Policy harmonisation and collaboration amongst institutions – A strategy towards sustainable development, management and utilisation of water resources: Case of Malawi

A number of water resources management policies and legislations have been enacted in Malawi. The policies and legislations have been regulatory in nature. The Water Resources Act (1969) and the subsidiary Water Resources (Pollution Control) Regulations provide the main regulatory framework for water resources management. However, the Water Works Act (1995) is the main authority for establishing water supply and water-borne sanitation delivery services. Government introduced the 1994 Water Resources Management Policy and Strategies (WRMPS). This policy and strategies have been reviewed by the 1999 and 2005 WRMPS. The introduction of the National Environmental Policy and the call for harmonisation of natural resources management policy, legislation and institutional roles, warranted the review. This provides a conducive and enabling environment for sustainable Integrated Water ResourcesManagement (IWRM). The policies and legislation of other sectors benefiting and affecting the water field need to be in harmony with those drawn for water resources management.