Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Working PapersThe publications in this series record the work and thinking of IWMI researchers, and knowledge that the Institute's scientific management feels is worthy of documenting. This series will ensure that scientific data and other information gathered or prepared as a part of the research work of the Institute are recorded and referenced. Working Papers could include project reports, case studies, conference or workshop proceedings, discussion papers or reports on progress of research, country-specific research reports, monographs, etc. Working Papers may be copublished, by IWMI and partner organizations.Although most of the reports are published by IWMI staff and their collaborators, we welcome contributions from others. Each report is reviewed internally by IWMI staff. The reports are published and distributed both in hard copy and electronically (www.iwmi.org) and where possible all data and analyses will be available as separate downloadable files. Reports may be copied freely and cited with due acknowledgment. About IWMIIWMI's mission is to provide evidence-based solutions to sustainably manage water and land resources for food security, people's livelihoods and the environment. IWMI works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have a tangible impact on poverty reduction, food security and ecosystem health.

Water users associations and irrigation water use efficiency in costal oases areas of Gabes, South-eastern Tunisia

“…Irrigation facilities must be operated efficiently and effectively in order for WUAs providing water distribution services to continue to exist and to carry out their activities successfully. This is consistent with several reviews on WUAs in the literature that reported the two most prominent criticisms of WUAs to be found are the unrealistic expectations on cost recovery and the inability to promote an inclusive user participation during the implementation of irrigation projects (Aarnoudse et al, 2018).…”

Inclusive participation, self-governance, and sustainability: Current challenges and opportunities for women in leadership of communal irrigation systems

“…Most originate in the replication of unequal power relations that already exist among the community of users, in the structure of the WUA, diverging interests of users not being appropriately addressed by WUAs' leadership, and an unequal share of decision-making power, particularly with vulnerable water users (Harris, 2005;Meinzen-Dick and Zwarteveen, 1998). In addition, incomplete decentralization processes that lead to discrepancies between the expected benefits of implementing a "participatory model" and the realities in operating the WUAs in local contexts have also been recognized as limitations of WUAs to deliver increased and more equitable participation of water users (Aarnoudse et al, 2018;Harris, 2006;Senanayake et al, 2015;Upadhyay, 2003). This creates the risk of deepening existing social asymmetries and inequalities (Zwarteveen et al, 2010).…”

Institutional Structure, Participation, and Devolution in Water Institutions of Eastern India

“…It is often believed that PIM contributes to better water management, reduced government operations cost, greater sustainability and better accountability [5][6][7]. The WUAs are expected to have inclusive user participation, full cost recovery, operation and maintenance (O&M), and reliable service provision [8]. The experience varies depending on factors such as the institutional and legal framework, financial resources, technical resources and support services, and local leadership.…”