Armenia Now: H2-Oh: Condition of water network leaves residents wondering what they are drinking (Hundreds of residents in the town of Aparan fell ill after drinking water became contaminated with sewage. The World Bank will allocate 240 million dram ($600,000) for restoration of pipes in Aragatsotn, while USAID and the UNDP will release $320,000 to repair reservoirs and the drinking water system in Syunik.)
118 M. USD have been granted to Armenia, as one out of 16 countries worldwide, by the US "Millenium Challenge Corporation" for reconstruction of WSS systems (announcememnt through CENN, 18 Aug 05).
For the first time in the history of RA a "National Water Program" is created to use the water resources of Armenia rationally. A hearing has been organized with USAID in Dec; the final variant of the document will be ready in Jan/Feb and will be represented to the Government for ratification.
(Source: CENN)
Armenia is scarce in surface water resources. The rivers are mountainous and are tributaries of the rivers of Kur and Araks. Armenia lies wholly within the Kura (Kür) River basin. The basins of the tributaries flowing directly to the Kura River cover less than 25 percent of the country in the northeast. The river forms an important geo-political boundary with Turkey in particular. There are more than 200 rivers with no less than 10 km in length in the republic. Some 700 square km is covered by the Kur river basin (Debet, Pambak, Agstev, Tavoush, etc.), while that of the Araks - 22790 km2 (Akhourian, Kasakh, Metsamor, Hrazdan, Azat, Vedi, Arpa, Vorotan, etc.). The rivers and lakes of Armenia are mountainous and small with the exception of lake Sevan, which covers 1326 km2 of territory and situated at 1897 m a.s.l. Among others one can mention the lakes of Arpi, Kuri, Akna, Aigr and Sev lich.
On average Armenia receives annually 18.4 billion m3 of precipitation of which 6.2 billion m3 runs off as river water within the country. On top of that, Armenia has the right to use half of the water from the international rivers Araks and Akhurian, totaling 1.2 billion m3/yr. In total 7.4 billion m3 of river water is available in the country annually.
The annual recharge of groundwater is estimated at 3.8 billion m3 of which 1.3 billion m3 re-appears as springs within the country. Of the remaining 2.5 billion m3 , 0.7 billion m3 has been extracted by wells and has been used for irrigation, domestic and industrial use. According to the above mentioned assessments, at least an additional 0.5 billion m3 (25%) of the 2.5 billion m3 can still be used safely annually.
There are however problems in some regions where there is a lack of water sources. Part of these problems have been solved by re-distributing the water over the country. A second problem related to water availability is the distribution of the river run-off during the year.
Water in the Armenian Economy
Agriculture constitutes an important part of the Armenian economy, most of which is dependant upon irrigation that started in Armenia about 3,000 years ago. Clay pipes were used to transport water to orchards and fields and some are still intact. Currently, the irrigation systems are in a dilapidated condition, which may lead to extreme environmental damage. Almost 70 percent of the equipped area needs rehabilitation. In addition, the management of irrigation systems requires adjustments to meet the needs of the recently privatized farms.
Coverage in urban and rural areas
Although 90 percent of Armenians have access to water, the reliability and quality of water services have deteriorated alarmingly in the past decade. Coverage in urban areas is generally higher than in rural areas, but intermittent service is common. Moreover, inadequate functioning of water treatment plants and dilapidated distribution networks have made drinking water unsafe in many urban centres leading to a rise in water-borne diseases such as typhoid and diarrhea. Rural water supply services are largely in a state of total disrepair.
Water Management
The largest lake in Armenia is Lake Sevan, located in the east of the country. It lies at 1,925 metres above sea level, which makes it a strategic source of energy and irrigation water. The level of the lake has fallen since the 1930s due to the increasing demands for irrigation, hydropower, and domestic water supply. By 1972, its level had fallen by almost 19 metres and its surface area had been reduced to 1,250 square kilometres. Since 1972, unforeseen changes in the lake's ecology (loss of fish population), water quality (pollution by sewage) and microclimate (freezing of the lake in winter) have occurred
One of the Armenian priorities concerning freshwater resources is to cover all activities in society, in particular land use, agriculture, forestry, industry and energy generation in such a manner as to introduce overall sustainable use of water resources.
Integrated water resources management is now a top priority for the Armenian government, namely in areas where water quality problems or conflicts between use and protection occur. The water system is under continuous monitoring so that the effects of water protection measures can be assessed.
Facts and Figures
Total Available Renewable Water Resources [1] 10 km2/year (7616L/day/cap
Renewed as: Surface water produced internally 6.0 km3/yr (60%)
Groundwater recharge 4.0 km3/yr (40%)
Incoming Waters 1.4 km3/yr (14%)
Rainfall 600 mm/yr
Used by Man 2.8 km3/yr (28%)
Average water Use
Average Water Use [2] 2.8 km3/yr (28%)
By Sector:
Agriculture 1.85 km3/yr (66%)
Industry 0.11 km3/yr (4%)
Domestic 0.84 km3/yr (30%)
Population [3] without Safe Access to..
an improved water source (2004) [4] (244,160) 8%:Average in Urban Areas 1%
Average in Rural Areas 20%
improved sanitation (2004) (518,840) 17%
Average in Urban Areas 4%
Average in Rural Areas 39%
1] Earth trends and WRI, WWDR 2006(FAO/Aquastat)
[2] Earthtrends and WWDR 2006
[3] Population of Armenia= 3.052 M. (2006)
[4] Population using improved sanitation facilities, comparative data
Background
The Republic of Armenia covers a territory of 29,740 km², 4.8 percent of which is occupied by the surface of the lakes and Lake Sevan in particular. The longest distance from the North-West to the South-East equals 360 km and from the West to the East is 200 km. Armenia is described as a mountainous country. Ninety percent of its territory lies 1,000 m above sea-level. The lowest point is 375 m (to the North-East of the valley of the Debed River). Over 40 percent of the territory varies in the range of 2,000 m to 4,090 m (the top of the mountain Aragats). The average altitude is 1,830 m.
There are 9,480 small and large rivers in the territory of Armenia with an overall length of 23,000 km. Fourteen of those rivers are more than 35 km long and 379 rivers are more than 10 km long. Some of the small rivers are intermittent water flows.
To satisfy the surface water demand in the low-flow period, 74 reservoirs have been built with the overall useful volume of approximately 1,000 m³. About 15 irrigation dams need major repairs, and some require urgent attention to reduce the risk of failure of the dams while working at full capacity. About 10 new dams with a total of 400 million m³ additional volume are now being built.
The lakes of Armenia are mountainous and generally small, except for Lake Sevan, which at present occupies an area of 1,240 km² (1,896.6 m above sea-level). Due to careless use of water, the level of Lake Sevan has decreased by 19 m, and the volume has decreased by 41 percent as compared to the natural conditions of the lake in 1930.
The natural water resources of the underground waters in Armenia are estimated to be about 4,017 million m³ including spring flows (40 percent), drainage flows (36 percent), and deep flows (24 percent).
Water Quality and Pollution
About 300 million m3 of wastewater are generated annually in Armenia. About 60 percent of wastewater flow discharges to open basins without any treatment, whereas the other 40 percent are treated mechanically.
All municipal and industrial wastewaters are disposed through water disposal systems and collectors. Approximately, 60 to 80 percent of the wastewater flow is being disposed. About 60 percent of the total wastewater collectors and networks were constructed more than 20 years ago.
In general, the agricultural areas do not have wastewater disposal systems.
The wastewater removal system in Yerevan provides for about 97 percent of the area of the capital. The overall length of wastewater disposal collectors and the network is about 4,200 km.
There are 20 biological wastewater treatment facilities in the territory of the country.
Many structures supporting the processing of the wastewater treatment facilities are not functioning properly and the overall process of wastewater treatment has been disrupted. The volume of work and costs for renovation and rehabilitation have dramatically increased.
Due to insufficient renovation and rehabilitation works, the wastewater system is currently in emergency condition which results in cross connection of drinking water with the wastewater flows, and therefore causes epidemic diseases.
Generally nitrogen compounds contained in the water indicate the contamination caused by agricultural areas and urban sewage. The high concentration of nicotine indicates the latest contamination of domestic wastewater. Contained phosphate indicates contamination caused by domestic wastewaters and fertilizers.
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and also one of the largest alpine lakes of the world. As a result of its isolation and age, a unique water ecosystem and a few endemic species have developed. The lake is considered unique because the water contains a high level of phosphate and a low level of nitrogen. Consequently, nitrogen can be a limiting factor for the productivity of the plants.
The size of Lake Sevan, its chemical composition, and its fauna and flora have undergone great changes during last 50 years. The changes were caused by the decrease of the lake level (19 m) and by increase of contamination resulting from human activities.
The ecosystem of the lake and its balance have been greatly distorted because of this development and a process of eutrophication can be observed. The blossoming of blue-green seaweed was first registered in 1964, after which high-quality plants (macrophytes) were replaced by plankton seaweed.
The classification of the lake has changed from oligotrophic to mezotrophic. The decrease of the lake level has also caused draught of oviparous areas of some kinds of endemic trout of Lake Sevan. About 100,000 hectare coastal marshes, including habitats for migratory birds have also dried.
Protection, Management and Use of Water Resources
The absence of an integrated approach towards the management of water resources in Armenia had caused a chaotic state of water resources protection, management, and use.
In order to regulate the water resources management sphere, the Republic of Armenia developed an "Integrated Water Resources Management Program" (IWRMP) with the assistance of The World Bank in 1999-2001. Within the program, the water resources of Armenia were evaluated, principles of water policy were developed, a program of institutional reforms of the management of water resources was recommended, and an outline of water supply and demand management was suggested. The concept of river basin management was also proposed, including introduction of annual and long-range planning procedures for water resources.
Based on recommendations of the IWRM program, a document titled Concept Paper on the RA Water Resources and Water Systems Management Reformation was developed. This was accepted by the Government of Armenia according to Decree No. 92 dated 9 February 2001. Beginning in 2001, the Government of Armenia initiated the practical implementation of the principles of the Concept Paper. In 2001, the State Committee of Water System under the Government of Armenia was created to coordinate and manage the organizations employing water systems (water supply, wastewater removal, and irrigation).
The main objective of the Committee is to:
control the operation of the state-owned water systems (intake structures, transferring communications, distribution and collection systems, treatment and other technological operation),
support the financial sustainability of the organizations employing those systems, and
create prerequisites for involving private sector through private "management contracts" with competition to ensure an appropriate management of water systems.
With the purpose of regulating the tasks of water resources management, the Water Resources Management Agency was established in February 2002. The establishment of this agency made real the principle of the Concept Paper, according to which the functions of water resources protection, management, and use were separated among three bodies.
A new Water Code was passed on June 4, 2002. According to the Code, the "Water Resources Management Agency" and the "River Basin Management Bodies" manage, monitor, and plan protection and use of all water resources in the country. The "Water Resources Management Agency" controls water management and protection mainly through required "water use permits". Each of the "water use permits" must meet the requirements of the strategic management formulated according to the National Water Program and meet the water quality and quantity standards.
International Waters: Within a number of bilateral agreements, Armenia assumes obligations related to the development and use of international waters. Armenia has an agreement with Turkey concerning the use of the Araks and Akhurian Rivers. According to the agreement, the waters of these two transboundary rivers are divided equally.
There is another agreement with Turkey concerning the joint use of the dam and the reservoir of the Akhurian River.
According to another agreement, the waters of Araks River are divided equally (50 percent) between Iran and Armenia.
Though these agreements were signed by the USSR, Armenia is considered a successor country, and consequently is obliged to fulfill the respective provisions.
There have been decrees issued and agreements signed between Armenia and Georgia concerning the Debed River. Corresponding decrees were passed between Armenia and Azerbaijan concerning the use of waters of Arpa, Vorotan, Aghstev and Tavush Rivers.
The project, under implementation of the UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre, is currently in the preparation phase (PDF-B), with the the project document to be finalised in early 2007. Four of the basin countries are signed up to the project: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Efforts are being made to involve Turkey in the project. The Ministry of Foriegn Affairs in Baku has confirmed Azerbaijan's comittment to the project and to work with Armenia in a multi-lateral setting.
The project preparation phase is 18 months and began July 05. It's co-funded by Sweden and has following main activities:
* A Transboundary Diagnostic Assessment (TDA) of the priority environmental problems in the Kura-Aras basin, including water quantity, water quality, flooding, habitat protection and bioresources. The first meeting of the technical experts to discuss the TDA took place in Nov 2005 (see attached meeting report).
* Development of Kura-Aras Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and National Action Plans. The activity is supported by Sida helping the countries produce draft National Action Plans (NAPs) that will act as implementation mechanisms for the SAP. The SAP and NAPs will be developed in parallel in an iterative process. At the end of the preparatory phase the hope is to produce a preliminary SAP which all four countries can endorse and build on during the main project phase.
* A stakeholder analysis and the establishment of a NGO forum. The qualitative part of the stakeholder analysis has been completed in fall 2005 in three of the four countries and a quantitative survey is planned for early 2006. In conjunction with the Eurasia Foundation two NGO meetings - comprising 10 NGO representatives per country - have been held to asisst NGOs develop transboundry projects for funding and advance ideas for a Kura-Aras NGO forum. The estblishment of a forum has now been agreed and a working group established to develop the charter and a management structure. (See attached NGO Forum Report below for more details.)
* Development of 4-5 demonstration projects for implementation in the main project. Initial ideas include establishment of transboundary water monitoring stations on the Aras (Az, Ar and Ir), creation of a Flood Management Commission (first stage between Ge and Az) and improved environmental management controls at selected mining sites. Work on development of these demonstration projects will begin in spring 2006 when co-funding will be activiely sought.
* Two regional conferences to discuss options for future management of the Kura-Aras basin to which representatives from the MoFA and Ministries of Ecology or Natural Resources will be invited. These discussions will continue into the main project. At the end of the preparation stage it is hoped that the countries can sign a declaration to work together to protect the environment of the Kura-Aras basin.
* Development of the main project document with GEF funding of $6 million and hoped for co-funding of more than $5 million. Co-funding is to be sought in particular for the implementation of the demonstration projects.
Background: The Kura-Aras river system is a principal source of water for industry, agriculture, residential uses and energy in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey. The rivers are important to regional cooperation as they cross and form many of the borders. Both rivers are seriously degraded in places. Water quality is impaired by the dumping of untreated municipal, industrial, medical and agricultural wastes, and by high sedimentation loads resulting from upstream deforestation. Water quantity is constrained by use of water for agricultural and hydropower purposes, which impacts upon the river ecosystem in places. Integrated, inter-country efforts are urgently required to evaluate the degree of ongoing degradation of these river ecosystems and to take action to halt and reverse damaging trends where necessary.
The project aims to ensure that the quality and quantity of the water throughout the Kura-Aras river system meets the short and long-term needs of the ecosystem and the communities relying upon the ecosystem. The project will achieve its objectives by: fostering regional cooperation; increasing capacity to address water quality and quantity problems; demonstrating water quality/quantity improvements; initiating required policy and legal reforms; identifying and preparing priority investments and; developing sustainable management and financial arrangements.
Lessons Learned
Following lessons can be drawn from the project so far (March 2007): * The project has been able to strengthen the regional network of technical experts working on groundwater issues. The regional meeting organized is the first time many of the experts had met since the break-up of the Soviet Union; * There is a lack and/or absence of valid and reliable data and this will affect the quality of project deliverables; * There is no capacity to undertake integrated management of water resources at the basin level but, also given the current evel of management/regulation, it is not clear that it is implementable in the short to medium term; * Lack of funds and understanding of importance of groundwater monitoring among decision makers are the main reasons why GW monitoring has been abandoned in Kura-Aras basin countries since early 90ies; * There is lack of clear vision of good management of water resources and absence of national and a regional strategies;
Objectives of the Sida Component: * Identification of National Legal-Institutional and Policy needs for Integrated Management of the Kura River Basin; * Background Analyses of the Kura River Basin (feedback to TDA): Water quality and quantity; Major ecosystems; Socio-economic trends, driving forces and pressures on the basin’s degradation; Existing water infrastructure * Identification of Optimal Institutional arrangement for the management of the Basin; * Development of National Action Plans
This project component is an integral part of the UNDP/GEF Project entitled "Reducing Trans-boundary Degradation of the Kura-Aras River Basin", focusing on i) Public involvement and Stakeholder Participation, ii) Community-based demonstration projects, and iii) Integration of transboundary aquifer aspects into the project activities.
The specific objective for public involvement and stakeholder participation, and development of community based demonstration projects of this component are:
To support and contribute to country wide, stakeholder ownership of the basin planning process thus ensuring its sustainability and country commitment.
The project outcomes, verify achievement of this objective, are:
1. Active regional participation of NGO and other civil society organisations in the planning process engaged at the government and the grass-roots levels, capable of advocating the wishes of a broad spectrum of society.
2. A planning process which consults and involves stakeholders at all levels and the active participation of those stakeholders in implementing the resultant plans.
These outcomes will be met through three related outputs: 1. Creation of a region-wide NGO forum resultant of the regional meetings 2. Development of pilot projects that have an emphasis on public involvement, including a trans-boundary public involvement project to be implemented in the early stages of the full project 3. Creation and support for the regional Stakeholder Advisory Group in conjunction with the TDA – SAP process and promotion of its meaningful and active participation in decision-making during the TDA/SAP/NAP formulation.
The objective of the Yerevan Water and Wastewater Project (YWWAP) is to provide Yerevan with safe, continuous water supply, while reducing environmental pollution.
The project will have two components: the YWWP Fund, and Technical Assistance.
Component 1 - Specific YWWP Fund investments to be undertaken , will be identified by the operator during implementation, but generally they will fall into three categories: * Energy savings: Significant further reduction of energy cost is planned. System components consuming high amounts of energy require capital investment to divert water production from pumped, to gravity water resources and to phase out old, inefficient pumping plants; * Reliability in the provision of water supply and in operational control: Water abstraction is very high in comparison to consumption levels. Most Yerevan Water and Sanitation company (YWSC) water facilities are old, have been poorly maintained and have received minimal investment for many years. Capital investment in village supply lines, distribution networks, block service connections, and daily regulating water reservoirs are required to reduce losses and provide continuous water supply; and, * Reduction of environmental pollution: Investments are required in sewage collection and small pumping stations. Sewage is currently discharged directly into watercourses, in some cases in recreational areas of central Yerevan. The existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has fallen into dereliction, and its complete reconstruction or replacement is not currently affordable, unless donor funding can be secured.
Component 2 - Technical Assistance - will fund the interim operational management of YWSC, project financial and technical audits, and Project Management Unit (PMU) incremental operating expenses.
The Dam Safety Project aims to protect the population and the socio-economic infrastructure downstream of the dams facing the highest risk of failure.
This project has two main components. * The first component supports repair work on primary irrigation dams including design and supervision, field tests, civil works, hydraulic steel structures. Rehabilitation consists of upstream protection works, spillway structural repairs, leakage reduction, and irrigation/bottom outlet repair. * The second component prepares, operates, and supervises dam safety plans for operation and maintenance and an emergency preparedness plan; finances dam safety site installations, which include instruments and monitoring devices and early warning systems; strengthens the capacity of the Dam Maintenance Enterprise; and supports safety investigations into all remaining dams in Armenia.
The Second Irrigation Dam Safety Project, builds on priority areas indicated in the recent Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) namely, to improve infrastructure, and core public sector functions, and as well, the project will contribute to the objectives of the FY01 Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) in terms of improving governance, and public services, and, creating jobs through private sector development, including human capital rebuilding.
The first component - rehabilitation of dams - will support the engineering design of rehabilitation activities for 29 dams, and the preparation of an emergency preparedness plan for the Yerevan Lake Dam. In addition, implementation of rehabilitation works include 47 dams (i.e., design for 29 dams provided for under this project, and the already prepared design for 18 dams, under the first Dam Safety Project), construction supervision, and, installation of monitoring equipment devices on the 47 dams.
The second component will ensure dam safety sustainability, through the installation of dams safety equipment (telecommunication equipment, sirens, searchlights, loud speakers), provision of technical assistance and equipment to the Water Supply Agency (WSA) for the design of an integrated telecommunication network for all dams, preparation of regulations, and operational procedures to guide all parties involved in the management of dams, and, implementation of annual independent audits on WSA operations and accounts. Moreover, an independent dam safety expert will ensure the provision of training in operation and management practices for staff involved at dam sites, and, equipment supply. Finally, the project management component will provide technical assistance, to coordinate project interventions, and support project implementation - procurement of goods and services, financial control, monitoring and evaluation, preparation of annual work plans, and reporting and auditing.
The main objectives of the Municipal Development Project are to: * make emergency short term improvements in the water supply system to improve the drinking water supply to Yerevan, in particular to the poorer and most affected elements of the population; * improve the efficiency, management, operation and delivery of water and wastewater services for the Yerevan service area; and * lay the groundwork for the sustainable involvement of the private sector in the overall management of these services in Armenia.
The project components include: immediate investment program; management contract; operating investment fund; capital investments; housing; and technical assistance
The project’s objective is adoption of sustainable natural resource management practices and alleviation of rural poverty in mountainous areas of Armenia where degradation of natural resources is now reaching a critical point. The project will help avert further deterioration of natural resources (soil, water, forest, fishery, and biodiversity) and stabilize incomes in the local communities.
In 2003 the Government of the Republic of Armenia received a grant from the JSDF - Japan Social Development Fund in the amount of US$ 1, 9 million equivalent toward the cost of the Community-Based Urban Water Supply Management Project, and it intends to apply the proceeds of the grant to payments for goods, works, related services and consulting services to be procured under this project.
The Community-Based Urban Water Supply Management Project will include the following components: * Creation and Strengthening of Efficient Community Based Organizations/ Condominiums to manage Internal Water Supply Distribution System and Conduct a Public Awareness Program; * Infrastructure Investments and Materials; * Training and Capacity Building - training CBOs to strengthen their capacity to interact with the Municipality and utility service providers and increase their managerial capacity; * Audits / provision of annual financial statement.
The Irrigation Development Project aims at enhancing the profitability, and sustainability of irrigated agriculture, providing the basis for stabilizing irrigated agriculture as a predominant source of productive employment. The project components will: 1) support the rehabilitation of critical irrigation structures, by upgrading primary canal structures, and sections in deficient state, but critical for the effective operation of major irrigation water conveyance infrastructure systems. Aqueducts, and often siphon structures will undergo rehabilitation works, while specifically, the Armavir irrigation scheme will be improved, by expanding river intake schemes, the main conveyance canal, and secondary canal, and will include construction of sediment control facilities; 2) support the conversion from pump, to gravity irrigation, to reduce the reliance on high-cost energy-intensive irrigation, for those cases where clear technical, and economic viability can de demonstrated; and, 3) create conditions for effective operations, and maintenance (O&M) of the irrigation infrastructure through institutional strengthening, by supporting appropriate institutional reforms. In particular, the Water Supply Agency will be responsible for the O&M of facilities supplying water from major sources, and drainage and irrigation management agencies will be constituted as autonomous regional, or scheme-level O&M enterprises. Additionally, independent consultative, assessment, and liaison contributions to system management will be provided by the Technical Consultative Commission on O&M of the irrigation, and drainage system, and the Irrigation Water Group, this last one to serve as the forum to assist stakeholders with information, conflict resolution, or performance issues.
The Municipal Water and Wastewater Project will support a key Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) objective: financial and technical rehabilitation of Armenia's water and wastewater systems, by improving utility financial discipline with better cash generation and expenditure management, improving water and wastewater services, and rehabilitation of sector infrastructure, and, by increasing efficiency of water distribution and use. The project has three components. The first - Armenia Water and Sanitation Company (AWSC) Management Strengthening - includes financing of management contract, and general expenses for the Contract Monitoring Unit (CMU), and refinancing of the project preparation facility (PPF) advance. The second component - AWSC Investments - will assist AWSC at the national level, providing training for its staff, compensation for redundant employees, water meter installation and testing, condominium support, and payment of company operations and maintenance expenses. The third component - Investments in Branch Systems - will support priority reconstruction, and rehabilitation works in the branches managed by AWSC.
A USAID project that supports the ongoing restructuring of the water sector and enhances management effectiveness. USAID-provided water meters collect data on water flows within the drinking water system, allowing more effective management and wholesale commercial water metering.
The main objective is to strengthen the enabling legal and institutional environment for improved water management and regulation of water supply services. It includes two main task areas: development of a more effective legislative and regulatory framework; and development of a more effective and transparent water management institutions.
The U.K. Department for International Development proposes a pilot study on "Water Sector Reform in Armenia" within its Poverty and Social Impact Assessment, which would be focused on the irrigation and municipal water sectors.
Planned demonstration project to establish approximately 90 monitoring stations for collection of limited data above and below major cities and farming, mining and industrial areas on the Kura and Araks Rivers and their major tributaries. System to be developed cooperatively with scientists from Armenia, Azerbaijan , Georgia and the US, and with additional funding from the US DOE.
The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety is supporting the project: "Development of the transboundary cooperation for hazard prevention in the Kura-river basin", with a focus on development of model early warning and prevention system for hazard, predominately industrial accidents in the Kura-river Basin. It is anticipated that the project will run through 2006.
The project goal is to increase the dialogue for sustainable water management between representatives in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the riparian states of the South Caucasus, and to encourage bilateral actions on the sustainable use of natural resources.
The general activities include support to the appropriate agencies in each country for:
* Monitoring, data exchange, and training in each country, * Integrated river basin planning in bilateral pilot areas, and * Institutional framework for addressing water policy issues in the region.
The project activities have been successful in increasing sustainable water management among the stakeholders in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in:
* Monitoring and Data Exchange - provided practical demonstration projects that restarted the monitoring programs, and developed and implemented a common database for web-based data sharing in the region; * Training Programs - developed an extensive training program at the local and national levels for basic and advanced data management, geographic information systems, and web site development, including a basin model of the Debed River in Armenia; * Integrated River Basin Planning - increased understanding of effective water management in the Khrami-Debed River basin, and included the completion of seven (7) prefeasibility evaluation reports and 70 grants that increased the effective participation of stakeholders in river basin planning issues; * Institutional and Legal Framework - provided policy support for sustainable water management that addressed and prioritized water issues with the extensive collaboration of counterpart agencies, other donors, and project implementers in the region; * Basin Council Development - initiated stakeholder meetings in the river basins that included the preparation of registration documents and support for the establishment of basin councils that resulted in the formal registration of three new basin council organizations at the grass-roots level; and * Leveraging of Support - leveraged support from other contractors and donors to continue the public awareness in the basin areas, to conduct a study tour on basin management in the US, and to consider the funding of the prefeasibility evaluations in a phased program.
Water quality and quantity issues presents significant opportunities for confidence-building measures at the technical level aimed at enhancing communication and laying the foundation for future cooperation between Armenia and her neighbors, Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
The Report places emphasis on:-the current status of the main eight goals -opportunities for the country to reach its goals-factors impeding and fostering the achievement of the goals-expectations from the international community -the UN System’s activities -issues of specific concern for Armenia other than the selected goals.
The 2002 Country Profiles Series provides information on the implementation of Agenda 21 on a country-bycountry and chapter-by-chapter basis (with the exception of.
Within the framework of preparation for the WSSD, the UN assisted all countries to prepare their national assessment to report on progress and obstacles encountered during the last decade towards sustainable development.
; Main conclusion: The calculation made with the FEASIBLE model and in-depth analysis of the data with Armenian experts confirm that, by 2015, it is realistic to achieve the targets mentioned in paragraph 6 above.
The Global Water Partnership, which is a global network of organizations involved in water resources management, has its programme in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. It finances regional consultations and other activities that support the introduction and implementation of principles and approaches for Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM).
The Regional Environmental Center Caucasus has launched a separate water component, including development of water-related projects database. With the assistance of the EAP Task Force for the realization of the environmental programme for the countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and with the joint effort of the Regional Environmental Centres for Central Asia, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Caucasus special water site has been developed devoted to the water problems in the NIS. Project is funded by the Ministry of Environment of Netherlands through the project – consumer right protection and reform of urban water supply and sewerage system, undertaken in the NIS. The aim is to provide NGOs and others concerned an opportunity to discuss achievements and failures of the urban water supply and sewerage system reform in the NIS. Site serves as one of the tools to rise the level of public participation in the decision making process in the water sector and is a continuation of the activities within the framework of the consultancy meeting of environmental ministers and economy of the CIS in Almaty, October 2000.
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