Th e Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has, as indicated elsewhere in this publication, concluded that climate change and variability have the potential to impact negatively on water availability, and access to and demand for water in most countries, but particularly in Africa.1 Climate change is expected to alter and hence bring changes to the hydrological cycle, temperature balance and rainfall pattern. Th is has wide-ranging implications since water is one of the most important of all natural resources for socioeconomic, cultural, political and environmental development. It is a commonly used resource and hence a fundamental economic asset for sustainable development. Water is required in an adequate and sustainable supply for domestic, farming (livestock and agriculture) and industrial use, and other environmental functions on all spatial and temporal scales. It is estimated that globally 70 per cent of water withdrawn is used for irrigated agriculture, 20 per cent for industry and the remaining 10 per cent for other uses including domestic use