DEVELOPMENT OF GIS BASIS TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED WATERMANAGEMENT AT DISTRICT LEVEL

摘要

While progress with Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is fundamental tosustainable development, a pre-requisite for furthering these processes is an effectivecomputerized system that serves the data and information needs of all stakeholders, andpromotes equity through good governance. Developing an IWRM information system is achallenge in developing countries with limited resources.In most of the developing countries, water information systems at local administrativelevels are generally absent or severely degraded, and management decisions are mostlybased on unreliable data and information. A lack of data and obsolete data capture and/orinformation management systems are common issues, resulting in inadequatedata/information to support IWRM implementation. An innovative, inclusive approach isrequired that will unleash the full benefit of a number of powerful technologies tocapture, manage, and disseminate water related data and information, in a cost effectiveand sustainable manner.The Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has a long-term goal ofreorganizing its internal functions and operations through a process of local governanceconsolidation and ministry-wide decentralization, including devolution of authority to thelocal government level. With that, the MWRI has adopted a policy to integrate all watermanagement functions at the districts to support the decentralized management process.Recognizing the utilization of a framework that comprises satellite data, survey tools, andpackage of software supported initiation of a base for integrated water resourcemanagement. This paper will discuss the support of the district water information systemcomprising digital mapping as one of the steps toward the development of the districtinformation system and supporting the implementation of IWRM. The presentedinformation system components can be introduced and implemented at the district orlocal level within the MWRI. It is anticipated that this district information system will beintroduced and implemented by the MWRI at all districts in the near future.