WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND VECTOR BORNE DISEASES IN MALAWI

W. Limbe,Ministry of Health and Population

INTRODUCTION

The development of water resources is essential for a wide range of human activities. In particular it isneeded so that demands for energy and food can be met. However, certain adverse effects of waterresources development have received considerable attention. The rate of population growth indeveloping countries continues to outstrip the capacity to meet the demands for food and basic servicesamidst increasing poverty.

The construction of dams and formation of reservoirs and irrigation systems can cause rapidenvironmental degradation and health risks may arise even before there is any awareness of the danger and before. preparations have been made to overcome it. Water resources development does not occurin isolation. The construction of a dam creates changes in both the upstream and downstream areas.

The initial concern is for the sources of the rivers feeding the lake, because it is often there that environmental degradation commences as a result of forest clearance, which is likely to be followed bya reduction or drying up of water sources. forests, part of the rain water returns to the atmosphere by evaporation, some is retained by the vegetation, and part it absorbed by the ground. Forest clearance upsets this balance, especially in humid tropical climates where the removal of plant cover leads to intense erosion and loss of soil fertility. The flow of rivers becomes irregular; rapid rainwater run-offcauses floods and, during low-rainfall periods, streams may dry up or become blocked by sanddeposits. This has both direct and indirect repercussions on the health of riverside populations, swamps and pools, even if they exist for only a short time flooding, become breeding places for blood-sucking insect vectors of disease and for snails that act as intermediatehosts.

Deforestation and erosion favour the rapid deposition of sediments and dissolved substances, especially if fertilizers and other chemical products are used in cultivated fields. The eutrophication of lakes isaccelerated and species diversity is reduced.

In a few impounded lakes, forest flooding has, in the short term, resulted in enriched fish production.This is attributed to the response of plankton to the abundance of organic matter. In parts of Africa,similar situations have encouraged fishing and populations have moved towards lakes where, because of more frequent contact with water containing or snails, the transmission of schistosomiasis has become more intense. Since the very favourable conditions of fish harvesting are short-lived, the economic status of these communities, gradually deteriorates, and health conditions worsen if special measures are not taken.

In the downstream area, irrigated agriculture greatly simplifies the landscape and reduces the diversityof the fauna and flora. Other changes accompanying this type of agricultural exploitation are an increase in the area covered by water, the development of swampy regions and lagoons on surrounding terrain lower than the lake or on the of cultivated land, as a result of the rise in the groundwater level, and some modification of the microclimate with generally more constant humidity throughout the year and increased isolation.

Depending on their ecology, certain mosquito species may disappear or remain confined to smallterritories untouched by development. Other species may find more favourable conditions; increased water surface; favourable physical; chemical or nutritional factors in lakes, irrigation canals, excavations, marshes and seepage zones, and reduced numbers of predators; allowing the vector abundance to increase and enhancing their ability to transmit diseases. Both the extension of the aquatic habitat and the state of the ecosystem at a certain stage of eutrophication may favour the establishment or multiplication of snail species acting as intermediate hosts for schistosomesor other trematodes.

In tropical lakes the extraordinary growth of certain species of floating plants particularly Eichhorniucrassipes (water hyacinth), auriculata (water fern), and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce), provides rich support for the multiplication of important vector snails, especially Bulinus and

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Biomphalaria species, and of insects. Moreover, snail dispersal along water courses is assisted byfloating islets of vegetation. The spread of water hyacinth is having a severe economic impact on LakeVictoria, Lake Kyoga and the river source in Uganda.

EXACERBATION OF PARASITIC DISEASE

Outstanding among the parasitic diseases exacerbated by water resources development projects are malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Although the importance .ofLymphatic is widely recognized among health workers, the onset and increase of the disease in these situations are poorly documented. This presents a major challenge for the future monitoring of vector control in water resources development.

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS OF WATER DEVELOPMENTSCHEMES

malaria, onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis are the major parasitic diseases associated with the ecological and social changes in and around water resources projects. The most significant reported increases in disease prevalence and public health importance attributable to water development schemes concern schistosomiasis. Although this disease is not associated with mortality, as is malaria,or with the dramatic morbidity of elephantiasis due to lymphatic filariasis in affected communities it is always recognized as a major health problem to which people attribute much of their misery. While thismay not be documented in health statistics, since schistosomiasis is not a reportable disease, its frequency and severity schemes have been recorded.

The changes introduced by dam construction and other water resources projects create or aggravatehealth risks in different ways. With regard to parasitic diseases, the first effects are observed as a result of displacement, migration, settlement and employment. Since none of the parasitic diseases in question have major animal reservoirs, an infected person may be the first indication of risk.

DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS

One of the keys to health intervention in water resources projects is an understanding of humanpopulation dynamics. From the labour force to the peripheral settlements, the movements of people and vectors determine the extent and severity of adverse effects on health. Migratory movements, population resettlement and working condition created by water resources projects are also sources of risk, these ones being linked more closely to human living conditions. In an interactive manner these movements are caused by and created vulnerability to disease in specific groups of people

ECONOMIC PROGRESS OR HEALTH?

The apparent interest of water impoundments and irrigation schemes continue to conflict with those ofhuman health. It is a fact that irrigated agriculture and health can be seen as opposed to one another but they could be made complementary. To achieve this is a basic challenge.

How should the argument that disease is an inescapable consequence of progress be regarded? One view is that it is essential to construct many new dams and reservoirs and that environmental and health costs are inevitable and have to be absorbed in order to secure overall benefits. However, this is not an

situation. Preventive health measures can be introduced into water development projects without impairing their efficiency or their priority objectives for economic development. Moreover, such measures can be expected to increase productive efficiency. In any case, is it econometricallyvalid to omit future health costs from the balance or discount rates? There is clear evidence from the agricultural sector on impact of malaria and schistosomiasis in large plantations in Chikwawaand Dwangwa, where many working days are lost because of illness.

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HEALTH POLICY AND HEALTH SECTOR REFORM

The Ministry of Health and Population issued a health policy framework in 1995 which reviewed the main health problems facing Malawi. It took into account the enforcement of Primary Health Care asthe stand to forge ahead; in order to develop a common vision of how best to programme essential health package to every citizen by the year 2007. Towards this goal, a number of targets have been set for this period.

The concentration on basic essentials and Primary Health Care will have the greatest impact on thehealth of most people and therefore make the best use of very scarce health resources

WEALTH SECTOR REFORM

ESSENTIAL HEALTH PACKAGE

All the pragramme plans for the Ministry were reviewed in the light of feedback from essential health package development process.

ELEMENTS OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH PACKAGE

1.2.3.4.5 .6.7.8.9.10.11.

Water and SanitationExpanded programme of ImmunizationReproductive HealthSchool health NutritionMalaria

Sexually Transmitted DiseaseTuberculosisControl of Diarrhoea1DiseasesAcute Respiratory infections (Common illness eye and skin infections, minor injuries etc.)

This will be supported by the Essential Technical Support Services

1. Essential Drugs Programme2.3. Health Information system 4. Basic diagnostic services 5. Infrastructure

Information, Education and Communication (IEC)

At the village level the village health committee will spearhead health activities with the support of CHVS, and HSA. All will be based at village level and be responsible for promoting, preventive and curative health care.

HOSPITAL AUTONOMY

Formation of Autonomous Hospital Services in the of Health. This includes autonomous hospital staffing and staff development plans.

FINANCE

A mechanism has to be established to collect and analyse data on the impact of introducing user charges to access to the essential health care package. The Ministry has identified appropriate recovery strategies.

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COMMON VECTOR BORNE DISEASES RELATING TO WATER RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT

In Malawi the two most common vector diseases are, malaria, and schistosomiasis

MALARIA

The strategies regarding to water resources development on vector control is through environmental manipulations

draining of stagnant water in irrigated canals;

clearing of vegetation near the residential areas and inirrigated canals.

SCHISTOSOMIASIS

Ministry of Health is with the disease schistosomiasis because of the late health consequences. The programme in the Ministry of Health and Population is mandated to control thedisease especially in the school-going children and intensify the public awareness through health education.

CONCLUSION

The Ministry of Health hasn’t been involved fully in the initial stages of the agricultural irrigation and major dam construction schemes. It is a well known fact that environmental impact assessment always has been carried out as opposed to health impact assessment.

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INVESTMENTAND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

J. Theu,National Economic Council

INTRODUCTION

An adequate supply of clean water for domestic use and a good system of waste disposal are fundamental rights and essential for public health and personal welfare. However, this is not the situation in developing countries, especially in rural areas in 1990, only 52 percent of the population inAfrica had access to safe water and 40 per cent had proper sanitation facilities (MSIS, 1996).

SITUATION IN MALAWI

Investment in water in Malawi started in the colonial era. In 1930s more than four hundred wells were dug and equipped. The number rose to 500 boreholes annually between 1969 and 1972, due to large scale agricultural projects which started at that time.

Table 1 summarises the use and accessibility (%) of safe water, residence and type of facility used byregion.

It can be observed that the figure for Malawian population access to safe water for drinking increases with distance (37% less than half kilometer, 48% when distance increases to 1 km). There are significant differences between the urban and rural areas. The most used type of water is theunprotected well or spring. This has implications for the incidence of water borne diseases. The most popular safe source is a borehole.

Sanitation

Only 5.5 percent of the Malawian population has access to adequate sanitary facilities. The major reason for the low figure is the high use of traditional pit latrines. Almost 30 per cent of the population has no sanitary facility.

Situation of Water-borne Diseases

It is estimated that 50 percent of all illnesses are attributed to water-borne diseases. water consumption has led to the high occurrence of water borne disease like

diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and bilharzia which are the major causes of high morbidity and mortality rates in Malawi. In 1994, 7.5 percent of all out-patients suffered from diarrhoeal diseases, 9.7 per cent of underfive patients also suffered from diarrhoeal diseases. The most important benefit from improving water quality and quantity is, therefore, an improvement in public health.

DEVELOPMENTPLANNING POLICIES

Overall Policy

Poverty alleviation is the overall economic development policy goal which is to be achieved through the implementation of policies that ensure economic recovery and growth. Several policy documents stress the need to transform economic structures in such a way that they contributetowards raising the living standards of the people. In this right access to safe water and good health facilities form the key priorities of the Poverty Alleviation Programme.

42

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43

POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

National Water Policy

The main objective of the National Water Policy is “the provision of clean potable water to all peopleso as to reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases and reduce the time devoted to water collection by Thus the objective puts emphasis on direct human consumption production andservices sectors.

National Water Resources Management Policy and Strategies.

The National Water Resources Management Policy and Strategies focuses on ensuring that all investment and management decisions act in concert towards the development of a stronger, more efficient and self-reliant sector. In this, the goal is to ensure adequate and qualify water supply to allcitizens for their basic needs at an affordable rate and mode of payment while promoting economically efficient development of all sectors of the economy, with the aquatic and riparian environments being preserved and enhanced.

Implication of the above Policies

This goal implies that water allocation should recognize water as having both the social and economic value in order to achieve maximum benefit to the country. Secondly it should recognize that safe disposal of waster water should be an integral part of the planning and provision of watersupply services. The third implication is that investment of public funds in water and water related programmes should be guided by the expected national net economic, social and environmentalbenefits. Lastly, it recognizes that the facilitation of the participation of all stakeholders both in thepublic and private sector is important to ensure that the needs of relevant interested parties are taken into account in the development of water systems.

Gap on Sanitation

However, it is critical to note that the National Water Resources Management Policy does not state the strategies that are to be pursued in order to manage sanitation issues. The stress of the policy is on institutional arrangement the amalgamation of water supply and sewerage system functions by the Water Boards.

The Health and Population Policy

The Health Population Policy on the other hand stresses access to health services while allowing the health sector to generate additional resources through user-fee schemes. This policy too is very much silent on the issue of sanitation.

“WHY POLICIES?”

Objectives of having Policies

The objective of having policies is to look at the general economic and planning issues, redirect expenditures and strike a balance between public and private investment. Thus the objective of the proposed must be in line with the policy framework paper, sector strategy documents and sector reviews and surveys. There are five major economic and social principles which guide investment planning policies.

These can be grouped as:

Investmentpriorities:

Decisions for investment priority is given to those projects which aim at alleviating poverty especially rural poverty. In this regard that improve the living conditions of the majority ofthe population are given high priority.

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(ii)Economic Growth:

Once the first criteria have been met, the next principle is to promote whichstimulate economic growth. In this regard, the aim is to look for that have high forward and backward linkages.

(iii)Malawi’s economic situation:

The goal is to have that enhance economic development. Thus noare approved if they will worsen the country’s economic situation in terms of

creating heavy and insupportable recurrent expenditures creating an unsustainable balance ofpayments position.

(iv) Private Enterprise:

The idea is to encourage and support that promote private sector participation and development. This is to instill ownership of the once the of the

is over. Furthermore, it ensures that in appropriate or ill-conceived projects are not initiated.

(v) Environmental Considerations:

Government’s policy is to select only those programmes and projects which are not detrimental to theenvironment. It is therefore clear that the address identified needs or seek tocapitalise identified new opportunities.

PROCEDURES FOR INVESTMENT

In the development of water resources, the procedure is to select projects that have the following qualities:

Stakeholder investment

Since programmes in the water sector involve various institutions and communities, stakeholder participation and involvement become crucial to the success of these progammes. Thus a key element in the selection of projects is an estimate of the degree of stakeholder involvement.

Water allocation

Water should be allocated in a manner that creates the maximum achievable benefits for the nation. In order to achieve this objective, water allocation should be based on water as a basic need and also as aneconomic good. As such, market-based allocation principles, environmental considerations and need torespond to droughts and floods should be considered in the process of water allocation.

Water pricing

The aim of Government is to broaden the coverage of the provision of water supply and sanitation services. At the same time, the Government is aware of its need to reduce its expenditure wherever possible. In this regard, the pricing strategy is to facilitate a cost-sharing mechanism which aims at providing incentives for investment in the water sector and for water users to use water efficiently; ensuring operation and maintenance and generating income to cover costs ensuring

ALLOCATION OF INVESTMENT

The policy on allocation of investment resources is that this should be done based on demand as aresponse to the needs and requests of the stakeholders. The policy on water sector is to gradually

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reduce government expenditure in the sector while allowing water boards to be commercially oriented in their operations. This, however, does not mean that the provision of water as a basic human need will be ignored but rather will be enhanced for the rural areas.

CONCLUSION

The paper has outlined the overall national economic policy, the policies of the water andhealth sectors, and the gap that exists in the sanitation sector. It has further outlined the general principles and guidelines for investment in the public sector and also in the water sector. These have provided a basis for stakeholder participation while encouraging demand driven investment in thewater and waterborne diseases sectors.

GLOSSARY

1. Safe drinking water is defined as water piped into dwelling, a public tap, a or a protected well or spring located either on the premises or less than one half kilometer.

2 . A safe sanitation facility includes a toilet that flushes to a sewage system or a septic tank, a ventilated improve pit (VIP) latrine, or a toilet with concrete sanitation platform (a Sanplat) located less than 50 metres from the user’s dwelling.

REFERENCES

1. Malawi Government, Basic Health Statistics, of Health and Population, Report 17, June,1996.

2 . Malawi Government, Policy Framework for Poverty Alleviation Programme, Economic Planning and development, October, 1995.

3. Malawi Government, Malawi Social Indicators Survey 1995, EPD, CSR and NSO, September,1996.

Water Initiative, Malawi National Water Resources Country Situation Report, October, 1997.

4.

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MALAWI’S POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT

C. P. Mzembe,Irrigation Department

INTRODUCTION

In the Vision 2020, the top priority policy objective for national development of the Government of Malawi is poverty alleviation. The Vision 2020 is a statement of aspirations of Malawians whichexpresses the socio-economic well-being they would like to have by the year 2020, in peace andharmony with their environment. Emphasis is placed on poverty alleviation as an operativedevelopment philosophy that aims at raising the productivity of the poor, promoting sustainable poverty reduction, enhancing participation of the poor in the socio-economic development process, increasing income and employment opportunities for the poor while upholding individual and community self-esteem.

It is hoped that agriculture, being the main economic sector in Malawi which provides a dominant share of production constituting 35% of GNP, 90% of exports and 85% of employment, will significantly contribute to the attainment of the levels of development aspired by Malawians. As such,the Government is reinforcing its development efforts in the agricultural sector.

The Government of Malawi reviewed its agricultural policy in 1995 as stipulated in the Malawi Agricultural and Livestock Development Strategy and Action Plan (ALDSAP) in order to focus moreon poverty alleviation. In light of the existing pressure on land, the ALDSAP aims at achieving food security and high incomes for smallholder farmers through productivity increases by using higher yielding varieties, improved plant nutrition practices and irrigation. It also aims at enhancing crop and livestock diversification with a wide and reliable marketing system for the diversified agricultural produce. Based on the ALDSAP the Government is, currently, in the process of preparing the Malawi Agricultural Sector Investment Programme which will be a continuous and integrateddevelopment programme aiming at establishing a stable and growing economy.

In the ALDSAP and the the Government identified irrigation as a critical part foragricultural productivity in the country. The occurrence of droughts and their effect on crop production have resulted in an increased emphasis on irrigation development. Current high population growth rates demand much more of agriculture than in the past and Malawi needs to realize a major growth in bothagriculturalproduction and export earnings to meet the needs of the expanding population at the same time provide for some improvement in per capita food consumption. Considering the abundant land and water resources in the country, irrigation could provide a significant technical means to increase agriculturaloutput.

There are a number of existing irrigation schemes in the country,and the potential for further development can only be within a policy framework which reflects the national development policy. Inparticular, there is a need for irrigation policy to reflect the away from public sector irrigation development towards private sector agricultural development which is a cornerstone of the new economicpolicy. This emphasizes disengaging the state direct control of the economy to privatization trade liberalization and diversification. There is a need to view irrigation in the broad context of regionaldevelopment, such that new schemes contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the local populations in addition to meeting specific economic criteria. Irrigation must also fit into a strategy ofsustainableand environmentally appropriate natural resource development and management.

It is in view of this perception that the Department of Irrigation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Inigationproduced a clear and comprehensive draft National Irrigation Policy and Development Strategies (NIPDS) and an Irrigation Act to guide and regulate irrigation development in Malawi. The Irrigation Act wasdevelopedto make a provision relating to the development and management of irrigation, and protection of the environment from irrigation related degradations. It also makes provision for the establishment of theNational Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, the establishment of the National Board, schemes, farmers’ organisations and for other purposes incidental to irrigation. The NIPDS provides a clearstatement of the Government’s aspirations for the irrigation sub-sector and highlights the strategies for attaining the irrigation development objectives in a sustainablemanner. The NIPDS and the Inigation Act

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are both, currently, under a wide circulation among the various stakeholders including Government Departments, University of Malawi, Private Sector, Non Governmental Organisations and Donors for their comments after which it will be submitted to Government for approval. Regulations will be drawn up afterthe approval of the act.

THE FRAMEWORK OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Vision

The Vision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation through the Department of Irrigation is“Prosperity Through Irrigation By The Year 2020”

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Irrigation is “To manage and develop water and land resources for diversified, economically sound and sustaihable irrigation and drainage systems under organized small holder and estate management institutions and to maintain an effective advisory service”. The mission advocates the promotion of social and economic development through sustainable irrigated agriculture that is economically justified, financially viable, socially acceptable, technically sound and maintaininga symbiotic existence between development and the natural environment.

The of Irrigation is, therefore, mandated to facilitate the increase and stabilisation of agricultural production, through of small and large scale irrigation projects with humanand financial resources provision from beneficiaries, the private sector, and the public sector; with full participation of the beneficiaries and ample observance of environmental aspects to ensuresustained productivity and, equitable involvement across all gender lines, for food security, effective poverty alleviation, and national economic development.

General Policy Guiding Principles

The of Irrigation will act as a facilitator in the development process to create anenvironment that encourages the private sector, smallholder farmers, estates and commercial farms toinvest in irrigation development and manage their own operations.

Irrigation development will be promoted and facilitated to increase income generation andcommercialization of the sector. Although priority will be given to the development of smallholder agriculture, private investment in irrigated agriculture will also be promoted and facilitated.

Development of irrigation schemes will ensure participation of the farmer beneficiaries from the identification through planning, design to implementation and operation and maintenance. This strategy will ensure that beneficiaries have full ownership of the developed schemes.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be undertaken for all medium and large scale irrigation development. Any detrimental environmental impacts associated with irrigated agriculture should be avoided or minimised. Areas of national importance in terms of their cultural, biological or environmental significance should be protected. Soils which are subject to irrigation development shall be properly managed with a view to ensuring their sustainable productivity. Soil conservation measures to reduce the degradation of the catchments will also be promoted. Health aspects will be thoroughlyaddressed in the planning, design, financing, construction and operation of all irrigation schemes ensuring that the irrigation schemes do not enhance health hazards or bring about new forms of healthrisks. . Environmental impact on health, bio-diversity and wildlife should be carefully included in allirrigation projects.

The overall policy for financing irrigation development is that it occurs with minimum governmentsubsidy. Government will optimize its investment in irrigation development by applying principles of cost sharing and cost recovery.

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The government will undertake the of improving the quality of irrigation education at all levels. The extension service for irrigated agriculture will be strengthened to reflect the growing importance ofthe smallholder farmer to agriculture. Research into the development of appropriate technical inputs which focus upon the needs of the small-scale farmer and which take into account the local situation and problems will be promoted. Innovations must be attractive to farmers and relevant to theircircumstances. International co-operation in irrigation research will be actively promoted in order toprovide more opportunities for acquisition of information from active centres of research in the world.

Policy Objectives for Irrigation Development In Malawi

The broad policy objectives for irrigation development in Malawi are:

To contribute to poverty alleviation by targeting resource poor small holder farmers for irrigation development to enhance farm income and by supplementing the recommended strategies for rainfed agriculture outlined in Malawi's "The Agricultural and Livestock Development Strategy and Action Plan".

To increase agriculture production and enhance food security through irrigation, which will ensure some production during droughts, and the dry season, and this will supplement rain fed agriculture.

To extend cropping opportunities and provide a wider variety of crops in both wet and dry seasons to improve nutritional status, especially of children and women.

To create an enabling environment for irrigated agriculture; by facilitating and encouraging theprivate sector to invest in irrigation development, and encourage rural communities to manageirrigation projects in order to fully utilize irrigable land in Malawi.

To optimise government investment in irrigation development by applying principles of costsharing and cost recovery.

To enhance human capacity for irrigated agriculture in the public, parastatal and private sector in order to facilitate effective research in irrigation technology and marketing of irrigated produce.

To create the spirit of business culture in the small scale irrigated agriculture sector, to promote and provide competitive financing of irrigation projects and improve the marketing system atnational and international levels.

Irrigation Development Strategies

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation through the Department of Irrigation in the NIPDS determinedthe strategies that are required to achieve the desired irrigation development. The strategies are as follows:

The identification of areas with irrigation potential in order to increase land put under irrigation based on the existing irrigation potential.

The enhancement of technical and administrative capacity in irrigated agriculture in the Irrigation Department, together with improved technical capacity in the private sector and training institutions so that in the next ten years, the private sector can take on design and construction, and the training institutions can offer and short courses inirrigation.

The provision of assistance to small holder farmers, to develop and manage new andirrigation schemes through establishment of local farmer organisations that can assume fullownership of existing irrigation schemes and the new pilot schemes.

The transfer of ownership of existing government schemes to the beneficiaries, through participatory methods that will enhance farmers responsibility and obligations towards themanagement of the schemes.

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The provision of assistance to the traditional irrigation sector, through greater presence of theIrrigation Department in Regional, District and Rural Communities to provide irrigation technology advice where it is needed most..

Research in irrigation technology in order to promote the use of appropriate advanced and simple technologies in irrigated agriculture with due attention to efficient utilization of water resources.

The facilitation of the establishment of a well co-ordinated marketing system with considerable local processing and better of farm produce.

The addressing of specific problems that women face in irrigated agriculture in order to achievegreater participation of women in the small scale irrigation sector.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

The NIPDS stipulates that Irrigation development is the mandate of the Department of Irrigation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation which will provide technical co-ordination and facilitate the co-operation among the various stakeholders in all irrigation development. Other major participants inirrigation development that are given recognition in the NIPDS are: Sector Ministries, Water ResourcesBoard, National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Training Private Sector, Non Governmental Organisations, Farming Communities, Donors, National Irrigation Task Force andDistrict Irrigation Task Force. The sector ministries include: Ministry of Health and Population; Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs; Ministry of Water Development; Ministry of Lands,Housing, Physical Planning and Surveys; and the National Economic Council. It is envisaged that active participation, collaboration and co-operation of these stakeholders can enhance irrigation development inthe country.

The NIPDS proposes to establish a National Irrigation Board which will be responsible for the overall co-ordination and supervisionof irrigation development to ensure that all irrigation development programmes are planned, implemented, operated and maintained in accordance with the NIPDS and any nationalinterests. The National Irrigation Task Force (NITF) is currently performing this function. It is planned thatthe NITF should eventually become the National Irrigation Board. In order to take into account the interests of the various stakeholders in development the NITF is a multidisciplinary committee. It has itsmembership Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry ofForestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Water Development, Water Resources Board, National Economic Council, District Administration, University of Malawi, Private Sector andNon Governmental Organisations.

To make irrigation programmes socially and locally acceptable they are co-ordinated, approved andsupervised by the District Development Committee through the District Irrigation Task Force. The District Imgation Task Force consists of all subjectmatter specialistsand government departments in the district.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT, WATER DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation will collaborate, through the Department of Irrigation, with the Ministry of Water Development in a number of areas such as water resource planning and development,maintenance of water resource data bases, review of applications for water rights, monitoring of water abstractions, water quality management, protection of water resources and catchment management. Water Resources for irrigated agriculture will be planned, developed and managed in accordance withNational Water Laws administered by the Water Resources Board who will enforce them. The Board will ensure that existing holders of water rights and allocations adhere to the law, and that these rights are not adversely affected by illegal water abstractions by others. The Board will oversee the water quality adherence of the irrigation sub-sector, to ensure that the quality regulations established in theWater Act are not violated, especially effluents from irrigated fields and ground water pollution resulting from irrigated fields.

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The NIPDS also allows the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to collaborate with the Department of Environmental Affairs which is responsible for the administration of environmental policy andlegislation to prevent environmental degradation, to provide a healthy living and working environment for the people of Malawi, to protect the environment for future generations and to conserve and enhance the biodiversity of Malawi.

The NIPDS stipulates that agricultural development will be promoted through environmentally sound crop production, consistent with the principles of sustainable development by including the relevant strategies and measures necessary for promoting conservation, management and sustainable utilization of the natural resources. This will include aspects such as Environmental Impact Assessment which will be carried out for all new developments and, where appropriate, for existing projects.

Health Issues

Consideration is also given to the fact that irrigation development, if not properly planned, designed and managed, can cause health hazards by increasing the exposure of irrigating farmers to health risks and also subjecting local communities and their livestock to health hazards resulting waterpollution. Diseases associated with water are especially liable to become more prevalent, and thevector-borne diseases of (malaria and schistosomiasis) are of particular concern. Open canals, drainage ditches and borrow pits all provide attractive breeding places for mosquitoes and snails. Furthermore, during construction of an irrigation scheme and after completion changes in the pattern and density ofhuman settlement frequently occur. Together, the ecological and demographic changes affect the epidemiology of water associated vector-borne diseases.

In view of the health perspective, the NIPDS stipulates that health aspects will be thoroughly addressed in the planning, design, financing, construction and operation of all irrigation schemes by putting the following into consideration:

The location of new settlements in relation to existing and proposed irrigation schemes and their potential health hazards.

The measures required to prevent the emergence of water-related diseases at existing settlements near to proposed irrigation schemes.

The screening and treatment of workers and farmers for water related diseases.

The provision health education to workers and the affected communities.

The establishment of effective collaboration between the developer, the people living in the area,the leaders, government and non government organisations involved in health, irrigation, agriculture and environmental affairs;

An example of an intention to include health components in irrigation development is the Smallholder Flood Plains Development Programme being financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development in the flood plains of Karonga, Nkhotakota and districts which made deliberate efforts to support Ministry of Health and Population Services financially as well as provision of training services to health centres that exist in the programme areas. Similarly, the Danida Agricultural Sector Support Programme has proposed a study in health aspects associated with irrigation as well as production of guidelines for environmental impact assessment for irrigation purposes.

CONCLUSION

Demand for irrigation development in Malawi is increasing at a very high rate. This is a new challenge in the fields of water resources as well as health as there will be an increased demand for water and health services. That is why the NIPDS seeks collaboration, co-operation and dialogue among all thestakeholders to face these new challenges with boldness. The involvement of all relevant stakeholders at a national level, district level and community level in irrigation development will help to allplayers in the development process. In this manner, the manifestation of health risks in different forms

or the increase in magnitude of the existing health problems as a result of the development interventions can easily be avoided. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation calls upon allGovernment Departments, Training Institutions, Non Governmental Organisations, Rural Communities and Institutions to be aware of the adverse effects irrigation development can cause on people and theirenvironment and to be ready to face this challenge.

REFERENCES

Agriculture Sector Programme Support Document. 1998.Preparation Phase. 1999-2001.Department of Irrigation. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

The Agricultural and Livestock Development Strategy and Action Plan. 1995.Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation

The National Irrigation Policy and Development Strategy. 1998.Department of Irrigation. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

National Environmental Policy. 1996.Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs.

Guidelines for Impact Assessment. 1997.Environmental Affairs Department, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs.

Smallholder Flood Plains Development Programme. Appraisal Report. Volume I,Main Report and Appendices. 1998.

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WATER RESOURCES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI

P. W. R. Kaluwa,Ministry of Water Development

BACKGROUND

Water resources management basically involves the monitoring and assessment of water quality andquantity, the development and protection of water resources, the provision of water services andensuring that water laws are strictly adhered to by all users. In other words, water resourcesmanagement may be defined as man’s control over water as it passes through its natural cycle, with balanced attention to maximising economic, social and environmental benefits. The goal of sustainable water resources management is, therefore, to conserve water resources in both quality and quantity forthe benefit of the present and future generations.

Malawi is considered to be generally rich in water resources which are stocked in its lakes, rivers and aquifers (NEAP, 1994). While commendable achievements have been made in the development ofwater resources, there are hot issues that the country should address in order to conserve theseresources from depletion and degradation. Factors which contribute greatly to the depletion anddegradation of water resources in Malawi are poor management of catchment areas, environmentally unfriendly agricultural practices, rapid population growth, inappropriate discharge of industrial anddomestic wastes and the existence of weak institutional structures especially in the area of enforcing theWater Resources Act.

There is need, therefore, to update and strengthen the Water Resources Management Policy and Strategy in Malawi so that it recognises the water resource management as monitoring, assessment, planning, development, conservation, allocation and protection of water resources for use by all sectorsof production and services.

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Surface Water Resources

Surface water resources comprise a network of river systems and lakes. Major river basins are theBua, Linthipe, Lilongwe, and Table 1.1 shows these river basins. Lake

Malawi is probably the most important water resources reservoir in the country. The other lakes are Chilwa, Chiuta and Malombe.

Lake Malawi, with a surface area of about 28,760 has a great influence on the hydrology of thecountry. The mean annual rainfall over the lake is estimated to be 1549 mm. The total inflow into thelake is 920 out of which 400 is from Malawi, 486 is from Tanzania and 41 is fromMozambique representing 42.6 52.9% and 4.5% respectively. The mean lake level is abovesea level. The only outlet of the lake is the Shire River with an average annual outflow of 395 Thehighest annual outflow of 825 occurred in The highest monthly outflow of 963occurred in May, 1980. However, there was no outflow from Lake Malawi for a period of 22 yearsfrom 1915 to 1937.

53

Table 1.1: Major River Basins

The catchment area of Lake Chilwa is estimated to be 500 Most of the rivers that drain their water Chilwa arise from the northern slopes of the Zomba and Mulanje Massif. All the rivers are perennial in their upper reaches but they gradually lose their flow in the Chilwa Phalombe Plains due to the porous nature of soils in the area. The mean annual inflow into Lake Chilwa is 34

ACTIVITYIrrigation

The potential yield for surface water resources is generally high as evidenced by the small fraction of thetotal available surface water resource that is currently being utilised, (see Table 1.2).

Table 1.2: Water Utilisation

AMOUNT32

Water SupplyIndustrial and other Hydro‘power

31

185

In summary, Malawi as a nation has ample fresh water resources with an average of 3,000 ofsurface water per capita (in renewed annually. The geographical distribution of these resources, however, leaves a lot of imbalances. There are relatively few areas with abundant water resources while most areas have seasonal or year to year scarcity that hamper social and economic development inthose areas. Lake Malawi reserves most of the renewable surface water resources with a live storage (that can flow into the Shire River) of 90 The Shire River itself discharges about 18 intoMozambique. The annual run-off from Malawi rivers discharging into the lake and Shire River, average about 13 However, more than 90% of this occurs in the wet season (January to May)every year. Most of the rivers run dry by July, except in high rainfall and mountainous areas of Vipya, Zomba and Mulanje

Groundwater Resources

Evaluation and development of groundwater resources have been primarily for drinking water supply for both rural and urban areas. The construction of boreholes and hand dug wells, which started in the

can be considered to be the beginning of the utilisation of groundwater resources in Malawi.Basically there are two types of aquifer systems in the country namely the extensive but low yieldingweathered basement aquifer of the plateau area and the high yielding alluvial aquifer of the lake shore plains and the Lower Shire Valley.

The prolonged in situ weathering of the crystalline basement rocks has produced a layer ofunconsolidated saprolite material and it is this which forms an important source of groundwater forrural domestic requirements. The weathered zone is best developed over the plateau areas where it iscommonly 15 - 30 m thick and even thicker. The average yield in the weathered zone of the basement complex lies in the range of 1 - 2 litres per second.

The alluvial aquifers are and lacustrine in nature; and are highly variable in character both invertical sequence and lateral extent. They occur in several basins which, apart from Lake Chilwa areas,

54

are all located along the rift valley floor: Karonga Lake Shore, Salima - Nkhotakota Lake Shore, Upper Shire Valley and the Lower Shire Valley. Most lithological records from boreholes give little detailed information about the successions. The overall impression is that clays usually dominate the sequencealthough in many localities there are significant thickness of poorly sorted sands. The sedimentary environments likely to produce the highest groundwater yields are buried river channels and littoralzones of the lake shore where the deposits are usually coarse grained and well sorted. The Lake ChilwaBasin is different from the other alluvial areas in that it is perched on the eastern side of the rift valley.The lithological logs of boreholes located in this area suggest that much of the succession is clayey. In the alluvial aquifers yields up to more than 20 per second have been obtained.

On a national scale groundwater quality is generally acceptable for human consumption. The basementaquifer are characterised by water which is dominated by alkaline earth in the cation group and by thecarbonates in the anion group. Total dissolved solids content values are generally less than 1000and typically around 350 On the other hand groundwater in the alluvial aquifers is moremineralised than in the basement aquifers.

The inferior quality of water drawn from hand dug wells is a direct result of the following factors:

shallow groundwater tables usually less than 2 m with seasonal fluctuations which bring themclose to the ground surface where water can easily get polluted;

faecal contamination since are extensively used for grazing and watering of livestockall the year round, and;

poor siting of water points since dug wells are sometimes located very close to traditional watersources which are always open and invariably grossly polluted.

Challenges Facing the Water Resources in Malawi

Malawi, though blessed with ample water resources, faces a lot of problems which makes the resource a scarce commodity to the populace. Those challenges are briefly described below.

Droughts and seasonal

Of late Malawi has experienced a number of droughts caused by the El SouthernOscillation phenomenon, and the seasonal fluctuations of rainfall from year to year resulting inextended dry spells have in general caused a decline in amounts of both surface and groundwater resources due to insufficient rainfall to replenish the resources.

Water Resources Degradation

Dependency of Malawi's economy on agriculture, coupled with increase in population, has resulted inheavy deforestation, sedimentation of rivers and reservoirs, catchment encroachment, agrochemical pollution, improper effluent disposal and over exploitation which have all contributed to the general deterioration in quantity and quality of water resources of the country.

Institutional and Legal Constraints

The Government's policy is to provide clean potable water to all people so as to reduce the incidence ofwater-borne diseases and reduce the time devoted by individual to water collection. The WaterResources Act, the Water and Sanitation Act and other acts that deal with the use of water for different purposes have been found to be inadequate in that they do not cover all the relevant issues related to water resources management, especially in the area of taking punitive measures against thosewho cause substantial water pollution by discharging effluent. The proposed implementation ofinstitutional arrangement or other strategies mentioned in the current policy have no time frame nor theimplementation plan or targets. The weakness and strength of these institutions should have been translated into policies to ensure that they have the capacity not only to implement the National Water Resources Management Policies but also integrated management.

55

Institutional Framework Arrangement for the Management of Water Resources in Malawi

Water Sector Institutions

The water sector in Malawi comprises several levels of responsibility that range from national policy tothe construction, operation and maintenance of water supply and water borne sanitation services at the user level. These levels of responsibility are assigned to different government institutions and parastatal organisations. The Ministry of Water Development consists of two major areas of Water Resources andWater Supply (see fig 2.1). Other important institutions in the management of water sector are theWater Resources Board, Blantyre Water Board, Lilongwe Water Board, Northern Region Water Board,Central Region Water Board and Southern Region Water Board.

The Water Resources Division of the Ministry of Water Development is further divided into Surface Water and Groundwater Sections. The Surface Water Section comprises hydrological and water quality services. The hydrological services co-ordinate water resources planning, conservation and protection.It is also responsible for the collection, processing, analysis, archiving and dissemination ofhydrometric data. The section has 171 gauging stations throughout the country some of which have been gathering data since 1896.

Further, there are currently major constraints in data collection as follows:-

+ stream flow gauging, pan evaporation and rainfall stations are in poor state and hydrological surveyequipment is obsolete;

the hydrometric equipment is in short supply and in most cases the essential spare parts are not available;

field vehicles for data sampling are in a state of disrepair;

backlog of unprocessed data collected from the 171 flow gauging stations, 40 water level stations, 5meteorological stations and 40 rainfall and pan evaporation stations;

shortage of experienced trained professional hydrologists and other technical staff; and,

the hydrological Yearbook has only been published once in the life of the Ministry of Water Development and yet such documents are valuable sourcesof hydrological information.

The gaps presented above clearly show that the hydrometric network deserves urgent attention if surfacewater resources are goingto be managed effectively in this country.

The Water Quality services is responsible for monitoring and assessment of the physical, chemical andbiological aspects of water quality. The Section also conducts inspections on pollution levels in effluentand wastes discharged in public waters. The major setback to the assessment of water quality is theinadequacy of laboratory equipment for conducting the analyses, shortage of trained laboratory technicians and an acute shortage of vehicles for use in water sampling activities.

The Groundwater Section is responsible for monitoring, assessment, management, exploration andexploitation of groundwater resources. However, the Section is almost exclusively engaged in boreholeconstruction and borehole maintenance activities. Groundwater monitoring, assessment andmanagement are basically non existent. The provision of boreholes to the rural communities iscomplemented by empowering the beneficiaries to operate and maintain their water supply systems. This is being done through Community Based Management (CBM).

Water Supply and SanitationDivision is responsible for delivery of gravity piped water supplies to the ruralcommunities and assistance and co-ordination of water supply and water borne sanitation services provided by Water Boards

56

Figure 2.1: Ministry of Water Development Organogram

...................

The Water Resources Board oversees water resources administration as outlined in the Water Resources Act. Furthermore, the Board collaborates with other institutions responsible for environmental monitoring and control. The Board comprises the following: the chairperson, thesecretary for the Ministry of Water Development, secretary for the Office of the President and Cabinet, a representative the Water Resources Division of the Ministry of Water Development, secretary for the ministry responsible for trade and industry, the General Manager of the Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi and four other members representing the public.

Collaborating Institutions in the Management of Water Resources in

There are several other collaborating institutions that play an important role in the management of water resources in Malawi, namely the Department of Forestry, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Department ofEnvironmental Affairs, the Department of Meteorology and the University of Malawi.

Through the Forest Act, the Department of Forestry is responsible for managing forestry resources endowment in a sustainable manner with a view to the benefit to the country. One of the keyissues being addressed by the Department, which has serious repercussions on soil erosion, siltation of lakes, rivers and reservoirs, loss of biodiversity and climate change, is deforestation. Therefore, theactivities of the Forestry Department have a bearing on the protection of catchment areas for major rivers the country.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife, through the National Parks Act, is responsible for the conservation and management of National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and other protected areas so as to

57

ensure their protection from depletion. Since most of the major rivers and perennial streams originate fromsuch protected areas, the services of this Department are significantin the conservation of catchment areas.

Through the Fisheries Act, the Department of Fisheries is responsible for the management of fish resources for sustainable utilisation and the conservation of aquatic bio-diversity. This is accomplished through several activities such as the prevention and reversal of the process of catchment degradation of rivers andlakes in order to preserve them as spawning habitat for endemic fish. In this respect, catchment areas forrivers are protected from degradation.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for overseeing agricultural and irrigation practicesin the country. This is done through the promotion of environmentally sound agricultural practices. Watershed management activities are accorded highest priority in order to conserve water resources andcurb soil degradation through erosion processes. Hence agroforestry practices are highlyrecommended in catchment areas.

The Department of Environmental Affairs, through the Environment Act, is responsible for the protection and management of the environment and the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources. This entails a multi-disciplinaryapproach involving all sectors directly or indirectly concerned with naturalresources utilisation including water resources. The Department is also responsible for the co-ordination,preparation and implementation of polices and plans for the utilisation, management and conservation ofinternational shared water resources systems such as the Lake River system in order toguarantee sustainable regional development.

The Department of Meteorology in the Ministry of Transport is responsible for the collection, processing and dissemination of all meteorological data which include rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, windspeed, evaporation, length of sun shine hours, cloud cover and radiation. All the parameters mentioned above have a bearing on water resourcesmanagement.

The University of Malawi provides basic training in water related subjects such as water resourcesmanagement, hydrology, hydraulics, irrigation, civil engineering etc. In addition, the institution has beeninvolved in a limited number of research projects related to water resources problems. The University, however, needs to its courses in such a way that they reflect the requirements of the waterindustry, the courses being offered by the University should be demand driven.

Demand Driven and Community Based Management (CBM)

There are only a few areas in water resources management where aspects of demand driven andcommunity based management find application. One such aspect is the provision of water services, especially to the rural community, where it has become imperative to train and furnish the beneficiary communities with techniques of operation and maintenance of their water supplies and aspects of water related public health and hygiene. This is usually done during the course of project implementation. The local community is also encouraged to participate in all the stages of project implementation. Thishas proved invaluable in instilling in the mind of the beneficiary community a sense of ownership ofthe water projects hence projects constructed under such circumstances are usually properly lookedafter. Through its CBM Programmes, the Government has introduced the Village Level Operation andMaintenance (VLOM) for pumps where the communities are responsible for the daily operation and minor maintenance works of the hand pumps. In this case the government buys spare parts and makesthem available through wholesale shops ,such as Chipiku Stores, where the community can procurethem.

Communication between the Ministry of Water Development and the beneficiary community isfacilitated by the District Development Committees (DDC) when it comes to requesting the government for the implementation of water projects. The Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) hasbeen a useful tool in this respect. Of course it may not be possible for the rural communities toaccurately analyse each choice especially the technical aspects, but they can at least assess their role inthe project. The rural community is normally informed about the duties and activities that they aresupposed to perform. The government is now encouraging the rural community to identify projects which they want implemented through a process known as the Demand Responsive Approach This a good procedure for project implementation as it enables the government to implement only those

58

projects that the communities seriously need and helps the government in the management of the water resources as community themselves are able to look at the development properly.

International Water Resources Issues and their Implication in the Management of WaterResources

Lake Malawi and Shire River Basin, occupies about 20% of Malawi's territory and is part of theZambezi River Basin. In fact the territory of Malawi has 11% of the Zambezi River basin. The Lake Malawi basin is shared by Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. The Shire River itself is an outlet ofLake Malawi and passes through the territory of Mozambique before joining Zambezi River. Only a small proportion of Malawi forms parts of Ruvuma River Basin, shared by Malawi, Mozambique andTanzania; and Lake Chilwa Basin which is shared by and Mozambique.

The hydrology and utilisation of water resources of these river and lake basins bring about events thatare of international nature. The understanding of water balance of Lake Malawi, for example, require hydrological data from all the three countries. The opportunities and problems caused by the hydrology of the lake and its tributaries are many but can best be dealt with jointly by all the concerned countries. For example, the flooding in River, a tributary of Lake Malawi and border river, extensively floods almost every year, destroying property, changing course and boundary and causing loss of lives.However, the impoundment and regulation of the flood water cannot only protect people and theirproperty and make border stable but it can also create opportunities for hydropower, irrigation, etc. Lake Malawi itself is subject to extreme high and low lake levels, which cause various problems. Thecurrent low lake levels and those experienced between 1915 and 1930's can only be avoided with jointefforts from Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. This is also true with the high lake levels of the late1970s and the 1980s which caused extensive floods along the lakeshore that damaged harbours, settlements, hotels, roads, etc., in all the three countries. Malawi strives to address these problems on itsown but its lone efforts have not made significant head way.

The floods in the Lower Shire Valley occur on both Mozambique and Malawi side of the river. Malawihas a limited flood warning system that assist both sides of the river but its improvement andeffectiveness depend on hydrological data from both countries. Structural flood mitigation measures also require construction of flood retention dams and river flow regulations jointly developed, operatedand maintained. The water resources of Lake Malawi, Shire and Ruvuma Rivers and Lake Chilwa alsorequire joint and equitable allocation of the resources and services to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Forexample, the barrage at Liwonde for Malawi, for regulation of Shire River for hydropower generationand irrigation downstream, was feared as causing lakeshore flooding in the 1980's particularly inTanzania, despite its inability to do so. The fear was only subdued after a visit by Hydrologist fromTanzania. These types of concerns should have been common if there were more water resources developments and utilisation schemes on country basis. With more prospects for developments suchconcerns can only be avoided with joint development, operation and management of suchimprovements. The development of water resources for utilisation within Malawi has been very limited.

Water Demand Management

Demand management of water resources and services in Malawi is related to the equitable, efficientand peaceful water resources utilisation. There are two approaches to this. The first one is the through water resources administration. The demand for water resources demonstrated by water abstraction orconsent to discharge waste regulated through a licensing system provided for under Water Resources Act.

The demand management is the practice in responding to the water supply needs of the rural communities. The government is expected to provide water points where communities havedemonstrated demand commitment. The commitment should be in kind or cash to contribute towardsthe capital cost while accepting the responsibility of operation and maintenance.

The second one is through water pricing. The water tariff structures in Malawi include fixed charges for minimum water consumption at lower rate while higher rates are charged on consumption beyond. Although this can be tool in recognising water as a social good (minimum water needs at

59

affordable price) but at the same time an economic good (extra consumption charged at economic rate), the pricing system has not been appreciated.

There is need, however, that water demand management be formally adopted in the water resourcesmanagement policy and provision of water services in Malawi. The review of water resources management policy and strategies should include these elements so that there is a pricing policy for water resources and water services and other strategies for water demand management.

Strategic Water Resources Management

Malawi, with enormous pressures on its seemingly abundant water resources but limited in use, will need to adopt certain strategies to prevent the resources from degrading and depleting. Such strategies may be like the ones outlined below.

Water Resources Development Techniques

Implementation of water resources development plans which include construction of storage dams, rainwater harvesting techniques, interbasin water transfer, sediment control and water recycling.

Catchment Management

Implementation of catchment management measures such as in agroforestry and land husbandryinstituting land conservation practices to impede run-off. Protecting catchment areas encroachment by improved agricultural production activities and settlements through enforcement ofexisting laws, and imposing heavy fines on offenders. Encouraging the formation of local authorities inthe management of catchment areas.

Conjunctive Use

Conjunctive exploitation of both surface and groundwater resources not only for water supply but alsofor irrigation and industrial use.

Waste Water Management

Implementation of proper waste treatment procedures and complying with international standards for waste disposal. Also in planning and providing water supply services, consideration should be given for safe disposal of resultant waste water. Industries and organisations which comply with internal standards for waste disposal should be given incentives.

Public Awareness /Stake Holder Involvement

Public awareness campaigns should be encouraged on the need to protect water resources frompollution. People are encouraged and participate fully in any activity if they feel the sense of involvement and belonging.

National Disaster Management Plans

Developing and implementing recommendations in the National Disaster Management Plan for Malawi on the mitigation of flood and droughts disasters.

Water Resources Management Policy and Legislation

There is need to review and revise the current legislation for water resources management andsanitation, so that they match and act in accordancewith the present water resources management and sanitation problems.

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT POLICY IN MALAWI

60

An Overview of Water Resources Management Policy and Legislation

The overall national policy on water resources is stated in Malawi's Statement of DevelopmentPolicies. While recognising the importance of water in production and services sectors the Governmentputs emphasis on direct human consumption. Thus the main national water policy objective is:

theprovision of clean potable water to allpeople so as to reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases and reduce the time devoted by individuals to water collection.

For the urban sector, the aim is to meet the full demand for treated water, with individual connections for those who can afford them or kiosk services for those who cannot. For the rural population, thetarget is the provision of 27 litres of water per day of clean but untreated water provided at a maximumdistance of 200 metres.

The current legislation on Water Resources evolved in a piecemeal manner. The legislation dates back to 1926 with the Water Works Act. Under this act the water resources developer had the power tomanage the resource and the water systems developed. It was the 1969 Water Resources Act which recognised the importance of the environment. The Act also gave powers to the president as the overallowner of all natural water resources in Malawi and the minister responsible for water as the enforcer ofthe Act through the Water Resources Board. Complementary legislation to the 1969 Act were theBlantyre and Lilongwe Water Works Act 1971 and 1987 respectively which gave Blantyre andLilongwe Water Boards legal status to operate water works within the two cities. The Water Resources Act (1969) was amended in 1990 and 1995. The 1995 Water Works Act has seen the evolution of thethree additional Water Boards namely North ,South and Centre to make a total of five operating in thecountry at the moment. It was in the 1995 Water Works Act that the regional water Boards were given powers to manage sanitation within their respective regions.

Water Sector Policy

The National Water Resources Management Policy and Strategies developed and adoptedin outline the main policy and strategies for water resources management in Malawi. The policywas formulated in view of the need for development of new pro-active approaches in the provision ofwater services that would efficiently and effectively cater for the increasing population.

The water policy objective focuses on ensuring that all investment and management decisions act in concert towards the development of a stronger, more efficient and self reliant sector. The specific policy objectives are targeted at:

(i) Community Services: To ensure adequate and quality water supply to all citizens fortheir basic needs at an affordable rate and mode of payment;

Economic Development: To provide water infrastructure and services that will promote the development of all sectors of the economy in an economically efficient manner, and;

Environment: The preservation and enhancement of aquatic and riparian environments.

The outlines a broad policy framework to achieve these goals that can be summarised as being:

(i) Efficient and effective management of water to promote its conservation and future availability in sufficient quantity and acceptable quality;

Water allocation should recognise water as having both social and economic value inorder to achieve maximum benefit to the country;

(iii) Water related programmes should mitigate environmental degradation and promote the enjoyment of the asset (water) by all;

61

(iv) Safe disposal of waste water should be an integral part of the planning and provision of water supply services;

(v) Investment of public funds in water and water related programmes should be guidedby the expected national net economic, social and environmental benefits;

(vi) Facilitation of the participation of stakeholders both in the public and private sectors to ensure that the needs of relevant interested parties are taken into account in thedevelopment of water systems; and,

Pricing of water which reflects the demand and the costs of water services anddevelopment of a pricing policy which aims at the reduction of government financial support to the sector over time.

(vii)

Strategies to implement the Policy

The strategies to ensure achievement of the policy objectives are outlined in the areas of institutionaldevelopment and capacity building, environmental protection, allocation, stakeholder involvement, water allocation and water pricing and investment. The objectives of the policy in each are discussed below.

(a) Institutional Development and Capacity Building

In both the (1994) and the National Water Resources Development Project adeficiency in capacity in all organisations involved in the water sector is highlighted. In its policystatement, therefore, the Government recognises the need to formulate programmes for capacity building and institutional development and promote efficiency and output from manpower resources. Inthis regard, the following activities are outlined as required to implement this strategy:

(i) in order to upgrade policy advice and water resources management the WaterResources Board should be strengthened to take responsibility for policy formulation and advice and water resources management. Thus the shouldformulate and recommend to Government policies on water allocation, management and governing standards and guidelines;

facilitation and strengthening the decentralisation of the provisional and operational responsibilities of the Water Department to deliver water supply and waterbornesanitation services to urban areas works. This responsibility is now transferred to theWater Boards established by the Water Works Act (1995); and,

(ii)

(iii) Sustainable capacity development that sets targets and policies for the rehabilitation and provision of new water supply and sewerage systems in rural and peri-urban areas should be set.

These strategies will be implemented in a way that will ensure sustainability of the projects. Areas ofconcentration include:

(i)

(ii)

local procurement of any component of the Water Department projects.

the operation of all parastatal organisations planned in the water sector with the provision of the required capacity;

the provision of expertise and local human resources so that all projects areimplementedby local experts by the year 2000;

strengthening central services in the water industry through four areas of the Water Department, namely:

(iii)

(iv)

national office of hydrology and hydrogeology;

62

national and regional water laboratories;

project planning, appraisal and monitoring; and,

central planning and design services.

Environmental Protection

Water quality and the aquatic environment are affected by land degradation caused by poor agricultural practices and pressure on natural resources by the rapidly growing population. The NWRMP states that the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has the responsibility of ensuring the integration of environmental issues in economic development sinca it is the overall co-ordinator of environmentalactivities. The policy also emphasises the undertaking of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for new water projects as required.

Sanitation

The NWRMP does not state the strategies to be pursued for the management of sanitation. The policy only recommends the amalgamation of water supply and sewerage system functions by Water Boards.The policy further recommends the proper control of sewerage disposal and sludge from septic tanks that should be discharged in designated places for further treatment and final disposal.

Allocation Investment

The policy recognises that prioritisation of projects in the sector is vital due to the limited resources available to meet the increasing demand for water services. It, therefore, recommends the developmentof an investment allocation strategy for a range of schemes that will satisfy the requirements for water services, and protect and enhance the environment.

The need for an integrated approach to the formulation of water supply projects is emphasised in order to benefits and facilitate co-ordination. A criterion for the selection of projects is thusoutlined to include:

(i) stakeholder involvement;

(ii) water allocation, and;

(iii) water pricing.

Priorities for Investment Allocation; the NWRMP emphasises the use of cost-benefit analysis in watersupply projects to determine their merits. Only projects with positive benefits will be funded.Sustainability of the projects will be evaluated by looking at the number of customers willing and able to pay for water charges and maintenance of water systems by operating organisations and communities.

Stakeholder Involvement

Programmes in the water sector involve various institutions and communities. This, therefore, requires consultation and involvement of all the stakeholders is important at all levels and stages of the projectcycle to ensure that their needs are met and the projects are sustainable.

Mechanisms and process for the involvement of stakeholders are outlined as involving identification of the stakeholders, early communication, representation, communication in the decision making process, giving stakeholders a chance in making choices between options, exploiting opportunities forcommunity self-reliance and participation in water resources management.

The policy gives the the responsibility to ensure stakeholder involvement at all levels, provisionof the required financial and support services, and recommends the upgrading of its membership toinclude a wide range of stakeholders.

Water Allocation

63

The put in place a set of principles on which water allocation should be based to ensure that water is allocated in a manner that creates the maximum achievable benefits for the nation. These areoutlined as:

(i) provision of water as a basic need;

(ii) provision for resource management and environmental conservation;

market based allocation process: allocation can be bought by customers to whomthe water is of greatest value in order to yield greatest benefits. A market basedapproach will be established which will also be an administrative system ofselling to and from a government operated water bank; and,

response to drought and floods.(iv)

Water Pricing

As much as government aims at broadening the coverage of the provision of water supply services, it intends to reduce its share of financial support to the sector while supporting those who cannot afford to pay the costs of such services. In this regard, the outlines a pricing strategy to facilitate a cost-sharing mechanism formulation for the sector. The strategy aims at:

(i) providing incentives for investment in the water sector;

(ii)

(iii)

ensuring efficient operation and maintenance;

providing incentives to water users to use water efficiently, and

(iv) generation of sufficient income to cover costs and ensure financial sustainability.

Policy ,and Legislation Review

The NWRMPS concentrates on water supply and sanitation services rather than water resources management. This has naturally made tremendous advances in creating favourable environment for water supply and water borne sanitation delivery services in Malawi. One of the significantachievements of the 1994 National Water Resources Management Policy and strategies is, therefore, the consolidation, drafting and enactment of the Water Works Act (1995). The Act has consequently led to the establishment of three Regional Water Boards and the reconstitution of Blantyre andLilongwe Water Boards.

The three Regional Water Boards took over from the District Water Supply Fund, (DWSF) theresponsibilities for delivery of water supply services in urban areas except for the cities of Blantyre andLilongwe. The DWSF was a Treasury Fund which was used to develop and operate the water supply schemes, under Ministry of Water Development.

The NWDP is also a significant outcome of the new policy. Its objective was to facilitate the implementation of the key areas of the policy. The main emphasis of the project (NWDP) was on urbanwater supply, rural water supply, capacity building and the water resources management studies.

The policy, however, does not define what water resources management is and often confuses it withwater resources administration or (water supply and sanitation). It fails to recognise that water resources management involves monitoring, assessment, planning, development, conservation andprotection for utilisation by all sectors of the economy.

The multipurpose, and multi-disciplinary nature of water resources, that is, integratedwater resources management, has not been addressed in the policy. Integrated water resources management was emphasised at the Dublin conference in 1992 as covering all aspects ranging planning, assessment and development to the utilisation and protection of water resources . It is,

64

therefore, important to consider all sectors which make use of or have an impact on the resourceincluding technical, institutional, social and economic aspects and environmental management.

The mechanism for co-ordination, maximising benefits and equitable allocation of water resources among the sectors, stake holders and entrepreneurs is not outlined. The policy areas, therefore, do notinclude related strategies for integrated water resources management. The policy, therefore, has a lot of gaps which needs to be addressed The most serious deficiency is the lack of targets and time frames. The policy does not provide for future developments like waste water recycling and privatisation whichare vital for the effective and efficient management of the resource.

The need for the review of the policy is also called for by the fact that several changes have taken place since it was developed. These include democracy and decentralisation (development of the WaterBoards). The which aimed at implementing the should be regarded as a programmewhose projects should be upgraded from time to time, as the policy priorities and needs are reviewed. It was in this regard that the government has now started reviewing improving and harmonising thepolicy within the government, regional and international agreement such as the SADC protocol on theshared water course systems and the Convention on Law of Navigational Use of International Waters.

CONCLUSION

The government recognises the importance of the national water resources management policy and strategies and the need to improve them to reflect an integrated resources management system. Inthis regard therefore, efforts are currently being made in protecting and conserving the water resource through the development of water resource management programmes. Such programmes include;Integrated Water Resources Management for Lake Malawi and Shire River, Stabilisation of rivercourses River, Catchment Protection, Water Resources Development Plans, and the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Support Programme (NATURE). The government will also develop multipurpose and multidisciplinary (Integrated) Water Resources Systems and Management Programmes for the benefit of all sectors for social and economic good.

65

REFERENCES

1 Kaluwa, P.W.R. et. (1997) Country Situation Report of Water Resources In Malawi:water initiative

2 Ministry of Works, Supplies WaterDevelopment (1994)

Water UNDP (1980)

WaterResources Management Policy and Strategies

3 National Water resources Master Plan - MALAWI :Reportand Appendices

4 Rosegrat (1997) Water Resources in Century: Challenges andImplicationfor Action

5 Mbalame, E (October 1998) Water resources Degradation and Depletion in Malawi - Apaper presented at the country programme training workshop in DEDZA . 19th - 23rd Oct. 1998

66

POLICIES GOVERNING THE DELIVERY OF WATERIN AREAS

F. L. J.Lilongwe Water Board

INTRODUCTION

Five Water Boards

Apart from the older established Water Boards (Blantyre and Lilongwe Water Boards) the WaterWorks Act, (1995) provided for the establishment of three additional regional Water Boards to make acomplement of five Water Boards viz. -Blantyre, Lilongwe, Northern, Central and Southern Region Water Boards.

Statutory Water Supply Areas

Urban Water Boards principally supply water to urban water supply areas in cities; district centres on peri-urban areas, the latter being only a recent extension brought about by force of circumstance water-borne disease outbreaks on the proliferation of peri-urban squatter settlements. Sometimes such developments result in extension, for the purpose of extending the water supply to needy areas, of city boundaries.

LEGISLATION

Water Works Act 1995

This legislation enacted in 1995, provided for the formation of the three regional Water Boards and set out the global operation frame for the five Water Boards together. The format is similar to theindividual waterworks Acts which governed, for example, the activities of boards such as Blantyre and Lilongwe. Various clauses provide for the construction of water supply facilities and the transfer of water borne sanitation from City Councils where this is applicable. Although the sanitation component transfer has not been effected, there is a requirement that this be done at the earliest opportunity.

Separate byelaw documents are available to govern the activities of specific Water Boards but broadly such byelaws deal with operation issues which are impacted up by water use installation plumbing, water materials and fittings. They provide for penalties for contamination of water supply systems by water users resulting negligence.

MISSION STATEMENT

The five Water Boards have their own separate mission statements which might be worded with minor differences but the general thread which runs through mission statements is the provision of adequate supply of wholesome water (potability) to its customers in an effective and efficient manner at optimum cost.

For the two older boards, the Water Works Act, 1995provides an additional mandate to take care ofwastewater- the water-borne sanitation component that has now been added to their operation brief. Itis important to remember that this service delivery is to the population within statutory water supply areas.

67

POLICIES GOVERNING DELIVERY OF WATER

The Water Boards are charged with the responsibility for management and use of water.

Domestic and industrial use

The supply of city and urban water is principally for domestic and industrial use. There is no strict policy with respect to the use of treated water for domestic irrigation. Although this use not sanctioned as a policy domestic irrigation is proscribed during periods of drought and water shortages.

Pricing Policy

The final decision on tariff settings would be made at Government level. Recommendations for tariff adjustments, however, come from the Boards which build up the appropriate tariff levels taking intoaccount operational and other costs. It is possible that political considerations also impact on the setting of tariffs. Cross-subsidy arrangements are built into the tariff setting process in order to assist

communities.

Infrastructure Development

The Water Boards are given the responsibility to plan and manage infrastructure development, which enables them to expand their customer base and enhance their financial viability andsustainability.

Cost

Ideally the user should pay the full cost of the water service provided and the Boards try to operate onthis principle. However, the high capital and operationalcosts associated with the provision of a water, and indeed any other service constrain full implementation of this principle.

Stakeholder Involvement

Maximumparticipation

Water utilities or any other service providers aim at getting maximum participation of all, major orotherwise, stakeholders in the planning, implementation and operation of the service: Government, consumers, industry and communities. It may not, however, be possible or desirable to have equal participation of all stakeholders at all levels at the various stages of water supply projects. Depending on need, stakeholder participation is determined on the basis of the scale of the project or the goal which the project is designed to achieve.

Community water projects

Stakeholder participation in this type of project would inculcate a necessary sense of ownership, which would promote its viability and sustainability.

Allocation of Investment

Scarcity

Financial resources to enable meaningful investment in the water sector are very scarce. Allocation ofsuch scarce resources is, therefore, very difficult to decide upon. Prioritising this investment is anequally difficult task. At Government level, nevertheless, decisions on where to invest must be made and the necessary guiding principles are obtained from national Government which harmonises all the country’s investment policies.

68

to Board and Consumers

Investment decisions are for the benefit of both board and consumers. Optimisation of the investmentsand the allocation might however not fulfil or address the needs of both these stakeholders.

Environmental Management

A recent addition to the concern of Water Boards is catchment protection and the management of theenvironment. Catchment protection might appear, to stakeholders other than Water Boards, to be a subject of self-interest. However, the crosscutting nature of the problem would suggest that catchment protection is to the benefit also of agricultural communities surrounding water impounding structures and reservoirs. It is equally of concern to village communities when they losetopsoils into reservoirs, which drastically reduce the life of such reservoirs through siltation as it is tothe Water Boards that such infrastructure quickly degenerates. At the same time catchment river courses, streams and dambos need to be adequately protected in order to enhance the environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Water Boards have a responsibility to supply and manage water for domestic and industrialuse where this is applicable. The supply areas are principally those statutory water areas within city boundaries for Lilongwe and Blantyre and district centres for the regional Water Boards. These areas might have got extended over the years, from necessity, to coverurban squatter areas and all such peripheral areas.

Water Boards are also mandated to recommend tariff adjustments to Government, which are in line with how much it costs them to provide the service.

Different levels of stakeholder involvement are possible but the participation is constrained byissues related to of project or other policy concerns. It may not be possible toinvolve all stakeholders at all levels of planning, execution andoperation.

“Water is life”, but the service has a cost attached to it. Pricing must be viewed in that light.The challenges facing all stakeholders, including the Water Boards, is enormous but intersectoral co-ordination should assist to ease some of the problems associated with activities in this part of the water sector.

69

ANNEX 1

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Ministry of Health and PopulationMr W. Limbe Deputy PHC Co-ordinator MoHP

P. 0.Box 30377 Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 044 Fax: 783 109

Mr M. F. Magombo

Mr B. Shaba

Mr C. Ziba

Mr Mbwana Phiri

Ministry andDr C. P. Mzembe

Mr G. Kauta

HESP Co-ordinator

Bilharzia Control Programme Manager

Deputy Malaria Control Programme Manager

Administrator

MoHPEnv. Health UnitP.O. Box 30377 Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 044 Fax: 783 109

MoHPCommunity Health Sciences Unit

65LilongweTel: 744 177 Fax: 744 8821740 882

MoHPCommunity Health Sciences Unit

65LilongweTel: 744 177 Fax: 744 8821740 882E-mail:malawi.net

MoHPAdministration section P.O. Box 30377Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 044

IrrigationController of Irrigation Services Irrigation Department

P. 0.Box 30797Lilongwe 3Tel: 722 104 (Cell: 829 529) Fax: 722 963

Chief Irrigation Officer Irrigation Department P. 0.Box 30797Lilongwe 3Tel: 722 1041722433Fax: 722 936

70

Minstry of Forestry,Mr A. Banda

Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Principal Environmental Officer Environmental Affairs Dept. (Information and Documentation) 349

Lilongwe 3Tel: 781 111Fax: 783 379

Ministry of Water Development Mr 0.M. Kankhulungo Banda Controller

Mr P. W. R. Kaluwa

Lilongwe Water Board Mr F. L. J.

National Research Council Mr S . P. Kachipande

Principal Water Officer

Acting General Manager

D390

Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 0271780 344Fax: 784 678

390Lilongwe 3Tel: 780 344Fax: 784 678

Lilongwe Water Board P. 0.Box 96LilongweTel: 744 366 Fax: 741 259

of MalawiSenior Deputy Secretary NRC of Malawi

P. 0.Box 30745Lilongwe 3

111Fax: 782 43 1

Mr James B. M. Chuma Chief Documentation Officer NRC of Malawi P. 0.Box 30745Lilongwe 3Tel: 78 1 11 11824 066Fax: 782 43 1

National Economic Council Mrs J. Theu Assistant Chief Economist NEC

Environmental Health P. 0.Box 30136Lilongwe 3Tel: 782 3001780 998Fax: 782 224

71

RESOURCE PERSONS Private Sector Mrs M. F. Leveson Health Services Co-ordinator

Non Governmental Organisations Mr T.

Dr E. Wansi

Mr I. Sangweni

World Conservation Union Mr F. Kalowekamo Field Project Officer

Universityof MalawiProf. G . S . Lule

DANIDAMrs R.

ESAMIDr Mumba

Irrigation Advisor

Head, Agriculture, Energy, and EnvironmentDivision

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Ltd Nchalo Estate

50Blantyre

428 200Fax: 428 308

P. 0.Box 341Ntcheu

235 370

50Mzimba

342 271

Save the Children U.K. P. 0.Box 30335LilongweTel: 781 433 Fax: 781 114

Lower Shire Sub-projectZambezi Basin Wetlands conservation and ResourceUtilization Project P. 0.Box 5599Limbe

641 769 Fax: 643 759

College of Medicine360

ChichiriBlantyre 3

674 744Fax: 674 700

Irrigation Department P. 0.Box 30797Lilongwe 3Tel: 743 314 Fax: 821 988

Eastern and SouthernManagement Institute P. Box 3030

TanzaniaTel: +255 57 83Fax: + 255 57 82 85

72

Panel of Experts on Environmental Management for Vector Control Mr R. Bos Executive Secretary WHO

Panel of Experts onEnvironmental Management Switzerlandfor Vector Control

121 1 Geneva 27

Tel: + 41 22 791 35 55Fax: + 41 22 791 41 59

WHO - MalawiMr B. B. Chandiyamba

Ms B. Bruun

SUPPORT STAFFMrs R.

Ms E. Chazuka

Mr Mandowa

Disease Prevention and Control WHOOfficer P. 0.Box 30390

Lilongwe 3Tel: 782 4501782 755Fax: 782 350 E-mail:whomalawi@malawi.net

UNABLE TO ATTENDWater Resources Board Mr J. Mambulu

Seminar Coordinator

Secretary

Secretary

Machine Operator

Ministry of Water Development Mr R. M. A. Deputy Controller

Water Supply

Institute AnthropologyUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksholms 41220 Kobenhavn KDenmark

WHOP. 0.Box 30390Lilongwe 3Tel: 782 4501782 755Fax: 782 350

MoHPP. 0.Box 30377Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 044 Fax: 783 109

MoHPP. 0.Box 30377Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 044 Fax: 783 109

Water Resources Board390

Lilongwe 3Tel: 780 344 Fax: 784 678

390Capital City Lilongwe 3Tel: 780 344Fax: 784 678

73

Regional Water Boards Mr J. Plant Maintenance Engineer Southern Region Water Board

72Zomba

523 054

PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES AND REPRESENTATIVES AT THE FRIDAY-SESSION

Mrs H. Kawalewale Principal Secretary Min. of Water Development 390

LilongweTel: 783 0271780 344Fax: 784 678

Dr (Mrs) C. N. Mwiyeriwa Principal Secretary National Research Council ofMalawiP. 0.Box 30745Lilongwe 3Tel: 781 111(Cell: 826 832)Fax: 782 431

Dr C. Matabwa

Dr

Dr N. Teklemichael

UNABLE TO ATTEND

Dr W. 0.0.Sangala

Director of Agricultural Research Ministry of Agriculture andand Technical Services Irrigation

P. 0.Box 30779 Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 454 (direct)Fax: 784 184

Controller of Clinical Services (representingDr Sangala)

Ministry of Health and Pop. P. 0.Box 30377 Lilongwe 3Tel: 783 044 Fax: 783 109

WHO Representative WHOP. 0.Box 30390 Lilongwe 3Tel: 782 4501782 755Fax: 782 350

Secretaryfor Health and Pop. Ministry of Health and Pop.P. 0.Box 30377 Capital HillLilongwe 3Tel: 783 044 Fax: 783 109

74

Mr T. A.

Mr M. B. Mbewe

Principal Secretary

Principal Secretary

National Economic CouncilCapital Hill P. 0.Box 30136Lilongwe 3 Tel: 782 998

782 224E-mail:takalebe@nec.malawi.net

Forestry, Fisheries andEnvironmental Aff.

350Lilongwe 3 Tel: 782 600Fax: 782 260

75

ANNEX 2.

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

Sunday, 8 November 1998

- Registration at Ryall’s Hotel

Welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremony Mr W. Limbe

Remarks by Mr Robert Bos, WHO Geneva

Remarks by Mr John Snell,

Remarks by Dr N. Teklemichael, WHO Representative

Remarks by the Principal Secretary, Dr W. 0.0.Sangala

Official opening address by Guest of HonourThe Honourable Dr. Harry Thompson, MP, Minister of Health and Population

Dinner

Monday, 9 November 1998

Objectives and expected outputs of the Seminar Mr Robert Bos, WHO Geneva

Introduction on the association between water resources development and health.Mr Robert Bos, WHO Geneva

Principles of intersectoral collaboration Mr Robert Bos, WHO GenevaDiscussion

strategies for irrigation development in southern AfricaMr John Snell,Discussion

Flow chart development on the planning of water resources development in Malawi, Mr Robert Bos, WHO Geneva

TEA BREAK

Formation of three parallel working groups on flow chart development

76

LUNCH BREAK

TEA BREAK

Continuation of work on the flow chart

Consolidation on on flow chart of the planning of water resources development in Malawi

Closure of the session

Tuesday, 10 November 1998

1l:oo

Recapitulation on main issues of the previous day

Environmental Management: Initiatives in Malawi.Mr A. M. Banda, Environmental Affairs Department

Investment and development planning policies and procedures.Mrs Theu, National Economic Council

Health policy and health sector reform. Mr W. Limbe, Ministry of Health and Population

Discussion

TEA BREAK

Malawi’s policy framework for irrigation development. Dr. Mzembe, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation

Policies governing the delivery of water in urban areas. Mr F. L. J. Lilongwe Water Board

Water resources policy and management in Malawi.Mr P. W. R. Kaluwa, Ministry of Water Development

Discussion

LUNCH BREAK

Formation of three groups on the following topics: Policy reform Institutional arrangements Capacity building

TEA BREAK

Continuation of discussions in groups

77

Closure of the session

Wednesday, 11 November 1998

Recapitulationof the main issues of the previous dayPlenary session to resolve any questions that may have come up

Continued discussions in working groups (with 30-minute tea break at

Policy reform Institutional arrangementsCapacity building

Briefing on field visit

LUNCH BREAK

Field visit to the Kasinthula Smallholder Sugar Scheme, ChikwawaDistrict

Thursday, 12 November 1998

De-briefing of the field visit

Final preparation of the working group presentations.

TEA BREAK

Presentation of the working group findings: conclusions and draftrecommendations of each group, each one followed by discussion.

LUNCH BREAK

Seminar evaluation

Consolidated conclusions and recommendations, and proposed programme for the session with the Principal Secretaries on Friday

Closure of the session

Friday, 13 November 1998

Chairman: Mrs. Kawalewale, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Water DevelopmentRapporteurs: Mr J. B. Chuma, National Research Council of Malawi

78

Mr W. Limbe, Ministry of Health and Population

Welcoming remarks by Mr Robert Bos, WHO Geneva.Briefing about background of Seminar

Group photo

Presentation of the conclusions and recommendations emanating formthe Seminar followed by discussion.

Presentation of an action plan for follow-up in Malawi followed bydiscussion.

Endorsement of the conclusions, recommendations and action plan bythe Principal Secretaries.

Closing speech by Principal Secretary Dr NationalResearch Council of Malawi

LUNCH

After lunch: departure for Lilongwe.

79

ANNEX 3

COMPOSITION OF WORKING GROUPS

group 1

Mr A. Banda Mr B. B. ChandiyambaMr S. P. KachipandeMr F. Kalowekamo Mr P. W. R. KaluwaMr 0.M. Kankhulungo Banda

W. LimbeMr C.Professor G. S. LuleMrs J. Theu

group 2

Mr J. B. M.Mr G. KautaMrs M. F. LevesonMr F. MagomboMr B. ShabaDr J. MumbaMr F. L. J.Mr T.Dr E. WansiMr I. Sangweni

Environmental Affairs DeptartmentWHO MalawiNational Research Council of Malawi

Ministry of Water DevelopmentMinistry of Water DevelopmentMinistry of Health and Population Ministry of Health and PopulationUniversity of MalawiNational Economic Council

National Research Council of MalawiIrrigation Department Illovo Sugar Ltd Ministry of Health and PopulationMinistry of Health and PopulationESAMI,Lilongwe Water Board

Save the Children Fund

ANNEX 4

PRESENTATIONS PROM KASINTHULA RESEARCH STATION

REPORT ON BILHARZIA AND OTHER WATER RELATED DISEASES AT KASINTHULAIRRIGATION SCHEME

T. NakhateH. S. A. Supervisor -Bilharzia Control

Bilharzia should be reported to be an ongoing disease throughout the year in the Lower Shire due togeographical conditions, weather, rivers, swamps, natural and artificial ponds, pools and theirrigation system which include canals and drains.

Hot weather favours the bilharzia snails to survive for quite a long time, and at the same time people are forced to go for bathing elsewhere where water is available. Fishing, washing, swimming is alsodone in the above mentioned waters. Bilharzia snails also inhabit the same waters. While using this water, people also urinate and defecate in the same waters hence encourages the infection of bilharziadisease.

The main problem of bilharzia transmission in villages around Kasinthula is the existence of theirrigation scheme which uses continous pumped water the Shire River as according to thescheme's high water demand. This results to continuous survival of snails.

Mollascicide was practiced in the early 80's but was found to be harmful to other species fish,frogs etc and this was discouraged. Environmental sanitation was also practiced to discourage snailshabitats, but this could work in very small and to limited and in the long run, you find thegrass grow fast and snails come back again.

PrevalenceFollowing is a summary of the bilharzia prevalence. This was the period when bilharzia control programme was fully supported by GTZ donors:

198319841985198619871988198919901991

83.2 Yo78.756.3 Yo45.7 Yo45.931.6

26.338.9

The above figures were achieved during the stay of the GTZ donors. This project phased out in July1991. After the phaseout bilharzia control was solely supported by the Ministry of Health and Population (DHO Chikwawa) with the of bilharzia drug people could not receive proper treatment at a required period. Attemtps were made to encourage environmental sanitation, health education and to construct protected shallow wells for domestic use to smallholder farmers. The shallow well construction did not succeed due to inadequate funds for completion. At the same time the smallholder rice project ended due to breakdown of the pumps. Very little urine testing and treatmentwas being conducted at OPD only, and there are no specific and reliable figures.

81

The sugarcane scheme started in 1997.95 smallholder were examined and 27 were positive -thus 28.2 %. This was in June, 1998. But if we look at our recent figures, figures from people who are just close to the scheme and have no access to safe water supply, the figures are as follows:

June 1998 74.6 July 1998 83.5 August 1998 88.4 September 1998 86.9

Treatment is being given to these patients but not adequately because some times these people are sentto the district hospital for treatment and some do not go due to negligence and distance mainly when the treatment is Metrifonate which requires 3 doses.

Risks on Bilharzia to Farmers Farmers and all workers in the irrigation scheme are at high risk with bilharzia because:1.2.3.4.

They do not use protective clothes. They drink and bathe in theThey are lacking bilharzia treatment which could be a quarterly routine in a year They are lacking training (civic education on bilharzia).

Proposals1.2.3.4.5.6.

to train smallholder farmers on bilharziatraing smallholder farmers to eradicate the snails in theto train smallholder farmers to know the bilharzia risks to install safe water supply in the scheme for domestic useto construct temporary pit latrines in the scheme to promote bilharzia test and treat exercise each quarter year and promote health education.

Other Water Related Diseases Apart from bilharzia itself, there are other problems that affect farmers in the scheme malaria,diarrhoea and cholera. This is also encouraged due to poor sanitation and inadequate safe water sources. Some people have no access to safe water sources, village. This village is just closeto the main canal and to the distributory canal along the Kasinthula Research fields. People of this village solely use the canal water for domestic purposes and they are likely to get Malaria, diarrhoae cholera etc. Health education has been conducted in this village following the cholera outbreak of

1998. A good number of people have constructedpit latrines. But there is still a big problem with water supply.

CommentsI would recommend the following suggestions to be taken:

1.2.3.

4.5.

6.7.8.

Any Other BusinessApart from bilharzia and other water related diseases there is which seems to infect a number ofpeople in villages around Kasinthula. A number of people totalling 35 have been admitted since 1997. Eye infections and roundworms are also additional health problems in the area due to poor sanitation.Animals, pigs, goats and cattle, are not controlledby owners. They are full time moving here andthere to contribute to the poor sanitation situation.

treated water to be introduced in villages along the scheme a special water supply for bathing should be introduced to villages along the scheme the Kasinthual dispensary should be re-opened for easy and quick health services to thecommunitydonors to support bilharzia control should be identifiedbilharzia staff should be trained to identify other parasites in the miscroscope Malaria andTB etc.reliable transport (2 motocycles) to be provided for easy movement bilharzia drug should always be in stock for easy treatment of patients farmers should have special training involving health.

Civic eduction is also needed to train villagers to keep their animals in kholas, mainly the pigs.

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BRIEFING THE PARTICIPANTS NATIONAL SEMINAR ON WATER RESOURCES

DEVELOPMENT AND WATER BORNE DISEASES

STRANGER KHUPEOfficer In Charge

Fish Farming Officer KASINTHULA FISH FARMING STATION

The establishment of Kasinthula Fish Farming Station was due to :

the use of excess water from the scheme for farming (then it was rice scheme). To conduct fish farming research especially on suitable species and their requirements whichwill suit the Lower Shire environment and its community.To promote the availability of fish to the community as a substitute to animal meat (cattle andchicken) which people found it difficult to slaughter easily for home consumption.The station to act as a demonstration and fingerling producing centre for smallholder fishfarmers.

Present Situation Currently, the station is fulfilling more of its objectives

- . there are several experiemtns which are being conducted. Fish is being produced and sold to the public.Conducting extension services to the fish farmers (smallholder)

Use of Water and Health ImpactsSure, wherever there is activity going on, we expect positive and negative impacts on user's healthalong with it.

as for example we use stagnant water for our farming. This also encourages the breeding of Malaria mosquitos. These mosquitos attack the community around the farm and thereby bring Malaria.The use of pumped water from the Shire river also brings with it bilharzia snails which when the people use the water, they are directly attacked. For better growth of fish, we apply fertilizer or manure to the ponds. This is done to enhancethe production of natural food for fish in the water, which is used for many things including drinking. This sure is one of the sources of diarrhoae and other related water diseases.The shift from rice farming to sugarcane farming has also its own threat to the fish and people.Sugarcane farming is liable to heavy fertilizer application as well as chemcicals which are toxic to people and fish.Lower Shire is known with the existence of small natural rain-fed reservoirs known locally asThamandas. The community use this water for their domestic animals as well as moulding bricks. But then again these have been the breeding pools for mosquitors and snails. Thisagain is the threat to people's health.

Counter-measures to Health Threats As for stagnant water, the ponds are frequently flashed with fresh water, especially when thewater level drops due to evaporation.As for the control of bilharzia, the health department established a full time laboratory whoseprogramme is strictly dealing with bilharzia infection in the scheme and communities aroundthe scheme. The use of fertlizer discharged water for other use including drinking is a bit tricky. It requires multisectoral approach and action. (open for discussions).The use of toxic chemicals in the sugarcane scheme is being looked at. As for fish, we havecontrolled all the discharged water the scheme not to go into the ponds unlike those days when discharged water form the rice could go directly into the ponds. As for people, the topic is over to the Illovo and its allied are experienced.

83

As for natural rain-fed reservoirs the fisheries personnel with the local communities have formed thamanda committees who are now stocking the pools with fish for their consumption and income. The species stocked are such that one species feeds on grass around the pools thereby controlling mosquito breeding. The other species sometimes feeds on snails even though not much but still bilharzia is somehow controlled.Also frequently pulling of the net inside the poools clears bilharzia snails from the water. As of now we are working with 15thamandas from villages only in Chikwawa district. On top of that we have around 20individual farmers with 12 active farmers around eastern bank area where rainfall is good.

HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO IRRIGATION ENGINEERING WORKS

R. MagangaScheme Manager

Kasinthula Irrigation Scheme

Well constructed and maintained concerete canals discourage snails by eliminating vegetation, supporting high water velocities and allowing rapid and complete drying when not in use.

Hydraulic StructureMany common designs of hydraulic structures retain pools of water. The trapped water allows the snails, hosts of schistomiasis, to survive dessication as well as providing breeding places for mosquitos. This is the case with Kasinthula Irrigation system design.Bathing PlacesThe system in use now has no place structured to allow bathing or washing for the community. Personal initiatives by the community to have a washing and gplace in the main canal will in the

endanger the strength og the canal wall (People will break the walls to suit the requirements for agood washing and bathing place).

Some RecommendationsProvision of washing and bathing palces in the main canal or otherwise Periodical cleaning of collector and main drainsUse of non-toxic chemicals to kill snails or inhibit the breeding of mosquitos if possible,standing pools Canals be of one supporting high water velocitieswhile causing no soil scouring. Move in useby SUCOMA plus other users (Research and Irrigation Department)Block structure avoidance weirs inverted siphons -one with some actions taken place. Chlorination of drinking water if possibleReopening of Kasinthula Dispensary to OPD

CommentsThe change of crop to sugar cane has to a minimal extent reduced the infestation of mosquitoes. The water requirement of prior crop (rice) demanded a pool water at one of its growth stages while the water requirement for cane is not so high as compared to rice. The readily minimal cost of making the drinking water safe by boiling suffers priority choice to the use of firewood. The majority of people optfor cooking food. Coupled by the hot weather in the Lower Shire boiled water would take more hours to cool hence opting for the non-safe water.

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WATER BORNE DISEASES AND THEIR EFFECTS AT NAMILINDI PRIMARY SCHOOL

E.J. SandePrimary School Teacher

It has been noted that most of the pupils at Namalindi Primary School suffer from water borne diseases like Malaria, bilharzia, dysentery, diarrhoea, hookworm, ringworm, cholera etc.

These diseases are common to most pupils at the school because they directly use the canal and drainwater for both drinking and bathing. But the canal and drain water is As the children arebathing, they urinate and even defecate in the same water. On the other hand, other children are using the same water for drinking.

Problems with the Canal and Drain waterApart from urinating and defecating by children, the main new canal is combined with the old canal (the old canal is forming tributary to the new canal) which has stagnant foul, waters, which harbour mosquitoes, snails and other microscopic germs making the canal water very unhygienic.

At the extreme end of the canal the same foul water is directly used for drinking by pupils as they comefrom school. Children are children, they even drink water from the drains which are very contaminated. There is no way the pupils can refrain from bathing in the canal. They cannot use the Shire River because of crocodiles.

The problem of water borne diseases at the school is getting higher and higher as compared to otherprevious years. Malaria and bilharzia are the main diseases that pupils suffer from. This is common to pupils who are coming from Migano village, Sisewu village, village and even at Kasinthula Research station. This is because pupils from these village are solely using canal water for bathing tokill the hot and harsh climate Chikwawa has.

Effects of Water Borne Diseases to PupilsAt the school, the problem of water borne disease is affecting the intelligence quotient of the pupils.Instead of participating fully in the lessons, they are hindered. Most of the pupils from the villagesmentioned are dull. This is due to the excessive attacks which leads to absenteeism.

It is found that at the end of the school session, only 5 of the pupils in the villages mentioned getselected to secondary school. Pupils from these villages create a difficult classroom environment. They do not bother to raise up a hand and answer a question nor ask a question.

At the school, we tried several ways of helping these pupils: 1. Teaching them good, healthy habits

a. Avoiding urinating and defecating in the water b. Avoid bathing in the canalc. Using toilets d. Cleaning their sanitation which include: digging rubbish pits where they can throw

garbage, destroy stagnant water holders around their homes

2. Telling them to seek medical help once they feel they are suffering.

Further Solutions to the Problems1.

3.4.5.6.7.

Civic education to pupils and parentsIntroduction of treated water in the villages mentioned and at the school Quarterly doses to be given to pupils and teachers at the schoolSupplementary swimming pool to be introduced or constructedTeachers to be involved in health education workshops Re-open Kasinthula Dispensary to handle emergenciesDrains, which harbour mosquitoes and snails, should be treated with chemicals, if possible

ANNEX

SEMINAR EVALUATION

Towards the end of the Seminar participants were asked to fill in an evaluation scheme consisting of three parts. First, participants were asked to comment freely on any aspect of the Seminar that they had found particularly positive and particularly negative. Second, participants were asked to compare the present Seminar with previous experience from in terms of how enjoyable, howtiring, and how beneficial the Seminar was. Finally, participants were asked to reflect on particularcomponents of the Seminar. Thirteen participants (56%) responded and their feedback have beencategorised and listed below.

1. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECT OF THE SEMINARPositive aspects of the Seminar Quality of and time given to discussions Adequacy of available background materials

FieldtripQuality of facilitationSelection of participants AccomodationPresentation of objectives of Seminar OpeningPolicy presentations in generalPolicy presentation by Irrigation Department Policy presentation about the delivery of water in areasRelatively quiet conference hall Choice of venue

53 Yo31313123 Yo232315 Yo8 Yo8 Yo8 %8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo

Negative aspects of the Seminar Erratic participation of some participants Length of Seminar (too long) The absence of the complete health policy Allowance amount The presentation of health policy Policy papers were distributed too late for participants to read them The request not to answer mobile phone callsLack of transport to see Blantyre at night Lack of access to phone and e-mail for participants The questions given for discussion were too restricted Brainstorm for health sectors new role was not given time to develop Lack of representatives from fisheries and electricity supplyFailure to change chairmanship as indicated in programmeDominance of some participants and the chairman accepting itMeals

31 Yo15

15158 %8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo8 %8 Yo

15 Yo

2. COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PRESENT SEMINAR AND OTHER SIMILAR

The Seminar is less enjoyable 0 %46

more enjoyable 46 Yonot more or less enjoyable

The Seminar is more tiring 8 Yonot more or less tiring 23 Yoless tiring 69

The Seminar is less beneficial 0 Yonot more or less beneficial 23more beneficial 69

86

3.Next to the list of comments is indicated the proportion of participants agreeing on the opinion.

OPINIONS ON SPECIFIC SEMINAR COMPONENTS

The overall programme (contents, balance between programme items) GoodGood, but lack of policies in some areasAcceptableUnnecessarily long Did not mention

The opening sessionGoodNot presentGood, but not enough dignitaries from other sectors attendedShould not be held on day of arrivalDid not mention

Introduction of the objectives, scope and expected outputs Good and clear Wish for more clarity concerning methods of achieving outputsGood, but too short Did not mention

The task to develop a comprehensive planning framework Good and helpful Good but wish for guidance of facilitators in each groupDifficult since planning in Malawi has recently changed Less useful Not presentDid not mention

Presentations by the national participants Some were more well-prepared than others

Good, but should have been given more time

The working group sessions on policy aspects Very good and interesting Good, but hampered by lack of health policypaperDid not mention

The field trip Very relevant and informativeNot present

The Seminar structure GoodGood, even though facilitator took all slots for chairmanship, national ownership compromisedGood selection of participants

The materials provided at the Seminar (documents, papers) GoodGood, but came too late for participants to read through FairHard to cover all materials givenGood, except for lack of health policy

69 Yo16 Yo8 Yo8 Yo0 Yo

46 Yo31 Yo

8 Yo8 Yo8 Yo

69 Yo15 Yo8 Yo8 Yo

3831 Yo

8 Yo8 %8 %8 Yo

69 Yo15 Yo15

6923 Yo

8 Yo

92 Yo8 Yo

77 Yo

15 Yo8

6215888

87