Emerging Issues in Water Resources Management in Swaziland

"Water is central to the economy of Swaziland as it contributes significantly to GDP via agriculture export earnings and basic livelihoods of people. Infrastructure like roads, electricity and potable water are expanding around this sector. The health sector and communications are also expanding in response to investments in irrigated agriculture. This key position of water is reflected in the water policy and reforms taking place in Swaziland. There is thus potential to better utilise water through better management across all sectors using a package of relevant instruments (regulation, education, community-based social marketing, economic instruments etc). However, there is currently a lack of coherent data on the practice, and this presents a barrier to implementation. Such cases as occur therefore would be documented as incidences of best practices. This paper explores the current and emerging practices on water management in Swaziland, on the back of the increasing demand. That paper concludes that the irrigation sub-sector shapes water policy ahead of other sectors like tourism and manufacturing. Incidences of both supply and demand management feature. Newly formed water users associations are playing key roles in water allocation. The case for economic instruments (e.g. pricing, taxes, and water trading) for water demand management still needs to be elevated to move water from lower to higher value uses. Supply side dynamics are also demonstrated to be in an accelerated development phase, in response to demand."