Functions Of The Water Resources Authority

The Water Resources Authority (WRA) in Kenya is a state corporation under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, established under Section 11 of the Water Act of 2016. The authority is responsible for regulating the management and sustainable use of Kenya’s water resources. Here are the primary functions of the Water Resources Authority:

Functions of the Water Resources Authority (WRA)

Formulation of Standards and Regulations: WRA formulates standards, procedures, and regulations to ensure effective management and sustainable use of water resources in Kenya.
Regulation Enforcement: It ensures compliance with established standards and regulations through inspections, monitoring, and enforcement actions.
Water Permit Management: WRA processes applications for water permits related to water abstraction, usage, and recharge, issuing permits and enforcing their conditions.
Determination of Fees: The authority determines and sets fees for water permits and water usage based on established guidelines.
Collection of Fees: WRA is responsible for collecting fees associated with water permits and water usage.
Water Allocation Regulation: It regulates water allocation across the country, ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources.
Coordination with Other Bodies: WRA collaborates with regional, national, and international organizations for the effective management of water resources.
Water Testing: Through its laboratories, WRA conducts water tests for various applications, such as domestic use, irrigation, construction, research, and wastewater, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
Pollution Control: The authority works to control pollution in Kenya’s water bodies, integrating land use activities into its water quality programs to enhance water purity.
Surface Water Assessment: WRA conducts and monitors surface water assessments, maintaining up-to-date data on water availability and quality.