What are the key considerations for conducting an EIA in a water-scarce area?

1 Water availability and quality

One of the main considerations for conducting an EIA in a water-scarce area is the availability and quality of water resources. The EIA should assess how the project will affect the quantity and quality of surface water, groundwater, and soil moisture, as well as the water needs of the existing and future users. The EIA should also consider the potential impacts of water pollution, overexploitation, and climate variability on the water resources and the ecosystems that depend on them. The EIA should propose measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for any negative impacts, such as water conservation, reuse, recycling, treatment, or restoration.

2 Water governance and stakeholders

Another key consideration for conducting an EIA in a water-scarce area is the water governance and stakeholder involvement. The EIA should identify and analyze the legal, institutional, and social frameworks that regulate the access, allocation, and management of water resources in the project area. The EIA should also engage with the relevant stakeholders, such as local communities, authorities, water users, and civil society groups, to understand their perspectives, concerns, and expectations regarding the project and its impacts on water resources. The EIA should ensure that the stakeholder participation is meaningful, inclusive, and transparent, and that the project respects the rights and interests of the affected parties.

4 Water footprint and efficiency

A fourth key consideration for conducting an EIA in a water-scarce area is the water footprint and efficiency of the project. The water footprint is a measure of the total amount of water consumed or polluted by the project throughout its life cycle, including the direct and indirect water use in the production, transportation, and disposal of the project's inputs and outputs. The EIA should estimate the water footprint of the project and compare it with the available and sustainable water resources in the project area. The EIA should also identify and implement ways to reduce the water footprint and increase the water efficiency of the project, such as using water-saving technologies, practices, or products.

6 Water monitoring and evaluation

A sixth key consideration for conducting an EIA in a water-scarce area is the water monitoring and evaluation of the project. The water monitoring and evaluation is a process of collecting, analyzing, and reporting data and information on the water resources and the project's impacts and performance in relation to the water-related objectives and indicators. The EIA should design and implement a water monitoring and evaluation system that covers the baseline, implementation, and post-implementation phases of the project. The EIA should also use the water monitoring and evaluation results to verify, improve, or adjust the project's design, implementation, or mitigation measures, as well as to communicate and learn from the project's outcomes and lessons.