RP1549 v2 World Bank-financed Xining Water Environment Management Project Public Disclosure Authorized Social Assessment Report Public Disclosure Authorized Management Office of the World Bank-financed Xining Water Environment Management Project Public Disclosure Authorized Xining, Qinghai, China October 2013 Public Disclosure Authorized Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. IV 1.1 Overview of the Project ...................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Scope of the Project ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose of SA .................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 SA Methods ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.5 Key Concerns of SA ........................................................................................................... 6 2. Overview of the Project Area ....................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Natural Conditions and Administrative Divisions ................................................................ 8 2.2 Socioeconomic Profile ........................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Population ......................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Educational Level .............................................................................................................. 11 2.5 Urban Utilities ................................................................................................................... 12 2.6 Enterprises ....................................................................................................................... 12 3. Stakeholders .............................................................................................................................. 14 3.1 Identification of Stakeholders ........................................................................................... 14 3.2 Needs of Stakeholders ..................................................................................................... 14 4. Social Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Construction of Wastewater Collection Systems .............................................................. 19 4.1.1 Positive Impacts ..................................................................................................... 19 4.1.2 Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 21 4.2 Municipal Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse ............................................................... 21 4.2.1 Positive Impacts ..................................................................................................... 21 4.2.2 Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 22 4.3 Beichuan River Embankment Improvement ..................................................................... 23 4.3.1 Positive Impacts ..................................................................................................... 23 4.3.2 Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 24 4.4 Integrated Gully and Canal Improvement......................................................................... 24 4.4.1 Positive Impacts ..................................................................................................... 25 4.4.2 Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 26 5. Willingness for System Connection, and Willingness and Ability to Pay ................................... 27 5.1 Willingness for System Connection .................................................................................. 27 5.1.1 Willingness for Connecting to the Sewer Network ................................................. 27 5.1.2 Willingness for Connecting to the Reclaimed Water Network ............................... 28 5.2 Willingness to Pay ............................................................................................................ 29 5.2.1 Willingness to Pay of Residents in Different Areas ................................................ 29 5.2.2 Household Income and Willingness to Pay ........................................................... 30 5.2.3 Educational Level and Willingness to Pay ............................................................. 30 5.2.4 Occupation and Willingness to Pay ....................................................................... 31 5.2.5 Age and Willingness to Pay ................................................................................... 31 5.2.6 Government Support and Willingness to Pay ........................................................ 31 5.3 Charging Modes ............................................................................................................... 32 5.4 Ability to Pay ..................................................................................................................... 32 6. Affected Ethnic Minorities ........................................................................................................... 34 6.1 Overview of Ethnic Minorities in the Project Area ............................................................ 34 6.1.1 Ethnic Composition in the Project Area ................................................................. 34 II 6.1.2 Characteristics of Ethnic Minorities ........................................................................ 36 6.2 Participation of Ethnic Minorities in the Project ................................................................ 38 6.2.1 Participation Process ............................................................................................. 38 6.2.2 Modes of Participation ........................................................................................... 38 6.2.3 Needs for the Project ............................................................................................. 39 6.3 Impacts of the Project on Ethnic Minorities ...................................................................... 40 6.3.1 Positive Impacts ..................................................................................................... 40 6.3.2 Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 41 6.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 41 7. Public Participation ..................................................................................................................... 42 7.1 Participation at the Preparation Stage .............................................................................. 42 7.2 Subsequent Participation Plan ......................................................................................... 45 7.3 Public Participation Strategy ............................................................................................. 46 7.3.1 Establishing Township Volunteer Leading Groups ................................................. 47 7.3.2 Establishing Community Volunteer Service Teams ............................................... 47 8. Social Gender and Development ............................................................................................... 50 8.1 Overview of Women in the Project Area ........................................................................... 50 8.1.1 Female Population in the Project Area .................................................................. 50 8.1.2 Women in the Project Area .................................................................................... 50 8.1.3 Women and the Environment ................................................................................ 52 8.1.4 Participation of Women in Resettlement Activities................................................. 53 8.1.5 Other Ongoing Women’s Activities in the Project Area .......................................... 54 8.2 Women’s Needs and Expectations ................................................................................... 55 8.3 Impacts of the Project on Women .................................................................................... 57 8.3.1 Positive Impacts ..................................................................................................... 57 8.3.2 Potential Risks ....................................................................................................... 57 8.4 Gender Action Plan ........................................................................................................... 58 9. Risks of the Project and Action Plan .......................................................................................... 61 9.1 Risks of the Project ..........................................................................................................