What we offer

Water sector reform
We advise on how to implement an effective sector policy, create a suitable statutory framework and build institutional capacities.

Regulation and supervision in the water sector
We advise on designing regulatory systems and develop and strengthen regulatory authorities. We act as facilitators and mediators, and support the establishment of arbitration tribunals.

Urban water resource management and water supply and rural sanitation
We promote secure, affordable and high-quality water supply and wastewater disposal systems in urban and rural areas. To this end we help to build capacities among water sector enterprises and establish self-governance structures.

Ecological Sanitation – ecosan
We foster the further development and implementation of alternatives to conventional wastewater management systems. We close the loop by testing, optimising and disseminating wastewater and sanitation strategies based on the recirculation of materials.

Water for food
We help partner institutions and consumers to boost the productivity of water used in agriculture in line with ecological criteria. In irrigated farming, GTZ promotes innovative approaches that make efficient use of scarce water resources.

Transboundary water management
We advance regional cooperation and integration by supporting the establishment and development of river basin organisations.

Watershed management
We coordinate activities and development measures at water catchment level so that water resources can be managed in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner.

What you can achieve with us

The way water resources are managed needs to change fundamentally. If it does not, more than half of the world’s population will suffer water poverty by the year 2015. Efficient water management creates decent living conditions and reduces environmental pollution. Moreover, improved drinking water supply and wastewater disposal is key to increased productivity and thus to economic growth.

Our advisory services lead to

• enhanced institutional frameworks for water sector development
• more efficient and more sustainable water supply and wastewater management enterprises, and
• improved cooperation among riparians as well as regional integration.

How we work

GTZ’s activities in the water sector follow the guiding principle of integrated water resources management. We

• advise on the formulation of sector policies and strategies, taking particular account of water supply for the poor
• design and provide support for reforms and the development of laws, implementing regulations and guidelines
• introduce modern concepts such as integrated water resources management (IWRM), demand management, public-private partnerships, etc.
• support the establishment of water authorities, regulatory and supervisory authorities, associations, water parliaments and water councils
• build capacities for municipal administrations in the field of water-related infrastructure, and foster the development of self-governance structures
• advise water utilities on improving their technical, economic and administrative capacities
• design, implement, support and evaluate demonstration and pilot projects in the field of ecological sanitation
• carry out market analyses for the utilisation of recycled products.