Evaluating the Implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Using the Four IWRM Pillars in Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is pivotal for sustainable development in Ethiopia's water stressed Awash River Basin. This study evaluated IWRM implementation using the four-pillar SDG 6.5.1 framework: Enabling Environment, Institutions and Participation, Management Tools, and Finance. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, including synthesized data from document review, 100 selected participants' questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. For the analysis, “High” and “Very High” critical gaps were aggregated into a single “Total Critical Gaps” (VH + HCG) metric. The findings reveal a systemic disconnect between policy aspiration and operational reality, with overall implementation assessed as “low” (11%–30%), significantly below the national average of 41%. The Institutions and Participation pillar is compromised by overlapping mandates and a top–down approach that excludes the private sector and local stakeholders. The Finance pillar represents the most severe bottleneck, with an 84.6% aggregate critical gap regarding the “polluter pays” principle. Management tools are undermined by poor data integrity (74.4% VH + HCG), while the enabling environment is crippled by a lack of specific water allocation legislation (87.2% VH + HCG). Consequently, IWRM in Awash Basin functions as a collection of fragmented initiatives, rather than an integrated system. This study concludes that achieving effective IWRM implementation requires urgent water governance reforms centered on empowering decentralized basin organizations, enforcing legal mandates, and operationalizing self-sustaining financial models.