March 28, 2024

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RWB and IUCN Rwanda on the right move to promote knowledge-based IWRM

Water Retention wall constructed along the river Sebeya as part of the 'Embedding Integrated Water Resources Management Programme - Sebeya Project' in Rubavu District

By TAN Reporter

With the support from the Netherlands Embassy in Kigali, the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) together with the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-Rwanda continue their partnership to promote knowledge-based Integrated Water Resources Management for better planning and use of this vital resource in various activities.

Since Rwanda established policies aimed at IWRM, IUCN has continued to provide technical support in the implementation of this method that has shown potential to provide a sustainable solution for the wise use and management of water Resources.

In its definition, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

This means that IWRM is based on the three principles: social equity, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.

To be able to respond to such a guiding principle, it is needed that experts in the implementation of IWRM programs are always updated on the techniques that will facilitate and successfully meet the planned IWRM interventions in a given area.

On 30 December, 2022, a Capacity building training of water monitoring experts on water quality monitoring equipment acquired by Rwanda Water Resources Board through Technical Assistance (TA) provided by IUCN Rwanda to the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Program supported by the Netherlands Embassy in Kigali.

This equipment will help RWB to perform field measurements for different water pollution parameters such as physical-chemical indicators, heavy metals, and priority substances biological parameters for both surface and groundwater.

RWB has initially collaborated with IUCN Rwanda to collect and analyze water samples from 50 sites on Rwanda’s water bodies that were selected in relation to the existing water quality monitoring network and national water resources management master plan.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been adopted by the Government of Rwanda as its overall approach to the national water resources policy. IWRM is also a key lever in the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has developed an IWRM toolbox. The GWP IWRM framework is internationally accepted as the standard. Rwanda also refers to the IWRM toolbox for working with IWRM.

Integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been defined by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) as a  process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximise economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. IWRM is not an end point, but a continuous process of participation, learning and adaptation. 

iwrm planning cycle
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