Significant threats to water resources, with a number of serious consequences

Located on the coastal fringe between Dakar and Saint-Louis, the Niayes region is the largest market-gardening production area in the country. Some 60 species of fruit and vegetables produced in Senegal and 80 % of horticultural exports come from this region. Its water resources, which are almost exclusively from groundwater, supply part of the capital with drinking water.

Since the 1950s, extractive industries have also been present in this region. They exploit phosphate and, more recently, zircon and other heavy minerals. These mining activities compete with crop and livestock farming for land and exploitation of natural resources. This generates tensions in the area. The recent arrival of agro-industrials is also exacerbating the situation.

Overexploitation of water resources by these various economic activities leads to an alarming quantitative and qualitative decrease in water resources. This results in salinization of the deep aquifer (due to intrusion by marine water), a drop in water levels and pollution of the surface aquifer. These pollutions, due to the use of pesticides and mining industry waste, generate a decrease in soil fertility. It is estimated that the surface water table is decreasing by 7 cm a year, and the deep water table by 45 to 49 cm. Higher temperatures caused by climate change and demographic growth will accentuate these phenomena. The latter are sources of social tensions, and health and food risks.

The process being implemented with support from GRET for shared governance of water resources

The project led by GRET aims to co-construct solutions and procedures for actions that are context-appropriate, effective and inclusive. The objective is to strengthen shared governance of the resource between users and local and national institutions. Across five municipalities, the project team contributed to structuring Local water platforms (LWPs). These forums of municipal and inter-municipal governance bring together all those who are stakeholders in the territory and interested in the approach. Members of the platforms must be representative of the interests of all stakeholders in the area (crop and livestock farmers, drinking water users’ associations, private operators, State technical services, regional and local authorities, NGOs, researchers, the media, etc.). Their objective is to contribute to sustainable, fair and effective management of the water resources in their territory.

“Women must play a significant role in IWRM, because they are the ones who carry out chores involving water. They also practice market gardening as men do. So, they must participate in large numbers in water governance bodies, including the LWPs, and hold positions of responsibility,” explains Awa Gueye, vice-chairperson of the Diender-Kayar LWP. Particular attention was given to this aspect, notably through drama workshops.

In conjunction with the construction of governance procedures, each platform identified challenges around management, preservation and use of water resources in its territory. Based on this, they designed an Integrated water resources management local plan (IWRMLP). These territorial planning instruments detail the actions to be carried out to improve water resources management and related uses.

Results to date

• Local stakeholders have a better understanding of issues around water and are aware of the need to move towards shared governance of groundwater in the Niayes region.
• Three local platforms are set up, representing the interests of stakeholders in the municipalities concerned.
• Favourable conditions for the establishment of dialogue between the LWPs and industrials in the Niayes region, notably mining companies, have been put in place. 
• The first activities planned by the platforms to sustainably manage water resources have been carried out. For example, identification of hydraulic infrastructure, a survey on pesticides and the installation of stone barriers – to minimise runoff and favour infiltration of rainwater mainly. Some farmers, who have gained basic knowledge of agroecological principles, are engaging in new practices. They are using natural fertilisers and water-efficient management techniques for irrigation.

The next stages of the project:

In 2022, the project entered its 3^rd phase, which aims to address the following challenges:

• Extend the system for shared governance of water resources to the Niayes region’s entire aquifer system, in order to effectively reduce overexploitation and pollution of water in the area (creation of 11 new water platforms). The project also plans to support the formation of a framework for consultation in the Niayes region, federating all the platforms in a bottom-up approach.
• Inform and generate involvement of populations in the broad sense, by rolling out information and discussion campaigns in the form of theatre-debates, or film-debates.
• Conduct actions to preserve resources (reforestation campaigns, installation of stone barriers, promotion of agroecological practices).
• Strengthen platforms’ advocacy capacities for changes in regulations.
• Capitalise on findings and favour their dissemination in Senegal.