Development Alternatives, Inc. WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN PLANNING – KHRAMI/DEBED WATERSHED FINAL REPORT October 2002 JINJ Co.Ltd Khrami/Debed Consortium Integrated River Basin Planning – Khrami/Debed Watershed EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) has been implementing the “Water Resources Management in South Caucasus” Project, a project aimed at improving trans-boundary water resources management in the Kura-Araks River Basin... The project includes 5 activities, one of which is integrated river basin planning in selected river basins, on a bilateral basis. As a demonstration area for this river basin planning process, the Khrami-- Debed River Basin, between Armenia and Georgia, was selected. Background From December 2001, an Armenian-Georgian consortium (JINJ LTD and EPAC NGO of Armenia, and Origo Consultancy and Little Town NGO of Georgia) has been implementing the project entitled: “Integrated River Basin Planning of the Khrami-Debed River Basin”.. This project aims to demonstrate the integrated river basin planning process for the Khrami- Debed river basin, at the local level, and to develop appropriate skills and facilities in the region. The project is implemented in Armenia, in the Lori Region, and partially in the Tavush regions, and in Georgia, in the Kvemo-Kartly administrative area. The leader of the consortium is the JINJ engineering-consultancy organization of Armenia. The project includes 7 tasks: (1) Selection of stakeholders in the pilot area; (2) Preparation of an inventory of water consumers, and analysis of water consumption; (3) Assessment of water resources problems and potential solutions; (4) Promotion of public awareness; (5) Drafting of a preliminary integrated river basin plan; (6) Preparation of proposals for pilot projects; and (7) Preparation of a final integrated river basin plan. Project implementation Selection of Stakeholders To identify stakeholders in the pilot area, organizations from each country were selected through a questionnaire made by the Armenian-Georgian consortium. A training seminar for the stakeholders was conducted in both Armenia and Georgia. The purpose of this seminar was to discuss the main water resources issues in the pilot area and to prioritize them. The Consortium and stakeholders identified the following issues with regard to the conservation, management, and utilization of water resources in the Khrami-Debed River Basin: (a) Low service level in supplying drinking water to residential areas (deterioration of the network, poor reliability of supply and water treatment, high level of leakage loss, poor sanitary conditions, absence of sound management practices). (b) Low service level in wastewater removal (network deterioration, insufficient operation of treatment plants) Executive Summary 1 Khrami/Debed Consortium Integrated River Basin Planning – Khrami/Debed Watershed (c) Low level of irrigation water supply (network deterioration, insufficient water volume, absence of storage, unstable operation of pump stations). (d) Poor technical condition of flood and mudflow protection systems (technical deterioration and obstruction of drainage channels, absence of mudflow protection measures). (e) Unregulated solid waste disposal (low level of residential solid waste disposal and storage, poor condition of waste dumps, absence of organized disposal of industrial waste). (f) Inadequate environmental protection measures (tree cutting, reduction of biological variety, low level of ecological education and training). (g) Low level of public awareness about environmental and water resources issues (absence of information and public involvement). (h) Underdeveloped institutional and legal framework (imperfect laws and institutions, poor enforcement of laws). Thus, the aforementioned issues embrace almost the entire range of problems and questions related to river basin planning activities aimed at conservation, utilization, and management of water resources. Inventory of water consumers The Armenian-Georgian team has collected and analyzed all available and accessible data related to conservation, utilization, and management of water resources in the pilot areas. An inventory of water quantity and quality monitoring facilities, and water intake and discharge sites was prepared. Based on discussions, to facilitate efficient water resources management, two regional monitoring stations in each country were proposed, with the application of uniform monitoring methods. Collection and evaluation of project proposals With the assistance of the stakeholders, the project team compiled a series of project proposals intended to address the problems and opportunities, and the management needs of the Khrami-Debed River Basin. Based on an evaluation method developed by the consortium, these proposals were evaluated and classified by priority. The project proposals were divided into 3 main groups: - Technical assistance; - Training and retraining; and - Investment projects. Technical assistance programs envisage refurbishment of the technical basis of the organizations in charge of operation of the water resources systems, as well as improvement of the monitoring systems, and methods used for data collection, analysis, dissemination, and sharing. Training and retraining programs include issues related to ecological training as well as personnel training and retraining activities. To implement investment programs, restoration, repair, construction and other physical activities are required. After prioritization of the programs, seminars were held in the pilot areas, in both Armenia and Georgia. The seminars presented these programs to the stakeholders, who, after discussion, added new proposals, and approved the priority listing of programs and projects. A total of 121 priority projects and programs were identified through this process. These priorities, when implemented, will assist local authorities in the conservation, utilization, and management of the water resources of the Khrami-Debed River Basin, and will serve as the basis for the preliminary integrated river basin plan. Promotion of public awareness Executive Summary 2 Khrami/Debed Consortium Integrated River Basin Planning – Khrami/Debed Watershed Campaigns have been conducted in both Armenia and Georgia in the Khrami - Debed River Basin, as well as meetings and seminars, attended by a broad representation of the public. These campaigns have informed the public about this project, have encouraged public participation, and have aimed at raising public awareness concerning water resources and environmental issues. Discussions of project-related issues have been held, and public opinion has been taken into account in the development of the river basin plan. Two informative leaflets have been prepared and computer-printed in Armenian, Georgian, and English languages, and distributed to participants and interested partie s. Articles highlighting the project goals, the current implementation status of the project, as well as existing procedures for conservation, management, and utilization of water resources have been published in local and national newspapers. A TV appearance and a contest among journalists for the best coverage of issues related to the Khrami- Debed River have been organized. Upon a request by the head of the Lori region, to ensure project sustainability, the project has been submitted for discussion to the representatives of the Armenian Ministry of Environment as well as a number of other interested organizations. Development of a preliminary river basin plan To support the idea of integrated river basin planning in the process of water resources management in Khrami-Debed river basin, and facilitate the implementation of this mechanism, the Consortium has prepared draft of an integrated river basin plan. An initial demonstrational plan of activities in the Khrami- Debed river basin has been developed. The Consortium has developed a demonstration model of the Debed river basin, using the “Mike Basin” computer program. The initial plan has been submitted to stakeholders in Armenia and Georgia, and later discussed by these parties in a joint Armenian-Georgian seminar. Pilot projects The consortium has developed 21 pilot projects that require only short-term implementation and small-size investments. These pilot projects are aimed at mitigating local problems, while getting local people involved in water resources issues, including NGOs and community-based organizations. The pilot projects fall into 4 groups: (1) Studies; (2) Ecological training and promotion of public awareness; (3) Teaching of river basin management and planning basics; and (4) Specific actions based on public effort. The accomplishment of small-scale pilot projects implemented by NGOs and involving wide public participation would promote awareness of water resources issues among water consumers in the pilot areas. Such collaboration among NGOs and the public will create conditions favorable for future implementation of the integrated river-basin plan. Final Integrated River Basin Plan The consortium has developed a final integrated river basin plan for the Khrami-Debed river basin, whic h is primarily for demonstration purposes. Proposals are included in the plan for river basin management, and implementation of priority projects. Based on information obtained during this project, and discussions of the preliminary