la poza experience in water conservation-management and conservation of water resources in “la...

www.gwpcentroamerica.org

Management and Conservation of Water

Resources in “La Poza” Basin

Location of the basin

El Salvador, CA

The basin is located in El Salvador (Central America) over an area of 10.4 km2.

Evolution of the Iniative

1999 Start of USAID project focused on capacity building and basin management planning.

2004 ASDEPROMIPO is established as NGO, with the objective of protecting and developing the basin natural resources through:

a) Citizen participation with gender focusb) Development of environmental education projects c) Implementation of soil conservation practices for water

resources conservation

2006 ASDEPROMIPO becomes partner of GWP

Interests that motivate the work on the basin

Human water supplyDevelopment of ecotourim

Improve agriculture practices

Protect the environment

IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE POPULATION AND SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT

Conservation practices in the basin

Infiltration Ditches Infiltration ponds Living barriers Dead barriers Reforestation

Local actors involvement

WORKING WITH RADIO AND TV

TRAINING MUNICIPALITIES

WITH SCHOOLS

Awareness and education of local population has been key for the active involvement of agricultural producers, women, youth, Muncipalities and local media.

STRENGTHENING WATER COMMITTEES

Dissemination of the experience Exchanging the experience at national and

international level with similar organisations.

Fieldtrips with local and national journalists.

Participation in national and international events.

Visits to municipalities and other institutions.

Main achievements of ASDEPROMIPO

Active engagement in basin management initiatives by local population, municipalities and local media.

Increased forest cover.

Increased water flow in rivers and streams

Increased water level in wells and springs downstream

Development and implementation of municipal regulations to protect natural resources.

Establishment of quota for payment for environmental services generation of financial resources

The beneficiaries of this initiative are 15,000 people who live in this basin.

GWP El SalvadorASDEPROMIPO has benefitted from its partnership with GWP El Salvador by:

Increasing its knowledge about IWRM through training, and participation in national and regional events.

Preparation of a case study and dissemination through the Toolbox.

Establishment of coordination relationships with government, cooperation agencies and other institutions at national and international level.

Opportunity for sharing the experience at national and international level

Linking on the ground experience with national policy development

ASDEPROMIPO is a member of GWP El Salvador Steering Committee.

Some of the Challenges To keep permanent monitoring of water quality for

domestic use.

To promote adequate management of solid waste throughout the basin.

To implement a system for treating efluents that are currently thrown to the rivers.

To improve and update the payment of environmental services.

Resource movilization and technical assistance to coninue the implementation of the conservation practices and the awareness of local actors.

Opportunites and conclusions

Great potential to support national (bottom-up) policy development related basin organisations and the payment for environmental services GWP El Salvador will lobby key parlamentarians.

Payment for environmental services is a source of financial resources for IWRM at basin level.

La Poza basin IS adapting to climate change and reducing vulnerability of local population achieving water security (more steady flows during dry season for all users)

www.gwpcentroamerica.org

Thank you!!!