The Water Utilization Programme
 

 

The Water Utilisation Program (WUP) has been designed by the Mekong River Commission in order to assist its member states in implementing the 1995 Mekong Agreement.

The Mekong Agreement, Article 26:
Rules for Water Utilization and Inter-Basin Diversions

The Joint Committee shall prepare and propose for approval of the Council, inter alia, Rules for Water Utilization and Inter-Basin Diversions pursuant to Articles 5 and 6, including but not limited to: 1) establishing the time frame for the wet and dry seasons; 2) establishing the location of hydrological stations, and determining and maintaining the flow level requirements of each station; 3) setting out criteria for determining surplus quantities of water during the dry season on the mainstream; 4) improving upon the mechanism to monitor intra-basin use; and 5) setting up a mechanism to monitor inter-basin diversions from the mainstream.

WUP is expected, in due course of time, to establish mechanisms that can support a co-ordinated and sustainable water management in the Basin, including reasonable and equitable water utilisation by the riparian states, protection of the environment and aquatic life, and maintenance of the ecological balance.

This will be achieved through preparation of (1) rules for water utilisation (covering water quantity and quality); (2) procedures for information exchange, notification and consultation in accordance with the Mekong Agreement; (3) a knowledge base, comprising data and hydraulic modelling tools for analysis of past, present and future flow conditions and water availability; and (4) related institutional strengthening within the participating national agencies and the Mekong River Commission Secretariat.

The WUP will develop

  • Procedures for notification and consultation of proposed water uses (under Article 5 of the Mekong Agreement);

  • maintenance of flows in the mainstream of the Mekong River (according to Article 6 of the Mekong Agreement);

  • rules for Water Utilisation (Article 26 of the Mekong Agreement);

  • water quality criteria, rules, and measures for the protection of beneficial uses, including the aquatic ecosystem;

  • procedures for monitoring water use and diversions in the Mekong Basin; and

  • procedures for information exchange and monitoring.

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    WUP is being implemented by the Mekong River Commission in a close dialogue with the National Mekong Committees, which have been set up by each member country as a platform for their liaison with the Mekong River Commission.

    The National Mekong Committees (NMCs)

    Each MRC member country has a National Mekong Committee (NMC) that formulates national policies, and provides co-ordination between national line agencies and MRC Projects. A typical MRC project involves the MRCS technical staff, national line agencies, and international Consultants. Although the structure of the NMCs varies by country, the general arrangement is to have three bodies: (i) an inter-ministerial policy-making body; (ii) a management group consisting of key governmental departments; and (iii) a secretariat to support the NMC.

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