CYPRUS
Principal issues:
- supply-demand imbalance;
- groundwater pollution from agrochemicals;
- high cost of new supplies;
- conflict and competition between users; and
- inefficient water use, which is inappropriate for the extreme, water scarce
situation in municipal supplies, with over-application even with improved
irrigation systems.
Policy measures:
- water pricing;
- re-use of municipal wastewater;
- desalination of sea water;
- improved water efficiency and reduced losses;
- modification of cropping patterns;
- protection of water quality; and
- control and restriction of reclamation of new irrigation area.
LIBYA
Principal issues:
- supply-demand imbalance;
- standard of service;
- economic importance;
- water quality and salinity deterioration;
- inefficiency of use; and
- structural and institutional.
Policy measures and strategic options:
- development of non-conventional water resources;
- adjustment of agricultural policy;
- restriction of groundwater abstractions;
- legislative action and institutional development;
- interbasin transfers; and
- capacity building through human resources development and higher education.
Measures:
- improved water use efficiency at farm level;
- improved water distribution, including measurements and billing;
- full recovery of groundwater pumping costs;
- change of farm structures and state agricultural programme;
- enforcement of water legislation;
- establishment of an independent water authority; and
- expanded desalination, and treatment and re-use of municipal wastewater.
OMAN
Principal issues:
- supply-demand imbalance;
- conflict between water users;
- inefficient water use;
- conflicting interests in catchments (gravel quarrying, siltation of reservoirs);
- groundwater pollution and soil salinization; and
- quality of services.
Policy measures:
- well permits;
- protection of wellfields and aflajs
- well inventory;
- identification of new water resources;
- supply enhancement (recharge and retention dams); and
- water master planning.
PAKISTAN
Principal issues
- environmental degradation (waterlogging and salinity);
- inefficient use of water;
- inequitable distribution (tail-ender problem); and
- imbalance between crop requirements and water supply.
Policy options and measures:
- development of comprehensive water resources management strategy;
- restrict government intervention, for functioning of the market and enhanced
private participation;
- establish an enabling environment to optimize water use for crop production;
- encourage private sector participation in irrigation investment;
- more emphasis on demand management;
- reduced canal losses; and
- improved training and extension of farmers.
SAUDI ARABIA
Principal issues:
- lack of the accurate data on water supply and demand needed for planning
purposes;
- output and input price policies;
- property and water rights; and
- optimal allocation.
Policy measures:
- reduced agricultural subsidies;
- privatization of municipal water supplies;
- establishment of a Ministry of Water;
- update hydrological survey; and
- produce national master water plan.
SUDAN
Principal issues:
- water stress with conflicting demands;
- agriculture is dominant water user;
- environmental issues;
- siltation in reservoirs and canals;
- floods and drought spells;
- hydro-power demand; and
- international dimension and cooperation.
Policy measures:
- institutional reform involving MOIWR, NCWR and TWRO;
- water O&M responsibilities transferred to a public corporation and
user associations;
- a mixed policy of supply and demand management;
- new water resources act (1996) and review of previous legislation; and
- continuous review and updating of water policy.
TUNISIA
Principal issues:
- increasing water scarcity;
- impact of droughts;
- soil erosion; and
- water pollution.
Policy measures:
Programmes:
- supply enhancement;
- improved water use efficiency; and
- water conservation and protection.
Strategic options:
- water resources planning;
- mobilization of water resources (infrastructure development);
- development of non-conventional water resources sources (re-use; aquifer
recharge); and
- improved water management (participation of the private sector; water economics).
Administrative policy:
legal and
institutional: modernization of water legislation; water use administration;
monitoring; decision-support tools; protection of infrastructure and
groundwater; improved water efficiency; and
economic and financial:
investment programme.
YEMEN
Principal issues:
- groundwater mining;
- depletion of major aquifers;
- deterioration of groundwater quality;
- inefficient use;
- growing conflicts among users; and
- rising costs for new supplies.
Water supply shortage:
- supply-demand imbalance; and
- limited level and poor quality.
Policy measures:
- establishment of authorized oversight bodies;
- water resources assessment;
- strategy definition;
- increase water price;
- national debate;
- kat programme;
- regional planning;
- regional water management plans;
- water conservation in agriculture;
- urban supplies and water markets;
- community partnership, self-monitoring; and
- development of legislation.
AOAD
AOAD referred to the Cairo Declaration of Arab Cooperation
Principles Regarding Use, Development and Protection of Arab Water
Resources.