In the Loire Brittany Basin, intensive breeding of livestock and the development of cereal have had major impacts. The Rhine Meuse Basin is shared between 9 riparian countries. Pollution control, protection of ecosystems, prevention and early warning of industrial accidents are the current challenges. 64% of the national hydroelectric production is produced in the Rhone Mediterranean Basin, however dams have modified river flow and thermal characteristics causing an impoverishment of invertebrate fauna and riverside forests. 30% of the population of France lives in the Seine Normandy Basin alone, 80% of which live in urban areas.

:: Read the France case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 501 KB]
:: Read the full France case study report prepared in 2003-2006 [PDF format - 1.5 MB]
:: Read the Seine-Normandy Basin case study prepared in 2000-2003

In Japan, there are several high-level research institutes and centres that focus on water resources issues, environmental protection and disaster prevention. These bodies develop scientific research and also make policy recommendations for better management.

The Law for Enhancing Motivation on Environmental Conservation and Promoting of Environmental Education was established in Japan in July 2003 to promote environmental education in schools and in the community, and enhance public awareness and education on issues related to environmental protection and conservation of natural water bodies. Complimentary initiatives have triggered the creation of National Water Day on August 1, the Annual Forum on Water Environment and the Disaster Prevention Poster Competition among other local and school activities.

:: Read the Japan case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 243 KB]
:: Read the Greater Tokyo Region case study prepared in 2000-2003

In order to alleviate poverty in Kenya, where water scarcity is already a seriously limiting factor for development, the Kenyan Government has proposed the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (ERS, 2003-2007). The ERS promotes the implementation of initiatives to facilitate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Strategy recognizes water as a pivotal element in poverty reduction and proposes adopting an approach that has a strong emphasis on providing services to the poor while ensuring adequate water for the various competing demands.

ERS builds on the poverty reduction strategy programme of Kenya (initiated in 2000) which is committed to providing water and sanitation services to the majority of the poor at a 'reasonable distance': less than 2 km. The proposed strategy is to involve communities and local authorities more actively in the management of water and sewerage systems and services.

:: Read the Kenya case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 507 KB]
:: Read the full Kenya National Water Development Report prepared in 2003-2006 [PDF format – 7 MB]

Lake Peipsi is located on the border of the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation. Pollution and eutrophication are two of the most critical problems facing the region. The fishing industry, which has been the major economic activity around the lake, has suffered from environmental damages inflicted by pollution and over-fishing.

Over the past few years, both countries have implemented projects, such as the Tartu city wastewater treatment plant in Estonia, intended to improve water quality, reduce pollution and preserve the lake's biodiversity and protected areas. Furthermore, the 'Joint Lake Peipsi Management Programme', an integrated water resource management tool, is being developed by both countries to help coordinate their efforts.

:: Read the Lake Peisi/Chudskoe Pskovskoe Basin case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 465 KB]
:: Read the Lake Peipsi/Chudskoe-Pskovskoe Basin case study prepared in 2000-2003

Climate variability and associated changes in ambient temperatures are affecting the tropical glaciers of Peru and Bolivia. Between 1991 and 2003, the Zongo and Chacaltaya glaciers suffered both areal and volumetric losses. In fact, the Chacaltaya glacier, a small glacier at medium altitude, lost 97% of its mass between 1960 and 2003 and it is expected to disappear completely by 2010. Since glaciers are the main source of water for urban centres along the Andes and for irrigation systems both in the Altiplano and in the desert Pacific coast in Peru, the receding trend will translate into drought for thousands of people.

To meet the water and sanitation needs of the poor at an affordable price, in 2001, a water transfer project from the neighbouring basin of Misicuni was initiated. In April 2005, the first phase of the project was concluded, providing 500 l/sec to the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia. The project will be developed in three stages and is expected to provide 20,000 l/sec at the end of the third phase. A complimentary project also created a water consortium, which provides access to low-cost drinking water and sanitation in poor suburban areas.

:: Read the Lake Titicaca case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 414 KB]
:: Read the Lake Titicaca Basin case study prepared in 2000-2003

An effort has been made to provide drinking water to Malian cities with populations of over 10,000 inhabitants, but the development of disorderly housing settlements and increasing pollution affect the quantity and quality of water available to residents, which has a dramatic impact on health. In fact, water-related diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and the guinea worm represent more than 80% of all illnesses in Mali.

Since the early 1990s, over 700 communal councils have been created to share the responsibility of water management and to maintain the infrastructure. However, though access to water is, on the whole, increasing, access to adequate quantities of clean water is still a problem in both rural and urban areas.

:: Read the Mali case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 250 KB]
:: Read the full Mali National Water Development Report prepared in 2003-2006 [PDF format – 4,19 MB, in French]

Mexico comprises 31 States and the Federal District (the Capital). The State of Mexico, located in the centre of the nation of Mexico, suffers from severe water shortages due to a very dense population coupled with accelerated growth, especially in the Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico (which comprises the totality of the Federal District area and 18 municipalities located in the State of Mexico) with approximately 20 million inhabitants. Currently, water is transferred from local and external basins to meet the demands of the Metropolitan Zone. Increasing water demand has led to 100% or more overexploitation of groundwater resources. The effects are striking: groundwater level is declining. Consequently, in some cases the ground has been sinking up to 40 centimetres per year, aquifers have lost their hydrostatic pressure and some springs have dried up. Water and sewer infrastructure has also been damaged due to sinking ground.

The state government is constantly pursuing new mechanisms to slow down urban growth and to promote efficient water use. Federal and state policies are being implemented to promote an integrated approach towards the sustainable utilization of water, forest and land resources. The programmes and projects stemming from these policies strive to increase the participation of local stakeholders, improve infrastructure and enhance legal frameworks.

:: Read the State of Mexico case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 285 KB]

In 2004, 40% of the population of Mongolia lacked access to safe water resources and only 25% of the population had adequate access to sanitation facilities, mainly because of poverty. Almost half of the poor live in urban areas and one-quarter of the urban poor is located in the capital city Ulan Bator.

Although the Mongolian Government gives priority to the interests and water needs of the poor, weak regulations have led to a pro-industry and pro-wealthy pricing scheme. The charges applied to rural consumers for 1,000 litres are 84 times higher than what industries and mining companies pay. As a result, those with the lowest income pay the most and consume the least: the decentralization of water tariffs has promoted economic growth by providing low-costs water to business and industry but disregarded the needs of the poor. The government of Mongolia is committed to implementing reforms in management of water resources and protection of environment.

:: Read the Mongolia case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 515 KB]

La Plata River Basin is one of the largest river systems in the world, covering an extensive part of central and northern Argentina, southeast Bolivia, almost all the southern part of Brazil, the whole of Paraguay and a large part of Uruguay. In the growing slums of Brazil, wastewater pollution is rampant and water pricing is high, with residents often paying ten times the legal rate for water.

From 1992 to 1995, efforts to improve the water and sanitation infrastructure of the slums of Brazil were carried out through PROSANEAR, a pilot programme based on cost-effective, appropriate technologies and community participation. Rather than implementing a pre-designed project, PROSANEAR teams directly involved communities in order to adapt efforts to their needs and enlist their support. This new approach to delivering water and sanitation services to the urban poor demonstrates that the poor will pay for water and sanitation services, as long as they understand what they are paying for and receive adequate services for their payments.

:: Read La Plata River Basin case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 257 KB]
:: Read the full La Plata River Basin case study (2007) [PDF format - 5.30 MB]

In South Africa, the energy sector contributes to the national GDP as much as agriculture. Its coal-fired power stations, however, emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide. Adopting viable pollution control schemes that will not preclude development throughout the country is now the prevailing challenge.

Hydropower plants currently contribute only 0.4% to current electricity generation because of limiting factors such as the quantity and variability of surface water. However, South Africa has prioritized hydropower development to manage electricity demand peaks within the South Africa Development Community (SADC) context. The SADC is a regional economic community that aims to combat poverty, ensure food security, and promote industrial development through the integration of the regional economies.

:: Read the South Africa case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 358 KB]

The tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 was the biggest natural disaster to strike Sri Lanka, resulting in 38,900 deaths and 443,000 displaced people. It is also estimated to have orphaned hundreds of children. The disaster also severely damaged the local fishing industry and hurt agricultural productivity, infiltrating 10,000 ha with seawater. Groundwater has become highly saline and wells have filled with saline water. Infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools, water supplies and dwellings, have also been destroyed.

Ongoing research reveals that environmental damage to coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves reduced the capacity of the natural barriers to mitigate the tsunami force and thus intensified the destruction. It was observed that in the reaches where coral mining was rampant, the damage to the coast was severe. It was also observed that vegetated coastal sand dunes completely stopped the Tsunami waves in Yala and Bundala National Parks, and the damage occurred only at places where the dune line was broken by river outlets. Therefore, government and NGOs are in the early stages of planning to restore these barriers where possible with community participation.

:: Read the Sri Lanka case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 306 KB]
:: Read the full Sri Lanka NWDR [PDF format, 21.8 MB]
:: Read the Ruhuna Basins case study prepared in 2000-2003

Its fertile and well-watered central plains have helped make Thailand a major international exporter of rice and other agricultural crops, and processed agricultural products. Agricultural production, although it comprises only 10% of the national GDP, is the major source of income for the rural poor. Thailand allocates 10% of its national budget to irrigated agriculture and its water policy calls for the nation-wide distribution of water for subsistence irrigation. However, intensive agriculture has also caused significant deforestation and irrigation has led to the degradation of watersheds and aquifers.

Of late, industry has become Thailand's main source of GDP. Though this has, in part, helped to decrease rural agricultural production and its related deforestation pressure, industrial areas have polluted wetlands with toxic chemicals. In an effort to lessen these negative trends, environmental concerns have been included in national socio-economic development plans.

:: Read the Thailand case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 336 KB]
:: Read the full Thailand National Water Development Report prepared in 2003-2006 [PDF format – 2.06 MB]
:: Read the Chao Phraya Basin case study prepared in 2000-2003

The continent of Africa warmed up by 0.5°C in the past century. The five warmest years in Africa's recorded history all occurred after 1988. Recent studies have shown that the glaciers and ice fields on Rwenzoris, one of a few of permanently ice-capped mountains in Africa, have decreased markedly both in number and size and that the rate of shrinkage has been greatest after 1990. Malaria has for long been the leading cause of illness in Uganda, and incidences in the highlands are thirty times higher today than at the beginning of the twentieth century. Rising temperatures, in addition to heavy El Niño rains, local climate changes arising from wetland drainage, population growth and human migrations are thought to be some of the most important factors contributing to the increased incidence of malaria.

Rising temperatures also have a negative effect on the agriculture sector of Uganda. Modernizing agriculture to mitigate effects of climatic variations on rain-fed agriculture and involving stakeholders in the planning and implementation of water projects are among the water sector's key objectives in Uganda.

:: Full case study
:: Read the Uganda case study summary from WWDR2 (2006) [PDF format - 250 KB]