Action 8 – Develop instruments to support water resources management of MADES and related institutions

In 2022, the Global Water Partnership (GWP) South America supported the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES) in developing an IWRM Action Plan (PAGIRH), through a multi-stakeholder consultation process, as part of the commitments made by the country in the framework of the 2030 Agenda.

The result is an Action Plan containing 9 strategic actions with 44 specific activities to accelerate the implementation of IWRM in the country. The following action is part of this Action Plan and focuses on developing instruments to support water resources management of MADES and related institutions. The main activities contributing to this action are as follows:

1. Design water quality and quantity monitoring programmes in priority basins and aquifers, with inter-institutional coordination between the public and private sectors, academia and other stakeholders (for the identification of priority objectives and implementation);
2. Establish guidelines for the protection of the recharge zones of the Guarani and Patiño aquifers;
3. Elaborate the Wetlands Map of Paraguay, identify criteria for the definition of wetlands of national importance and update the inventory;
4. Develop good practice guidelines for non-degradation of soil, water and sustainable use of water resources with the support of the private sector;
5. Establish an alliance between MADES, STP and Municipalities to work on the POT in at least 3 prioritised municipalities;
6. Promote the Climate Scenarios and Water Vulnerability Platform and train water sector institutions and academia in its use;
7. Develop a research project on hydrological conditions, potential use and vulnerability of the Guarani aquifer and conduct diagnostics of the Caacupé aquifer;
8. Approve the update of resolution 2155/05 TDR on well construction for the sustainability of aquifers;
9. Socialise and establish Municipal Water and Sanitation Units in at least 10 municipalities.