Technicians from Mercy (Ship)Hospital at the Water Treatment Plant in White Plains, Montserrado County, Liberia
Photo Credit: MOLME

The urgency for an integrated approach to water resources management with full coordination between the water related sectors cannot be over-stated. Unlike in the past, Liberia now has its first comprehensive National Water Policy.

This policy will guide development efforts aimed at achieving the maximum net benefit from these resources in a sustainable manner for the livelihood of present and future generations. It also addresses current water management issues and adopts the objectives and strategies envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, the policy and strategies have been set against the Government's overall goals for social and economic development, as well as the democratic, decentralization approach to development.

The sustainable development and national utilization of the water resources are our collective responsibility; it requires commitment, political will and shared vision.

Domestic water supply is a key area for improvement in Liberia and policy decisions in relation to water use, service levels and technologies are given.

Key Issues in Water Resources Management

The water resources are under increased pressure from:

• population growth In Urban Areas
• Inadequacy of Human Resource Capacities
• uncontrolled disposal of waste
• Water activities fragmented amongst ministries and institutions
• Level of Development of Water Resources for various activities (Agricultural, mining, logging, aquaculture and activities in other economic sectors).
• Human encroachment on ecosystems of coastal lagoons, estuaries, deltas and mangroves
• International cooperation and Riparian (shared) rivers.

Background

Climate and Water Resources Liberia is situated on the southwestern corner of the West Coast of Africa. It has a surface area of about 111,400 sq. km. out of which 14% is covered by water. Liberia borders Sierra Leone to the west, Guinea to the north, Côte d’Ivoire to the east and the Atlantic Ocean is found to the south. Liberia has a tropical climate with relatively small variations between day and night and between seasons. Temperatures never exceed 37 degrees C. There are two seasons - the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The annual rainfall averages 4,320mm inland. The average humidity in the coastal belt is 78% during the wet season, but it is liable to drop to 30% from December to March when the Harmattan winds blow from the Sahara.

There are several important rivers in Liberia. The longest is the Cavalla River shared between Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire while the Mano River is shared between Liberia and Sierra Leone. St. Paul River is the second longest river feeding Mt. Coffee hydro-electric plant and providing the bulk of the raw water for Monrovia.

There are only two major lakes in Liberia – Lake Shepherd in Maryland County and Lake Piso in Grand Cape Mount County, with Piso being larger of the two. Both of them are situated along the Atlantic Ocean, with Lake Piso characterized by a vast expanse of wetlands and lowland forest vegetation.

Generally, groundwater is available and can be exploited in most parts of the country in amounts needed for rural water supply, which relies on dug wells and to some extent on drilled boreholes. Data from the rural water supply program indicate that the depth to the water table in shallow wells can be less than one meter. Drilled boreholes can be as deep as 100 meters. Reliable data on boreholes and yields are, however, scarce.

Data on water quality both from surface and groundwater are scarce. Domestic sewage, however, causes many problems as the only conventional sewerage system, which was already poorly functioning before the civil crisis, is out of operation. Some sewage water is collected by vacuum trucks and disposed of into lagoons and other water bodies. In some areas there are indications that water quality is deteriorating due to mining, logging, farming and industrial activities.

Integrated Water Resources Management Policy

General

The Integrated Water Resources Management Policy promotes a new integrated approach to manage the water resources in ways that are sustainable and most beneficial to the people. This new approach is based on the continued recognition of the social value of water, while at the same time giving due attention to its economic value. Thus, allocation in water resources development, shall aim at achieving the maximum net benefit to Liberia. Although the State is the ultimate custodian of the water resources, the aim of the policy is achieve a public sense of ownership thus mobilizing the people’s resources to assist management, protection and conservation of this natural resource. The policy is designed to be a broad-based charter, which must be recognized by all concerned sector institutions, and be taken into account by all projects and programs, both public and private.

The policy covers two broad areas:

• Water resources management: Covering the management framework including policy objectives, principles and strategies for the monitoring, assessment, allocation and protection of the resources and management framework.
  
• Water resources use: Covering the policy objectives, principles and strategies for the development and use of water for domestic water supply, water for agriculture, water for industry and other water uses such as hydropower, recreation and water for maintenance of productive ecosystems.

The water policy shall be a dynamic instrument. It will be re-assessed from time to time to ensure that it is effectively responding to new experiences and changed circumstances. Vision It is the vision of the Government of Liberia that by the year 2015 the country’s water resources will be developed integrally with land and other natural resources and managed in an efficient, environmentally sound, equitable and responsible manner, with due consideration to all varied and conflicting uses, in order to satisfy present societal needs and demands for water, water related goods and services, and to preserve the ecological functions of water resources; without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy those same needs. The fundamental component of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) process is the establishment of a comprehensive water policy, to reform and develop institutions and to put integrated water resources management into practice. Liberia has set its vision, but the crucial aspect is to create both public and political awareness and commitment to start on the road towards the Vision.

Goals

• Proper land use planning and management
• Decentralization of economic incentives
• Efficient and proper disposal of wastes
• Establishment of a single body responsible for water
• Development and enhancement of human resources
• Development of international river basin managements

Objectives

The policy is intended to guide Liberia towards the following:

• Ensuring the efficient means of Domestic Water supply in Liberia
• Integrated and sustainable development and management of water resources for all sectors to guarantee socio-economic growth
• The protection of all water resources ( e.g.: Wetlands)
• Sustainable allocation of water resources and but not limited to
• Prevention of natural disasters and the effects of Climate Change