Vision
Water and Sanitation for all, always
Mission
To develop and manage water resources for multipurpose use, and provide water supply and sanitation services for all through appropriate standards and technologies for sustainable development.
Mandate
To manage and develop sustainable water resources for multipurpose use and provision of safe water supply and sanitation services in support of Malawi’s socio-economic growth and development agenda.
Overall Goal
To ensure development and management of water resources in an integrated and sustainable manner.
Policy Guiding Principles
Surface Water
Identify and assess surface water resources for water development, protection and conservation; plan, develop and manage surface water in catchment areas; maintain hydrometric stations and hydrological databases; and provide hydrological advisory services.
Groundwater
Plan, manage, develop and monitor groundwater resources; assess groundwater availability; conduct hydrogeological research; manage and conserve groundwater resources; and maintain groundwater monitoring and information systems.
Water Quality Services
Monitor and assess surface and groundwater quality and pollution; support water-quality standards and compliance; and manage water-quality monitoring systems and laboratories.
Transboundary Water Resources
Oversee management and development of shared watercourses, coordinate with riparian states, and support adherence to applicable international agreements and laws.
Services Offered
The Department provides the following services:
Water resources planning, development and management
Hydrological and surface water advisory services
Groundwater assessment, development and drilling
Water quality monitoring and assessment
Water resources data and information services
Water harvesting and multipurpose dam development support
Catchment conservation and management
Transboundary water resources management
Technical advisory services on water resources development and management
Objectives
Develop and manage water resources for multipurpose use.
Promote integrated and sustainable management of water resources.
Assess, monitor, conserve and protect surface water and groundwater resources.
Provide reliable hydrological and water-resource information for planning and development.
Promote water harvesting and development of multipurpose water infrastructure.
Monitor water quality and pollution and support protection of public health and the environment.
Strengthen management of shared and transboundary water resources.
Promote appropriate standards and technologies for sustainable water resources development and management.
Promote integrated and sustainable management of water resources.
Assess, monitor, conserve and protect surface water and groundwater resources.
Provide reliable hydrological and water-resource information for planning and development.
Promote water harvesting and development of multipurpose water infrastructure.
Monitor water quality and pollution and support protection of public health and the environment.
Strengthen management of shared and transboundary water resources.
Promote appropriate standards and technologies for sustainable water resources development and management.
Implementation Arrangements
The Department of Water Resources operates through Surface Water, Groundwater and Water Quality Services divisions, together with a Transboundary Water Resources Unit. The Surface Water Division covers hydrology and surface water development and management; the Groundwater Division covers groundwater development, drilling and hydrogeological research; and the Water Quality Services Division covers water quality monitoring, assessment and pollution control.
Water Development