Water Resource Management in Ethiopia

Conservation and Management of Water Resources in Ethiopia

• The Federal government has adopted a national strategy to conserve and manage water resources in Ethiopia in response to the need for conservation and management of water resources.

Key Components of the National Strategy

• The strategy requires that all major conservation, development, and management projects incorporate the cost and benefits of protecting watershed forests, wetlands, and other relevant key ecosystems.
• Natural ecosystems, particularly wetlands and upstream forests, are fundamental for regulating water quality and quantity, and their rehabilitation and protection should be integrated into the construction, development, and management of water resources.
• The control of environmental health hazards is a necessary condition in the design, construction, and use of dams and irrigation systems.
• The introduction of exotic species into water ecosystems is subject to detailed studies and environmental-impact assessment.
• The protection of the interface between water-bodies and land (e.g., lake shores, river banks, and wetlands) is promoted.
• Water-resource users, particularly women and animal herders, are involved in the local planning, designing, and follow-up of water policies, programs, and projects to promote ecological balance.
• Waste water is recycled when it is found to be safe for health.

Soil Degradation

• A change in the state of soil due to increased erosion, leaching, and both processes

Soil Erosion

• The process of wearing away of soil by natural agents such as:
  • Running water
  • Wind
  • Ice
  • Wave action
  • Corrosion
• Soil erosion is a natural process that removes soil from the land
• It involves the transport of eroded particles to a new location, where it is deposited as sediment
• In Ethiopia, erosion by running water is the most serious problem of soil resource