Research on institutions for agricultural water management under the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food - Water Scarcity, Livelihoods and Food Security - page 140

The project showed that PES schemes are feasible but not necessarily pro-
poor or linked to local stakeholder concerns and values (Estrada et al., 2009).
Work in the Andes under Phase 2 of the CPWF addressed the same issues in
a more integrated way that went beyond market-mediated service provision. It
looked at governance and equity issues, as well alternative mechanisms to
strengthen social organization and participation in the watersheds (Candelo et
al., 2008; Johnson et al., 2009; Cardenas et al., 2010).
Decision-support activities under PN28: Models for implementing
multiple-use water services for enhanced land and water productivity, rural
livelihoods and gender equity
Most rural water systems in developing countries are built for a specific use.
Domestic systems are designed to deliver small amounts of higher-quality water
for household use. Productive systems such as irrigation systems are designed
to deliver large amounts of lower-quality water. This project conducted
research (van Koppen et al., 2009) and advocacy around the idea of designing
and implementing water systems for multiple (domestic and productive) uses.
This was one of the few projects subjected to an ex post assessment (Merrey
and Sibanda, 2008) and the conclusions of this section draw on those findings.
According to the assessment, the MUS project was not a typical research
project but rather an “advocacy project of a new concept seeking to maximize
its impact through joint learning with stakeholders.” The project's primary
impacts were on global understanding and appreciation of MUS as a concept.
But the project also achieved concrete impacts in some of the countries where
it worked, including Colombia, Thailand and Nepal.
The best example is in South Africa. Merrey and Sibanda (2008, p. 20) state
that while no direct impacts had yet been felt on the ground in terms of
changes in water systems or water availability,
[T]here is evidence that such changes will begin happening in the near
future. First, South Africa's Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
(DWAF) has produced a draft Guidelines for Municipalities (DWAF, 2006)
. . . and is exploring how to adapt the Municipal Infrastructure Grants ...to
enable implementation of MUS. Second, MUS principles are included in
the current draft of the Strategic Framework for Water for Sustainable Growth
and Development (W4GD; see DWAF [2006]). This is in line with the
strong poverty and gender focus of South Africa's water supply policies
and renewed focus on user consultation.
Merrey and Sibanda (2008, p. 20) conclude:
There is therefore no doubt about the impact of the MUS Project on
knowledge and awareness in South Africa, confirming the pathway
through which the project contributed to impact.