1 Water reform - implications for rural poor people’s access to water Presentation by Claus Aagaard Pedersen Danida – DWF-Research – DIIS conference Water Reform and Access to Water for the Rural Poor Tuesday, 19 September 2006, Venue: Eigtveds Pakhus, Asiatisk Plads, Copenhagen

2 Background, objective and content of presentation Background studies Chile, Mexico, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Ghana, Bangladesh and Vietnam Objective To present water reform desk review findings including the DIIS Brief “Water reform – implications for rural poor people’s access to water” Content Motivating factors for water reform Trends in water reform Implementation challenges Implications for rural poor people’s access to water Ideas for pro poor initiatives

3 Motivating factors for water reform Internal water factors Water scarcity Growing number of water conflicts Infrastructure decline Institutional inefficiency External water factors Economic development Urbanisation Population growth Technological development Economic and political reforms International commitment Changing social values Natural disasters

4 Trends in water reform Dublin principles, 1992 From water supply to water demand Public control and coordination Decentralisation of water management Administrative water use rights Water use charges

5 Implementation challenges Administrative capacity and resources Institutional/organisational change Water assessment capabilities Monitoring and enforcement measures Conflict resolution mechanisms Public participation and information campaigns Opposition to reforms Civil servants  losing privileges Local communities  losing independence Urban dwellers  losing security Rice irrigators  losing a free good

6 Water reform Implications on the rural poor Registering existing water uses  too fast Minor use exemptions  too risky Uncertainty about rules  too weak Single use rights  too simple Rolling back the state  too much

7 Water reform Pro poor suggestions Support water administration capacity Involve civil society and local people in water reform and water arrangements Regularise water use and start with small scale users Recognise sound local community-based water arrangements Understand land and water rights interface Support small-scale water infrastructure development

8 For more information DIIS homepage: DIIS Brief “Water reform – implications for poor people’s access to water” Nine short country reviews of water reform processes Thank you for your attention!