Allocation of water basin for exclusive utility abstraction
Extreme water scarcity, falling water tables and the increasing pressure on the water utility among others because of internally displaced people (IDP) prompted water utilities in Hajjah and Ibb to approach the higher authorities to protect their water sources. In response executive directives were issued by local authorities in these governorates to ensure the exclusive use of water resources from the basin for the water supply by the utilities. This included rules to prevent the construction of new wells, and to block any private wells in the basin. This measure has a significant impact on relieving pressure on, and enhancing the groundwater resources in the basins. This measure gives the priority to the utility to extract water from the basin solely for the water supply in the city. This practice contributes to augmentation of the production capacity and to the increase revenues of the utility.
Description of the problem
Some utilities face major challenges in accessing sufficient water resources to cover the demand of their customers. Hajjah LC and Ibb LC both serve urban centres in cities located in mountainous regions, with topographical complexity, small water basins, and limited options for diversifying water sources. Providing water service requires in some cases several pumping phases to deliver water to customers, making the cost of the service in these cities much higher than in other cities. Hajjah and Ibb water utilities struggle to provide sufficient water to their original customers, let alone the new IDP arrivals. Remote water sources require too many pumping phases making this option technically and economically unfeasible, leaving these utilities with only one option, to compete over the available water resources with other users (e.g. agricultural users).
Description of the good practice
The good practice concerns the exclusive use of groundwater by water utilities in specific areas. The steps involved were to:
- Raise awareness among decision makers and the local community by the team of the water utility Develop a plan to preserve the water basin, involving all officials and stakeholders from relevant ministries, institutions, and local organizations
- Encourage the relevant authorities to establish directives (legislation) to protect the water basin(s) and prioritize water abstraction by the water utility
- Involve the local community and raising its awareness about the status of the water basins in the governorate
- Prepare brochures and seminars, with special attention to farmers and well owners
- Activate the monitoring and protection unit of the basin, ensuring no violations, new buildings, new wells, or pollution in the basin
- Prevent any unapproved development in the basin area.
Impact and sustainability of the good practice
The impact of the approach to prioritize abstraction by the water utility is considerable as it:
- Makes more water available for the water utility and therewith helps to cover customer demand and improve its overall performance.
- Contributes to the sustainability of the basin and the service
- Makes the local community aware of the water basin problems and encourages them to cooperate in water basin conservation.
Required resources
The required resources include:
- A qualified team and financial resources to raise awareness among local authorities and the local community including the other users of water from the basin and to develop a basin conservation plan.
- Relevant authorities need to agree to approve and apply legislation for basin conservation and priority setting for water abstraction by the water utility.
