Water resources management (WRM) is a broad sector that comprises various sub sectors including rural
water supply and sanitation (RWSS). Attempts have been made to articulate WRM at global level culminating
into the development of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach defined by
the Dublin Principles. However, these principles still need to be reflected in local actions that are used to
implement the RWSS interventions. Hence, this paper focuses on identifying the extent to which IWRM is
reflected in the RWSS implementation approach in Zambia known as the WASHE concept. The results of
this assessment show that only two out of the four Dublin principles are adequately reflected in the WASHE
concept. It is concluded that there is a need to integrate ground water management in IWRM and adapt
catchment management to existing administrative governance systems in Zambia, and that the WASHE
concept be revised and expanded accordingly
