The overall goal of the National Water Policy is the sustainable management and utilization of water resources, in order to provide water of acceptable quality and of sufficient quantities, and ensure availability of efficient and effective water and sanitation services that satisfy the basic requirements of every Malawian and for the enhancement of the country’s natural ecosystems. Based upon such overall goal, specific policy goals are established in matter of: Water Resources Management and Development; Water Quality and Pollution Control; Urban, Peri-Urban and Market Centres Water Services; Rural Water Services; Agriculture Services; Irrigation Services; Navigation Services; Fisheries; Hydro-Power Generation; Eco-Tourism and Recreation; Forestry; Disaster Management. One of the guiding principles is that all people shall have access to potable water and sanitation services to reduce the incidence of water related diseases. The policy aims to help eliminate food insecurity and malnutrition. The instrument further aims art making agriculture more productive and sustainable, giving special attention to the utilization of water resources. The following specific objectives are set out as regards rural services: (i) to promote demand responsive and demand driven approaches in rural water supply and sanitation services; (ii) to encourage user participation in catchment protection, water conservation and sanitation related activities; (iii) to promote water pollution control in order to contribute to promotion of public health and hygiene. The policy also aims at reducing rural poverty. In particular it promotes agriculture practices and irrigation that improve food security and poverty reduction. Moreover, the policy aims at enabling more inclusive and efficient agricultural systems with respect to water utilization for rural services. The following objectives are to be attained: to promote community based management in rural water supply and sanitation programmes in consultation with Local Governments; to promote integrated approaches to rural water supply and sanitation services; to promote active participation of youth, women, persons with disabilities and vulnerable persons in planning and implementation of rural water supply and sanitation activities; to ensure smooth transfer of all devolved functions of the rural water supply and sanitation services; and to promote appropriate management arrangements in rural water schemes. In addition, the policy seeks to increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters. The objectives are: (i) to improve assessment of impact of water-related disasters and undertake effective response to prevent mortality and reduce morbidity and suffering among affected communities; (ii) to ensure timely provision of potable water and sanitation for vulnerable communities especially children, women and persons with disabilities during water-related disasters; (iii) to provide basic requirements of potable water supply to all affected areas; and (iv) to ensure availability of relevant information to the public and riparian states on floods and droughts. In the field of governance, the document recognizes that the management of water resources requires an integrated approach involving a number of stakeholders, which include Ministry responsible for Water Affairs, National Water Resources Authority, Water Utilities, Local Governments, Ministry responsible for Agriculture, Ministry responsible for Irrigation, Ministry responsible for Natural Resources, Ministry responsible for Health, Ministries responsible for Gender, Youth and Community Services, Ministry responsible for Education, Ministries responsible for Lands, Physical Planning and Human Settlements, other public holders, NGOs, Civil Society, private sector, Universities and other training institutions.
National Water Policy.