A study was conducted to assess the impact of laws and institutions on fulfilling the requirements for integrated water
resources management (IWRM) in the Mpira-Balaka Rural Water Supply Scheme, Southern Malawi. The legal and institutional characteristics that either frustrate or promote IWRM were isolated from key water and water-related laws and institutions through a comprehensive desk study. Six key IWRM principles: equity, efficiency, sustainability, participation, coordination and integration were used as the basis for this analysis. The socio-economic and environmental characteristics of the area were documented and analysed in relation to the legal and institutional framework. An in-depth household survey and focus group discussions were conducted in Manjawira and Mpulula Village Development Committees (VDCs). Multistage sampling technique was used for selection of subjects for the village level and household level study. Two sections, out of the 15 administrative sections of the scheme, were purposely chosen for sampling of VDCs. One Focus Group Discussion (FGD), subdivided into men and women, was conducted for each VDC. Ten villages, five from each VDC were sampled through a raffle-draw. A total of 240 households, 109 from Manjawira and 131 from Mpulula were proportionately sampled for administration of the household level questionnaire based on village population data obtained from the National Statistics Office (NSO) and from the village population register kept by the village head. Historical rainfall, water quality and water quantity data for Mpira River and its catchment were collected from the Ministry of Water Development and other water-related institutions. Water quality and household survey data was analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysing the data. Independent samples t-test was specifically used to compare dry season and wet season water quality data. Rainfall data was analysed using MS Excel, from which charts and tables were generated to illustrate trends in water resources availability. Hydrological data was analysed using historical hydrological methods for a 30-year temporal boundary from 1974 – 2004. Comparative analysis was done for legal and institutional arrangements for the area by using theoretical and pragmatic examples from other parts of the region and the world as identified through literature search. Thematic analysis was done on qualitative data generated from focus group discussions (FGD) and from consultations with key informants. Analysis of land use in the catchment and water availability demonstrates that the scheme is under threat from illegal human activities such as encroachment and vandalism of infrastructure. Total annual precipitation from 1977/78 to 2003/04 indicates a slow decline in precipitation. Mean annual flows for Mpira River observed between 1977/78 and 1997/98 indicate a slow decline trend. Water quality data from the Dam, the main treatment works and the minor treatment works show the presence of Faecal Coliform (FC) and Faecal Streptococci (FS) counts in levels that are much higher than those prescribed by the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO). Changes in water availability and quality are mainly attributed to deforestation emanating from illegal anthropogenic activities in the catchment which include settlement, cultivation and forest harvesting for various purposes. Water resources in the scheme are managed by policies and laws as provided by separate sector national institutions. Coordination of institutions within the Scheme is weak as institutions vertically align themselves more with central-level mother institutions than with other sectors at local level. There is no shared vision and objectives for the management of the Scheme by the various water resources management institutions and organisations. As such, some water-related institutions are not aware of their shared vision, roles and mandates in the scheme, which is a major disincentive to coordinated planning and implementation of programmes, projects and activities. This is exacerbated by inadequate stakeholder participation in policy formulation, which reduces ownership. Unlike in the past, emerging policies such as the National Environmental Policy 2004 and the National Water Policy 2004 embrace IWRM principles. However, failure to enforce water and water-related legislation poses a major threat to successful implementation of IWRM. IWRM is also frustrated by political hegemony as well as inadequate financial, technical and administrative resources. Local level institutions instrumental to water resources management are failing to function because of lack of training. During the study, operational funds were heavily controlled by the central government, with very little resources trickling down to district level institutions. If not reversed, the current management scenario would lead to further degradation and collapse of the water supply system thereby threatening the sustainability of the water supply system as well as security of rural populations in the area. However, the application of IWRM principles in general, with emphasis on coordination and integration, would greatly improve water resources sustainability in the scheme through reduced management expenses, increased stakeholder participation and ownership and equitable distribution of costs and benefits among beneficiaries.