Catchment Plans for Source Water Protection
Summary
Rwanda and its capital, Kigali, have prioritized the transition to an integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategy to ensure the growing city and its surroundings not only have access to adequate water resources but can sustain and enhance their current sources. One aspect of this transition is the development of catchment plans.
Rwanda has an ambitious goal to be the first African country to achieve 100% water access for all its citizens, but with a population growth rate of 2.5% per year, the country is struggling to reach that goal. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and most populous city, is the bustling economic center for the country. Kigali’s growth has put pressure on the greater water management system, with consistently increasing demand and little supply. To ease its growing pains and to approach water management holistically, Rwanda is transitioning to an integrated water resource management (IWRM) system. This transition will create the framework for Rwanda to attain not only their Vision 20201, but also the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To accomplish this transition, strategic processes and plans are needed.
One such tool used in the transition to IWRM is a Catchment (Watershed) Management Plan. Rwanda’s National Water Policy: Law N 49/2018 Determining the Use and Management of Water Resources in Rwanda2 mandates catchment plans. To adhere to this law and to achieve the overarching goals set by the Rwandan government, the first catchment management plan focused on one of the most important catchments in Rwanda: the Upper Nyabarongo Catchment area. The Upper Nyabarongo Catchment produced over 1.7 billion cubic meters of water in 2015 (NISR et al., 2019). However, World Bank sponsored reports highlight the decrease in the overall base flow of the catchment from 1990–2015 (NISR et al., 2019). The Nyabarongo River is touted as the water tower of Rwanda, and its management, protection, and rehabilitation are critical for the city of Kigali and all of Rwanda.
Intervention
Catchment plans allow for a more focused view of a region’s water security issues and opportunities for improvement by addressing problems from their source. Established in 2015, the Upper Nyabarongo River Catchment Plan became the first catchment plan in Rwanda. This plan focuses on the restoration of the reservoir area, water availability, and equitable allocation of water within the catchment area.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands sponsored the Water for Growth Rwanda project to support Rwanda’s transition to IWRM. The Kingdom of the Netherlands works with the Rwandan Government, Water Resources Management Department, Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority, and FutureWater to implement strategies such as catchment plans and facilitate their progress to achieve a sustainable IWRM strategy (Water for Growth, 2019).
Catchment management is focused on integrating hydrological and land use (relating to human activities: agriculture, fishing, development, etc.) management practices. The initial process for developing the catchment management plan for the Upper Nyabarongo included performing a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the catchment, and assessing current land-use practices, hydrological status, soil composition, and potential for groundwater rehabilitation and use (MoE, 2018). Catchment management plans highlight the connections between humans, nature, and water, and how activities upstream can hinder or benefit activities downstream.
After performing an SEA, the catchment task force3 establishes overarching goals and specific objectives for the catchment plan. These goals highlight national objectives while also investigating local issues and opportunities within the catchment region. Catchment plans in Rwanda are bridges for national and district policies. The Upper Nyabarongo Catchment Plan adheres to national guidelines for water resource management, while also providing a more in-depth look at the pollution problems associated with the Upper Nyabarongo catchment.
Challenges
The overarching challenges with catchment management plans include measuring overall capacity and ensuring that all stakeholders are participating in the process (e.g., local farmers, community members, ranchers, landowners, etc.). Additionally, this case highlights the importance of creating more stringent policies or action items that are specific to the area. The Upper Nyabarongo, for example, struggles with soil erosion due to agricultural land use, resulting in large amounts of nutrients and silt in the basin (approximately 32 million tons in 2015). Nearby mining activity led to increased pollution loads in the Upper Nyabarongo. Erosion and pollution are two problems that are more easily addressed at the catchment level, as opposed to downstream.
Outcomes
The Upper Nyabarongo Catchment Plan addressed soil erosion by engaging 1.9 million local farmers in the participatory process of catchment management. These farmers altered their agricultural practices to minimize soil erosion and improve the catchment area through afforestation and terracing (WJA, 2019). All individuals with land on the Nyabarongo river are a key part of this community process and contribute to its overall management. Understanding and implementing solutions to address these issues upstream allows for lower costs and lessens maintenance in terms of purification and desilting downstream, whether for water consumption in Kigali or hydropower usage. The current catchment plan for the Upper Nyabarongo was put in place in 2018 and will be active until 2024 (MINIFRA, 2018).
By implementing catchment management plans, Rwanda is closer to achieving nationwide integrated water resource management. The most significant outcomes to date are the sustainable afforestation and participatory programs for local landowners within the catchment. Locals maintain over 100,000 hectares of land near the Nyabarongo river and 912 out of 1,102 hectares have been rehabilitated. Local participation in catchment management has the potential to ensure the health and sustainability of the Upper Nyabarongo catchment area, in addition to maintaining a viable water resource for the growing city of Kigali.
References
Catchment Plans for Source Water Protection
Summary
Rwanda and its capital, Kigali, have prioritized the transition to an integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategy to ensure the growing city and its surroundings not only have access to adequate water resources but can sustain and enhance their current sources. One aspect of this transition is the development of catchment plans.
Rwanda has an ambitious goal to be the first African country to achieve 100% water access for all its citizens, but with a population growth rate of 2.5% per year, the country is struggling to reach that goal. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and most populous city, is the bustling economic center for the country. Kigali’s growth has put pressure on the greater water management system, with consistently increasing demand and little supply. To ease its growing pains and to approach water management holistically, Rwanda is transitioning to an integrated water resource management (IWRM) system. This transition will create the framework for Rwanda to attain not only their Vision 20201, but also the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To accomplish this transition, strategic processes and plans are needed.
One such tool used in the transition to IWRM is a Catchment (Watershed) Management Plan. Rwanda’s National Water Policy: Law N 49/2018 Determining the Use and Management of Water Resources in Rwanda2 mandates catchment plans. To adhere to this law and to achieve the overarching goals set by the Rwandan government, the first catchment management plan focused on one of the most important catchments in Rwanda: the Upper Nyabarongo Catchment area. The Upper Nyabarongo Catchment produced over 1.7 billion cubic meters of water in 2015 (NISR et al., 2019). However, World Bank sponsored reports highlight the decrease in the overall base flow of the catchment from 1990–2015 (NISR et al., 2019). The Nyabarongo River is touted as the water tower of Rwanda, and its management, protection, and rehabilitation are critical for the city of Kigali and all of Rwanda.
Issue
Intervention
Catchment plans allow for a more focused view of a region’s water security issues and opportunities for improvement by addressing problems from their source. Established in 2015, the Upper Nyabarongo River Catchment Plan became the first catchment plan in Rwanda. This plan focuses on the restoration of the reservoir area, water availability, and equitable allocation of water within the catchment area.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands sponsored the Water for Growth Rwanda project to support Rwanda’s transition to IWRM. The Kingdom of the Netherlands works with the Rwandan Government, Water Resources Management Department, Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority, and FutureWater to implement strategies such as catchment plans and facilitate their progress to achieve a sustainable IWRM strategy (Water for Growth, 2019).
Catchment management is focused on integrating hydrological and land use (relating to human activities: agriculture, fishing, development, etc.) management practices. The initial process for developing the catchment management plan for the Upper Nyabarongo included performing a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the catchment, and assessing current land-use practices, hydrological status, soil composition, and potential for groundwater rehabilitation and use (MoE, 2018). Catchment management plans highlight the connections between humans, nature, and water, and how activities upstream can hinder or benefit activities downstream.
After performing an SEA, the catchment task force3 establishes overarching goals and specific objectives for the catchment plan. These goals highlight national objectives while also investigating local issues and opportunities within the catchment region. Catchment plans in Rwanda are bridges for national and district policies. The Upper Nyabarongo Catchment Plan adheres to national guidelines for water resource management, while also providing a more in-depth look at the pollution problems associated with the Upper Nyabarongo catchment.
Challenges
The overarching challenges with catchment management plans include measuring overall capacity and ensuring that all stakeholders are participating in the process (e.g., local farmers, community members, ranchers, landowners, etc.). Additionally, this case highlights the importance of creating more stringent policies or action items that are specific to the area. The Upper Nyabarongo, for example, struggles with soil erosion due to agricultural land use, resulting in large amounts of nutrients and silt in the basin (approximately 32 million tons in 2015). Nearby mining activity led to increased pollution loads in the Upper Nyabarongo. Erosion and pollution are two problems that are more easily addressed at the catchment level, as opposed to downstream.
Outcomes
The Upper Nyabarongo Catchment Plan addressed soil erosion by engaging 1.9 million local farmers in the participatory process of catchment management. These farmers altered their agricultural practices to minimize soil erosion and improve the catchment area through afforestation and terracing (WJA, 2019). All individuals with land on the Nyabarongo river are a key part of this community process and contribute to its overall management. Understanding and implementing solutions to address these issues upstream allows for lower costs and lessens maintenance in terms of purification and desilting downstream, whether for water consumption in Kigali or hydropower usage. The current catchment plan for the Upper Nyabarongo was put in place in 2018 and will be active until 2024 (MINIFRA, 2018).
By implementing catchment management plans, Rwanda is closer to achieving nationwide integrated water resource management. The most significant outcomes to date are the sustainable afforestation and participatory programs for local landowners within the catchment. Locals maintain over 100,000 hectares of land near the Nyabarongo river and 912 out of 1,102 hectares have been rehabilitated. Local participation in catchment management has the potential to ensure the health and sustainability of the Upper Nyabarongo catchment area, in addition to maintaining a viable water resource for the growing city of Kigali.
Issues |
|---|
Water Governance and Policy |
Solutions |
|---|
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) |
References
GoR. (2018). Official Gazette no. Special of 21/09/2018. https://waterportal.rwb.rw/sites/default/files/2018-10/Water%20law%20gazetted,2018.pdf
MINIFRA. (2016). National Water Supply Policy. https://www.mininfra.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/new_upload/NATIONAL_WATER_SUPPLY_POLICY__DECEMBER_2016.pdf
MINIRENA-RNRA. (2015). Rwanda National Water Resources Master Plan. Republic of Rwanda. http://www.rwfa.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/Rwanda_National_Water_Resources_Master_Plan.pdf
MoE. (2018). Upper Nyabarongo Catchment Management Plan (2018-2024). 317.
NISR, MINECOFIN, MoE, & World Bank. (2019). Rwanda Natural Capital Accounts-Ecosystems. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/832111581305068419/pdf/Rwanda-Natural-Capital-Accounts-Ecosystems.pdf
Water for Growth Rwanda. (2019). IWRM Programme Rwanda TR90—Catchment Plan and SEA Development Manual. Kingdom of the Netherlands. https://waterportal.rwb.rw/sites/default/files/2019-07/Catchment%20Plan%20Manual_v6_complete.pdf
WJA. (2019, December 11). Rwandan youths work to restore critical Rwanda watershed. Water Journalists Africa. https://waterjournalistsafrica.com/2019/12/rwandan-youths-work-to-restore-critical-rwanda-watershed/