Effectiveness of Integrated Water Resource Management in Water Resource Conservation: A Case of Pangani River Basin in Moshi, Tanzania

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is an integrative approach that intends to involve all stakeholders in the planning and management of water resources. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of IWRM in water conservation with the clear focus of identifying various methods employed to IWRM strategy in conserving water resource, to investigate the effectiveness of integrated water resource management strategy on different water user groups, to examine the challenges facing the effectiveness of IWRM strategy and to investigate measures taken to address IWRM challenges. Results from interview, questionnaire survey, observation, and documented report show that IWRM allow the involvement and participation of stakeholders in decision making, water management and payment for water services. Subsequently, the approach manages conflict and it serves as a platform for climate change adaptation and mitigation. However, some people have inadequate education and awareness on water conservation, lack of financial support, water use inefficiency and inadequate effective coordination. As solution some measures have been employed to address some of these problems through creating awareness on the significance of sustainable utilization of basin water and some fines have been posed to polluters. In conclusion IWRM helps to conserve water in the basin and make it more sustainable. The government and other stakeholders should ensure water conservation in a sustainable way.