Coping with Water Scarcity Utilizing Water Accounting/Auditing Methodologies

and Advanced Technologies

Thierry FaconSenior Water Management Officer

FAO RAP

Water and Irrigation Proposal for Japanese Delegation

Background

• What is water scarcity ?

“an excess of water demand over available supply”• Water scarcity is prevalent in many parts of Asia • Increasing water scarcity due to climate change

continues to threaten water and food security and rural livelihoods

• How to respond to water scarcity ?

Background

Issues and Constraints• How to quantify water scarcity?• What response options are available ?• How to best manage existing water resources

and plan for future development ?• Constraints in water accounting framework

development: Lack of available data Lack of a standardized water accounting

framework Location specific rather than universal

applicable Limited focus on intervention options

Measuring water scarcity

• Water accounting (addressing physical scarcity – mapping supply and demand: Volumes Flows Quality

• Water audits (addressing economic scarcity) - mapping: Infrastructure and management Socio-economics and finance Legislations and institutions

• Develop, refine, and implement water accounting/auditing methodologies (WA+) utilizing remote sensing and other analysis tools as a basis for decision-making for potential water interventions in water management improvements in a selected representative river basin(s) in each country.

• Strengthen country capacity in water resources evaluation, planning, and development through water accounting/auditing.

• Mainstream the water accounting approach in government ministries for decision making and in supporting strategies for water resources planning and sustainable development.

Project Objectives

• Develop, refine, and implement water accounting/auditing methodologies (WA+) utilizing remote sensing and other analysis tools as a basis for decision-making for potential water interventions in water management improvements in a selected representative river basin(s) in each country.

• Strengthen country capacity in water resources evaluation, planning, and development through water accounting/auditing.

• Mainstream the water accounting approach in government ministries for decision making and in supporting strategies for water resources planning and sustainable development.

Project Objectives

From water accounting to water auditing

Water auditing Component 1:

Land and water resources database

Component 2:

Water resources availability assessment

Component 3:

Water resources use assessment

Component 5:

Decision support tool

Component 4:

Water resources policy review

Component 6:

Water Audit concluding comprehensive and

summary reports

On-going water audits

• Okavango

On-going water audits

• Ethiopia (Awash basin)