WFC 1.5 People benefiting from integrated water resources management

This indicator tracks the number of people benefiting from the adoption and implementation of integrated water resources management (primarily IWRM) strategies, which result from strengthening of civil society, local NGOs, public, and/or private actors (counted in WSG 1.1.8) and initiatives supported for water resources management (counted in WSG 1.1.9).

Integrated water resources management involves the coordinated development, management and governance of water, land, and related resources to maximize social and economic benefits at national and sub-national levels while preserving ecosystems. The primary focus is on improving equitable access, sustainable water use, effective water allocation across sectors, and where relevant, disaster risk reduction.

Note: Activities like training, institutional strengthening, or policy development alone are not considered measures for this indicator. These should be captured under indicators WSG 1.1.8 and WSG 1.1.9. However, people affected by measures adopted or implemented resulting from such activities can be counted when the implementation is verified.

If this indictor is used, do not report on indicator T 005 Number of people benefiting from the successful implementation of new or improved frame conditions as this would create double counting.

• Gender 

• Age  

• Left behind/vulnerable population group  

People benefit directly and indirectly from improved water resources management measures. .

Persons who benefit are those where the implemented measures result in an improvement in their resilience or life. These could for instance be:

• People who live in a community protected by flood defenses or live near reforestation projects or protected areas;

• People who live in a community covered by Early Warning Systems;

• People who live in a community that is engaged in sustainable land management;

• People who live in a watershed in which one or more measures to improve water resources management have been implemented;

• People who live downstream from a watershed in which one or more measures to improve water resources management have been implemented and experience measurably improved conditions in their watershed or the source water supply they use as a result of the measures.

• Farmers or agricultural communities benefiting from improved irrigation systems or water use efficiency measures.

• Industries that rely on water resources benefiting from better water allocation or quality management.

• Urban populations who experience improved water supply or wastewater management through IWRM measures.

• Ecosystem services that support livelihoods, like fisheries or tourism, benefiting from wetland restoration or water quality improvements.

To estimate number of people benefiting:

• Use maps or GIS tools to determine the watershed boundaries and downstream areas.  

• Use administrative data e.g., local or national government statistics, alternatively if administrative data is not available, census data, project baseline data, population surveys to find the total number of people or households living in the targeted, watershed or downstream areas, the population composition (division of gender, proportion of people belonging to left behind groups), and average household size.  

To verify successful implementation on IWRM measures:

• Documented evidence of IWRM measures implemented, such as project progress reports, completion certificates, or implementation records from local water authorities.

• Data from environmental monitoring systems, water quality measurements, or flow monitoring.

At least baseline and endline

1. Step 1: Use maps or GIS tools to map to determine the watershed and downstream areas affected by the project. Use the most suitable watershed delineation (e.g., sub-watershed level).

2. Step 2: Use local records, census data, or GIS population data to estimate the number of people living in the mapped areas. Ensure each individual is counted only once, even if they benefit from multiple project activities.

   • Categories of primary/indirect stakeholders

     • Category 1: People Living in the Watershed:
       People can be counted if they live within a watershed where IWRM measures have been implemented.

     • Category 2: People Living Downstream:
       People downstream can be counted if the IWRM measures improve water conditions in their watershed or source water supply (this should be verified). Verify improvements using utility data, water quality measurements, or evidence of ecosystem health improvements.

3. Step 3: Disaggregate the total number of people by gender, belonging to any left behind/vulnerable group

Challenge: Lack of access to up-to-date data from national or sub-national sources for accurate reporting.

Solution: Strengthen partnerships with local water authorities and stakeholders to ensure timely and reliable data sharing.

SDC: Area instead of people

WAT_TRI_3 Proportion of the watershed area being  managed in an integrated manner

USAID:
HL.8.5-2 Number of people benefiting from the adoption and implementation of measures to improve water resources management as a result of USG assistance

• T 004 Number of initiatives that were successful in implementing new or improved frame conditions

• WSG 1.1.8 Number of civil society, public or private actors supported to increase capacities for more integrated water resource management and governance

• WSG 1.1.9 Number of initiatives established or supported to strengthen policies, laws, rules, institutions, strategies, plans, and/or budgets for more integrated natural resources governance

Note that T 005 and WFC 1.5 are mutually exclusive as people benefiting from integrated water resources management will be reported here and if additonally reported under T 005 it wil be considered as doubble counting.