General Background on Project
The
Global Environment Facility (GEF) has funded a full sized project (the IWRM AIO
SIDS project) to support 6 participating Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (namely, Cape Verde, Comoros, Maldives,
Mauritius, Sao Tome & Principe, and Seychelles) through UNEP and UNDP to
address issues related to the management of water resources, both freshwater
and coastal marine areas in an integrated manner. Recognizing the urgent need
for comprehensive Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and improved
Water Use Efficiency (WUE), the project seeks to accelerate progress on IWRM
and WUE plans and water supply and sanitation development goals for the
protection and utilization of groundwater and surface water in the
participating countries. Component 1 of the project, implemented through UNDP,
specifically supports the implementation of IWRM/WUE demonstration activities
in each participating country to address priority issues with potential for
replication across the national and the region levels and in other SIDS
regions.
The
overall objective of the IWRM AIO SIDS project is to strengthen the capacity of
the participating countries to implement an integrated approach to the
management of freshwater resources, with a long-term goal of enhancement of the
capacity of the countries to plan and manage their aquatic resources and
ecosystems on a sustainable basis. The project recognizes the highly integrated
and closely interlinked nature of fresh surface and groundwater resources and
coastal areas in small islands and aims to develop a more coordinated multi-sectorial
management approach, both at the national and the regional level, with a strong
emphasis on an expanded role for all stakeholders within a participatory
management framework.
This
consultancy is to provide support to the Ministry of Energy and Public
Utilities (MEPU) in developing Water Act.
The management of water resources and water use in Mauritius is governed by several legislation, one of them even dates back to over 100 years. The main legislation are as follows -
- Central Water Authority Act 1971, which deals with the supply and distribution of potable water ;
- Rivers and Canals Act 1863, which deals with the use of water from rivers, management of rivers and canals and the protection of river water;
- Groundwater Act 1970, which caters for the management of aquifers includes licensing the
- Environment Protection Act (2002) which provides for protection of water resources from pollution.
The control of water quality is under the mandate of the Ministry of Health under the Public Health Act 1925. Other legislation which have some impact on water conservation and use are the Forest and Reserves Act 1984 and the Irrigation Authority Act 1979.
These pieces of legislation falling under the mandate of different institutions have led to fragmentation of responsibility and accountability regarding the use and management of water resources and an uncoordinated approach to water policy and strategy.
The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities has the responsibility for planning, development and management of water resources for the country through its Water Resources Unit. However, there is no legislative framework defining the role and responsibilities and the powers of the Ministry.
The existing laws do not reflect the economic developments that have taken place in Mauritius, the evolution in land use, the threats to water quality and the changing uses of water. The water sector is facing numerous challenges - climate change, protection water quality, ensuring equitable use of water, developing additional water sources and supporting integrated water resource management. With the development of smart cities and other economic projects, a licensing system for private sector involvement in the supply of water requires consideration.
There is a need to consolidate and update the legislation and to provide a framework for the management of water resources and regulate the use of water in a consistent manner.
The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities is therefore proposing to appoint a consultant to assist in the preparation of a draft Water Bill, which will take into account the requirements of the country and the development of the water sector in line with the National Water Policy. The Consultant will be hired by UNOPS on behalf of the Ministry.