1. Integrated Water Resources Management
In view of the issues and challenges in water resources management, it is clear that integrated water resources management is needed to ensure that water does not become a constraint to national development. This calls for a refocused vision i.e “A country where there is equitable and sustainable use and management of water resources for socio-economic development, and for maintenance of the environment".
Strategy
This strategic area is geared towards helping the country to review the implementation of IWRM plans and prepare the ones that are still not complete.
2. Climate Change and Water Resources
Climate change has the potential to aggravate the prevailing challenges in water resources leading to increased vulnerability of communities to the impacts of Climate Change. Climate change has the potential of affecting key sectors of the economy especially Agriculture, Water, Energy, Health, Livestock, Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry.
Climate change projection indicates that the frequency and severity of extreme climatic events will increase. In the last 40 years, Tanzania has experienced severe and recurring droughts with devastating effects to agricultural, water and energy sectors. Currently, more than 70% of all natural disasters in Tanzania are related to hydro-meteorological conditioning, and are linked to droughts and floods.
Strategy
Together with our partners, we aim to increase scientific understanding and provide technical support to drought and flood management in the country and beyond. TWP will endure to promote an integrated approach in flood management to maximize the benefits of using floodplains, and minimize the loss of life. We will, at appropriate moments and platforms, advocate for review of the management protocols, policies and strategies for managing droughts and floods. This effort is aimed at supporting drought and floods preparedness including establishment of monitoring and early warning systems while applying local knowledge and technological innovations.
3. Environmental Sustainability and Ecosystems Services
Sustainable growth implies, importantly, that economic growth and human development is de-coupled from negative environmental impact. Such impacts leads to degradation of ecosystems which ultimately affects the provisioning of ecosystem goods and services and intuitively key economic activities. Our societies must keep sustaining and improving ecosystem-based productive functions, services and livelihoods, and address these from a holistic perspective from ‘source to sea’.
Strategy
In partnership with key agencies, TWP will continue to advocate at all levels on the importance of natural ecosystems as part of an integral part of sustainable economic growth and development. TWP will support the country’s efforts to identify and evaluate policy and management options for sustaining ecosystem services, with the view of harmonizing them with human needs, and help build capacity to sustainably manage these invaluable resources.
4. Water Supply, Sanitation and Urbanization
The present population in Tanzania is estimated at about 49 million, of which 76% live in the rural areas. The projected population in the year 2025 is estimated to double, with 60% living in the rural areas. The growth in population will have a significant impact on domestic water supply and in sanitation and sewerage services if measures are not taken. Presently water services coverage for municipal and industrial water supply is 73% and for rural water supply is 50%. This coverage in the provision of safe water is undesirably low. In many areas of the dry central part of the country, water is a scarce and precious commodity such that even water for personal hygiene cannot easily be found. The people, especially women and children, walk long distances to fetch water. The national economy suffers because of inadequate water supplies to the urban and rural population.
Strategy
An integrated approach to urban water management, which yields mutually beneficial improvements in water resources and improved management of extreme weather events, could provide an important model for addressing the challenges facing urban areas in Tanzania. It would also address trade-offs among urban water users, food and energy producers, and the need to protect ecosystems. TWP focus will be on advocating an integrated approach that will require setting priorities right in planning for the future notably for urban areas and small towns in while reflecting on the ongoing urbanization trend.
5. Energy and Water Security
Water and energy are closely interdependent and interlinked. Unfortunately, they rely on vastly different institutional frameworks, policy settings and governance structures. The energy sector is to a large extent market-based, run and managed by private companies acting and responding to national and global markets. The water sector on the other hand is dominated by public, small utilities acting within regulated markets, at the confines of service delivery, at local and municipal levels.
While water is needed for almost all forms of energy production, such as cooling, biofuels and hydropower, energy is an important component in the extraction, treatment and transportation of water. Restraints in one of the resources will often affect the other. Therefore, there is an increasing recognition of the importance to understand the energy-water linkages and strengthen collaboration between the two sectors. Without sustainable energy and water management we cannot satisfy basic human needs, produce food for a growing population and achieve sustainable growth.
Strategy
TWP will seek to bring together all key actors in the energy and water sectors, building on integrated planning approaches on a common platform. In this particular aspect TWP, together with partners, will advocate and support efforts towards production of energy from waste, e.g. energy from sludge that can be used within the waste treatment utility and thus saving the energy use within the utility. TWP will provide a neutral multi-stakeholder platform to coordinate development and review of relevant policies and governance strategies based on local needs and realities. The platform will also be an avenue for advocating for equitable allocation of resources and benefits among all users. Integrating the food security dimension with the water and energy nexus will be essential in local development contexts, and it will add another level of cooperation among actors from all three sectors.
6. Food and Water Security
The links between water and food security are intertwined and deeply rooted. Land and water are prerequisites for agriculture and farmers are the main custodians of the world’s freshwater. Roughly, 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used in agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) predicts that food demand will need to increase 60 per cent by mid-century. Population growth, shifts towards more water-intensive diets, and rising requirements for water to produce energy to power cities, industries and homes all increase demand for limited water resources. Again, the addition of the climate change and variability adds another risk and unprecedented dimension with regards to rainfall quantities and timing. Thus we need a new approach to achieve a water and food secure future in the context of agricultural water management, while reflecting on future irrigation needs under changing climate.
3.6.1 Strategy
At a national level, TWP will seek ways to improve understanding of interconnected issues and share knowledge. We will assist national and local decision-makers to align agricultural policy with water resources management plans and processes, and climate adaptation strategies, and ensure these are integrated into national development planning. Water users’ associations on the ground will be encouraged to use sustainable and efficient water management practices that incorporate soil conservation, catchment management, water use efficiency and innovative agricultural water management practices.
7. Transboundary Water Resources
Tanzania is riparian to transboundary water resources with neighbouring countries. These water bodies include Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa, Chala and Jipe, as well as Kagera, Mara, Umba and Songwe Rivers. Each of these water bodies exhibit unique characteristics and a complex range of water management and development issues and challenges. These challenges include environmental management issues such as water pollution, biodiversity conservation, wetlands and catchment degradation, fisheries management and water hyacinth control. Others are river basin development for irrigation, domestic and livestock water supply, and for hydropower production. There are also issues regarding international border stabilization, river control and regulation, and inter-basin water transfers. In order to make effective utilization of transboundary water resources efforts have to be directed at assessing the needs of Tanzania through development of national plans and promotion of transboundary cooperation and integration with riparian states.
Strategy
TWP’s long standing experience in facilitating such transboundary processes positions it in an excellent position to foster trans-boundary cooperation by providing space for dialogue and negotiation, backed up by knowledge products and project experience. TWP will work to strengthen transboundary water management institutions in Tanzania through our partners. We will share results of successful practices and approaches with transboundary river basins. This process will benefit from our experience in capacity building and development in international water law.