Policy to better manage water resources in Seychelles validated |30 June 2017

A national water policy aimed at better managing water resources in a more integrated manner has been reviewed and validated.

This was during a workshop held this week at the STC conference room. It was the last in a number of such consultations and discussions on a national water policy brought about by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) and the United Operations Project Services (Unops) developed with inputs from all relevant stakeholders.

The policy provides the framework and guidance to better manage Seychelles’ water resources in the coming decades, with a 10-year review cycle.

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley officially opened the workshop in the presence of the principal secretary for environment Alain de Commarmond, local and foreign consultants Guy Morel, Daniel Malzbender and Geraldine Deblon, as well as other key stakeholders.

Messrs Morel and Malzbender gave an overview of the policy.

Catarina Bonnelame and Denis Matatiken from the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change also took part in the overall coordination and technical guidance of the policy.

The objectives of such a policy is to develop, protect and manage the country’s water resources for the economic, social and environmental benefits of all on an equitable and sustainable basis; to ensure the availability of water at good quality to all sectors of the economy; to promote and facilitate wise, more efficient consumption of water; to maintain high levels of financial and technical performance of water supply services by applying modern management practices and to develop an appropriate legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the optimal integrated management of the country’s water resources. 

Financial support for the development of this policy was provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the Atlantic & Indian Ocean Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in small island developing states (Sids) project.

The policy states, in light of growing demand pressure, the improved management of the Seychelles water resources is critical. The government recognises that Integrated Water Resources Management in the country needs to be fully implemented to ensure that the future water demands are equitably met for all sectors of the economy and to promote equity in terms of access to and benefit from the water resources.

It has three guiding principles – equity; economic and social value of water; efficiency; cross-sectoral and coherent management; environmental sustainability; participatory governance; source-to-sea where the main economic resources in Seychelles (tourism and fisheries) are depending on the exploitation of the coastal zone and the ocean resources, hence the recognition to strengthen the integrated coastal and freshwater management with the management of the marine resources.

“The government recognises that an integrated water resource management needs to be fully implemented to ensure that future water resource demands are equitable, meant for all sectors of the economy and to promote equity in terms of access to and benefit from the water resources. This is what has been embedded in this new policy,” Minister Dogley said in his opening remarks.

He added that the policy takes into consideration the management of water from different sources and the use of water across all sectors in society in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of our vital eco-system.

In Seychelles, the minister remarked, the government is committed to providing access to drinking water and appropriate sanitation to all Seychellois. Over 97% household in Seychelles, he said, has access to drinking water but it is the government’s aim to achieve over 99%.

He also mentioned the various factors that are impacting on water resources like climate change as the main potential threat which necessitates appropriate measures for water management be put in place.

He said for a small island nation like Seychelles, water consumption and water demand are relatively high with 11.4 billion litres of water annually. This, the minister said, will not be sustainable in future. And PUC has to make available 43,000 cubic metres daily for both the domestic and commercial sectors on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Water demand is increasing annually by 5% and this cannot continue.

He therefore urged people to use water efficiently. He also made special mention of PUC which has been playing a pivotal role in the distribution, collection of water and where leaking pipes have been reduced from 55% to 47% with a target of 24% in future.

“The aim of these investments are to increase storage, reduce wastage and increase efficiency and mitigate the impact that climate change may have on water supply,” said the minister.

The policy sets out clear policy statements for all clear management aspects and provides a broad framework for achieving intended government goals and objectives.