Assessment of urban water supply in Managua, Nicaragua

A b s t r a c t

This paper describes Managua’s water supply system. It outlines key issues such as: the configuration of the system, number of household connections, water production and consumption, Non-revenue Water (NRW), service level, water tariff structure and the financial situation of the state-owned water utility (ENACAL). The analysis of the data collected shows that Nicaragua has reached 99% coverage of safe drinking water in urban areas and has met Target 7.C of the MDGs. Nevertheless, it is still a challenge to provide a better level of service in terms of both water quality and continuity of supply. Managua city has a continuous water supply of between 3 and 24 h per day and some areas have long-term water shortages. The study also showed that ENACAL and its main water system (Managua) has a NRW above 50% and a non-cost recovery water tariff. This has created an unsustainable financial situation in the national water utility, which is reflected in the lack of maintenance and lack of replacement of old infrastructure, leading to a “vicious circle” of ineffective service and non-willingness to pay for water supply services. Without UWDM plans, measures or strategies in Managua, there is a low probability that ENACAL´s financial situation will improve, making it unlikely that the current water service level will improve in Managua city.

Keywords: Financial deficit; Managua; Urban water demand management; Water supply system; Water tariff structure; Water utility

A Socio-Ecological System Analysis of Multilevel Water Governance in Nicaragua

A b s t r a c t

Nicaragua enacted its Water Law in 2007, with the Dublin Principles for sustainable water management and integrated water resources management as its guiding framework. Implementation of the law remains a challenge, but significant efforts have been made to roll out this new water resources framework, to improve water management by enhancing a multilevel water governance system. To analyze multilevel water governance in Nicaragua and diagnose stakeholders’ roles and compliance with the law, we applied a socio-ecological system framework and several methods of analysis to process data collected from 52 in-depth semistructured interviews conducted with key stakeholders in the water sector. We found that the major variables affecting multilevel water governance were social interests, administrative capacity, and political, economic, and legal arrangements. The results suggest that there is centralization at the national level, a tendency toward noncollective choice rules, little investment in water resources, and a lack of knowledge concerning conflict resolution mechanisms. For multilevel water governance, a lack of funds is the main social, economic, and political constraint, affecting interactions and outcomes. Nevertheless, there is great potential to improve water resource management in Nicaragua by enacting the self-funding schemes established in the law. Moreover, government institutions, users, and various networks are willing to participate and take action to implement the law.

Keywords: Nicaragua; multilevel water governance; socio-ecological system framework; water law; stakeholders; lack of budget

Compendio jurídico de agua y saneamiento

This book was published in 2008 and was a compilation of all water related laws and legislation. From 2008 to date many of the content has changed though it might serve as a reference.