Activity & Exercise
Think about Legal Framework in your country: What is the key law that gives a mandate to water utilities?
What powers and duties does this law convey to the water utilities?
There are some exercises which you might consider as useful: [Click the header to read the full text of the exercise]
± Exercise 1: Analyzing the consistency of your country’s water sector framework
First, gather your country’s constitution, its national water policy, its development strategies, the applicable laws and the sector organization chart.
- Is there consistency and harmony in the legal framework, national policy, sector organization and development strategy of the water sector in your country?
- How does the functioning and operational management of your water utility benefit from this harmony?
- If there are contradictions and gaps, how would you improve the situation to help water utilities fulfill their mandate in a sustainable way?
± Exercise 2: National Policy
- Identify in your country’s Constitution the specific provisions that relate to the water sector.
- Next, demonstrate how the national water policy is a reflection of the constitution. Identify which policy pronouncements are likely to affect the status of water utilities.
- Next, consider perspectives such as the institutional mandate of utilities, decentralization, the possible role of the private sector, social issues and strategic issues.
- What can water utilities do to help implement the national policy and the country’s development objectives?
± Exercise 3: Development Strategy - water sector priorities and role of utilities
- What are the priorities of the water sector in your country?
- What are the best strategies to help meet these priorities?
- What is the role of a water utility in implementing this strategy?
± Exercise 4: Legal framework
- What is the key law that gives a mandate to water utilities in your country?
- Are there other laws that dictate their functioning?
- Are there conflicting requirements in these different laws?
- Please propose an alternative way of resolving this situation.
± Exercise 5: Sector Organization
Analyze the organizational set up of the water sector in your country. At the highest level, describe the functions of the Ministry in charge of water.
- Are water resources management, water services and wastewater services under the responsibility of the same ministry?
- What is the legal status and service area of the water utility you work for?
- To which public institutions is your utility accountable?
- Describe the relationship between your utility and these institutions
Example from Ghana – Having the data: monitoring service delivery