The intensity of water quality degradation issues experienced in the Barada River Basin, described also in previous issues of the INECO Newsletter, is increasingly motivating local authorities, users and citizens to discuss alternative courses of action for protecting the region's ecosystem and water resources from further degradation.

The INECO attempt to synthesize views of local actors, as articulated throughout the Case Study development process, resulted in different policy suggestions relating to:

• The encouragement of the industrial and the commercial sector to invest into water-efficient practices, and of the agricultural sector through increasing the awareness of farmers on the benefits of adopting water saving technologies;
• The strengthening of mechanisms for  the enforcement of environmental laws in the public and the private sector, legislative reforms to control illegal connections and drillings, and wide implementation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle;
• Cost recovery schemes in combination with institutional and legal reforms, allowing water and wastewater authorities to establish tariffs in a more autonomous way;
• Differentiation of cost allocation policies for agricultural and industrial use, and of tariff structures addressed to these sectors, to offer enhanced incentives towards water conservation;
• The fostering of efforts to build know-how and assist technology transfer in agriculture and industry; and
• The establishment of well licensing systems that take into account groundwater conditions.

Regional authorities and policy-makers consulted during the last 6 months of INECO pointed out that the above could have significant contribution in the mitigation of local water management issues. However, they should be pilot-tested and more extensively discussed to enable their adaptation, given also the high environmental, economic and social stakes in the area.

The development of a common vision for managing water resources in the Barada River Basin remains a significant challenge, given the diverse and conflicting interests and needs coexisting in the area. However, the deficiencies of past efforts and initiatives outline that enhanced stakeholder involvement is the main requirement for the development and implementation of new policies, strategic plans and individual water management options.

Ouctomes, stemming from the INECO Syria Case Study, demonstrate that there are three main premises for promoting stakeholder involvement:

• Fostering of the development of Water User Associations: Although the relevant legislative framework already exists, the State should encourage the development of WUAs, representing diverse interests, so as to facilitate dialogue among authorities and user groups. 
• Development of open fora and dialogue facilitation: Water user associations, individual stakeholders and citizens should be provided with adequate information and time to express their views and comments on water management plans. On the other hand, decision-makers should explicitly address issues raised, and endorse suggestions where relevant and beneficial to the public interest. 
• Raising of public awareness by sustaining the already initiated mass media coverage on environmental issues in the area.

More information on the outcomes of the INECO Syria Case Study - The Syria Regional Publishable Report (6.2 MB)