Decentralizing water management

Decentralizing water supply

Description

Decentralizing water management involves transferring decision-making authority, planning, and resource allocation from central agencies to local or regional entities. This strategy aims to improve responsiveness to local water needs, enhance community participation, and increase efficiency in water use and distribution. By empowering local stakeholders, it addresses issues such as resource misallocation, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and slow crisis response, ultimately fostering sustainable water management tailored to specific environmental and social contexts.

Context

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends delegation of water resources management to the lowest appropriate level, including decentralization of government services to local authorities, private enterprises and communities, all in accordance with national legislation.