The Local Water Committee: Basic link for concerted management of water resources

Integrated Management of Water Resources (IWRM) is a process involving all actors in the field of water. To this end, the subsidiarity principle is that decisions are taken at the lowest appropriate level. Thus, the Local Water Committee (CLE) appears as the basic essential link in the chain of consultation regarding issues related to the management of Water.
The water management problem remains a major challenge for Burkina Faso in the sense that this resource remains indispensable in sectors such as industry, mining, agriculture, livestock, construction. This challenge can not be met without taking into account all the actors involved directly or indirectly in the use and management of water. It is aware of this fact that Burkina Faso has adopted, like many around the world, the Water Resources Integrated Management (IWRM). The success of this process requires the participation of all stakeholders and, from the local level. This participation is made possible through the Local Committees for Water (CLE). Indeed, the CLE are local consultative bodies,

Integrated Management of Water Resources (IWRM) is a process involving all actors in the field of water. To this end, the subsidiarity principle is that decisions are taken at the lowest appropriate level. Thus, the Local Water Committee (CLE) appears as the basic essential link in the chain of consultation regarding issues related to the management of Water.
The water management problem remains a major challenge for Burkina Faso in the sense that this resource remains indispensable in sectors such as industry, mining, agriculture, livestock, construction. This challenge can not be met without taking into account all the actors involved directly or indirectly in the use and management of water. It is aware of this fact that Burkina Faso has adopted, like many around the world, the Water Resources Integrated Management (IWRM). The success of this process requires the participation of all stakeholders and, from the local level. This participation is made possible through the Local Committees for Water (CLE). Indeed, the CLE are local consultative bodies, promotion, animation and discussions involving all stakeholders involved locally in the management of Water Resources.

Of the intervention area of a CLE
According to “Document Design Guide, creation and operation of the KEY” determining the area of jurisdiction of a CLE is mainly due to hydrological criteria (sub basins and watersheds) plus secondary endpoints such as social, economic and environmental.
This determination of the area of a CLE confirms if need be the CLE is the basic link in IWRM. This is to take into account an area whose populations are closest to the water resource, and also to take account of socio-economic and environmental realities of these populations.
However, for objective reasons relating to the functionality, operability and dynamism, within a CLE can be divided into section while meeting the above criteria. This division shall have the sole objective of optimizing the management at local level.
The composition, organization and operation of a CLE
As a local forum for dialogue and action planning of IWRM, the CLE includes within it the three colleges of actors that are the administration, communities and users. This composition allows for the involvement of all stakeholders for better success on the field actions.
Each CLE has a minimum and organization necessary for its operation. Thus, the CLE is organized as follows : a General Assembly, a Bureau and a control cell.

However, according to the needs and specificities of its space management, CLE may establish other organs such as the specialized committees or supporting cells.
For proper internal operation while CLE must adopt internal rules and status. These documents set out the rules to be observed by members of the CLE and must be approved by the General Assembly. the dynamism of a CLE is also measured regularly holding its statutory meetings, annual general meetings and / or extraordinary, and finally to the contribution of its members.
To carry out the missions assigned to them, the CLE must develop a business and annual work program budget. This gives credibility to CLE in the eyes of its partners.

Missions of a CLE
Document Design Guide, Creation and Operation of 2010 CLE clearly lists the tasks of a CLE. The main tasks are among others a research area of application defined in conjunction with the water resources, permanent adhesion of water stakeholders (administration, users, local communities, traditional authorities, civil society organizations) the joint management of water resources through education, information, training and practical action ; initiation or support at the local level, development, promotion, protection and restoration of public water ; developing a synergy of consultations and horizontal and vertical actions with other water management bodies ; the assurance of cooperation on one hand with similar structures (especially with CLE that share the same rivers) and secondly with the devolved and decentralized structures and competent basin organizations to higher level.

Prerogatives of CLE
The CLE is a local instance of the Water Agency and as such, it can not be project owner. Nevertheless, CLE may, Guide, initiate and implement through public or private contractors and in accordance with the framework law on the management of water, solutions to development problems and water management. Then it helps to arbitrate conflicts of use and participate in the resolution of disputes related to their subject. CLE can mobilize to its members and partners and manage the financial supervision of the Water Agency grants and subsidies as part of the implementation of their actions. Finally CLE contributes to the collection of information on the water.
However, CLE did not acquire under these provisions legal personality. It therefore can not sue and even less to obstruct the exercise by third parties of their rights and obligations in accordance with applicable laws. CLE must ensure in all circumstances, to respect in its actions, the provisions of the framework law on the management of water, including the water system and the system of public water services.
The prerogatives of CLE are subject to approval by the Committee of Basin Water Agency and the competent regulatory compliance.
To recall, the Water Agency has three Gourma CLE CLE two of which are installed around dams and one that meets the standards set in the 2010 guidance document These CLE were established before the creation of AEG. However, AEG is working to reform both CLE dams to meet the standards of sub basins.
For more information, contact the General Directorate of Water Agency Gourma
Phone : (+226) 24 77 68 17
(+226) 78 53 49 33
E-mail : info@eaugourma.bf
Website : www.eaugourma.bf