River Basin Management Development in Kura Upstream Mingachevir Dam River Basin District in Azerbaijan Draft for Consultation Purposes

European Union Water Initiative Plus for the Eastern Partnership (EUWI+) Results 2 - 3

RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT IN KURA UPSTREAM MINGACHEVIR DAM RIVER BASIN DISTRICT IN AZERBAIJAN DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION PURPOSES

Version 1, June 2020

Produced by EUWI+

Authors: Vafadar Ismayilov, Fuad Mammadov, Anar Nuriyev,Farda Imanov, Farid Garayev abbreviation

Supervision Yannick Pochon

Date 12.01.2019

Version Draft

Acknowledgements: NEMD MENR, NHMD MENR, NGES MENR, Amelioration JSC, Azersu OSC, WRSA MOES

Produced for: EUWI+

Financed by: European Union – Co-financed by Austria/France

Disclaimer

The EU-funded program European Union Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+ 4 EaP) is implemented by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organisation for Eco-nomic Co-operation and Development (OECD), both responsible for the implementation of Result 1, and an EU member states consortium comprising the Environment Agency Austria (UBA, Austria), the lead coordinator, and the International Office for Water (IOW, France), both responsible for the implementation of Results 2 and 3. The project is co-funded by Austria and France through the Austrian Development Agency and the French Ar-tois-Picardie Water Agency. This document, the “Thematic Summary, RBMP for Alazani-Iori river basin”, was produced by the EU member state consortium with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or the Governments of the Eastern Partnership Countries. This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of, or sovereignty over, any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries, and to the name of any territory, city or area.

Imprint

Owner and Editor: EU Member Office International de’l Eau State Consortium (IOW) Umweltbundesamt GmbH 21/23 rue de Madrid Spittelauer Lände 5 75008 Paris, FRANCE 1090 Vienna, Austria

Responsible IOW Communication officer: Chloé Déchelette [email protected]

June 2020

Contents

Acronyms………….………….………….………….………….………….……………….…….4 1. Characterization of the river basin district………….………….………….………….…….5 2. Pressures and impacts of human activities………….………….………….………….….11 3. Protected areas………….………….………….………….………….………….….……….……..15 4. Water bodies status and risk analysis………….………….………….…………...…………. 16 5 Surface and Ground water Monitoring………….………….………….………..….……….25 5.1 Surface water monitoring………….………….………….………….………..…………25 5.1.1 Current surface water monitoring situation………….………….…………..……… 25 5.1.2 Monitoring improvement………….………….………….………….…………..…….26

5.1.2.1 Chemical Monitoring………….………….………….………….………….…....…...26

5.1.2.2 Biological Monitoring………….………….………….………….………….…………27

5.1.2.3 Hydro-morphological Monitoring………….………….………….……….…………27

5.1.3 Monitoring Costs………….………….………….………….………….………….…….28

5.1.4 Monitoring results………….………….………….………….………….………….…...28

5.1.4.1 Chemical Status………….………….………….………….………….………………28

5.1.4.2 Ecological status………….………….………….………….………….………….….28 5.2 Ground water monitoring………….………….………….………….………….……. .30 6. Environmental objectives………….…………….………….………….…………………..34 7. Economic analysis………….………….………….………….………….………….…… .36 8. Programme of measures………….………….………….………….………….…………..38 9. Summary of strategies, programmes, plans and projects………….………….………….47 10. Summary of the first consultation………….………….………….………….…………..48 11. List of competent authorities………….………….………….………….………….…….49 12. Procedures for obtaining the technical reports………….………….………….…….…50 Glossary………….………….…………………….………….………….………….……….…51 References………….………….………….………….………….………….………….……...54

1. Acronyms Amelioration JSC Amelioration and Water Economy Open Joint Stock Company (Azerbaijan) AZERSU Azersu Joint Stock Company (Azerbaijan) Dashkasan FJSC Dashkasan filizsaflashdirma JSC (Dashkasan Mining and Processing Plant) EU European Union EPIRB Environmental Protection of International River Basin Project GEF Global Environment Facility HPP Hydroelectric power plant IWRM Integrated water resource management MENR Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (Azerbaijan) MPD Maximum Permissible Discharge NHD National Hydrometeorology Department (MENR) NPD National Policy Dialogue O&M Operation and Maintenance P&I Pressure and Impact PoM Program of Measures RBMP River Basin Management Plan TACIS Technical Aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States ToR Terms of Reference UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe USAID United States Agency for International Development WB Water Body WBR Water Body at Risk WFD Water Framework Directive (EU) WRSA Water Resources State Agency

1.CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RIVER BASIN DISTRICT

Natural Conditions. Within the framework of EUWI+ project, the Kura River basin upper Mingachevir Reservoir Dam was selected as a pilot area for River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) development. Basin District is located in the area upper Mingachevir dam, which is an earth-fill embankment dam (the length of the dam is 1,550 meters, its width is 16m and height is 80 m) on the Kura River just north the city of Mingachevir in Azerbaijan. The dam serves the purposes of hydroelectric power production and water storage for irrigation.

Mingachevir reservoir supplies water to the Upper Garabag and Upper Shirvan Channels which help irrigate about 1,000,000 ha (2,500,000 acres) of farmland in the country. The reservoir was built on a section of Kura River in 1953. The filling capacity of the reservoir is 83 m whereas the volume is 15.73 km³ and covering 605 km2. The length is 70 km and width is 18 km. Maximum depth is 75 m, for an average depth of 26 m. Main rivers feeding Mingachevir reservoir are transboundary ones with Georgia; rivers Ganikh(Alazan), Gabirri(Iori) and Kura. In general, Kura upper Mingachevir reservoir basin district within Azerbaijan Republic covers 2 sub basins:  Central Kura(including Gabirri river ) sub basin located in Ganja-Gazakh economic region and  Ganikh/Alazan sub basin located in Sheki –Zagatala economic region. As Central Kura and Gabirri river basins are located in Gazakh –Ganja Economic Region and Gabirri has no large b-asin area on the territory of Azerbaijan they are presented under one single sub basin in this report called Central-Kura sub basin. In the figure below is presented the map of Kura basin district upstream Mingachevir dam in Azerbaijan

Figure 1.1. Map of Kura upstream of Mingachevir reservoirpilot area.

Climate. Though the climate of 2 sub basins doesn’t differ significantly from each other, but there are stil some differences because of impact of Great and Lesser Caucasus mountains, .Ganja- Gazakh region has dry and warm climate in the plains, temperate-warm and steppe-dry winter climate in the lowlands, and cold and humid climate in the mountain areas. The temperature in winter change from -5 °C to -20 °C (or lower in mountain areas) in the winter and from +20 °C to +35 °C (or higher in plain areas) in summer. The average annual temperature is 11,8-14,5 °C. The average temperature in July is 23-28°C , with absolute maximums of 37-42°C . Winters are warm: the average temperature in January is 0°C . The average number of absolute minimums makes a 6-10°C frost. The period without frost is 220-250 days. There is no long snow cover period. The average annual precipitation ranges between 250 and 550 mm. The amount of annual precipitation is 240-390 mm and precipitation increases with altitude. Ganikh/Alazan Basin belongs to the transition zone from sub-tropical continental climate to the humid climate. The average annual amount of the atmospheric precipitation varies between 300- 4500 mm in Georgia and 500-1300 mm on the Azerbaijan side. The average annual air temperature is from +9+100 C to +13+140 C, the minimum air temperature is 0.5 ºC in January, and the maximum temperature is at 23.6 ºC in July.

As in all mountain regions in this region as well temperature(monthly and annual) falls by elevation . Annual temperature is 14-160C in plain area, in high mountain zone it descends to 00C. The average annual relative air humidity is around 70% fluctuating over the season from 60 to 85%. Maximum annual precipitation falls on 2400-2600m (1400mm) height in the south slopes of Major Caucasus. Amount of precipitations changes between 900-1200mm in the south slope of high mountain zone. Precipitations in Ganigh-Ayrichay valley amounts to 550-850 mm. The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is a comprehensive piece of legislation that sets out, inter alia, clear quality objectives for all waters in Europe. In order to make the implementation of the Directive, and the compliance checking of its quality objectives, operational, the concept of “water bodies” has been introduced as the key units to which a number of the Directive’s requirements are related. The Water Framework Directive ‘water environment’ includes rivers, lakes, transitional waters, groundwater and coastal waters out to 1 nautical mile (12 nautical miles for chemical status, i.e. for territorial waters).. Hydrological characteristics. The transboundary river Kura with its vast river system is the key water provider is the main water artery of Eastern Caucasus. The river flows through the territory of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan Republics. Average height of Kura river watershed at the west part of the Azerbaijan Republic border equals to 1700 m; total area of the watershed makes up 188 000 km2 and the length is 1 515 km. The river flows through the territory of the Georgia and Azerbaijan Republics and falls into Mingachevir reservoir.

Kura river starts from north-east slope of Qizil-Gadik mountain in Turkey at 2,720 meters above sea level and reach Azerbaijan at the elevation about 2 meters About 174 kilometers of the river is in Turkey, 522 kilometers in Georgia, and 819 kilometers in Azerbaijan. The River Gabirri originates on the territory of Geirgia in the Greater Caucasus Mountains (at 2600m height) and flows to the Mingachevir reservoir on the territory of Azerbaijan, where it is known as Gabirri . Its length is 389 km and the catchment area is 4840 km2 (4230 km2 in Georgia and 610 km2 in Azerbaijan). It enters the borders of Azerbaijan near the village of Eldar. The annual flow of the Gabirri/Iori River to the border with Azerbaijan was 805 million m3 . Main local rivers in the sub basin are Agstafachay, Tovuzchay, Zayamchay, Shamkirhcay, Goshgarchay and Ganjachay rivers. The total water resources of small rivers of Ganja-Gazakh region vary between 1,4 and 1,5 km3. There are many lakes in the region. Most of these are fresh water lakes. Lakes of erosion and glacier type lakes are located in high mountain areas of Murovdag and Shahdag. Lakes of dam type (sink bed) are the most characteristic for the Lesser Caucasus area, e.g. Goygol, Maralgol, Garagol lakes. The main reservoirs are located on Kura River are Mingachevir (15,7km3),Shamkir (2,7km3), Yenikend (1,58km3) and also located belwo Mingachevir reservoir Varvara(0,06km3)), On Agstafachay, Akhinjachay ,Tovuzchay , Jogazchay , Indjachay , Shamkirchay rivers are constructed small water reservoir and one is planned to be built on Zayamchay River Ganikh(Alazan) river is the major tributary of Kura River in the pilot area and is created by the tributary of two mountain rivers, Tsiplovaniskhevi and Samkuristskali, which flow from the southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range from 825 m above sea level on Georgian territory. The river

7 crosses intermountain depression, streams along Georgian-Azerbaijan border and then flows in Mingachevir Water Reservoir, situated on Azerbaijan territory. The total length of the river is 351 km, average fall - 745 m and average gradient - 2.12‰, total catchment area 11,800 km2. Basin is directed from northwest to southeast, and at the entry of the River Agrichay (Azerbaijan) it changes the direction to south. The main tributaries of Ganikh/Alazan are shown at table below. Balakanchay, Katekhchay, Talachay, Kurmukchay, Shinchay, Kishchay and Ayrichay Average quantity of annual flow is 3942.5mln m3. 1876m3 of them is in Georgia, 1216 mln m3 is in Azerbaijan. Groundwater. Groundwater resources of Central Kura sub basin are estimated to be 42 m3/sec. Groundwater réserves in the major part of the Ganikh Basin are estimated to be 39.3 m3/sec; 20.4 m3/sec is in the Georgian part and 18.9 m3/sec in Azerbaijan.

The aquifers in both sub basins have been analysed, their hydro chemical and hydrodynamic characteristics compared, and certain smaller aquifers have been grouped to avoid unmanageable subdivision, resulting in 8 main aquifers. Based on these, bodies of groundwater were identified and mapped.

Nine groundwater bodies (GWB G‐100–602) have been preliminary identified and delineated in the Upper Kura. Seven groundwater bodies have been identified in confined aquifers and two GWB delineated in unconfined aquifers. All deep groundwater bodies (except for local aquifers in intrusive rocks and shallow groundwater) are used for drinking, agricultural and/or industrial water supply. The shallow groundwater (interflow) has some local pollution and can be salty because of entering of salty waters from washing of clay solids. It should be noted that volumes of shallow groundwater are very limited and in many cases, they exist for a short period and are fed by seasonal snow melting and during rainfall and then dry in result of evaporation or spreading in large area. Therefore, they are not used for drinking water purposes and are not linked with surface waters. This temporary shallow groundwater was not delineated as groundwater bodies according to the definition of the Water Framework Directive. If needed, it could be delineated in the next cycle RBMP. Population. Population of Central Kura sub basin according to the information of State Statistics Committee by the beginning of 2018 was 1161,49th., which is about 90 % of population of the Ganja-Gazakh economic region and 11,7% of total population of Azerbaijan Republic. According to the same source in Ganikh/Alazan river sub basin area live 467,30th Population which is about 75 % of population of the Sheki-Zagatala economic region and 4,72% of total population of Azerbaijan Republic/19/ During last 6 years number of population increased in both Central Kura and Ganikh/Alazan sub basins for about 6% or 1% per year. The increase of population was observed in all raions of the pilot area Table1.1. Population of Kura upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir pilot area

Population of Kura upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir

Raion/Region 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Central Kura river sub basin 1086,4 1108,6 1118,9 1130,9 1142,3 1152,8

Ganikh/Alazan river sub basin 438,8 447,4 451,1 455,8 460 464

(Source : www.stat.gov.az) Agriculture. Of the total land used for agricultural purposed in Azerbaijan, 13% is in Ganja- Gazakh, as well as 15% of the total cattle and 28% of all vineyards in the country. The main agricultural field products are potato, grain and wine. Cotton is cultivated only in Goranboy. Gazakh, Agstafa, Shamkir and Samukh regions are specialized in wine-growing, Gadabay, Shamkir, Tovuz – in potatoes, and Goranboy – in grain. Horticulture, fruit-growing, vegetable-growing and cattle-breeding are also developed in the Ganja-Gazakh economic region. Grape is planted both in irrigated (60%), and dry-farming land (40%) conditions. Cultivated varieties (over 250) are technical (the majority), table grapes and raisins grapes. The first place in grape production belongs to Shamkir, Tovuz, Samukh Agriculture is the most developed field of economy in the Sheki-Zagatala economical region. Land fund in the basin is 1,1mln hectare and 17,2% or 179 thousand hectare of it is sowing area. Irrigated grain planting was developed in the lowland (plain) regions. In grain planting Sheki – Zagatala region play special role. Fodder crops are also planted in the region as a base of cattle breeding and include barley, maize, sunflower, sugar beet, etc. Tobacco is grown in Sheki, Zagatala, Balakan raions and tea partly in Zagatala. Seedy fruit (apple) , nuts and fruit - (walnut, hazelnut, chestnut) are grown in Sheki –Zagatala region Table1.2. Agricultured lands(ha) in Kura upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir pilot area

Raion/Region 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Central Kura 130797 133825 140413 133820 129697 137412 sub basin Ganikh sub 152356 155086 162584 151248 143004 164809 basin

Cattle breeding (both meat and milk-meat) include cattle (cows), sheep breeding In Ganja Gazakh region is based on summer - winter pastures and on the natural forage base. Wool and skin is raw materials for light industry. Is profitable area, because the number grows fast, requires the less labour cost, less feed. Poultry - poultry facilities are in the extremities of the city of Ganja . Kept in individual farms.

The main economic field for agriculture is Tovuz region: cattle-breeding, horticulture and wine growing. Cattle breeding (both meat and milk-meat) in Ganikh river sub basin is based on the rural economy. The local cattle (cows) occupy the main place. There are cattle in all raions. Buffalo breeding is also developed in Sheki – Zagatala region. Silkworm breeding – in areas of planting of mulberry trees in lowland and highland regions (Balaken, Zagatala). Table1.3. Livestock( unit) in Kura upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir pilot area

Raion/Region 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Central Kura 3192817 3235730 3752402 3895071 3331867 3314978 sub basin Ganikh sub 1617799 1650147 1641025 1603233 1605147 1647877 basin Source: www.stat.gov.az Industry and mining. In Central Kura main industries are sulphuric pyrites, cobalt, barite, iron ore, alunite, stone marble, gypsum, zeolite, bentonite, crude cement, gold, copper, and limestone. Ganja-Gazakh is the second most important industrial region in the Republic, and its share of total industrial production in Azerbaijan is 12-13%. The region of Dashkasan is significant for the metallurgy and mining industries. It is located near the Koshkarchay River basin. The area of Gadabay at present there is one operational plant in the area for production of gold, which employs about 2000 people. Enterprises of non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy are active in Ganja and Dashkasan. Power industry: operational are Ganja, Shamkir and Enikend HPP. Chemical industry: plants operate in Ganja for the production of sulphuric acid and potash fertilizers. Light industry is mostly based on the processing of local raw materials: cotton in Dalimamedli, and cotton, wool and carpet production in Ganja, Gazakh, and Dashkasan. Industry of this economical region mainly based on treatment of agricultural production. At present 103 industrial enterprises work in this area. . Main industry in Ganikh basinis represented mainly by food industry, light industry nad partly by construction enterprises. Food industry gives more than 70% of all industry production in the economical region. Meat, butter, cheese, fruit-vegetable, can factory, tobacco made fermented enterprises, different kinds of sweet enterprises represent food industry in the economical city centre.In last years production of non-alcoholic drink based on mineral waters,mineral and aerated water is increased. Light industry is approximately 5% of all productive capacity of region (Sheki silk enterprises). Among industry fields production of building materials takes the third place. There is a perspective opportunity in the development of this field in this region. Though it is rich with raw building reserve

10 in the comparison with 2000, growth was observed in the main funds put into use from 2007 in the economical region.

2. PRESSURES AND IMPACTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES

The overall approach of the Pressure and Impact Analysis as described in the CIS IMPRESS Guidance This principle is based on the best practice analytical framework of the DPSIR (Driver- Pressure-State-Impact-Response) methodology that supports and understanding of human the identification pressures, the assessment on their significance and their possible adverse impacts these may have on river ecosystems and might cause the failure to achieve good water status/1/. Pressure and Impact as important elements of the DPSIR approach (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts and Response) for analysis the interactions between the natural resources and human activities characterize the direct effect of the driver (changing the flow, the physic-chemical parameter, population of species, etc…) and the environmental effect of the pressure (fished killed, ecosystem modified, the impact is depending on the pressure and on the vulnerability of the receiving media (surface water bodies, groundwater bodies, protected areas, lakes etc.) and ecosystems. By significance of pressure and the monitoring datasets, can be identified the water body ‘at risk’ or ‘not at risk’ and the degree of confidence of the judgment. As significant pressures, significant water abstraction for urban, industrial, agricultural and other uses, significant pollution of water bodies and others can be considered as contributing to an impact that may result in the failing of reaching WFD Article 4(1) Environmental Objectives/8 /. Types of pressure: In the case of surface waters, the WFD requires the identification of significant pressures from: . point sources of pollution; . diffuse sources of pollution; . modifications of flow regimes through abstractions or regulation; . morphological alterations; . as well as any other pressures such as the estimation of land use patterns, including  identification of the main urban, industrial and agricultural areas and, where relevant,  fisheries and forests. Regarding ground waters according to the WFD Annex V 2.3.2, good groundwater chemical status is achieved when the chemical composition of the groundwater body is such that the concentrations of pollutants:

. do not exhibit the effects of saline or other intrusions; . do not exceed the quality standards applicable under relevant legislation;

. are not such as would result in failure to achieve the environmental objectives for as- . associated surface waters nor any significant diminution of the ecological or chemical quality of such bodies nor in any significant damage to terrestrial ecosystems which depend directlyon the groundwater body.

In relation to good groundwater quantitative status according to the WFD Annex 2.1.2, the level of groundwater in the groundwater body should be such that the available groundwater resource, is not exceeded by the long term annual average rate of abstraction. Below pressures are identical for almost all surface and of shallow groundwater in Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir pilot basin in areas impacted by population and agriculture:

 Water abstraction for irrigation  Waste waters from households  Deforestation  Solid waste disposal  Pollution by car washing in rivers  Impact through pollution of rivers by industrial and mining activities  Pollution by pesticides and fertilisers from agriculture  Physical alterations and morphological changes

Water abstraction. Water abstraction and flow regulation can be considered as a main quantities pressure on water resources. In order to supply irrigation water are constructed 5 big canals and 7 water reservoirs in pilot area (see below). In result of water abstraction many rivers in pilot area dry in low flow period of year. Almost for all rivers environmental flow requirements aren’t met. Amounts of abstracted from sources water are given in table below.

Table 2.1. Water abstraction from natural sources, mln kub m.

Raion/Region 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Ganja-Gazakh 746,5 797,9 829,6 842,3 832,1 853,9 region Sheki-Zagatala 282,9 282,6 287 277 312,8 320,7 region

As one can see from table in general total amount of abstracted water is lower than existing annual values of water resources (in Ganja-Gazakh region vary between 1,4 and 1,5 km3 and in Azeri part of Ganikh basin 1216mln m3 ) and reach 50 % of total water resources in Ganja _gazakh region. But it shoudl be noted that when it comes to vegetation period the values of abstratced waters become equal to existing water discharges in river and rivers dry. Results of study show that in result of cimate chnages water discharges in many rivers are reducing and in last 5-6 years this process is more evident.

Waste waters. Waste water management system in most of raions of the basin is old and based on constructed during former Soviet Union sewage and waste water treatment facilities. But OJSC on drinking water supply Azersu started to rehabilitate water supply and sanitation system of regions under National Water Supply and Sanitation Program, including the pilot area.

Currently in most of cities the sewerage system was developed in last century and at the moment it is not sufficient to serve all city residents, most of the wastewater collection system is outdated and needs to be replaced. Pipes have defects and damaged. Counter-filtration in the sewerage system is a significant source of pollution. Population in all settlements near rivers, including the four pilot rivers, discharge their household waste waters into these rivers. Hence, waste waters from residential areas located in or near the pilot river basins exert significant impact on water quality in the basins. Change of total volume of polluted waste waters during last years is shown in table below, Table 2.2.Amount of waste waters , mln. kub m.

Raion/Region 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Ganja-Gazakh region 35,28 50,41 13,1 12,2 13,8 12,8

Sheki-Zagatala region 3,24 2,84 2,4 0,94 1,56 1,86

Industrial wastewaterwaters are connected to the main sewage systems of cities in raions of Azerbaijan. But industries have to follow requirements on quality and level of treatment of their waste waters before discharging them into cities main sewage system according to the licences given by MENR. The website of the State Statistical Committee does not provide any information on the amount of water volume discharged from industrial and ore extraction facilities in the pilot area, even as in the pilot area there are industrial enterprises and ore mines. Assessment of agricultural lands and livestock impact on status of water bodies in the pilot basin was done according to pressure Indicator “Likelihood for diffuse pollution” for water bodies Kura upstream of Mingachevir pilot river basin, including typical agricultural contaminants, such as nutrients from fertilisers, pesticides and other plant protection products. Animal husbandry is practiced primarily in the mountain and to a lesser degree in the plain parts of the pilot area and has impact on status of water bodies. As manure infiltrates into ground and surface water, the amounts of organic compounds in water increase.

Water quality. Results of assessment show that almost all surface water bodies below main cities and in lowland agricultural areas are polluted by household waste waters, nitrates, pesticides and heavy metals.

It is considered that none of the deep groundwater bodies are at risk of not achieving good chemical and quantitative status. Shallow groundwater, however, is exposed to some local pollution. Therefore, it is not used widely in drinking water supply. The implementation of the National Program on Water Supply and Sanitation and of the National Solid Waste Management Strategy in parallel to the implementation of environmentally friendly agricultural development programs, pressures and impacts on shallow groundwater can also be reduced. However, nutrients, pesticides, and other contaminants, including those from landfills and places where waste is accumulated without orderly preparation of the waste disposal site, can cause long-term pollution of groundwater, particularly where aquifers are not protected by overlying impermeable layers.

However, the current monitoring network does not yet cover all groundwater bodies of the Upper Kura basin, and the network is not yet adequately representative in all those groundwater bodies that do have monitoring sites. The Water Framework follows a risk-based approach. In this approach, a large set of parameters is analysed at a large number of monitoring sites at least once every six years (i.e. once per RBMP cycle) in what is called surveillance monitoring. Based on the results, a reduced number of parameters is analysed at a reduced number of sites, focusing efforts where needed the most and reducing the costs of monitoring. The limitations of the current groundwater monitoring network restrict the potential usefulness of the existing monitoring data for informing decision-making on the protection and use of the groundwater resource. Additional data from a representative groundwater monitoring network and covering a larger set of parameters, including heavy metals, pesticides and other synthetic chemicals, is required.

3. PROTECTED AREAS.

In Central Kura sub basin national parks, reserves and sanctuaries are created in areas where natural complexes of preferential ecological, historical, aesthetic and similar value is placed. These are used for nature conservation, enlightenment, scientific, cultural and other purposes. There is one National Park (Goygol), two State Nature Reserves (Garayazi, Eldar Shami), and four

State Nature Sanctuaries (in Gadabey, Goygol, Agstafa and Shamkir regions). All these areas are designated for the protection of habitats and species/18/. Also in Ganikh river basin in areas there are reserves, where there are natural complexes of preferential ecological, historical, aesthetic and similar values. These are also used for nature conservation, enlightenment, scientific, cultural and other purposes. There are State Nature Reserves (Zagatala and Gakh raions) and three State Nature Sanctuaries (in Zagatala, Qakh and Shaki raions). Protected areas are shown on map below.

Figure 3.1. Protected areas



4. WATER BODIES STATUS & RISK ANALYSES

Water bodies. Surface water bodies are classified into water bodies in natural conditions, heavily modified and artificial water bodies. Determination of surface water bodies and heavily modified water bodies is based on several guidelines and an agreed methodology, is described below.

103 surface water bodies have been identified on the rivers of the Pilot area BD of which 7 were reservoirs and one natural lake(Zinjirli) . Five water bodies (irrigation canals) have been identified as the artificial water body. These 7 reservoirs were identified as the heavily modified water bodies. The results of WBs delineation are provided in Tables below.

Figure 4.1. Number and total length of river water bodies and artificial canals of the Pilot area

River water bodies in Heavily modified river water Artificial water bodies natural conditions bodies

Length, Number Length, km Number Number Length, km km

95 2793.8 5 107.68 2 11

Below 2 river water bodies have been identified as heavily modified in pilot river basin.

Figure 4.2. Heavily Modified river water bodies Elevation, Length Area, DelName DelCode Criteria Geology Type m (km) km2

GANIKH RIVER WATER BODIES

1 Gan1013-3- CHMWB- Kishchay WB010 R 200-800 Siliceous 2.7 35 2

KURA RIVER WATER BODIES

2 Kur011-4- CHMWB- Ganjachay WB006 R 200-800 Siliceous 8.7 11 2

Of 8 lake water bodies located on the territory of the pilot basin 7 are HMBS and are given below

4.3. Number and total area of lake water bodies in the Pilot area

Heavily modified water Natural lakes Artificial water bodies bodies

Number Area, km2 Number Area, km2 Number Area, km2

1 0.6 - - 7 788.1

In result of assessment of existing information and as well field observation below Heavily modified and artificial water bodies have been identified in pilot river basin. 4.4. Heavily Modified lake water bodies Surface Elevation, DelName DelCode Criteria Geology Depth, m area, Type m km2

1 Mingachevir Kur01-1- HMWB- 26 605 Reservoir HMWB001 PR <200 Siliceous 10

2 Yenikend Kur01-2- HMWB- 6.8 23.2 Reservoir HMWB002 PR <200 Siliceous 7

3 Shamkir Kur01-3- HMWB- 23.2 115 Reservoir HMWB003 PR 200-800 Siliceous 11

5 Shamkirchay Kur013-2- HMWB- 7 25 Reservoir HMWB005 PR 200-800 Siliceous 8

6 Tovuzchay Kur015-1- HMWB- 13 1.6 Rezervoir HMWB006 PR 200-800 Siliceous 5

7 Aghstafachay Kur016-1- HMWB 19.0 6.30 Rezervoir HMWB007 –R 200-800 Siliceous 5

8 Ayrichay Gan101-1- HMWB 7.5 12 Reservoir HMWB008 –R 200-800 Siliceous 8

4.5. Artificial water bodies Elevation, Length Area, DelName DelCode Criteria Geology Type m (km) km2

1 Kur016-1- Shamkir canal AWB001 AWB 200-800 Siliceous 56.6 56.6 2

2 Kur016-2- Salahli canal AWB002 AWB 200-800 Siliceous 11.2 11.2 2

3 Kur016-3- Kosalar canal AWB003 AWB 200-800 Siliceous 10.5 10.5 2

4 Kur013-1- Konullu canal AWB004 AWB 200-800 Siliceous 14.8 14.8 2

5 Kur013-2- Dallar canal AWB005 AWB 200-800 Siliceous 14.5 14.5 2

Nine groundwater bodies (GWB G‐100–602) have been preliminary identified and delineated in the Upper Kura basin. Four groundwater bodies have been identified in Quaternary aquifers, including one unconfined GWB, six confined (artesian) GWB, and three GWB delineated in Pre‐Quaternary aquifers. The temporary shallow groundwater was not delineated as groundwater bodies according to the definition of the Water Framework Directive. If needed, it could be delineated in the next cycle RBMP. Figure 4.1 Groundwater bodies

All deep groundwater bodies (except for local aquifers in intrusive rocks and shallow groundwater) are used for drinking, agricultural and/or industrial water supply with abstraction of over 10 m3/d. Risk analyses. The combined effect of the magnitude of a pressure and the susceptibility of a water body to this pressure lead to a certain water quality and quantity (also physical – morphological) changes. This can also be directly measured/monitored or assessed based on pressure impact analyses by use of risk criteria.

These criteria are threshold values for general physico-chemical parameters (quality standards). The Pressure-Impact Analysis and risk assessment analyses existing monitoring data to identify cases where these threshold values are violated. Water quality related pressures and risk assessment. Pollution pressure indicators address the main pollutions sources:

 Two pressure indicators for pollution from municipal wastewater sources (including industrial wastewater sources as far as possible) and  Two pressure indicators for diffuse agricultural pollution sources. For water quality indicators two risk categories are used (at risk; not at risk). For pressure related risk criteria a third risk category is introduced, called “possibly at risk”. This category is introduced to express that there is an uncertainty. Hence, the risk criteria are an approximation and need to be validated by monitoring as described in the WFD Article 8 Annex V/1-5/. Range of pressure indicator were used regarding water pollution from point and diffuse sources of pollution: the ratio of untreated wastewater to annual minimum flow, total share of waste water, for municipal and industrial waste waters showing river dilution capacity, likelihood diffuse pollution pressure etc. Based on this criteria in Ganikh sub basin of 49 river water bodies 20 were identified as water body at risk(WBR) and 9 as possibly at risk(WBPR). In Central Kura sub basin of 46 river water bodies 23 were identified as WBR and 9 as WBPR. In addition 7 lake water bodies(reservoirs) were also considered to be at risk of not meeting water quality requirements for good ecological status. Hydromorphological changes. To assess hydromorphological condition of water bodies was analysed information of water resources measured in hydrological points, which was compared with values of abstracted water discharges, flow regulation patterns etc. Map of monitoring points is given in Figure below

Figure 4.2 Surface water field survey points

During the undertaken EUWI+ Project Field Surveys in September 2018 the following hydromorphological elements have been addressed aligned to the WFD requirements (see also table above):  Interruption of river and habitat continuity;  Hydrological alterations;  Modification of river morphology. Based on risk criteria and by use of different risk categories identified in Guidance was assessed morphological and hydrological status of rivers for monitoring sires at September 2018 field survey period. Analysis of changes in the hydrological regime has been done on the base of specific average and minimum flow maps prepared using the hydrological information from the existing hydrological monitoring network.

Flow measurements were carried out for the pollution load calculation, and to define the analogue monitoring station for the non-gauged rivers in the pilot basin. The values of the measured water discharges were used for the hydrological regime assessment. For each water body in addition to hydromorphology also other elements of the geology, relief , substrata, form of the river section and other elements have been considered to make prices hydromorphological status assessment. Based on methodology of 5 class status was assessed morphological and hydrological status of monitored water bodies and results are given in Table below . JFS sites characteristics and hydromorphological assessment results in Kura Upstream of Mingachevir pilot basin M H Basi WB Mean Min Measure score score Site Altitud n Water Site name typ flow, flow, d flow, / / No. e, m area, e m3/3 m3/s m3/s use* statu statu km2 s s

Ganjachay-Below WW, SW-01 593 4 465 magistral bridge 2.05 0.89 0.97 WA 3.3 3.6

Ganjachay- SW-02 864 5 330 Zurnabad 3.93 0.69 2.35 NO 1.5 1.0

Qoshqarchay – SW-03 844 5 17.3 0.71 0.38 0.62 WW 1.3 1.0 Upper part

Qoshqarchay – WW, SW-04 584 5 246 Below bridge 1.63 0.56 0.58 WA 2.6 2.8

Shamkirchay- WW, SW-5 392 7 1061 Below bridge 5.94 1.57 1.15 WA 3.7 3.5

Zayamchay – SW-6 676 5 138 1.8 1.9 Below Restoran 4.31 0.77 2.80 NO

Zayamchay – SW-7 547 4 740 Tatarlı 5.32 1.220 1.45 WA 2.7 3.1

Tovuzchay –Below SW-8 350 4 807 Tovuz park 0.63 0.36 0.37 WA 2.6 3.1

Tovuzchay – SW-9 466 4 280 Oysuzlu 0.83 0.42 0.28 WA 2.6 3.1

Agstafachay - WW, SW-10 346 7 1682 9.10 2.19 0.26 4.3 4.6 Gazakh aşağı WA

M H Basi WB Mean Min Measure score score Site Altitud n Water Site name typ flow, flow, d flow, / / No. e, m area, e m3/3 m3/s m3/s use* statu statu km2 s s

Jagazchay – Below SW-11 516 4 296 bridge 1.20 0.64 0.32 WA 3.0 3.2

Ayrichay Bash SW-12 700 92 Dashaqil aşağı 2.90 1.41 2.32 WA 1,7 1,8

Ayrichay after WA, SW-13 196 1810 Kishchay 17.4 4.97 4.31 WW 2,1 2,1

Kurmukchay - Ulu SW-14 998 166 bridge 4.90 3.07 3.1 1,8 1,7

Kurmukchay – WA,W SW-15 223 - Below bridge 5,11 2,10 2.63 W 2,7 2,8

Karachyay – Lahıc SW-16 225 - bridge 1,24 0,81 0.42 WA, 2,8 2,8

Talachay upper SW-17 686 136 Zagatala 3.97 2.08 3.10 1,8 1,8

Talachay Ashagi WA,W SW-18 493 - Tala 4,2 2,4 2.90 W 3,7 3,7

Kishchay upper SW-19 1057 265 Sheki 2.84 1.26 2.1 1,8 1,8

Katekhchay (Bitdili) – SW-20 264 - 0,811 Above the bridge 2,11 - 0.85 WA 37 3,8

Belokanchay upper SW-21 470 146 4.36 1.33 4.20 1,8 1,9 Belokan

Result of assessment show that main impacts on water bodies are flow regulation by water reservoirs, interruption of flow continuity, significant water abstraction.

SW-01-has “poor” water conditions due to the impact from the artificial structure in the river bed and riparian zone; SW-04, SW-07, SW-08, SW-09, SW-11 - SW-13, SW-15 and SW-16 have “moderate” water conditions due to the significant changes in the hydrological regime from the water abstraction; SW-12, SW-15 , SW-18 and SW-20 have “poor” water conditions due to the impact from the artificial structure in the river bed and riparian zone, and from the water abstraction. SW-10-has “bad” water condition due to to the impact from the artificial structure in the river bed and riparian zone, and from the water abstraction. In pilot basin 2 river water bodies 7 lake water bodies (reservoirs) have been identified as the heavily modified water bodies at risk of reaching good ecological potential. All above point (household and industrial waste waters) and diffusion pollution(agricultural lands and livestock, illegal solid waste disposal sites) and also water abstraction pressure on water bodies in the pilot basin have been summarized and final status of water bodies have been assessed according to risk criteria and are given in map below Figure 4,3. Water bodies at risk map

Program on Water Supply and Sanitation and of the National Solid Waste Management Strategy in parallel to the implementation of environmentally friendly agricultural development programs, pressures and impacts on shallow groundwater can also be reduced. A map of shallow groundwater is given in the Annex.

However, the current groundwater monitoring network does not yet cover all groundwater bodies of the Upper Kura basin, and the network is not yet adequately representative in all those groundwater bodies that do have monitoring sites. This limits the potential usefulness of the existing monitoring data for informing decision-making on the protection and use of the groundwater resource. To fill some of the monitoring gaps within groundwater bodies and of entire groundwater bodies, and to find existing wells and springs which could be added to the monitoring network to improve its coverage, in 2018 EUWI+ supported the Hydro-geological Expedition to conduct additional field works on top of the regular monitoring. There are currently no structured methods to aggregate the collected chemical and quantitative groundwater monitoring data over time and across an entire groundwater body into a reliable assessment of chemical and quantitative groundwater status and of risk not to achieve good status. Such methods still need to be developed.

5. SURFACE AND GROUND WATER MONITORING

The current environmental policy in Azerbaijan is based on the National Programme for the Environment 2003–2010. Surface water (SW) monitoring is regulated in a Ministerial Decree (2004), addressing monitoring programmes and its basic components like parameters, sites, and sampling frequencies. Responsible for the design, implementation and performance of surface water monitoring is the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR). The previous monitoring in the Upper Kura RBD has always had a clear focus on hydrology and water quality, while other pressures such as hydro-morphological alterations were considered only to a minor extent. In recent years, the focus has been on the implementation of WFD- compliant monitoring programmes. Therefore, surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring programmes as foreseen in the WFD need to be established. Monitoring results will be used to define the status of water bodies while results are compared to the respective environmental objectives set. Concerning surface water bodies, monitoring should include measurements of chemical, biological, physico-chemical and hydro-morphological parameters. For further details of information mentioned in this Thematic Summary, see Technical Report “Surface Water Monitoring in the Kura RBMP – Azerbaijan”

5.1 Surface water monitoring 5.1.1 Current surface water monitoring situation

Up-to-date data on water quality in the rivers of the Upper Kura RBD is scarce and incomplete because there are no monitoring sites, which are part of a systematic and regular monitoring of water quality. However, several sites were investigated during the EPIRB and EUWI+ projects. Until now, water quality analyses included mainly physico-chemical parameters and selected heavy metals. Currently there is no regular biological monitoring. Surveys have been carried out during projects (EU Tasic project KURA-II 2008-2011, EU ENPI project KURA-III 2012, EPIRB project 2013–2016). The surveys were restricted to the biological quality element (BQE) macroinvertebrates. A proposal for a WFD compliant ecological status classification system (ESCS) was made during the EUWI+ project. Until now the hydro-morphological monitoring was restricted to quantitative hydrological aspects. Morphological parameters were monitored only during the EPIRB and EUWI+ projects. At present, there are 18 hydrological observation points of the National Hydrometeorology Department (NHD) in the basins of Ganja-Gazakh. The hydrological data have been used for description of quantity, but not for classification; thus, information on small impoundments, water abstraction etc. are not covered by the monitoring. This information is however partly available from separate surveys.

5.1.2 Monitoring improvement

5.1.2.1 Chemical Monitoring

Distinct surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring will be designed and carried out based on the pressure analysis and risk assessment. It is necessary to monitor the parameters required by the Water Framework Directive (general and priorities substances), but which are currently not monitored in the country. In addition to the monitoring of priority substances, specific pollutants need to be identified according to the pressure and risk analysis (see chapter 3). A proposal for surveillance and operational monitoring sites is currently under discussion. It is proposed to investigate about 10-20 operational monitoring sites each year, in order to collect data from up to 120 sites in the RBD at least once within the RBMP cycle.

Table 5.1: Overview of proposed chemical monitoring in rivers and lakes (reservoirs) of the Kura RBD.

Quality element / group Frequency Surveillance sites, Operational sites, of parameters once per RBMP once per RBMP cycle cycle

General physico- 12x / year 11 43

chemical parameters

Priority pollutants 12x / year 11 –

Rivers Other pollutants 12x / year 11 43

General physico- 12x / year 3 5

chemical parameters

Priority pollutants 12x / year 3 5

Lakes Other pollutants 12x / year 3 5

5.1.2.2. Biological Monitoring

Surveillance and operational monitoring sites shall be the same as for the chemical monitoring. Like in the projects of previous years, monitoring will concentrate on the Biological Quality Element (BQE) macroinvertebrates. This BQE shall be investigated at all of the surveillance and operational monitoring sites. In addition, phytobenthos will also be included at surveillance and operational monitoring sites, in order to enhance the dataset for developing a WFD compliant classification method. Lakes and reservoirs will be investigated by monitoring phytoplankton. The monitoring of the other biological quality elements for both rivers and lakes will be postponed until the next RBMP. Surveillance and operational monitoring sites shall be the same as for the chemical monitoring. Based on data from the EUWI+ project a new WFD compliant ESCS was proposed recently, which shall become the basis for the ecological classification in the future monitoring.

Table 5.2: Proposal for the biological monitoring in rivers and lakes (reservoirs) of in the Kura RBD.

Quality element / group Frequency Surveillance sites, Operational sites, of parameters once per RBMP once per RBMP cycle cycle

Benthic invertebrates 1x / year 11 43

Rivers Phytobenthos 1x / year 11 43 (diatoms)

Lakes Phytoplankton 6x / year 3 5

5.1.2.3 Hydro-morphology

While previous hydro-morphological description was carried out at single sites, the new monitoring shall cover the whole river network. A sampling campaign in 2019 was the starting point of hydro-morphological mapping in the whole Kura river basin. During the next RBMP cycle, the dataset needs to be increased through additional surveys. In regards to the quantitative hydrological network, water discharge is currently measured at a few sites only. It is therefore necessary to open several additional hydrological stations in the region. Concerning standing waters, it is proposed to start a quantitative monitoring on Lake Zincirli as well as on the seven reservoirs by measuring water level. A morphological classification of the littoral zone and specifically to morphological measures to reach the good ecological status/potential is planned for the next RBMP.

5.1.3 Monitoring Costs

Following estimations represent the costs of the whole six years of an RBMP cycle. As mentioned in Table 5.1 and Table 5.2, the 14 surveillance sites will be investigated once per cycle (chemical monitoring 12x / year; biological monitoring in rivers 1x / year, and lakes 6x / year), and the 43 operational monitoring sites will be sampled twice over the six year period (same annual frequency). Taking into account the survey costs of 2018 and 2019 in the EUWI+ project an approximate cost estimation of the surface water monitoring in the Kura RBD can be calculated. Considering sampling and analyses of general physico-chemical parameters and all BQE (benthic invertebrates, phytobenthos, phytoplankton) for the proposed surveillance and operational monitoring sites will cost around 120,000 € in this RBMP cycle. The estimation for the monitoring of priority pollutants has lower confidence, as the costs were calculated based on a fraction of costs per parameter in Austrian surface water monitoring. Another assumption was that the number of analyzed parameters is 15. Nevertheless, the rough cost estimate is for priority pollutants is around 50,000 € to 70,000 €. The true costs will vary, depending on the number and kind of analyzed parameters. 5.1.4 Monitoring results

5.1.4.1 Chemical Status

The chemical conditions of water resources are being assessed based on calculation of average water pollution index for 7 selected indicators of physico-chemical elements and classification of water resources. Maximum allowed concentrations (MAC) are defined for selected parameters such as BOD, Phenol, cupper and ammonia. Until recently, water quality status assessment was based on the monitoring of physico- chemical parameters, with no ecological information in Azerbaijan.

5.1.4.2 Ecological status

According to the WFD, the assessment of the ecological status is based on biological data and ecological status classification systems (ESCS). Supporting elements are physico-chemical, hydro-morphological parameters and specific pollutants. As outlined above, there is no official WFD compliant ecological status classification system (ESCS) available up to now. However, a preliminary ecological status of a selected number of SWB can be assessed based on a new proposal for a WFD compliant ESCS for invertebrates in rivers. (Erreur ! Source du renvoi introuvable.). For the HMWB reservoirs, no classification of the ecological potential is available yet.

Figure 5.1: Preliminary ecological classification of SWB in the Kura RBD.

5.2 Ground Water monitoring

There are about 98 monitoring network (52 in Central Kura and over 46 in Ganikh sub basins boreholes) operated by Complex Hydrogeological Expedition under Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Groundwater monitoring programme in the pilot basin shall formally consist of surveillance, operational, drinking water protection areas and prevent and limit monitoring. Monitoring shall be concentrated in the groundwater bodies mostly used for drinking water supply: G100, G300 and G400. Complex Hydrogeological Expedition under Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan will need to carry out surveillance and operational monitoring under the Water Framework Directive; water supply companies and potential polluters also should perform monitoring of drinking water protection areas and prevent & limit monitoring. Several groundwater bodies in the Upper Kura basin are transboundary with Georgia. It is very important to establish monitoring sites for these transboundary groundwater bodies. There should be mutual agreement for a monitoring program with common standards for information exchange and joint assessment of groundwater body status.

Proposed quantitative and surveillance groundwater monitoring network is presented in the below table.

5.3. Proposed groundwater monitoring network No/ Name and code No of monitoring well What is Purpose of monitoring of GWB monitored No

Central Kura sub basin

1 Unconfined The groundwater in Level, GW recharge-discharge Quaternary GWB GWB 200 and GWB500 temperature areas. Boreholes in Agstafa is located at great depth, (G200 and G500) and district will be used for of low volume, well protected by overlying chemistry transboundary monitoring clay strata, and difficult with Georgia. to access with wells. Because of the associated high exploitation costs and the low available volume, this groundwater is not used for drinking purposes. Consequently, it was decided that it is currently not necessary to install permanent

monitoring sites in these groundwater bodies.

2 There was Proposed new Level, Propose of rehabilitation of proposed to monitoring sites are temperature 17 GW monitoring sites is to rehabilitate 17 wells GW100, GW400, and improve density and quality GW monitoring GW600, GW602 chemistry of monitoring of GWBs used sites , which were for different purposes. In not operational addition construction of 4 and also 4 new new ones are aimed to ones ( GW100, assess transboundary GW400, GW600, impacts on GWBs and also GW602) to assess impact of Kura river to GWBs

The quantitative monitoring means observation of long-term water level trends and assessment of saline or other intrusions caused by groundwater abstraction. Groundwater level monitoring stations shall be located across a groundwater body to achieve a good spatial cover of information within groundwater body recharge and discharge areas. Groundwater level and flow measurements shall be carried out in:  Monitoring boreholes (surveillance monitoring) or production wells (operational monitoring);  Natural springs;  Surface water courses during drought periods (Balakan, Tala, Kumruk, Kish, Ayrichay, Ganjachay, Shamkircay, Tovuzchay, Zayamchay and Agstafachay rivers); It would be reasonable to install electronic data loggers to measure groundwater levels but till their installation water level needs to be measured by the local observers 3 times/month and during the sampling events, 2/4 times/year. Existing about 98 monitoring network (52 in Central Kura and over 46 in Ganikh sub basins boreholes) will be largely sufficient for the quantitative and surveillance monitoring if all monitoring wells work properly, but there are still some gaps in the network’s coverage of the groundwater bodies, including in the transboundary areas with Georgia. The existing monitoring sites need to be maintained properly. There are some water bodies where there is no monitoring sites because of limited volume of water there and difficulties with drilling very deep wells to reach groundwaters To fill some of the monitoring gaps within groundwater bodies and of entire groundwater bodies, and to find existing wells and springs which could be added to the monitoring network to improve its coverage, EUWI+ supported the Complex Hydrogeological Expedition to conduct additional field work on top of the regular monitoring. In 2018, the Expedition assessed and sampled 31 wells and spring in the Upper Kura RBD. Samples of 20 sites were analysed in the Ministry’s laboratory in Baku.

Chemical parameters, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity; total dissolved solids, etc. have to be measured in the field at the well. Monitoring wells must be properly purged before collecting groundwater samples. The Complex Hydrogeological Expedition according to annually approved plans shall conduct surveillance (national) monitoring of groundwater. General chemical parameters (main cations and anions, nutrients) which characterize groundwater chemical status and quality formed under the natural conditions and anthropogenic impacts shall be analysed in groundwater samples at least two times a year. Specific chemical components, like organic compounds and pesticides, with usually very low concentrations shall be monitored at least one time in six years, and trace elements shall be monitored once in a two-year period in wells where these components are likely to be detected and cause a risk that groundwater bodies may not achieve good chemical status. If budget for groundwater monitoring is not sufficient annual rotation of sampling wells may be recommended. We think that the groundwater monitoring program proposed by EPIRB project / 7/ can be extended to entire Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Dam pilot basin according to below tables. The Water Framework follows a risk-based approach. In this approach, a large set of parameters is analysed at a large number of monitoring sites at least once every six years (i.e. once per RBMP cycle) in what is called surveillance monitoring. Based on the results, a reduced number of parameters is analysed at a reduced number of sites, focusing efforts where needed the most because of risk to groundwater quality, and reducing the costs of monitoring. To turn the monitoring data into usable information for decision-making, structured methods that aggregate chemical and quantitative monitoring data into reliable assessments of chemical and quantitative status and of risk of not to achieve good status, still need to be developed.

5.4. Groundwater monitoring parameters and frequency

Parameters and indices Frequency, at least

tot Main anions and cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe , NH4, HCO3, Cl, 2-4 times a year

SO4, NO3, NO2) and physical properties (pH, specific conductivity, permanganate index, or TOC)

Dissolved elements (Fe, As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, etc.) Once per 2 years

Pesticides* Once per six years

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Phenols, Trichloroethylene, Once per 2 years Tetrachlorethylene**

Groundwater levels in monitoring wells, boreholes and flow of Electronic data loggers – natural springs every 6-12 hrs. Other monitoring wells 3 times/month. Springs- during the sampling events (2-4 times/year)

Notes: * pesticides have to be analysed only in monitoring points located in the agricultural areas. ** PAH, phenols, TCE&PCE have to be analysed in the wells located in urban territories (Ganja, Tovuz, etc.) and near the industrial sites. Production of one monitoring may cost 150 EUR per analysis of samples from one site, including 50 EUR for sampling and transportation of samples and 100 EUR for analyse and reporting. For 42 sites the total cost of one year with full monitoring will be 6300 EUR. For remaining years it should be lower (see Table 5.5).

5.5. Groundwater monitoring parameters and frequency

Parameters and indices Frequency, at 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th least year year year year year year

Main anions and cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fetot 2-4 times a 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500

, NH4, HCO3, Cl, SO4, NO3, NO2) and year physical properties (pH, specific conductivity, permanganate index, or TOC)

Dissolved elements (Fe, As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Once per 2 1500 1500 1500 Cu, Cr, etc.) years

Pesticides* Once per six 750 years

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Phenols, Once per 2 750 750 750 Trichloroethylene, Tetrachlorethylene years

Groundwater levels in monitoring wells, Electronic data 800 800 800 800 800 800 boreholes and flow of natural springs loggers – every 6-12 hrs. Other monitoring wells 3 times/month. Springs- during the sampling events (2-4 times/year)

Sum 6300 3300 5550 3300 5550 3300

Total for 6 years 27300

About 15 thousand EUR will be required to conduct monitoring of main anions and cations 2 times per year; also the monitoring of pesticides, dissolved elements, phenols and others according to the period identified in the above table.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES The WFD considers setting of different environmental objectives in Article 4 for water bodies of different status. Setting environmental objectives aim to determine the specific water status - for both surface waters and groundwater – that has to be achieved within one of the WFD planning cycles. The EU WFD allows for stepwise approaches over the planning cycles to achieve environmental objectives. Such approaches need to make use of exemptions according to EU WFD Article 4 and need to be presented in the RBMPs in a fully transparent way/8/ Environmental measures need to be set in such a way that they ensure a balance between maintenance and improvement of water resources also ensuring their sustainable use. Therefore, the six-year planning cycles of the EU WFD are crucial when it comes to setting EU WFD environmental objectives basically determining the implementation time line of measures towards good status for all water bodies. Setting environmental objectives and planning their achievement are the basis to design appropriate measures as part of the Programme of Measures. For water bodies in high status environmental objectives aim for measures that maintain water status.

Water bodies that are in moderate or worse status shall be addressed with measures that allow an achievement of the following environmental objectives o good ecological/chemical status of surface water bodies; o good ecological potential and chemical status of HMWBs and AWBs; o good chemical/quantitative status of groundwater bodies. o Achievement of standards and objectives set for protected areas in Community legislation As there is not enough monitoring data in Azerbaijan to assess ecological quality of surface water bodies – or quantitative and chemical status of groundwater bodies – and also because of lack of ecological status classification system was used 3 pressure categories to assess water bodies status( at risk, possibly at risk, not at risk). Main environmental objectives set in RBMP are reduction of pressures which have significant impact on status of water bodies . For water quality following objectives were set in Kura upstream of Mingachevir pilot area:

 Improve status of surface water bodies by reducing of pollution by municipal and industrial waste waters by rehabilitation and reconstruction of waste water management (collection and treatment) system:  Improve status of surface water bodies by reducing of pollution from agricultural crop production and livestock by construction of buffer strips , drainage systems, adequate livestock manure management and etc :

For the HMWB designated as “a body of surface water which as a result of physical alterations by human activity is substantially changed in character” (CIS, Guidance Document #4)/17/ should be set less stringent objectives in terms of ecological status improvements to have their good ecological potential. The environmental objectives for groundwater consist of three main elements:

 WFD Art. 4(1)(b)(1): prevent or limit input of pollutants into groundwater; prevent deterioration of groundwater body status  WFD Art. 4(1)(b)(2): achieve good status  WFD Art. 4(1)(b)(2): reverse significant and sustained upward trends in pollutant concentrations in ground water due to human activity However, there are currently no structured methods to aggregate the collected chemical and quantitative groundwater monitoring data over time and across an entire groundwater body into a reliable assessment of chemical and quantitative groundwater status and of risk not to achieve good status. Such methods still need to be developed. Currently there are different protected areas occupying one or more river basins , such as national parks, sanctuaries, nature reserves ,drinking water protection sites, river protection zones etc where Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azersu JSC Amelioration JSC, Water Resources State Agency apply different management regulations based on international principles. Main environmental objectives for protected areas according to developed RBMP for

35 pilot area is taking into account existing national regulations on protection areas to develop and implement the EU WFD compliant measures as a main management objectives directed on improvement of ecological status of water bodies.

7. ECONOMIC ANALYSES

Economic analysis (part 1 related to basin characterisation)

The WFD requires that basin management plans in Europe considered not only hydrological, or water quality issues, but also economic aspects. Economic principles are addressed by WFD Article 5 (and Annex III) and Article 9. The provision of Article 5 requires assessment of the e degree of accomplishment of the principle of cost recovery for water services as a tool for appraising economic efficiency and equity. The economic analysis includes the long term forecast of supply and demand, and, where data is not available, estimates of volume, price and cost associated to water services are acceptable. The cost recovery of water services is analyzed for different users, by considering storage and main transportation, distribution, sewage collection, waste water treatment, and the environmental and resource cost. The water services analyzed are: · Freshwater provision to domestic uses (households, industry and tourism) and irrigation ; · Urban Waste Water collection and treatment · Other sectors affecting water resources . Regarding the economic characterization of water uses, the analysis is carried out for the different types of users. Firstly, a review of the water services is provided, portraying the historical background of water resources management in the country, referring the recent trends concerning water supply and describing the administration and the policy framework that governs the use of the water resources in the country. Cost effectiveness of water supply and sanitation system and irrigation water use in the region has been assessed in this RBMP and proposals on their improvement are prepared. As under regional development and other state programs many water related projects are being implemented in the region, including those of improvement of water supply and sanitation, improvement of irrigation water supply services and infrastructure, improvement of solid waste management system. For all these projects implemented in rayon centers in pilot area demographic changes, development of industry, economy and agriculture is taking into account and the financing is identified through state budget or other IFIs. Therefore more specific attention in this chapter is given to measures on application of different EU Directives through improvement of legal and institutional basis and also conducting of studies

36 on improvement of water supply and sanitation systems, solid waste management and other environmental problems existing in the region. Implementation of these measures in the first and second planning periods can help decision makers to understand the socio-economic value of water and makes it possible to understand how effectively the water is used, how it impacts to state of water bodies and who should be contributing – and how much – to water management costs which in general can play important role to develop more environmentally friendly socio-economic and other development programs in the region.

Economic analysis (part 2 related to programme of measures)

For meeting of environmental objectives to achieve and maintain good status of water bodies and related objectives it is important to conduct assessment of cost of implementation of needed Program of Measures (PoM), taking into account the “polluter-pays” principle and “user-pays” systems, while controlling the increase of the water price for the users, operational and maintenance cost and etc. In order to make judgments about the most cost-effective combination of measures to deliver WFD objectives, was considered the full range of available measures and the inter-relationships between measures, all of the impacts which a measure could help to address, all costs including financial costs, resource costs and environmental costs, use the best available technical and scientific evidence to assess the effect of programmes of measures on the water environment

In Kura upstream of Mingachevir pilot area cost of program of measures have been assesses for identified possible basic and supplementary measures related on improvement of water supply and sanitation systems of residential areas, reduction of pollution from agricultural lands and livestock, reduction of industrial pollution and pollution from illegal solid waste disposal sites, water saving and awareness rising measures. Total investment cost of Selected PoM in first planning period(6years) will be around 291 million 725 thousands EUR with O&M cost of 49 million 237 thousands EUR. Cost of measures in sum will be around 331 million 962 thousands EUR. About 90%of cost of measures relate to rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation system, then those related to reduction of pollution from agricultural areas and livestock, few percentage is planned to be for water saving and awareness rising .

As government already has included into national programs as part of sectorial development concept most of above measures therefore in EIA documents most of social and environmental impact (economic losses, health and environmental issues of noise, dust pollution etc), mitigation measures are considered to minimise negative impact of these measures. But those individuals, economies or business sectors will be compensated by government as it was done during previous National Water and Sanitation Program, Regional Development Program, Transport sector development projects and others.

8. PROGRAMME OF MEASURES

A Programme of Measures (PoM) is an important element of RBMPs to reach the EU WFD objectives in particular good water status and, hence, provide regulatory actions to reach, maintain and/or improve water status /9/. The purpose of the Programme of Measures (PoM) is to secure that WBRs are no longer at risk of achieving of Good status after the implementation of the measures. The PoM is both pressure specific and water body specific. It addresses the specific pressures causing the each of the WBRs to be at risk.

According to EU WFD Article 11 the establishment for each river basin district of programme of measures, taking account of the results of the analyses required under Article 5, in order to achieve the objectives established under Article 4/9/. Article 11 sets out the types of measures to be part of PoMs to ensure the achievement of the WFD environmental objectives/9/. These types – that are: - Basic measures -Supplementary measures Basic measures contain the minimum actions required to be taken by the developed programme of measures regarding implementation of EU WFD and other EU Directives related to WFD Supplementary measures contain actions which are necessary to be implemented in addition to the basic measures to achieve the environmental objectives of WFD in accordance with Article 4 and include such additional measures as improvement of legal and institutional basis for application of basin approach, some fiscal measures, study and awareness rising measures not considered by the basic measures. According to results of P&I assessment in Kura upstream of Mingachevir pilot basin area the measures needed to improve the environmental status of the water bodies at risk in result of significant pressures(such as water abstraction for irrigation (Surface and ground waters, deforestation, solid waste disposal, car washing in rivers , discharge of waste waters from residential areas to rivers, hydromorphological changes, pollution by pesticides and fertilisers from agricultural fields and from livestock) can be as follows:

 "Agricultural" measures: reducing point and diffuse source pollution by use of pesticides and fertilisers, protecting drinking water intakes, raising awareness and training of farmers, complying with standards for animal husbandry, reducing erosion and the transfer of pollutants to rivers, establishment of organic farms, application of code of good agricultural practices etc.  "Sanitation" measures: building new wastewater treatment plants, increasing capacity and treatment level, repair and renewal of wastewater collection systems, storm water collection and treatment, compliance with standards as regards connections, on-site sanitation, etc.  "Industrial" measures: treatment of hot spots, chlorinated solvents, removal of PCBs, priority substances, etc.  "Hydromorphological" measures: restoration/protection of river banks, restoration of river sections, improvement of sediment transportation conditions ,land acquisition (wetlands, banks), maintenance of rivers and wetlands, suppression/reduction of dams and creation of fish ways, restoration of ecological continuity, etc.

As one can see from above description total number of selected basic measures per water bodies are 159 and supplementary measures 113. In total full package of selected measures contain 272 selected measures to be implemented in first WFD planning cycle in Kura upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir Basic Measures

 Implementation of PoM on rehabilitation of Waste Water Management System (WWMS) , including construction(repairing) of sewage collection system, building and operating WWTPs for main towns (including nearby settlements) in Central Kura( Ganja, Gadabay, Shamkir and Gazakh) and Ganikh( Balakan, Gakh and Sheki) sub basins to reduce risk for corresponding WBs due to discharge of household wastewaters: PoM for 8 WBs

 Update and enforcement of regulations for industries of major cities and large industrial areas ( Gadabey, Dashkesan mining area ,Ganja aluminium plant and others) to meet requirements of waste discharge permits (WDPs) by implementing of 15 PoM in major cities  Renovation(construction) of drainage system in catchment areas of water bodies where lands are used for agricultural crop production: PoM for 51 WBs  Construction of buffer strips in catchment areas of water bodies where lands are used for agricultural crop production: PoM for 51 WBs

 Increase water efficiency of water use by installation of water meters on water abstraction infrastructure: PoM for 34 WBs

Supplementary Measures

 Assessment of needs for construction of waste water treatment system in secondary cities and settlements of Central Kura and Ganikh sub basins with population over 2000 inhabitants: PoM for 31 WBs Designing and implementation of tailored regular monitoring of the impact of agriculture-crop production and live stock on the water body status for 14 main rivers (Ganjachay, Shamkirchay, Zayamchay, Tovuzchay, Goshgarchay,

Agstafachay, Kura, Ayrichay, Kishchay, Kumrukchay, Talachay,Balakanchay , Ganikh and Gabirri(Iori)) 14 PoM WBs

 Assessment of state of water abstraction infrastructure( canals, pipes , etc) and development of proposals on their rehabilitation to minimize water losses :PoM for 34 WBs  Conducting of study for elaboration of sustainable solid waste management plan for landfills of large cities in the pilot area :12 PoM

 Conduct study to identify possible PoM to achieve Good Ecological potential for HMWBs: 10 PoM  Awareness rising campaigns on efficiency water(water recycling, rainwater harvesting and etc) use in future to adopt to water scarcity resulted by climatic changes impact on water resources: 12 PoM

In addition is planned to implement below legal-institutional national and basin level supplementary measures in first WFD planning cycle:

 Development of mechanism for application of basin approach according to EU WFD requirement by division of territory of country to basin districts and according to this mechanism to develop proposal on creation of national and basin level institutions to develop and implement RBMPs

PoM related to Hydromorphological changes and HMWB It is likely that water body Ayrichay reservoir in Ganikh basin and water reservoirs(including newly constructed Shamkirhcay and Tovuzchay reservoirs) are to be signed as Heavily Modified Lake Water Bodies (HMWB) because of high water demand in agriculture and flood management and some other requirements. Small rivers when cross cities and residential areas rivers banks are covered by concrete to protect riverbed and riverside to protect those areas from flooding and erosion. Constructed for flood protection river bank structures of Kishchay river in Sheki city and Ganjachay river in Ganja city can also be considered as river HMWBs. As it isn’t economically feasible to restore rivers natural conditions, which may also lead to such consequences as flooding, erosion and relevant economic losses and human threat. The main program of measures in this sphere will be to reach their Good Ecological potential. It is also important that as all other water bodies to prevent pollution of water resources of HMWB in such a way that they aren’t WBR. Main basic measures in this regards can be taking action to keep minimal flow requirements in rivers, reduction of use of river bed materials, reduction of river bed changing activities. If it is economically disproportionate to reach good ecological status of HMWBs there will be need to conduct a study to assess possible PoM to achieve Good Ecological potential for HMWBs in first WFD planning cycle and implement them in following WFD cycle . Main supplementary measures in this regards can be:

 conducting campaigns on reduction of use of river bed materials, reduction of river bed changing activities  conducting of study on possible river restoration measures

For above listed HMWBs where it is economically disproportionate to reach good ecological status there will be need to conduct a study to assess possible PoM to achieve Good Ecological potential for HMWBs Main stakeholders on implementation of environmental remediation work will be state institutions (Amelioration OJSC , Azersu JSC, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources others state bodies ), related divisions of raion Executive Powers and Municipalities, other national and regional level stakeholders.. Main stakeholders on implementation of environmental remediation work will be state institutions (Amelioration OJSC , Azersu JSC, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources others state bodies ), related divisions of raion Executive Powers and Municipalities, other national and regional level stakeholders.. To make sure that significant morphological changes won’t take place main functions of regional structures of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resource, NGOs and different stakeholder groups will be conducting of systematic and continuous monitoring of related activities in this sphere.

Measures related to water bodies not at risk For these water bodies there is need to eliminate worsening of their current status through:

- Development and implementation of monitoring system for surface water bodies and groundwater bodies - Setting groundwater quality standards. Currently, drinking water standards are used, but that is not sufficient. - Inspections of activities that lead to changing of status of water bodies - Conducting awareness rising and educational measures on water protection

Stakeholders involved

There is a wide variety of stakeholders that have an interest or impact on the management of the pilot river basin and the rivers within the whole basin, such as the general public, people living in the pilot basin who are the end-beneficiary of the project’s result, benefiting of the quality and quantity of water resources.

Stakeholders to be involved

The main stakeholders are the: national, regional local line agencies/authorities in charge of different sectors, national planning agencies, other regional and national research institutions and international organisations with expertise in one or more sectors, NGOs dealing with water management/environmental issues, water users, and those which have or might have activities

41 with potential impact on the water issues in the pilot basin, or which are affected or might be affected potentially by planned measures and activities

As there are no River Basin Councils developed yet, the discussions with stakeholders and public consultations of RBMPs can be done under the NCCs with the inclusion of relevant regional (for the respective basins) stakeholders (NGOs, business, representatives of the local authorities, regional representatives of the national institutions).

Therefore in addition to regional offices of relevant agencies and local government as main sectoral stakeholders can also be considered:  Agriculture: irrigation – water intake for irrigation purposes and increased fertilizer use(Amelioration JSC,WUAs, Farmers).  Foundry, mining and metallurgy: The Dashkasan Mining and Processing Plant (Dashkasan FJSC the Ganja aluminium plant was established (Alumina) and etc.  Power industry: HPPs which are operational in Shamkir, Enikend, Mingachavir, Shamkirchay, Sheki HPP  Tourism: Management of Goygol NationalPark and The Naftalan medical sanatorium  Water supply (domestic and industrial uses) (Regional offices of Azersu and municipalities)  Forestry: Forest departments of MENR n raions

Figure 8.1. PoM related to point sources of pollution from cities and settlements

Figure 8.2. PoM on diffuse sources of pollution from agricultural crop production and livestock

Figure 8. 3. PoM on increasing of Water Use efficiency

Figure 8.4. PoM on HMWBs

EUWI+: Thematic summary Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir River basin

9. SUMMARY OF STRATEGIES, PROGRAMMES, PLANS AND PROJECTS (1 PAGE)

Water policy in Azerbaijan is implemented through water legislation, particularly, through the National Water Code. Several laws and a number of bylaws were adopted on the basis of the Code including the Law on Water Supply and Wastewater, Law on Amelioration and Irrigation, Law on Hydro meteorological Activities, Law on Entrails, Law on Municipal Water Economies, Law on Safety of Hydro technical Facilities etc. Azerbaijan has made significant investments in the water sector, particularly, for agriculture and drinking water supply. However, the regulatory and –institutional framework has received less attention. The Azerbaijan Water Code has been adopted in December 1997 and is complemented by thematic water legislation dealing with irrigation, water supply and sanitation, municipal water management, environmental protection and others. It does not directly address the IWRM principles despite the provision that water resource management should apply a combined approach between hydrological and administrative-territorial principles.

Today an authorized water management authority responsible for implementation of IWRM principles and for adoption and implementation of the RBMPs is not assigned. There are no basin management organizations, located in different basin districts to fulfill functions of basin authorities. Appropriate national bodies to fulfill WFD required monitoring and enforcement, information management, permitting and licensing are also not clearly assigned. The country is keen to approximate to the WFD but with a provision of that the technical capacity needs further strengthening (though recently some international projects provided support to improve it). In 2017, by the order of the Cabinet of Ministers, an Interagency Working Group was established to develop and regulate water use rules; this platform can be considered as an important step towards a better coordination of water use by different sectors. To increase an inter-sectorial cooperation, to make joint decisions on different aspects of water resources management, the mandate of the Interagency working group could be extended to play a role of a National Water Council. Representatives of respective ministries and agencies, various groups of water companies, community organisations, and academia active in the water sector will be involved in the activities of the National Water Council. There are range of ongoing state programs and strategies where IWRM is part of planned actions, among which are:

 National Water supply and sanitation program will continue to be implemented for major cities and large residential areas of the pilot river basin

 Decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on approval of “AZERBAIJAN 2020: LOOK INTO THE FUTURE” DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT.  Strategic Road Map for the development of utilities (electricity and thermal energy, water and gas supply) in the Republic of Azerbaijan (Approved by presidential decree of the Republic of Azerbaijan of March 16, 2016 no. 1897)  State program on development of agricultural cooperation in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2017-2022'.

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 The Strategic Road Map for the manufacture and processing of agricultural products in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is committed to move towards an efficient water resource management and harmonization with the EU water legislation. The National Water Policy Dialogue was established as an interagency platform to facilitate the water sector reform in 2010. The National Water Policy Dialogue for integrated water resources management in Azerbaijan facilitated the development of the national water strategy based on the EU Water Framework Directive, the UN Economic Commission for Europe's Water and Health Protocol of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, as well as other principles of the EU water acquis. The European Union Water Initiative supported further strengthening of the strategy, particularly, regarding institutional reforms, capacity building and investments in the sector. The EU Water Initiative (EUWI +) project has helped to improve the National Water Strategy with the input of new information. A water strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2021-2038 has been developed to promote the implementation of integrated water resources management and to ensure a sustainable socio- economic development of the country and water security. The objective of the National Water Strategy for Water Resources Management is to strengthen and promote national initiatives aimed at effective, equitable and optimal use of available water resources in Azerbaijan to achieve sustainable development. The National Water Strategy is aimed at ensuring management, use, development and protection of existing water resources in line with the requirements of the national legislation and international norms. The water strategy identifies main directions of development of the water economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, protection of water bodies, protection of population and territories against harmful impacts of waters (floods). The EU Directives, guidelines of UNECE, UNEP, GWP and other international organizations were studied and most of the requirements of the international water legislation were taken into account during the process of strategy development. At present, the finalization of the National Water Strategy and Action Plan is facilitated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, along with the UN Economic Commission for Europe.

10. SUMMARY OF THE FIRST CONSULTATION For stakeholders in pilot area on January 31, 2019 was organized stakeholder meeting in Ganja. During the meeting was discussed been water management issues central Kura and Ganikh /Alazan sub basins. Participant representing different organizations of these 2 sub basins discussed preliminarily identified water management issues and in general agreed that they are characteristic for corresponding water bodies. In addition to those proposed in RBMP some other water management issues were also identified during discussions in 2 sub groups (quality and quantity). Transboundary pollution of Ganikh, Gabirri, Kura, Ahstafachay, Akhinjachay and Tovuzchay were specially pointed out by participants. It was also noted that removal of sediments from river beds for

Page | 48 EUWI+: Thematic summary Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir River basin use in different purposes also creates many water quality and quantity problems in downstream parts of rivers and also affects ground waters. It was particularly noted that over abstraction of water leads to reducing of flow in low flow periods below environmental flow values and most of rivers dry in summer, which in results leads full degradation of river ecosystems. It was also noted that in some areas of Zayamchay and Shamkirchay fish breeding affects quality of waters of these 2 rivers. It was noted that food processing industry waste waters and also impact of tourist areas in summer also has certain level impact on water quality. For reservoirs in addition was particularly mentioned reduction of their volume in result of accumulation of sediment, eutrophication etc. Climate change was considered a serious issue impacting surface and ground water resources, which resulted in significant reduction of flow in Central Kura basin in low flow periods. It was also noted that because of poor state of irrigation infrastructure and lack of modern irrigation technologies lead to huge water losses which often reach 50% of total volume of abstracted waters. It was also noted that sometimes in result of over abstraction of ground waters in Central Kura sub basin leads to significant reduction of its level during summer(in spite of the fact that in following periods of the year it again rises to pre summer level). Low level of awareness of population and users have also been considered as a serious issue impacting on water resources. All these discussed issues were taken into account when assessing of water bodies status in following stages of river basin planning.

11. LIST OF COMPETENT AUTHORITIES The existing institutional structure reflects the principles of sectorial approach and doesn’t meet requirements of IWRM and RBMP principles at the national and basin levels on the basis of participation and cooperation of all stakeholders. The main national bodies responsible for water policy-making and management of water resources are the he following main water management institutions are in Azerbaijan : - Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and its below divisions: o National Environmental Monitoring Department, under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources o National Hydro-meteorology Department, under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources - Hydro-geological Expedition, under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural resources - State Water Resources Agency, under the Ministry of Emergency Situations - Azerbaijan Amelioration and Water Farm OJSC - Azersu JSC on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation According to the Water Code (1997), the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) of

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Azerbaijan is a main government institution to develop and implement water resources management policy. However, currently as mechanisms of application of the IWRM principles and basin approach for water resources management are not properly embedded in the Water Code of Azerbaijan, despite the provision that an approach combining hydrological and administrative-territorial principles for water resources management should be applied. Amelioration OJSC keeps offices in Ganja-Gazakh to manage the level of local water use and water planning for irrigation. Groups for Support of Water User Associations have been established for the effective planning of activities in the division for Water Resources and Control of Paid Water Use. There is a need to strengthen the capacity of Amelioration OJSC departments and offices in Ganja- Gazakh with regard to participation in water resources management and planning at the basin level, in accordance with the IRBMP.

RBMPs have been developed and Trainings were organized on RBMP and IWRM within the two USAID and EU Kura TACIS and EPIRB and OSCE projects , where also Azerbaijani NGOs actively participated to raise public awareness and conduct training on stakeholder participation in water resources management in Ganikh/Alazan and CentralKura River Basins starting from 2001.

There are no regional cooperation groups to support IWRM at the regional level, the establishment of these should be considered. Such groups should consist of government, community, industry and NGO representatives, which are the key players in implementing water strategy at the regional level. Such groups might also discuss objectives of water use, protection plan, and necessary new studies and seek new regional funding opportunities.

A Water Strategy for Azerbaijan is being prepared with support from the EU/UNECE to apply ecosystem approach through wide stakeholder participation in water management.

12. PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING THE TECHNICAL REPORTS There are the following technical reports within the framework of RBMP: 1. Kura upstream of Mingachevir Water Reservoir Pilot River Basin Analyses is conducted to describe natural conditions in the pilot river basin, including hydrology, relief, geology, topography, land cover and etc as important step to delineate water bodies in pilot area . 2. Within the RBMP development process were implemented work on surface and ground water body delineation in Kura Kura upstream of Mingachevir Water Reservoir Pilot River Basin 3. Pressure and Impact assessment in Kura upstream of Mingachevir Water Reservoir Pilot River Basin conducted to identify mayor pressures from human activities on state of water bodies 4. Protected areas have been described in separate chapter and different types of protected areas related to conservation of drinking water, protection of river from pollution, national reserves and sanctuaries and their designation and main tasks were reviewed. en used. 5. Chapter on the environmental objectives as an important part of RBMP identify tasks needed to be performed to achieve good status of water bodies and good ecological status of heavily modified water bodies in the pilot area.

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6. Economic analysis was carried in 2 parts: economic analysis of water use including cost recovery of water services and future trends in this direction in the basin (part 1) and economic analyses of program of measures in the pilot basin area(part 2). 7. Program of measures chapter describes possible main basic and supplementary measures and those having high priority for implementation in first planning cycle to achieve environmental objectives

As Azerbaijan adopted Aarhus Convention, therefore relevant legal and institutional framework is created to make environmental information available from decision makers, stakeholders and general population.

The Communication Strategy for the Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Dam Pilot Basin developed by support of EUWI+ project will support first of all the project implementation, more concretely, the RBM planning in the pilot basin and its implementation through proper communication, access to information, stakeholder and public involvement. These reports will be located on web page of EUWI+ project and MENR. They can be obtained in Azeri and English version by contacting of EUWI+ project country representative Rafig Verdiyev (Cell phone: +99470 3495884)

GLOSSARY

Impacts The environmental effect of a pressure (e.g. fish killed, ecosystem modified).

Artificial water A body of surface water created by human activity.* body

Chemical Chemical status describes whether waters contain safe concentrations of certain Status chemicals that have been identified as of significant risk to or via the aquatic environment at the European Union (EU) level Ecological An expression of the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic Status ecosystems associated with a surface water body. Biological as well as supporting hydromorphological and physico-chemical quality elements are to be used in the assessment of ecological status Environmental are defined by the WFD mainly in Article 4 §1 Objectives Good Status The status achieved by a surface waterbody when both its ecological status and its chemical status are at least ‘Good’, or when both quantitative status and chemical status of a groundwater body are good. Heavily Body of surface water, which is substantially changed in character as a result Modified of human activity

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Water Body (HMWB) Hydro- The physical characteristics of the shape, the boundaries and the content of a morphology waterbody. Point source Pollution arising from a discrete source , e.g. the discharge from a sewage pollution treatment works

Pressures The direct effect of the driver (for example, an effect that causes a change in flow or a change in the water chemistry on water bodies). A significant pressure, on its own, or in combination with other pressures, would be liable to cause a failure to achieve the environmental objectives.

Quantitative Is an expression of the degree to which a groundwater body is affected by direct status and indirect abstractions

River Basin The area of land and sea, made up of one or more neighbouring river basins, District (RBD) together with their associated groundwaters and coastal waters, as the main unit for management of river basins

RBMP River Basin management Plan, territorial planning document: it gives the overall orientations of water management in the basin and the objectives to be reached,

the delay and the priorities in the actions to be developed for a defined period of time

Risk To identify thresholds in relation to (i) the magnitude of a pressure and (ii) assessment observed or predicted changes in both physicochemical and hydromorphological conditions for helping to decide if water bodies, or groups of water bodies, should be identified as being at risk of failing to achieve the WFD’s environmental objectives Significant In the context of the WFD, a pressure that, on its own, or in combination with pressure other pressures, would be liable to cause a failure to achieve the environmental objectives set out under Article 4.

State The condition of the water body resulting from both natural and anthropogenic factors (i.e. physical, chemical and biological characteristics)

Status Condition of a water body resulting from natural and anthropogenic factors (= potential). Can be High, good, moderate, poor, or bad

Water The planning process using regulatory tools which consists in supplying all users Allocation with water volumes according to the legal framework in order to meet the demand. Water allocation refers to sectorial share but also to individual water permits. Water balance It is the gap between existing water supplies and water demand (including ecological flow). As both water demands and supply facilities (dams’ storage, water table…) fluctuate on a seasonal and daily basis, water balance must enable to account for these variations in fluctuations.

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Water bodies homogeneous natural hydrological basic unit (surface water body) or volume of groundwater within an aquifer (groundwater body)

Page | 53 EUWI+: Thematic summary Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Reservoir River basin REFERENCES 1. Common Implementation Strategy Guidance Document # 3 Analysis of Pressures and Impacts. https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/7e01a7e0-9ccb-4f3d-8cec- aeef1335c2f7/Guidance%20No%203%20-%20pressures%20and%20impacts%20- %20IMPRESS%20(WG%202.1).pdf 2. Common Implementation Strategy Guidance Document #1 “Economics and the Environment”. The Implementation Challenge of the Water Framework Directive”. https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/cffd57cc-8f19-4e39-a79e- 20322bf607e1/Guidance%20No%201%20-%20Economics%20- %20WATECO%20(WG%202.6).pdf 3. Common Implementation Strategy Guidance Document # 4. Identification and Designation of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies. https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/f9b057f4- 4a91-46a3-b69a-e23b4cada8ef/Guidance%20No%204%20- %20heavily%20modified%20water%20bodies%20-%20HMWB%20(WG%202.2).pdf 4. Common implementation strategy for the water framework directive (2000/60/EC). Guidance document No. 7. Monitoring under the Water Framework Directive. 5. Draft Guidance Document on the Development of Programme of Measures and the Achievement of Environmental Objectives According to the EU WFD; 6. Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) 7. Draft Auxiliary Guidance Document on Prioritizing Selected Programme of Measures EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) Common Implementation Strategy, Guidance Document #8, " 8. Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union number 2000/60 /EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (Water Framework Directive); 9. EU “Environmental Protection of International River Basins” Project “Draft Guidance Document on the Development of Program of Measures and the Achievement of Environmental Objectives According Economic Analysis and Prioritization of Program of Measures. http://blacksea-riverbasins.net/en 10. EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) Common Implementation Strategy, Guidance Document #4, "Identification and Designation of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies", European Communities, 2003 11. Jesper Ansbaek, Anatoli Pichugin, Peter Roncak, Vafadar İsmayılov, Farda İmanov and Rafig Verdiyev. Pilot River Basin Management plan of Ganikh basin. Baku, 2011 12. National Water Supply and Water Sanitation Project for Shemkir rayon. Feasibility Study Report. Amelioration and Water Economy JSC. 2010. Region plus magazine, No. 01 (01), 24 February 2006; No. 02 (02), 06 March, 2006, Baku-2006., and on April 15, 2007, Baku. 13. River Basin Management Plan for Central Kura Pilot Basin District (Agstafachay, Tovuzchay, Shamkirchay and Ganjachay Rivers Basins). Component A – River basin analysis. March 2013.EU EPIRB project. 14. Rustamov S.G., Kashkay R.M. Water resources of the rivers Azerbaijan SSR, Baku, Elm 1989, p. 180. 15. Shukhlinkiy A. Climate of Azerbaijan, Baku 16. UNDP/GEF, 2013. Azerbaijan National IWRM Plan, 17. Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) 18. www.eco.gov.az 19. www.stat.gov.az 20. www.azersu.az 21. www.economy.gov.az 22. www.mst.gov.az 23. www.cabmin.gov.az

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www.euwipluseast.eu

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