This Water Allocation Plan for the Lamu sand dunes establishes a reasonable and practical framework for water allocation and water abstraction within a specified aquifer, and therefore ensures equitable allocation and sustainable use of available groundwater resources, with due regard for the environment, the economy and the social wellbeing of all beneficiaries. The Plan follows abstraction surveys and water balance estimation for calculating the amount of water abstracted. The Plan defines the following useful terms: authorisation to construct the necessary waterworks or to drill a borehole; definition of basin area; catchment; compensation flow; water reserve for: aquifers, ecosystem protection, satisfaction of human needs; water resources quality assessment. Inspired by the principles of equity in the allocation of water resources, efficient and beneficial use in public interest, public participation and precautionary principle, this Allocation Plan specifies actions and measures concerning environment, livelihood and commercial demands on the water resources. The Plan covers the following different types of water demand: environmental, rural and urban, agriculture and irrigation, livestock, energy, industrial, tourism and wildlife, aquaculture, recreational. This Plan is structured as follows: Chapter 1 deals with introductions and background information. Chapter 2 sets out the policy and legislative framework that guides water allocation planning, including classification of resources and catchment management units. Chapter 3 discusses the overview of the dune aquifer. Chapter 4 focuses on Water resources availability, fresh-salt water relations, and hydrogeology of catchment area of Lamu island. Chapter 5 discusses water demand. Chapter 6 sets out methodologies for quantifying the allocable yield and the reserve, the water use, the groundwater abstraction, and the development of a water balance. Chapter 7 discusses the permitting system and specific issues related to decisions on individual permits. Chapter 8 sets out the components for the compliance and enforcement plan and includes monitoring and evaluation measures. Chapter 9 presents recommendations for water allocation plan implementation.
Kenya · 2024-04-01