strengthening water sector monitoring and information system in ethiopia with girwi project second...

8/2/2019 Strengthening Water Sector Monitoring and Information System in Ethiopia With GIRWI Project Second Phase Report

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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA)

in collaboration with the

Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE), Ethiopia

Strengthening Water Sector Monitoring and Information Systemin Ethiopia with GIRWI Project: Second Phase

Consolidated report on:Component I: Methodological Analysis of IndicatorsComponent III: Elaboration of a general system of water sector monitoring and Information

February 2011

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

Prepared by:

Getachew Alem &Associates


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Strengthening Water Sector Monitoring and Information System in Ethiopia: GIRWI Project Phase II

United Nations Development for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Page i

Acknowledgment

This research report (GIRWI Phase II) is financed by UN - DESA in collaboration with theMinistry of Water and Energy. Getachew Alem and Associates took over component I and IIIof the GIRWI Second Phase Project, and it has produced and presented this consolidatedReport.

Mr. Andrew Yager, and Mr. Genene Zewge from UN-DESA Water and Energy Division wereresponsible for this project, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank andappreciate for their unreserved support and encouragement throughout the study period.The insight, advice and technical support received from Mr. Jean M. Chn, and Dr.Giovanni Canitano, is gratefully acknowledged. We are grateful especially to Mr. Chene forinitiating the GIRWI Second Phase Project with a lot of Administrative hurdles. We alsowould like to acknowledge Dr. Aslam Chaudry from UN-DESA who developed the GIRWIProject idea and vision in Ethiopia, and he was also a leader of the first phase GIRWIproject.

The firm would also like to extend its appreciation to the Ministry of Water and Energy, the

staffs and experts of the Ministry for sharing data and information that is used as input forthis study. We are also grateful to the National Meteorological Services Agency for providingmeteorological data for the study. We also appreciate the support received from Ato GetuZegeye, Senior Economist who worked as coordinator of the UN-DESA Project throughoutthe study period.

This study has been conducted with assistance from other partner institutions such as theEnvironmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ministry of Mines (MoM), Ministry of Agriculture(MoA), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) and we extend our thanks and appreciation tothese institutions for their willingness for consultation, access to data and information. Wewould also like to thank many other individuals and organizations that are not mentionedhere but have also provided useful information, insights and comments on the report.

Getachew Alem

Principal Consultant and Team Leader

Getachew Alem & Associates


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Acronyms

AAWSSA Addis Ababa Water Supply and Sewerage Authority

AfDB African Development Bank

AWC Available Water AccountingBCM Billion Cubic Meters

BOD Biological Oxygen DemandBPR Business Processing ReengineeringCOD Chemical Oxygen Demand

CSA Central Statistics Agency

CSD Commission for Sustainable DevelopmentEEPCO Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation

EMA Ethiopian Mapping Agency

ENGEDA Ethiopian National Groundwater and Environmental Database

ENRAMED Ethiopian Natural Resources and Agriculture MetadataEPA Environmental Protection Authority

ET Evapotranspiration

EU European UnionEUWI European Union Water Initiative

FAO Food and Agriculture OrganizationFDRE Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GIRWI Global Imitative for the Rationalization of Water InformationGIS Geographic Information System

GSE Geological Survey of Ethiopia

GW Ground WaterIT Information technology

IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management

M3, m3 meter cubeMDG Millennium Development GoalsMEA Multilateral International Environmental Agreement

mg/l Mille gram per liter

MIS Management Information SystemMoARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

MoE Ministry of Education

MoFED Ministry of Finance and Economic DevelopmentMoH Ministry of Health

MoM Ministry of Mines

MoWE Ministry of Water Energy

MW Mega WattNMSA National Meteorological Services Agency

NUWI Netherlands UNICEF Water Initiative

NWCO National WASH Coordination OfficeNWRMIS National Water Resources Management Information SystemOC Degrees Centigrade

PASDEP Plan for Accelerated and Sustainable Development to End PovertyPDI Palmer Drought Index


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PoN Percent of NormalRB Regional Bureau

RBA River Basin Administration

RDI Reclamation Drought IndexSEEAW System of Environmental and Economic Accounting for Water

SNNPR Southern Nations Nationalities Region

SPI Standard Precipitation Index

SWSI Surface Water Supply IndexTN Total Nitrogen

TP Total Phosphorous

TSS Total suspended solidsUN United Nations

UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment

UN-DESA United Nation Department of Economic and Social AffairsUNDP United Nations Development program

UNICEF United Nations Children Fund

USA United States of America

USD United State DollarWASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

WB World Bank

WSP Water and Sanitation Program


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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ............................................................................................................................... I

ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................................. II

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................... VI

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................................................... VII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

1.1 PREAMBLE ........................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Overview of the Water sector in Ethiopia................................................................................ 1

1.1.2 The National Water Policy......................................................................................................... 3

1.2 THE PROBLEM OF COORDINATION ...................................................................................................... 4

1.3 MONITORING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM INITIATIVES....................................................................... 5

1.3.1 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) Program Initiative....................................................................................................................... 6

1.3.2 Scoping Study for the Development of Ethiopian Water Resources Information System(EWRIS) AfDB/ Africa Water Facility Project..................................................................................... 7

1.3.3 Global Initiative for Rationalizing Water Information (GIRWI) System................................ 71.4 WHAT DOES GOOD MONITORING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM HAVE TO OFFER TO WATER SECTOR?9

1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................................... 10

1.6 METHODOLOGY FOR DEVELOPING MONITORING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR WATER SECTOR10

1.7 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ........................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER TWO: WATER SECTOR DATA, INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND GOVERNANCE14

2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 14

2.2 Water Sector Data, Information and Knowledge.................................................................. 14

2.3 WATER SECTOR GOVERNANCE....................................................................................................... 16

2.3.1 Water Institutions and organizations...................................................................................... 16

2.3.1.1 Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE)......................................................................... 17

2.3.1.2 Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) ................................................................... 17

2.3.1.3 National Meteorological Services Agency (NMSA) .................................................... 182.3.1.4 Ministry of Mines - Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) .......................................... 18

2.3.1.5 Ethiopian Mapping Authority (EMA).............................................................................. 18

2.3.1.6 Central Statistical Agency (CSA)................................................................................... 19

2.3.1.7 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) ......................................... 19

2.3.1.8 Ministry of Health (MoH) ................................................................................................. 20

2.3.2 Existing data and Information Flow among Institutions and organizations...................... 20

CHAPTER THREE: ARCHITECTURE FOR WATER SECTOR MONITORING AND INFORMATIONSYSTEM................................................................................................................................................... 22

3.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 22

3.2 DESIGN CRITERIA............................................................................................................................. 22

3.3 FRAMEWORK FOR MONITORING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR THE WATER SECTOR ............... 223.3.1 Governance Framework for Monitoring Water Sector......................................................... 233.3.1.1 A Centralized Institutional structure for Water Resources Information Management

23

3.3.1.2 Decentralized water resource management institutions........................................... 24

3.3.2 The Building Blocks for Monitoring and Information System.............................................. 26

3.3.2.1 The Generic Project Planning and Management Cycle............................................. 26

3.3.2.2 The Monitoring Cycle ...................................................................................................... 26

3.3.2.3 Monitoring as a Chain of activities in an information system .................................... 28


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3.3.2.4 The Water sector monitoring process........................................................................... 30

3.4 WATER SECTOR INFORMATION FLOW.............................................................................................. 33

3.4.1 Hydrological data flow.............................................................................................................. 34

3.4.2 Water Supply and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH Program) Data flow.......................... 35

3.4.3 Irrigation and Drainage............................................................................................................. 37

3.4.4 Hydraulic Structures and Hydropower Data Flow................................................................ 38

3.4.5 Environmental Data and Information Flow............................................................................ 39

3.4.6 Inter-institutional Data and information Flows....................................................................... 39

3.3.2.1 Indicator Based Monitoring ............................................................................................ 42

CHAPTER FOUR: PROPOSED WATER SECTOR MONITORING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM. 45

4.1 FIRST PHASE:CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................... 45

4.1.1 Conceptual Framework for the Inter-linkages among institution........................................ 45

4.1.2 Water Sector Knowledge Management................................................................................. 46

4.2 SECOND PHASE:ITINFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE INFORMATION SYSTEM............. 47

4.2.1 IT Infrastructure Development................................................................................................. 47

4.2.2 Description of the proposed architecture............................................................................... 47

CHAPTER FIVE: MONITORING WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AT RIVER BASIN LEVEL.................................................................................................................................................................. 49

5.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 49

5.2 MONITORING CLIMATE AND WATER RESOURCEFRESHWATER RESOURCE BASE ..................... 49

5.2.1 Monitoring Climate .................................................................................................................... 49

5.2.2 Monitoring Water Resources................................................................................................... 50

5.2.2.1 Monitoring Surface Water Resources........................................................................... 51

5.2.2.2 Monitoring Trans-boundary Rivers Monitoring Shared - Water Resources......... 54

5.2.2.3 Monitoring Ground Water................................................................................................... 54

5.3 MONITORINGAGRICULTURAL WATER USEIRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE AND LIVESTOCKWATERING ...................................................................................................................................................... 55

5.4 MONITORING DAMS SAFETY AND HYDROPOWER............................................................................ 56

5.5 MONITORING WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION............................................................................... 56

5.6 MONITORING WATER QUALITY ........................................................................................................ 57

5.6.1 The Framework......................................................................................................................... 57

5.6.1.1 Monitoring Environmental (Ambient) Water Quality ................................................... 57

5.6.1.2 Monitoring Drinking Water Quality ................................................................................ 57

5.7 ESSENTIAL WATER SECTOR DATA IN A RIVER BASIN ..................................................................... 58

CHAPTER SIX: INDICATOR BASED MONITORING AND ANALYSIS .............................................. 61

6.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 61

6.2 ANALYSIS OF SELECTED INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN WATER SECTOR ......... 61

CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................... 80

7.1 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................... 80

7.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 82

References .................................................................................................................................................. 84ANNEX...................................................................................................................................................... 86

Annex A: knowledge Mapping for Water Sector

Annex B: Adaptive management framework for envirobnmental assessment

Annex C: Methodological Analysis for 26 indicators for water sector in Ethiopia

Annex D: A review of monitoring rainfall variability

Annex E: SPIfor monitoring drough in Ethiopia: A Case Study

Annex F: A simplified model for a River Basin

Annex G: Water Quality Monitoring


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List of Tables

PageTable 1 Governance of key institutions in water sector.......24

Table 2 Irrigation monitoring framework and key monitoring indicators36

Table 3 List of indicators and institutions responsible for monitoring.....43

Table 4 Existing densities of hydrological gauge stations in River Basins ......51Table 5 Important data sets in a River Basin....59

Table 6 Source of data for Physical Water Accounting....70

Table 7 Design specifications for hydrological networking......74

List of Figures

Figure 1 Data and information flow among various water sector institutions in Ethiopia. 20

Figure 2 The project planning and management life cycles.. 26

Figure 3 Chain of activities in an information system.. 28

Figure 4 Stakeholder mapping.. 29

Figure 5 A schematic representation of the process of indicator development for the water sector. 30Figure 6 Data collection and information flow for hydrological data ... 34

Figure 7 Data and information flow for WASH Program in Ethiopia.... 35

Figure 8 Suggested data collection and reporting system... 37

Figure 9 Inter-institutional data and information flow for water sector in Ethiopia...40

Figure 10 Schematic presentation of the process of indicator development for water sector .. .41

Figure 11 Conceptual frameworks (model) for inter- institutions data sharing................................. .44

Figure 12 Proposed web based water sector information portal system. 47

Figure 13 Staff gauge a typical gauge station for monitoring lake level ..52

Figure 14 BOD levels in Little and Great Akaki Streams in Addis Ababa as observed in 2007/0865

Figure 15Time series data for SPI in Kombolcha ...67

Figure 16 Time series data on the contribution of hydropower in electricity generation in Ethiopia..71

Figure 17 Data and information flow.......................................................72Figure 18 Time Series data on access to safe drinking water in Ethiopia........................73


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

Effective sector wide monitoring and the development and use of an information system to

support the effective management and use of the water resource is a critical area of interest tothe government and development partners in Ethiopia. The government wants to make adifference in the effective development and utilization and management of the countys waterresources. This is in full in recognition of its critical role in the countrys economic growth andprosperity. Recently the government also understands the significance of the sensitivity of thecountrys hydrological variability to the countrys economy (GDP). Equally it is in recognition ofthe resources abuse or poor water management and potential pollution threats of this preciousresource as the economy continues to grow and competition for freshwater increases by thedifferent users.

Therefore, our failure to monitor this crucial and important resource, water, could result in seriousconsequences that cannot be measured in terms of monitory value. It is a life support resourcesand when not available in the quantity and quality required, it may costs dearly many valuablelives. The impacts of drought on the socio economy of the country are well established.However, there are limitations in terms of having early warning system to support theirpredications. Available data and information are limited. This demanded the development of anelaborated information system. This study report presents the development of a system of watersector monitoring and information through which data are collected, processed, report preparedfor decision making.

Water Sector Data and Information Management Framework

The framework developed for monitoring and information system for water sector started with asimple approache and then move gradually to a full-fledged support for using moderntechnologies such as computerized and web based portal system. The following are keybenchmarks for progresses towards achieving the system.

(i) Two levels of governance arrangements are proposed for water sector data and

information system:

A Centralized institutional structure for water resources information

management system

A Decentralized water resources management institutions

(ii) This study recognizes the presence of very many institutions and organizations

engaged in water sector data management as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Their independence is also equally recognized as essential, less bureaucratic and

enhances wider participation and coverage and improves sector performance.

However, this could as well be a cause for duplication of efforts and waste of money

and investment unless carefully managed. Therefore, there is a strong need for a

platform of networking of water sector institutions and organizations for data

management, standardization of procedures, quality control, etc. This will allow a well

planned quantification, analysis and reporting of the resource base on a regular basis


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by the mandated institutions and organizations. The establishment of a networking of

decentralized institutions will allow and facilitate inter-linkages for information access

and sharing. A protocol is to be prepared, agreed and signed and work towards the

implementation of the protocol,

(iii) Regular assessment of the functions of networking on data collection and exchange:Based on the feedback from the assessment, adjustment required for the healthy

functioning of the networking will be made to improve data collection, analysis,

reporting and data and information sharing among the networking institutions through

a centralized organ, expected to be the Ministry of Water Energy. The Ministry of

Water Resource mandated by the national policy to work as a responsible ministry not

only for the development of the sector but also for the management of sector

information,

(iv) Integrated information management is a well established tool to move towards

sustainable development. Therefore, the established system underscores the

essential features of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) andembraces fully the integrated information management system in a centralized

arrangement,

(v) Indicator based monitoring and data collection for the twenty six indicators is the initial

phase in the development of the data and information database in the proposed

information system.

(vi) The effective management of the flow of information and management information by

the networks require the equipping of network member institutions and organizations

by the state of the art Information Technology (IT) infrastructure. This entails

designing the architecture for the information system, producing design requirementsfor the system. The management of water sector information by a centralized organ

with strong linkages with the network institutions and organizations is at the center of

this initiative.

Details may have to be worked out in a consultative meeting among concerned institutions as afollow up of this study in order (i) to get more feedback on the initiative and consolidate themodel presented in this study report, (ii) it is essential to oversee the data and informationsharing among the network members and discuss and consolidate the lessons learned and morevigorously implement and reinforce mechanism to move forward towards realizing a centralizedand effective water sector information system.

The development of sector wide monitoring and information system at the end enhances theefficacy, efficiency, and equitable and balanced allocation and use of the water resources andimproved sector investment in cost effective budgeting and decision making by the differentusers.


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Recommendations

(i) Enhanced participation among the stakeholders to establish the networking: In order to

realize the functional networking of institutions and organizations for information sharing, several

events and platforms have to be organized to discuss on existing data gaps, mandates, and

sensitization on data types, collection and construction and development of the indicators, trendanalysis as part of a capacity plan and provision and on improving coordination.

(ii) Knowledge and information management for integrated water resources management.This is only possible through proper information and knowledge sharing among water sectoractors/players, and this process needs to be formal and practiced. It requires legislative support.

At the conclusion of this study, institutions will sign a protocol on water sector data collection andinformation sharing among all stakeholder in the sector; government ministries, governmentintuitions and organizations, non government organizations (NGOs), privates, etc. The MoWEwill play a leading role in facilitating and supporting this recommendation,

(iii) The Ministry of Water Energy should take the responsibility in taking appropriate steps in

(i) organizing consultative meetings to discuss on the implementation of the proposed approach,(ii) over see the progress and make the necessary adjustments and support towards therealization of a National Water Sector information System based on a well establishedmonitoring guidelines (GIRWI Phase III),

(iv) Validation of the developed 26 indicators: There is a data limitation in testing the validity

of some of the indicators. However, certain indicators such as SPI have been tested and

valuable results are obtained in the present study (see Annex D, Draught monitoring with SPI).

More validation of the developed 26 indicators needs to be conducted in the third phase.

(v) The Ministry of Water Energy needs to strengthen the capacity of Water Resources

Information Directorate to manage the massive inflow of data and information when thenetworking of water sector information sharing starts and progresses. It should also be able to

analyze, produce reports and disseminate information and knowledge to the member network

institutions and organizations,

(vi) The monitoring and information system should be upgraded to a web portal system

(beyond GIRWI phase III). Establishment of a web portal system requires the development of

hardware and software, need also further capacity building project, assessment of existing

capacity of the telecommunication to run the web portal, and solicit assistance from the

Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) for its operability.

(vii) A sample water accounting framework at River Basin level is developed and presentedwith a simplified model that indicates the different physical elements of the inland fresh water

resources system and the user system or economy (annex F, figure 1 and table 1). This study

recommends a test of the physical water accounting at river basin level and at the same time

based on this experience to develop a technical manual for future use by technicians.


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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preamble

Water is a basic element of life, key to the wellbeing of mankind, a vital input to all aspects of

production and economic activities, natures most precious resource and an essentialrequirement for the functioning of our ecosystems and central to Ethiopias developmentchallenges.

Water has been an important factor in the development of human civilization. The earlier knownhuman civilizations in the world; Greece, Egypt, Babylon (the present Iraq) and China has theirestablishments and settlement near big rivers where there is abundant freshwater resources.The importance of water on agricultural production and industrial development and other lifesupport activities or livelihoods is quite crucial. It is an important ingredient in the food productionsystem, industrial products, in generating energy (hydropower), and supporting and sustainingthe ecosystem and the environment on which all life depend on. Hence it lies at the nexus of thefood security, poverty reduction, economic growth, energy production and human health. So

much so is its significance and importance in the soico-economic development.

Equally it is also a force of destruction. About two third of the disasters in the world are registeredas water and climate related; and its socio economic impact is sever. A recent flood thatdevastated Pakistan and displaces over 20 million people in one season alone is a case in pointhow huge the devastative force and power water has. Its long-term impacts affect the social andeconomic fabrics of many communities in the world. Ethiopia is no exception. The freshwaterresource and its environment is characterized by highly varying hydrological cycle with extremeevents such as rainfall variability and drought with their consequences of water shortage, cropfailure and food shortage. Since antiquity drought has its history in the country. Recently floodshave also become a common phenomenon.

Water is needed in all aspects of life and the government and people wants to assure adequatewater availability in quantity and quality to all people. A comprehensive water resourcesmonitoring and information system is crucially needed to follow-up and ensure that (i) the waterresources in the country is sustainably managed and utilized, (ii) every citizen get access to safeand adequate water to meet basic needs, (iii) monitor the hydrological variability and other criticalhydrological events in the country, (iv) monitor progress towards meeting the planned waterresources management; development, protection, maintenance and use.

The Government of Ethiopia has recognized the significance and importance of the countryswater resources potential, and it is now in the process of developing information system formonitoring its water resources for sustainable development, management and utilization. TheGlobal Initiative for Rationalizing Water Information (GIRWI) System (PROJECT: INT/05/X70) is

part of these projects undertaken by the government in collaboration with the United Nations,Water, Natural Resources and SID Branch of the United Nations Department of Economic andSocial Affairs (UN-DESA).

1.1.1 Overview of the Water sector in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has abundant water resources estimated at about 122 BMC (World Bank, 2006), and agroundwater potential of about 2.69 BMC. Four major river basins (i) Abay River Bains, (ii) Baro

Akobo River Basin, (iii) Omo-Gibe River Basin, and (iv) Genale Dawa River Basin contribute over


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80-90% of the total water resources potential from 40% of the country. This huge water resourceprovides the country the potential to develop between 3.5 and 4 million hectares of land underirrigated agriculture and it can support energy production of about 30,000 megawatts (MW) fromhydropower development. The per capita water resource potential for 2010 is estimated at about1500 m3, and the trend of this indicator is on sharp decline due to population growth whichcontinually shrinks this potential. This estimate is nearly close to the threshold level for waterscarcity, 1400 m3 per capita. However, because of the uneven distribution of the water resourcesin the country and increasing seasonal variability, Ethiopia is predicted to fall into a water scarcecountry in the 21st century. Many parts of the country still suffer the worst water shortage.

The existing freshwater abstraction level by the different sector is unknown since there is no anyattempt to conduct physical water accounting in the sector. However, data made available from aweb site on (http://earthtrends.wri.org/) showed 86% of the abstracted water in 1987 has beenused for agriculture, 3% by Industry and 11% for water supply. Following the 1999 national waterpolicy, this trend in the share of water use by different sectors is expected to change withincreased water supply for domestic and industry.

The eminent climate change and recurrent drought is likely to increase the problem of watershortage in the country. Already the rainfall variability is quite high in many parts of the country,and as a result the hydrology is also highly variable, both spatial and temporal variability. Over60% of the geographic area is arid and semi arid. The seasonality of the hydrological variabilityand the lack of adequate investment on hydraulic [structure] infrastructure; Dams, reservoirs,ponds, diversion structures, etc., have limited the exploitation of the water resources potential inthe country in hydropower production and irrigation development to stabilize production andreduce the impacts of drought. Only less than 10% of the hydropower potential is developed sofar. Irrigation development is equally low estimated at about 5% of the total potential in thecountry. Hydropower production from the limited infrastructure; dams and reservoirs is fluctuatingwith the seasonality of the hydrology of the rivers affecting the sustainable production ofelectricity quite significantly forcing power companies in certain years to ration electricity.

In a recent collaborative study between the Ethiopian Government and World Bank onhydrological variability (WB, 2006), it is found that a strong relationship exists between theseasonal hydrological variability and the National GDP (the National Economy). The reportindicates grossly the strong correlation between the National GDP and the hydrologic [rainfall]variability. This relationship is natural and obvious in a rain-dependent agriculture basedeconomy. This information was presented to policy makers who make important decision on thesector by a most trusted and reliable partner institution, the World Bank. And now it is very wellunderstood that the existing Ethiopian economy is highly dependent on the seasonality andhydrological variability of the rainfall. Several recommendation were made and important to thisstudy are the need for an effective monitoring of the hydrological variability and an increase ininvestment on hydraulic infrastructures such as dams, reservoirs, ponds and other in-situ waterharvesting schemes to smoothen the highly significant hydrological variability. These are

important for hydropower generation, stable crop production and for the control of flood anddrought in the country.

Because water is critical and intimately related to the day to day socio economic activities, thereis increasing consensus in giving the sector the highest priority in the development agenda andnational plan to move from individual sectoral development and water resources managementapproach to an integrated and holistic approach of water resources management (IWRM) at riverbasin level. The IWRM concept is based on the idea that water is an integral part of the


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ecosystem, a natural resource and a social and economic good whose availability in sufficientquantity and quality determines the nature of its utilization (UN Statistical Division,?).

Recognizing the need for international support, the UN led International Conventions (Rio WorldSummit in 1992, Agenda 21 of the UN convention in 2000 and Johannesburg Summit in 2002)stressed the need, role and significance of water resources management and suggest indicatorbased monitoring of the resource and made recommendations that each country develop coreindicators of sustainable development that can be used to monitor the management of waterresources and its environment and provide a solid basis for decision making on the sector at alllevels. Indicators can help countries understand the state of condition of the environmentincluding water resources. The UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) has beensupporting the development of indicators of sustainable development at national level bystandardizing their definition, elucidating their methodologies and providing training, and othercapacity building support for governments in many parts of the world. In response to this UNconvention, Ethiopia has now developed and endorsed 76 indicators on the whole water sectorand 26 indicators are prioritized and promoted for methodological analysis and development(FDRE, 2008).

1.1.2 The National Water Policy

Water Sector Information management is one the key functions identified in the National WaterResources Management Policy in Ethiopia. Since the implementation of the National WaterResource Management Policy, water resources Management have shown significant changes.The National Water Policy, adopted in 1999, provided overall policy framework for the watersector management in the country including the water sector information system development. Itis the basis for the development, conservation, protection and management of water resources inthe country. The National Water Policy promotes and advances the principle of integrated waterresources management (IWRM) as a basis and means to ensure the efficient utilization of waterresources and its sustainable management.

The Water Resources Management Policy (FDRE, 1999) in section 2, Article 2.1 of the NationalWater Sector Policy (pp 3), outlines the following general policies relevant to this study.

(i) Drinking water is a priority(ii) Enhance the integrated and comprehensive management of water resources that avoids

fragmented approach,(iii) Recognize that water resources development, utilization, protection and conservation go

hand in hand and ensure water supply and sanitation, irrigation and drainage, as well ashydraulic structures, watershed management and related activities are integrated andaddressed in unison,

(iv) Recognize fresh water resources as finite, scarce and vital socio economic resources, itshould be managed based on strategic planning with properly set long term visions and

sustainable objectives,(v) Ensure the integration of water resources development and utilization with the overall

countys socio economic development at all levels,(vi) Ensure water resources management is integrated with other natural resources

management efforts in a river basin development plan,(vii) The policy recognizes and adopts River Basin as a fundamental planning unit for water

resources management.


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The above policy statements are consistent with UN program areas (UNCED, Agenda 21, andChapter 18), Box 1 below.

BOX 1: UN Guiding Principles on Water Resources Management

Water Resources Assessment

Freshwater is a finite and vulnerable resource Integrated water resources development and management

Protection of water resources, water quality and aquatic ecosystems,

Drinking water supply and sanitation as a priority,

Water for sustainable food production and rural development,

Impacts of climate change on water resources

Source: UNCED, 1992. Earths Summit in Rio on Freshwater Resources Management

In the National Water Policy (1999), two policy statements are clearly stipulated on waterresources information as cross cutting policy issues (section 2, article 2.2.4):

(i) Management of Water Resources information: The policy states manage andadminister water resources information on the basis of project and sector information,management information systems, technical information and public information systems,

(ii) Development of Information System: The policy states (a) develop a coherent,efficient and streamlined process of information management in the water sectorconsisting of defining and incorporating data collection, processing, analysis anddissemination and sources of information; (b) Recognize the essential links required andthe establishment of a smoothly functioning Ethiopian Water Resources InformationSystem (EWRIS).

1.2 The problem of coordination

Coordination and information sharing has remained a serious challenge in the water sector, andit has become an expensive venture to the sector. Networking for information sharing has beentried but it has not been successful as expected. The case in point in the water sector is theagreement signed by several partner institutions to use ENRAMED, a metadata informationdatabase. The member institutions of the network have agreed to contribute to the data base andalso share information. However the network failed to participate in the network and sharinginformation and members were unable to run the web based database system.

Different activities are run parallel by different partner institutions outside of the Ministry. Thereare also cases of duplication of efforts observed and reported with in the Ministry (FDRE, 2008).

With the quarterly sector progress review meetings being conducted on a regular basis by the

Ministry of Water and Energy and Regional Water Bureaus attending these meetings, thereshould have been very little problem of coordination and duplication of efforts. However, thereexisted problems of coordination and duplication of effort among the differentdepartments/directorates. Please refer the GIRWI Phase I: Diagnostic Study Report. Thisproblem is expected to be among other partner institutions outside of the Ministry. One importantreason is there are limited platforms to review projects and programs annually by all partners forthe whole sector and share data and information, and discuss standardized practices, etc. MSFfor WASH is an example for a suitable forum to improve coordination and alignment of sectorprograms. WASH Program recently started annual sometimes once in two years [MSF]


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conference to discuss issues on WASH program country wide. NGOs within CRDA haves alsoestablished a WSF (water and sanitation form) to do the same. However, with such a forum thereis still a gap but through time and continued prevalence of such forums, it is expected thatcoordination of programs and resources will be improved and duplication of efforts for instancewho is doing what and where, etc. can be sorted out.

There is a large pool of data and information on water among many of the partner institutions inthe sector. This data and information is not being shared as partners and users would like it andamong many of the institutions and organizations working in the sector. Most data andinformation is housed by individual institutions and organizations. There is no central organresponsible for data management for the whole sector so that users can resort to for access tospecific data and related data and information in the sector.

One of the key challenges to improve this situation is the creation of a strong networking / inter-linkages among institutions and organizations working in the water sector in the country astrategic approach for establishing the essential networking (as a first step) to create theconnectivity and necessary capacity development among these institutions.

1.3 Monitoring and information system Initiatives

There has been a long time interest among many organizations and institutions including theGovernment, World Bank and Multilateral and Bilateral Organizations. More than ever, to date,there is increasing pressure to monitor the implementation of Government and Non governmentprojects, in one side the need to monitor progresses towards sustainable development, MDGtargets, etc and on the other side to establish a real time and user friendly information system fordecision makers to determine the status of a sector, program and projects. These tensions havebeen expressed by the significant number of initiatives for monitoring water sector programssuch as water supply and sanitation, irrigation, water resources (surface and ground waterassessment).

Records show that there were initiatives on monitoring and information system development forwater sector in Ethiopia. Among these include the following:

(i) Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program monitoring and evaluationInitiative This is a Government initiative supported by World Bank (WS ), Multilateraland Bilateral Organizations, which targets specifically water supply and sanitation(WASH) subsector,

(ii) African Development Bank (AfDB) Project supported through African Water facility Fund,which targets specific gaps in the water sector such as Hydrology, water supply, etc., and

(iii) The Global Initiative for Rationalizing Water Information (GIRWI) for monitoring the wholewater sector, an initiative supported by United Nations Department for Economic andSocial Affairs (UN-DESA),

(iv) Agricultural Water Monitoring Project technically and financially supported by FAO. Thisproject joined the UN-DESA initiative after UN-DESA started GIRWI project whichincluded Agricultural water monitoring. Through negotiations, UNDESA relinquish itsinterest to study agricultural water monitoring to FAO supported initiative.

All these initiatives focused on developing monitoring and information system for the respectivesub sectoral interests, except UN-DESA which was initiated with the aim and objective of


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developing a monitoring and information systems for the whole sector. These initiatives have allbeen part of the effort to develop a system for monitoring water sector in Ethiopia.

1.3.1 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) Program Initiative

Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program monitoring Initiative has been aninitiative by the Ethiopian Government with the support of World Bank (WSP), multilateral andbilateral organizations to develop an effective monitoring and evaluation system for the WASHprogram. It is financed by World Bank and other multilateral and Bilateral Organizations such asUNICEF, UNDP, EU, Italy, Finland and Netherlands government. The initiative started withconsultative process first among donors to mobilize resources and engage the government andnon government organizations engaged in the WASH program. The initiative through rigorousconsultation identified priority agendas and monitoring and evaluation was the top priority asexpressed in the second Multi Stakeholder Forum Conference held in Adama, in December2007. Since then monitoring and evaluation received significant attention, M&E manuals andguidelines were produced and efforts have been made to harmonize and integrate resources,capacities and implementation of the program through bringing the three Ministries; Ministry ofWater Energy, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to work together for a commonobjective.

The conceptual framework for the WASH monitoring is founded in four important pillars.

(i) Financial reporting(ii) Household survey on sanitation and hygiene(iii) School census for WASH(iv) Management information for Water Supply Schemes

Presently a national inventory of protected public and private water supply schemes is underwayto establish baseline information of WASH facilities throughout the country. A nationalManagement Information System (MIS) for the WASH program is under development. Themonitoring and information system is based on 15 key WASH performance indicators and thereporting is a community based with a summarized data made by kebele administration andsupported by technical staff at woreda level. For rural towns a utility report will be compiled byutility staff using a basic set of indicators. These data and information for both rural areas andrural towns are prepared and compiled as WASH assessment at woreda and regional level withdata from education and health management information systems incorporated.

The first pilot inventory of WASH facilities at wereda level was implemented in eight selectedweredas under the Netherland and UNICEF Wereda Initiative (NUWI) Projects to gainexperience and knowledge on data collection, analysis and reporting. From this project usefulexperiences are gained and a woreda based MIS with GIS Platform is also developed to support

the Monitoring and Evaluation of WASH program in the country. Based on this experience, anational roll out of the inventory is now under preparation and work has already started inselected regions; Afar, Harari, Somalia regions and Dire Dawa Administrative council.


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1.3.2 Scoping Study for the Development of Ethiopian Water Resources InformationSystem (EWRIS) AfDB/ Africa Water Facility Project

There are two objectives for this initiative; (i) to develop the basic architecture and genericstructure of the information system for water sector in Ethiopia, and (ii) to develop an action planwith clear recommendations, implementation arrangements and schedules. The study wasconducted in 2008/2009.

According to the report, the study review existing situation in the water sector informationmanagement and initiatives, identify gaps, undertake need assessment, and identify waterresources institutions with their existing roles and responsibilities, information on stakeholders,define institutional arrangements, ICT requirements for operating the information system, andfinally develop action plans.

The study presented a system architecture largely based on IT platform for the proposedinformation system. The limitation with the initiative is that the system development and theaction plan to implement the proposed monitoring and information system is planned in one go.This situation does not offer time for testing, and based on the feedbacks improve the proposedframework for the information system. It recommends a state of the art IT infrastructure. Thereport does not allow time to see how the proposed system of information works - to understandmore on how efficient, effective and user friendly the system is.

Therefore the initiative does not have time to report on (i) how the institutions are integrated andwork in unison in the system, and how the inter linkages for information exchange is operating,(ii) the study focused and give more importance to specific sub sectors such as such as watersupply and sanitation and hydrological data management, (iii) the study did not give time forassessment of the inter-institutional data and information flow (source, type of data, access,etc.); and exchange experiences before the inter-linkages are supported with IT platform orinfrastructure.

1.3.3 Global Initiative for Rationalizing Water Information (GIRWI) System

This project is initiated by United Nations and executed by the Water, Natural Resources andSIDS Branch of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA). Theinitiative has been financed by the Italian Government and it has been implemented incollaboration with the Ethiopian Government through the Ministry of Water Energy. This report isan one of the several output of this initiative.

The initiative has two major objectives.

(i) To develop a robust water information methodology that will assist Ethiopia in preparing, atregular interval, accurate reporting of the whole water sector for informed decision making,

(ii) To carry out a survey with regard to the implementation of policy decisions.

The initiative is intended to develop and adopt improved methodological framework formeasuring/monitoring the progress of the countrys water sector towards a sustainabledevelopment and management. In so doing enrich the countrys baseline information againstwhich future progress water sector needs to be monitored.

The components, activities and outputs of this initiative include the following:


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Component I: Methodological Framework development for whole water sector monitoring

Activities to be implemented under this component are grouped under three phase namely:(i) Diagnostic phase,(ii) Development phase of which this report is part of, and(iii) Capacity building, preparation of guideline manuals, validation of indicators,etc. phase.

Output 1.1: A report on the diagnostic analysis of existing water sector information systems inselected countries including Ethiopia, including assessment of their strengths and weaknesses,

Output 1.2: A methodological Framework for collection, monitoring and management of waterrelated information for improved decision making,

Output 1.3: An operational Manual indicating institutional, technical, financial and other and otherrelevant capacity building changes required to upgrade the existing water information system,

Component II: Scaling up the adaptation of framework for water Sector Monitoring

Component III Reviewing Progress on implementation CSD-13 Decisions

The diagnostic phase has been conducted and the report covered (i) assessing all initiatives inwater sector monitoring and information, (ii) assess existing water sector information systems,(iii) identify weaknesses and gaps of the existing water sector information systems, and (iv)developed seventy six and of this promoted twenty six suitable monitoring indicators for thewhole water sector.

At the end of the project, the GIRWI Project on monitoring water sector at country level willprovide a conceptual framework for organizing the hydrological and socio economic informationin an organized manner and system so that the required information on the water sector is madereadily available in a coherent and consistent fashion for policy makers, planners and decisionmakers.

A clear consensus reached during a workshop organized for presenting the diagnostic study in2008 to give more emphasis on developing a comprehensive methodology to provide relevant,effective and consolidated information system for monitoring the different water sectorcomponents that include (i) monitoring water resources and its environment, which containsclimate, hydrology (surface and ground water, drought and flood), and wetlands, (ii) monitoringirrigation and drainage, (iii) Monitoring water supply and sanitation, (iv) monitoring hydropowersystem, and (v) monitoring socio economic impacts of water resources management decisions.The development of such system needs to lay down a platform that can provide a coordinatedeffort by all stakeholders.

The information system under development for monitoring the whole water sector in Ethiopia is a

collaborative effort of all institutions and organizations engaged in the sector development andmanagement to acquire and use the information needed to understand and follow up and todetermine how development efforts influence the state of the water resources system and itsenvironment in Ethiopia. The Methodological framework developed in this study sets out howprioritized indicators (twenty six core and priority indictors) could be used as a tool to monitor thestate of the water sector and its environment in the country. Details on developing the indicatorsare given in the first and diagnostic report of this project.


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Limitations to the initiative are long delays in the implementation of the project and thesubsequent changes in the modality under which it is implemented that may have a bearing onthe quality of the output of the study. As time pass by, institutional structures change, continuityis lost, and the implementation of the remaining phases could be at stake

1.4 What does good monitoring and information system have to offer to water sector?

Water as resource plays a pivotal role in sustaining economic growth and development includingpoverty reduction through food security and energy supply from hydropower. Over the last tenyears, Ethiopia has reported a sustained economic growth, and recently reported a double digiteconomic growth. Undoubtedly such changes have been achieved, among other factors, fromincreased use of the countrys water resources for the production of energy (hydropower), foodand industrial crops, and increased access to safe drinking water supply. Water resourcesmanagement has been the corner stone and at the center of the economic growths observed.One of the indicators for this economic growth is the increased investments and powerproduction, irrigation expansion particularly small - holders and small - scale irrigated agriculture.For instance the energy growth in Ethiopia shows an increase from 420 MW of energy in 2000 to

over 2000 MW of hydropower energy as the Hydropower projects in Gilgel Gibe II and TanaBeles Projects are completed and become fully operational in 2010. The increased energy is thepower that propels the economic growth in the country. This growth in hydropower energyproduction is a good indicator for industrial and agricultural growth in the country. The growth inenergy and the production of food, industrial and commercial crops using irrigation implies thatthe overall economic growth strongly depends on the countrys water resources and the ecologythat supports it.

Aggressive economic growth and development activities contribute to increased pressure onwater ecosystems and other natural resources that support the freshwater resources base.Population growth and the corresponding growth in the demand for freshwater resourcesincrease among the competing sectoral uses. As a result land and water resources degradation

in Ethiopia is sever. With the continuing growth in the economy, the country is expected toexperience water shortages, degradation of water quality and aquatic ecosystems such aswetlands.

Therefore it is imperative to recognize and work diligently on protecting, developing, managingand sustaining the countrys water resources and its environment for the sustained productionand use of hydropower energy and on the continued economic growth and balancing the use ofwater among the different water uses. This can be done if the water resource and itsenvironments are well accounted, developed, protected and conserved. The life andsustainability of the energy source entirely depends on the sustainable management of waterresources and its environment. Hence there is a priority need for such vital resource to theeconomy of the country which requires a structured approach to the monitoring, protection and

development of the water resources and its environment.

Effective and efficient monitoring and assessment information is needed to answer thefundamental questions raised and discussed above which include (i) accounting water resourcesof the river basin and the country at large, (ii) the level of utilization, (iii) monitoring quality andcondition of the water resources, and (iv) develop strategies needed to deal with both existingand emerging development and management problems. Contribution of the monitoring andinformation system to water sector management and its sustainable use is enormous.


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The value of Monitoring and information does not come from conducting monitoring andcollecting enormous data or from having such information available per se; rather, the valuecomes from using information to help improve government policies and subsequently theperformance of each programs in the sector. As explained above monitoring the water sectorprovides unique information on the performance of policies of the government, programs andprojects. Monitoring and information is a useful tool and instrument to the government and alldevelopment partners in terms of understanding the decisions they are making. The importantuses of monitoring are the following:

(i) To understand the environmental trends and the sustainability of the water resources,(ii) To help government ministry in the policy development and manage development activities,(iii) Support policy making specially budget decision making,(iv) To enhance transparency and support accountability relationships,(v) Monitoring water sector is an important aspect of climate change adaptation because the

results of this monitoring, the data and information generated can be an input to informclimate forecasting models and climate adaptation activities. This is essential for developingfuture climate projections that inform decision making related to water resourcemanagement, water supply management, and infrastructure investments, etc.

1.5 Objective of the study

The objective of this study is to design a general methodological framework for monitoring andinformation system for the whole water sector. It is to define a comprehensive water monitoringapproach by detailing its building blocks, ongoing efforts (other projects and their expectedresults: IKMS/AfDB and National WASH projects) and corresponding gaps in order to improvecoordination before institutionalizing and mainstreaming the overall concept with an overall goalof developing a system that delivers water related information which can be used effectively indecision making by water management institutions in the country.

1.6 Methodology for developing monitoring and information system for water sector

Developing a complex water sector monitoring and information systems is a difficult task and thisis because of the severe limitation to grasp and fully understand complex water sectormanagement systems at such a scale as a country level. An easy approach followed in thisassignment is to engage in the process of subdividing the complex system into smaller andindividual subsystems or elements whose nature and behavior can readily be understood withless difficulty. Once each of the elements are closely studied and their process well defined,understood and modeled, then rebuilding the original complex system by pulling the blockstogether into one system is a natural and realistic approach to develop a complex system. Thisapproach is well known in engineering as Finite Elements.

What we will be following in developing the monitoring and information system of the whole watersector in Ethiopia is to look into the different sub-sectoral elements; for instance (i) climate, (ii)water resources (surface and ground water), hydrology program, (iii) domestic and industrialwater supply and sanitation services, WASH program, (iii) agricultural water which includeirrigation and livestock water, Irrigation and drainage program, (iv) water resources infrastructuresuch as dams, and hydropower, and (v) Governance (institutions, policy, legislation/laws, rulesand regulations).


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After examining and understanding the existing monitoring system of each sub sector (subsystems) and the institutions engaged in generating data, information and knowledge, the toolsand instruments, the institutions and legal frameworks that supports the information sharing arestudied.

In the diagnostic report (first phase study of GIRWI project), seventy six indicators weredeveloped and documented. Twenty six of the indicators were prioritized and promoted for use inthe (i) development of the methodological analysis work, and (ii) Elaboration of a generalframework for the water sector Monitoring.

There are several sub sectoral program and partner institution that have already developedinformation systems (database and MIS). The network of information system will be developedusing these as building blocks within the Ministry and outside by partner institutions andorganizations in water sector, and pulling these institutions together into one whole monitoringand information system through first in a network of information sharing, and (ii) expanding thenetwork with institutions working in the sector and share information and knowledge over a broadarea of interest by ensuring the continuity of the independence and functions of individualinstitutions and organizations. Through a workable network of information sharing among watersector institutions will be established.

Developing a system of information exchange among partner institutions and organizationsrequire a procedure with details on the format of the report, the type of data to collect and report,the time of reporting, etc. The information manager (the Ministry of Water and Energy) willreceive data and information and it will have the responsibility of managing the data andinformation and dissemination. These responsibilities will be clearly defined and understoodamong network member institutions. This needs a signing of a protocol or memorandum ofunderstanding or other binding agreement among the information network member institutions.

Therefore, the approach followed in the development of the information system for water sectoris first to use the self contained independent monitoring and information system at institutionaland organizational levels and use the networking and inter linkages established to share data,information and knowledge. The ministries, institutions and organizations, agencies will beformally connected with a functioning networking system of information exchange to aresponsible central organ possibly the Ministry of Water Energy to gather/collect all water relateddata and information and publish and disseminate to the network members and decision makers.The capacity building work on monitoring and information system development will support theinstitution through training, equipping and improving the existing system to suit to the networkingfunctions for data collection and reporting.

A two stage/phase approach for the development of the monitoring and information system areplanned under this study:

(i) Phase One: The establishment of a National Water Resources Monitoring Network forinformation flow. This network of water sector intuitions and organizations exchanges dataand information on selected monitoring indicator (26) on a regular basis. A standardmethodology for data collection, processing and reporting and flow of information aredeveloped for each indicator (see Annex C). During this phase, the networking of datacollection, exchange, analysis and reporting among water sector institutions andorganizations will be evaluated closely to get enough feedback that would allow improve theinformation networking system. This phase, through this process, will ensure the exchange


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of data and information is effective and efficient among the network member institutions andorganizations.

(ii) Phase Two: Once the first phase is satisfactorily established and become operational, theinformation networking and flow system will be upgraded to a full Information Technology(IT) supported System. This is largely computerizing the water resources monitoring andinformation system through the use of the state of art technology in IT infrastructure. Firstand foremost will require a design for the use of IT that will meet the needs andrequirements of the required information flow and the institutions special need for monitoringthe water sector and management of the sector information. A resource requirementsassessment for IT platform will be prepared, and these will include (i) financial resources, (ii)human resources, (iii) IT hardware and software, and networking, (iv) data resourcedevelopment, which would allow the collection and use of more data types other than the 26indicators suggested in phase I, and (v) Capacity Development for the use of more technicalinformation on the system.

1.7 Structure of the report

The study report is divided into seven Chapters, and this introduction is the first one. Chapterone has several sections and sub sections. It includes and presents (i) over view of the watersector in Ethiopia and the role of the national water policy, (ii) the problem of coordination in thesector, (iii) monitoring and information system initiatives in Ethiopia, (iv) the importance of watersector monitoring and information system, (v) the objective of the study, and (vi) methodology forthe development of the monitoring and information system.

Chapter 2: This Chapter presents the different institutions and organizations that collects,analyzes and reports on water sector and related data. The chapter covers a wide range ofissues on water sector data; information, knowledge and governance that are required for thedevelopment and use of water sector monitoring and information systems in Ethiopia. Thechapter also presented existing information sharing and flow of data at each directorate anddepartment at the Ministry level. The information flow among the different institutions andorganizations in the country is a crucial input to the development of the information system.

Chapter 3: This Chapter discusses the architecture for water sector monitoring and informationsystem, which discusses: (i) design criteria, and (ii) framework for monitoring and informationsystem for the whole water sector. In the first section of the chapter, the needs and userrequirements are presented that needs to be satisfied to realize the system. In the framework,the required governance and institutional arrangements are envisaged for the monitoring andinformation system proposed, and it is briefly discussed. A centralized and decentralized optionfor water sector institutions and organizations are presented and discussed. In this chapter,generic project planning and management cycles and a chain of activities in monitoring andinformation systems are presented to provide a link to new monitoring and information system.The chapter also discussed existing building blocks for monitoring water sector, datamanagement, analysis, reporting and exchange or share of information among sectordirectorates in the Ministries including other institutions and organizations outside the Ministry.

Chapter 4: In this chapter, the proposed water sector monitoring and information system andknowledge management is presented. The study discusses two of the components for theproposed system of monitoring and information; (i) the conceptual framework and the blue printof the established inter linkages among water sector institutions for data and information sharing


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and the signing of the MoU or protocol for the implementation of the conceptual framework, and(ii) IT infrastructure development for the system are discussed. It also presented a proposedidea of a web based water sector information portal system.

Chapter 5: It discusses monitoring water resources at a river basin level the fundamentalplanning and management units for all water sector activities (FDRE/MoWE, 1999). It discussesexisting knowledge on monitoring the different aspects of water and water quality at river basinlevel.

Chapter 6: This chapter presents brief methodological analysis (2 pages) of each selectedindicator for use in monitoring the sustainable management of the whole water sector in Ethiopia.

A more detailed methodological analysis for each indicator is presented in Annex C.

Chapter 7: Chapter seven presents discussion and overall recommendations of the study.


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CHAPTER TWO: WATER SECTOR DATA, INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE ANDGOVERNANCE

2.1 Introduction

This section of the study reviews the basic elements in monitoring and information systemdevelopment; data mining, information and knowledge development. These are the key elementstreated in the monitoring and information system development in water sector.

2.2 Water Sector Data, Information and Knowledge

Water sector data, information, knowledge, decision making and governance are key elements inthe development of a sound monitoring and information system for the sector. Data, informationand knowledge are seen as connected but they are distinct aspects. The data, information andknowledge become more effective and useful resource when it is shared with others and used toformulate actions.

2.2.1 Data

Data are all observable phenomenon, and hence data in water resources are observations, forinstance data of hydrological events, in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Data aredocumented and archived for use when needed by different users. We convert data intoinformation by structuring and analyzing the data using our mental framework or using computer(which has long memory span).

Presently there are enormous data in many of the institutions and organizations in Ethiopia.Available and accessed data are collected and archived within centralized national institutionssuch as Ministry of Water and Energy. Certain specialized data in the sector are also collectedby institutions such as National Meteorological Services Agency (NMSA), Ground Water

Assessment by the Ministry of Mines (MoM), the production of cartography maps: climatic,topographical and geo-morphological maps by the National Mapping Agency (NMA), and data onwetlands ecology, pollution and ambient water quality of surafe water by EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA). Hydrological Data in all River Basins are collected, analyzed andmanaged by a specialized unit, Hydrology Sub Directorate, in the Ministry of Water Energy.

Water Sector data are more useful and effective when they are analyzed, reported anddisseminated and used for preparing action plans or used in time. An efficient system is neededto support these services to engineers, planners and decision makers. The system will supportthe proper collection of data, checking and cleaning of data, store and access data andinformation, and the information should also be disseminated to users and policy makers for theirinformed decision.

2.2.2 Information

Observed data after explained become information. Information helps as understand the processof the observed phenomenon. Understanding phenomena and processes using the availableinformation and practicing allows us to gain and develop knowledge. More importantly welldeveloped information is an effective tool and means for persuading policy and decision makersto act on important issues such as water apportioning for different uses, pollution control as it is a


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threat to fresh water resources, pricing of water, etc., thereby reduced the potential for abuseand damage to the valuable resources water.

With the full understanding and knowledge of water resources and its environment, variousdevelopment efforts are made to use water in a sustainable manner.

In addition it is important to note that data and information have spatial and temporal variability,and the role of centralized and decentralized institutions working together harmoniously isimportant for the effective and efficient management of water resources data in the country. Auser-friendly system to access to these data and information by all institutions is a critical needfor three important monitoring needs; (i) provide easy access for data and information, (ii) use,and (iii) for continuous follow up of the sector for its sustainable development and management.

2.2.3 Knowledge

It is now a days a word de jour, and well asserted fact that the most valuable resource for anyorganizations/institutions is the knowledge of its people. Therefore, the extent to which anyinstitution or organization is to perform well, among other things, will depend on how effectivelyits people can create knowledge, share its knowledge around the organization and beyond, usethat knowledge to the best effect; effectively able to use to implement its development plans, toenhance performance and ensure a sustainable development.

Then what is knowledge? There are several definitions and some are presented in box below.

One other important understanding of Knowledge management is the recognition of the threepillars on which knowledge management is founded, and without one of which, it is difficult to

perceive effective knowledge management. These are:

People: Establishing the right kind of organizational culture for knowledge management, and thisis the most important but very challenging part. Fundamental question asked in organizationalknowledge management is, does the organizational/institutional culture support on going learningand sharing knowledge? Are people motivated and rewarded for creating, and using knowledge?Is there a culture of openness, mutual respect and support?

Box 1.

According to the definition given in Oxford Dictionary, knowledge is (i) expertise andskills acquired by a person through experience or education; (ii) it is a knowhow in aparticular field or total facts and information, and (iii) awareness gained byexperience of a fact or situation.

Plato in his philosophical debate formulated knowledge as justified truth or truebelief. Others (Davenport and Prusak,1998) defined knowledge as a fluid mix offramed expertise, values, contextual information and expert insight that provides aframework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information. Itoriginates from and is applied in the minds of knower. In organizations it oftenbecomes embedded not only in documents or repositories but also in organizationalroutines, process, practices and norms.


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Process: This refers to how knowledge is created, managed and disseminated at organizationalor institutional level. In order to improve knowledge sharing, ministries, organizations andinstitutions often need changes to the way their internal processes are structured and sometimes their organizations structure itself (http://www.library.nhs.uk/knowledge management).

Technology: many of the organizations and institutions and even ministries considercomputerizing their different departments and directorates is understood as developing theinformation and knowledge, and this is a common misconception. Technology is often a crucialenabler of knowledge management it can help connect people with information and people witheach other, but this is not the solution. The substance is creating the organizational learningenvironment together with technology. It is vital that the technology used fits the organizationspeople and process, and this is very important otherwise it will simply not be used.

The establishment of a structure (mapping) for data, information and knowledge resources inwater sector is essential and a simple knowledge mapping is presented in fig 1 Annex A. Itprovides structural information about the knowledge in water sector as a whole and providesguidance that relates directly to the way the knowledge can be developed, organized andmanaged.

A good level of planning and management in water resources is possible with properquantification of the water resources both in time and space. Well framed and structured andstable institutions and governance are needed in a country, where there is an abundant waterresource potential and in a complex environment.

2.3 Water Sector Governance

According to EUWI report (2006) on governance, Governance is defined as the exercise ofeconomic, political and administrative authority to manage a countrys affairs at all levels. Itcomprises the mechanisms, processes and institutions, through which citizens and groupsarticulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate theirdifferences. Water governance in this context refers to the range of political, social, economicand administrative systems that are in place to develop and manage water resources, and thedelivery of water services at different levels of the society.

Presently there are several institutions, organizations and agencies or authorities in Ethiopia thathave the mandate and responsibilities for water resource management. This is an opportunity forthe sector. However, sometimes this situation creates conflict of jurisdiction and inter-institutionalrivalries which often hinder and slow down the rational use, development and management ofthe countrys water resources. It becomes, therefore, indispensable that modern legislativeprocesses are put in place, a precise definition of the relationship between the different FederalMinistries, Authorities, Agencies, institutions and organizations and Regional Bureaus. Aframework of cooperation and information collection, storage and sharing either horizontally orvertically according to the function they perform, needs to be developed. This study report alsopartially tries to address

strengthening water sector monitoring and information system in ethiopia with girwi project second...

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