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THE INPIM E-NEWSLETTER August 20, 2007; Number 67 http://www.inpim.org ihussain@inpim.org
Welcome to the INPIM E-Newsletter # 67
NEWSØ Summary and Conclusions of the Regional Workshop on WUAs Development in Southeastern European Countries, June 4-7, 2007 - Bucharest, Romania, Facilitated by INPIM Ø Strong Messages As 2007 World Water Week Ends - It is Time to Do Better on Global Poverty, Sanitation, Water Scarcity and Climate Change Ø Updates on ORISSA Integrated Irrigated Agriculture and Water Management Project Ø PIDA Establishes 100 New Farmer Organizations in LCC West and CRBC Areas, Punjab, Pakistan Ø Modernizing Irrigation Channels Through Community Participation and Management in Sindh, Pakistan Ø Drip Irrigation — Answer to Water Shortages in Pakistan Ø Punjab (Pakistan) Making Institutional Arrangements for Implementing Groundwater Management Plan Ø Strengthening Participatory Groundwater Management Project in Mexico and Ethiopia Ø Unequal Water Resources Present a Challenge in Africa Ø National Peer Review Water Workshops in Uganda and Zambia Ø IDWR Expedites Water Transfer for CREP Acreage in USA Ø Twinning Arrangement between PPWSA and BIWASE Ø Netherlands Helping to Provide Clean, Safe Water in Asia-Pacific Ø Improving Access to Clean Water, Sanitation Crucial to Growth in Asia Ø Greywater Treatment and Reuse in MENA Region (IDRC’s Initiative) DONORS’ LENDING AND SUPPORT FOR IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE PROJECTS
World Bank
Ø Irrigation Development Project: Additional Financing for Armenia Ø Liberia Receives a Grant for Agriculture and Infrastructure Development Ø World Bank Approves US$12 Million Additional Financing for Agricultural Research in Uganda
African Development Bank (AfDB)
Ø AfDB Approved US$ 45 million for Water and Sanitation Project in Burkina Faso UPCOMING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETS AND EVENTS
Ø 58th International Executive Council (IEC) Meeting and USCID’s 4th International Conference on Irrigation and Drainage 30 September-5 October 2007 Sacramento, California USA Ø International Conference on Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Palestine 25-28 August 2007 Amman, Jordan Ø 22nd European Regional Conference 2-6 September 2007 Pavia, Italy Ø Third International Conference on Climate and Water 3-6 September 2007 Helsinki, Finland Ø International Workshop on ‘Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Systems’ 10-11 September 2007 Munich, Germany Ø 14th German Dam Symposium / 5th ICOLD European Club Dam Symposium 17-19 September 2007 Freising, Bavaria, Germany Ø European Water & Wastewater Management Conference 24-26 September 2007 St James' Park, Newcastle, UK Ø 3rd International Yellow River Forum on Sustainable Water Resources Management and Delta Ecosystem Maintenance 16-19 October 2007 Dongying City, Shandong Province, China Ø HELP - Local Solutions to Global Water Problems : Lessons from the South 4-9 November 2007 Pretoria, South Africa Ø 2nd African Regional Conference 6-9 November 2007 Johannesburg, South Africa Ø International Conference on the Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive 8 - 10 November 2007 Rome, Italy Ø The “1st International Conference on Adaptive & Integrated Water Management: Coping with complexity and uncertainty" (CAIWA 2007) 12-15 November 2007 Basel, Switzerland Ø South Asian Conference on Water in Agriculture: Management options for increasing crop productivity per drop of water 15-17 November 2007 Raipur, India Ø MELIA 1st Workshop: “Water Culture and Water Conflict in the Mediterranean Area” 22-26 November 2007 Tunisia Ø Water Management 2008, Exhibition and Conference 14-16 January 2008 Mumbai, India Ø Second African Show of Irrigation and Drainage 5-10 February 2008 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Ø 33rd WEDC International Conference “Access to Sanitation and Safe Water: Global Partnerships and Local Actions” 7-11 April 2008 Accra, Ghana Ø Water Down Under 2008 15-18 April 2008 Adelaide, Australia Ø 7th International Congress on Hydraulic Engineering: ‘Enough Water for Sustainable Development!’ 15-18 May 2008 Juventud Island, Cuba Ø Groundwater and Climate in Africa - An International Conference 25-28 June 2008 Kampala, Uganda Ø 13th World Water Congress 01-04 September 2008 Montpellier, France Ø Africa Water Resources Management 2008 (AfricaWRM 2008) 8-10 September 2008 Gaborone, Botswana Ø ICID’s 20th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage 13-19 October 2008 Lahore, Pakistan
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Ø Sustainability of FWUAs in NWFP, Pakistan Ø Water Users’ Associations Development in Southeastern European Countries Ø The Price of Water (2nd Edition) Ø Water Resources and Hydrometeorology of the Arab Region Ø Hydrology and Water Resources of India Ø 'Water, a shared responsibility': The 2nd United Nations World Water Development Report Ø Water Demand Management Glossary (2nd Edition)
FELLOWSHIP AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIESØ DELTA Scholarships Ø Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program Ø Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAININGS
Ø INPIM’s Third International Capacity Building Program on Participatory Irrigation Management 21-30 October 2007 Izmir, Turkey Ø Water Quality Control in Water Supply 01-12 October 2007 DELFT, The Netherlands Ø Groundwater Exploration and Monitoring 07-25 April 2008 DELFT, The Netherlands Ø Knowledge Management for Decision Makers in the Water Sector 14-25 April 2008 DELFT, The Netherlands Ø Applied Groundwater Modelling 09-27 June 2008 DELFT, The Netherlands
DETAILS
NEWS
INPIM’s Third International Capacity Building Program on Participatory Irrigation Management, 21 – 30 October 2007, Izmir, Turkey
Program Description The Third International Capacity Building Program (ICBP) on Participatory Irrigation Management will be held in Izmir, Turkey from 21 – 30 October 2007. The ICBP is being organized by the International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM) in collaboration with INPIM Turkey Chapter, State Hydraulic Works (DSI), Turkey and the World Bank Institute (WBI). The 10-day course will be held at the DSI’s Gumulder Training Centre, located in South of Izmir, 40 km from Izmir Airport. The course is aimed at faculty of training institutes or consultants, WUA Managers, Policy makers, System managers, and NGOs or Government/Irrigation Agency staff and those who are engaged in WUA capacity-building and implementing PIM programs in their countries. The language of the course will be English. The purpose of the course is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of WUAs, and at the policy level to support and strengthen the implementation of national PIM programs. Besides offering the opportunity to review state-of-the-art thinking on irrigation reforms, this international CBP offers the opportunity for networking with irrigation professionals from around the world. The program includes 2 and a half day of field visits to 4 WUAs and interactions with WUA managers, farmers, stakeholders and staff of the WUAs in Turkey.
Objectives 1. To learn from international experience where PIM is being promoted 2. Focus substantively on the different dimensions of water users associations 3. Capacity building for the sustainability of water users associations 4. Networking among participants; learning from the experience of Turkey and learning from each other through country experiences
Language The course materials will be in English, and most of the formal presentations will also be in English. Translation will be provided from Turkish to English where required.
Course Venue The programme will be held at DSI’s Gumulder Training Centre in the beautiful town of Gumulder, located in the South of Izmir, 40 Km from Izmir Airport. Gumulder is a small town with the population of 8700, located on the Aegean Sea Coast. The town is close to many famous historical places. The training centre is equipped with all facilities and has excellent accommodation arrangement for the participants.
Admission Requirements The course will be limited to 50 participants who would fall under three main categories: (1) managers of water user organizations, (2) senior government agency staff responsible for implementing PIM, and (3) faculty and staff of irrigation management training institutes or NGOs who would develop their own PIM training programs in their countries. Preference will be given to country teams of 3 persons representing a mix of both categories and who have strong practical and professional experience.
Registration Fee, Payment, and Travel INPIM offers a pre-arranged package including course registration fee, meals, lodging, local transportation, and field visits at US$ 2,500 payable to INPIM. Participants shall be responsible for their travel to Izmir and back to their countries. Participants will be issued a letter of invitation addressed to the Embassy of Turkey in their respective countries. As issuance of visa usually takes time, you are requested to ensure that you process for your visa well in advance to avoid last minute disappointments. Participants wishing to arrive before, or stay after, the above mentioned dates and times should arrange for accommodations at their own expense. Payment of the program fee can be made through a bank/wire transfer directly to INPIM's bank account. The information required to make a wire transfer will be made available upon request by email to ihussain@inpim.org or znaseer@inpim.org. Participants will be registered through a two step process of registration as explained below: 1. Pre-registration – Participants are requested to complete the pre-registration by providing basic information in the Table (given below) to express their interest in participating in the program. Information for pre-registration
Note: Payment of fee can be made at pre-registration stage or at final registration stage as explained below. Early registration and payment of fee offers some financial benefits to the participants. 2. Final registration and payment of fee – upon receipt and processing of the pre-registration forms, final registration forms will be sent to the pre-registered participants as per the following schedule and benefits: Final Registration and full fee payment by 30 August 2007, 2 percent discount Final Registration and full fee payment by 15 September 2007, No discount Final Registration and full fee payment by 30 September 2007, 5 percent late registration charge Final Registration and full fee payment by 15 October 2007, 20 percent late registration charge
For further Information, please contact:
Summary and Conclusions of the Regional Workshop on WUAs Development in Southeastern European Countries, June 4-7, 2007 - Bucharest, Romania, Facilitated by INPIM – By Dr. Intizar Hussain, Executive Director INPIM
A 4-day regional workshop on ‘Development of Water Users’ Associations in Southeastern European Countries’ was held during June 4-7, 2007 at the World Bank’s Romania office in Bucharest, Romania. The main objective of the workshop was to share experiences on participatory irrigation management (PIM) reforms and to discuss options and solutions for the development and sustainability of WUAs in the Southeastern European (SEE) region. The workshop had three main components: (i) discuss and deliberate upon the issues and constraints facing the agricultural water/irrigation sector in the countries of the region today with particular focus on WUAs, including gender issues, and the role of women in water management; (ii) share country experiences on WUAs, promote cross-country learning and document the lessons learnt; and (iii) learn from international experiences on PIM /WUAs reforms and best practice examples – with ultimate aim of building capacity of key stakeholders involved in reforms, and supporting and strengthening on-going reforms through development of sustainable WUAs in the region. With financial support from the Bank Netherlands Water Partnership Program, the workshop was organized by the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, World Bank and the World Bank Institute (WBI), and was facilitated by the Executive Director of the International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM). The workshop was attended by 28 participants – representing relevant ministries, project management units (PMUs), WUAs and the World Bank including WBI and the Bank’s country offices from 5 countries: Romania, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.
The workshop discussions and deliberations point to the following key conclusions:
Strong Messages As 2007 World Water Week Ends - It is Time to Do Better on Global Poverty, Sanitation, Water Scarcity and Climate Change World Water Week 2007 in Stockholm that began with a call for governments around the world to better manage their existing water resources concluded on August 18 with the 2,500 participants from 140 countries saying, collectively that progress is being made, but in the face of global poverty, critical lack of sanitation, water scarcity and climate change, we all need to do much better. The date, theme and location for the 2008 event was also announced: “Progress and Prospects on Water: For a Clean and Healthy World,” to be held August 17-23, 2008, at the Stockholm International Fairs centre.
Anders Berntell, Executive Director of the host Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), while assessing at the end of the event the efforts to improve the world water situation, said: “There is progress, but there is still far too little action and now when climate change is upon us and we need to adapt even faster. None of us can say we are prepared but it’s clear that poor people will again suffer the most. Changes in water availability are what will hit us first with an altered climate; rising sea levels and floods in certain regions but drought in others. The pressure on infrastructure and physical planning will be considerable. Ecosystem management will be fundamental. The question remains relevant: Why is water still not high enough on the political agenda?”
Climate, sanitation and hygiene, water management, ecosystems and biodiversity, technology and business issues were prominent programme focal points throughout the week. SIWI itself called for governments around the world to better manage how they use their existing water resources, taking necessary and sometimes painful measures to decrease losses in water delivery infrastructure and irrigation, to cut subsidies to agriculture, and to put in place realistic water-pricing measures – all before attempting to boost water supplies. The World Water Week, which included 140 co-convening organisations, witnessed the launch of a number of new and groundbreaking studies, reports and initiatives designed to improve a global situation where billions of people are without sustainable access to safe drinking water or suffering ill health due to poor sanitation, where bioenergy demands are diverting water from food production, and where global climate change is affecting the overall water balance.
Studies, reports and initiatives and announcements to be made during the week include:
Ø UN-HABITAT, the United Nations agency working with human settlements, launched the 1) Global Water Operators’ Partnership and the 2) Water and Sanitation Trust Fund. Ø SIWI and the Swedish Water House launched four new reports: Making Anti-Corruption Approaches Work for the Poor; On the Verge of a New Water Scarcity; Agriculture, Water, and Ecosystems; and Planning for Drinking Water and Sanitation in Peri-Urban Areas. Ø The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) launched the Global Water Tool. Ø The Water Supply and Sanitation Council (WSSCC) and SIWI announced the opening of the nomination period for the WASH Media Award. Ø British charity WaterAid launched Global Cause and Effect: How the Aid System is Undermining the Millennium Development Goals. Ø The Global Water Partnership announced 1) Letitia A. Obeng as the new Chair of GWP and 2) released the policy brief Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management, and 3) the book Sustainable Sanitation in Eastern and Central Europe. Ø The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, released a position paper named Natural Resource Tenure. Ø The Asian Development Bank released Dignity, Disease and Dollars: Asia’s Urgent Sanitation Challenge. Ø The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) South Africa presented new technology for removing heavy metals and subsequent radioactivity from mines. Ø The Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate (CPWC) released Water, Climate, Risk and Adaptation, and presented its new resource centre on water, climate, risk, adaptation and mitigation. Ø The World Water Council (WWC), the General Directorate State Hydraulic Works for Turkey (DSI) and the Secretariat of the 5th World Water Forum released the First Announcement of the 5th Forum, to be held in 2009. Ø Borealis and Bororouge became a Founder of the Stockholm Water Prize. Ø The International Institute for Environment and Development issued two briefing papers that summarise new research on payments for watershed services in developing nations. Ø The International Foundation for Science released Strengthening Capacity for Water Resources Research in Countries with Vulnerable Scientific Infrastructure. Ø The Government of Singapore and the World Health Organisation (WHO) signed a new partnership agreement to jointly promote the safe management of drinking water globally. Ø The Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association introduced the revamped World Water Monitoring Day initiative and provide kits to Stockholm Junior Water Prize participants. Ø The International Water & Film Events Istanbul 2009 issued the official call for entries. Ø The Water Integrity Network launched new website to fight corruption in the water sector.
The closing session on August 17 looked eastward to China, where the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics and China’s increasing emergence as the world largest developing economy were in focus. Chinese Vice Minister of Water Resources, Zhou Ying, presenting China’s contributions to the conference’s theme, Striving for Sustainability in a Changing World, stating: “China remains the face of industrialisation. Shortage of resources is a bottleneck for development, so we will work to harmonize resource saving, clean production, and integrate water management into our sustainable social and economic development.”
In the week that preceded the closing session, a number of interesting topics were taken up in seminars, workshops and side events. These and all other events will be summarised in the Synthesis Report to be made available in the late Fall of 2007.
(Source: http://www.wateronline.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID=%7B64ED106A-BE4F-4202-9A35-1C6B3E93BFA8%7D&Bucket=Current+Headlines&VNETCOOKIE=NO)
Updates on ORISSA Integrated Irrigated Agriculture and Water Management Project
The TA aims to prepare an intervention package for ADB financing, comprising (i) basin irrigated agriculture development strategy and investment plans; (ii) an investment package or subprojects comprising feasible sample subproject proposals, implementation guidelines, and safeguards and other required assessments (with subproject programs including participatory planning and water user association formation, irrigation and associated infrastructure, support services for agriculture, fishery, livelihood, and watershed, and sustainable operation and maintenance); and (iii) institutional development strategy and actions to operationalize participatory irrigation management and integrated water resources management (IWRM) on the basis of river basins, with a program of institutional strengthening and project management. Policy Dialogue Policy and institutional reforms to operationalize PIM and IWRM "including in particular sustainable O&M financing systems with irrigation tariff and expenditure management reforms" after IWRM in policy dialogue section. To be detailed during the TA.
The Project will enhance rural incomes and reduced poverty in the selected river basins in Orissa, by rehabilitating and improving existing underutilized and underperforming minor (including traditional tanks and lift), medium, and major irrigation schemes with essential support services for setting up self-sustaining operation and maintenance (O&M) systems and modernizing agriculture production systems, and operationalizing effective planning, programming, and management systems from a river basin perspective. Implementation will take a participatory and process approach, following the initiatives of local beneficiaries to form water user associations (WUAs) and take over the self-sustained facility operation and maintenance (O&M). The Project will institutionalize the process and management system of substantially enhancing and sustaining the performance of irrigation schemes by developing WUAs with representation of diverse beneficiaries in particular the poor, and providing them with agriculture and other production support systems. It will also support ongoing sector reforms to operate participatory irrigation management (PIM) and integrated water resources management (IWRM) with good governance.
Environment Category: B Environment Impact and Mitigation Negative environmental impacts from the Project are not anticipated to be significant, since the ensuing interventions will be restricted to the renovation, rehabilitation and modernisation of existing irrigation schemes. The TA will prepare initial environmental examinations (IEEs) for a selection of sample subprojects, along with the requisite mitigation measures needed to counter environmental impacts experienced. The TA will also prepare Environmental Assessment and Review Procedures (EARP) to be applied during the implementation stage of the ensuing Project. Social Aspects and Remedies The Project will be highly participatory in design and will be implemented following a process approach involving all stakeholders in decision making. Key strategy element will (i) WUA participation in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring; (ii) pro-poor procedures and guidelines for beneficiary selection and employment; (iii) capacity development for project staff, WUAs, and villagers. Given that Orissa is a heartland of tribal population, the TA will carefully assess the implications to tribal and scheduled castes to ensure that they are not negatively affected and benefiting equally or more from the process. Some, albeit expected to be insignificant, impacts on resettlement and land acquisition are also expected in association with the rehabilitation of existing irrigation schemes. To address these issues, the TA will prepare a detailed poverty analysis and social development strategy (PASDS) following ADB guidelines, along with the resettlement framework (RF), resettlement plans (RPs) for sample subprojects, and sample indigenous people action plans (IPAPs) or development plans as necessary. Benefits and Beneficiaries The main expected benefits of the ensuing Project are increased agriculture production (crop intensification and diversification to high value crops) brought about by improved access to and sustainability of irrigation facilities, improvement of other associated infrastructure such as improved drainage and flood protection, along with increased fishery production, improved livelihood in the watersheds, improved flood security of settlements, increased labor opportunities, better nutrition, and increased incomes and reduced poverty. The TA will assess and establish quantified targets on these indicators at Project and subproject levels. Beneficiary Participation in Formulation The TA will follow a highly participatory process in the selected sample subproject areas (at least 4 major, 6 medium, and 6 minor schemes) using participatory rapid rural appraisal (PRRA) techniques, with focus group meetings with female, landless, and vulnerable groups, which will possibly be undertaken through NGOs. An inventory of local needs will prepared, encompassing problems/constraints related to (i) water resources in relation to agriculture, fisheries, transport, and environment, and (ii) possible solutions to resolve the constraints identified (iii) implications of solutions on poverty reduction. The role of service providers, people's willingness to contribute to O&M, and the scope of enhancing impacts of irrigation interventions with extension services and other services will also be discussed. The TA will also organize workshops and subject matter seminars at the State level during inception, mid-term, and draft final stages. Beneficiary Participation in Implementation The ensuing Project will be driven by the needs and demands of the communities that recognize the importance of improved irrigated agriculture to protect and enhance their livelihoods. It will pursue a social development strategy that (i) allocates sufficient time and resources to establish viable WUAs that will take on lead roles on Project implementation decisions and O&M of local irrigation infrastructure, (ii) provides a sound legal status for WUAs while ensuring representation of vulnerable groups, and (iii) defines and puts into place a process and procedures to ensure meaningful beneficiary participation in all stages of the Project.
Contact Bank Kenichi Yokoyama Principal Water Resources Management Specialist SANS Tel. No.: (632) 632-6937 E-mail: mailto:%20kyokoyama@adb.org
Executing Agency Water Resource Department Contact Person: U.P. Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tel. No. : 91-674-2536764 Fax. No. :91-674-2402446 E-mail:mailto:%20maito:%20Secy_dowr@vsnl.net
(Source: http:\\ www.adb.org/documents/profiles/PPTA/38411012.asp)
PIDA Establishes 100 New Farmer Organizations in LCC West and CRBC Areas, Punjab, Pakistan
PIDA (Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority) has established 100 new Farmers’ Organizations in Lower Chenab Canal West and Chashma Right Bank Canal areas. The Authority has also initiated work for formation of 100 new FOs in DG Khan and Bahawalnagar Circle during 2007-08.
PIDA held its 33rd meeting at PIDA Headquarter on 28 June, 2007 under the chairmanship of Minister Irrigation / Chairman PIDA. The Authority approved the annual budget of Rs.1742 million for the year 2007-08.
Modernizing Irrigation Channels Through Community Participation and Management in Sindh, Pakistan - By Nazeer Ahmed Memon, SIDA (sds@sida.org.pk)
Irrigation reforms in Pakistan are underway since last many years in almost every province of Pakistan. Reforms are progressing high in Punjab and Sindh and various levels of PIM have been assumed for sustainable irrigation management. In Sindh province, the level of PIM in the transferred systems is much higher than other province as most rehabilitation and modernization is done by farmer organization at minor/distributary level through a contract signed by them either with contractor or irrigation service provider.
Before describing the modernization scheme, following is the gist of reform programme in Sindh.
The Reform Programme In 1997 the Government of Sindh started reforms in the management of the entire irrigation system through an Act by the Sindh Assembly. The Act has now been repealed and replaced by Sindh Water management Ordinance (SWMO-2002). www.sida.org.pk The Goals of the reforms in Sindh Ø To improve the equity of water distribution to the farmers especially those in the tail end of the infrastructure. Ø To restore the reliability of water delivery to the farmers to diminish the cost for Government. Ø Implement the reforms through increase of farmers’ participation in the management of the irrigation and drainage at all levels. Ø The ultimate goal is of course the improvement of the agricultural production. How to Implement the Reforms? The Irrigation & Power Department is being gradually transformed into a series of autonomous bodies: Ø The Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), established in 1998. Ø 13 Area Water Boards (AWBs). Three have been established so far. Ø 1500 Farmer’s Organizations (FOs). 30 have been established so far. Ø A Regulatory Authority (RA), still to be established. SIDA (Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority) SIDA is the first tier in the new system of organizations running the irrigation system.
Main Tasks of SIDA Ø Operation and maintenance of the three Indus barrages in the Province of Sindh: the Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri Barrages. Ø Distribution of the Indus waters over the fourteen main canals. Ø Operation and maintenance of the major drains. Flood protection infrastructure along the river Indus. Establishment of the envisaged institutional system for the irrigation and drainage system. Ø SIDA is supervised by a Board in which farmers play an important role.
AWBs (Area Water Boards) The second tier of the water management system consists of Area Water Boards (AWBs). On all fourteen main canals in Sindh, Area Water Boards (AWBs) will be formed. The Area Water Boards will be responsible for:
Ø The operation and maintenance of the main and branch canals. Ø The distribution of water to the Farmers Ø Organization of other water users in their command area. Ø Collection of abiana from Farmers Organizations, collection of abiana and other revenue in those areas, where no Farmers’ Organizations exist. Ø Payment to SIDA for the water they have received from SIDA. Ø A Board in which farmers are represented, will manage the AWBs. The director will report to the Board. FOs (Farmers Organizations) The third tier of the system consists of Farmers’ Organizations (FOs). FOs will be established on the distributaries and minors. The FOs will be responsible for:
Ø The water distribution in the distributaries to the farmers. Ø Maintenance of the distributaries, minors and water courses. Ø The collection of water charges (abiana) from the farmers. Ø Payment to the AWBs for the water the FOs receives from the AWBs. Ø The FO will be governed by a General Body consisting of representatives of the farmers they will also have a Board of Management to run their day to day affairs. The Regulatory Authority A Regulatory Authority will be established to supervise the SIDA, the Area Water Boards and the Farmers Organizations. The Regulatory Authority’s main tasks will be: Ø To approve the annual budget plans of the autonomous bodies, and their annual reports, including their audited financial statement. Ø To mediate and arbitrate in case of conflict between the autonomous bodies. Ø To arbitrate in case of conflict between farmers and their FOs or AWBs. This task will be carried out through Customer Services Committees. These Committees are a kind of field courts of justice. Ø A Board consisting of independent experts, without any political office, will govern the Regulatory Authority. Implementation of Modernization Schemes by FOs Under Sindh On-Farm Water Management (SOFWM) Project, 100 distributaries/ minors managed by Farmers Organizations (FOs) are being rehabilitated/ improved in three Area Water Boards i.e. Nara Canal Area Water Board (NCAWB), Left Bank Canal Area Water Board (LBCAWB) and Ghotki Feeder Canal Area Water Board (GFCAWB). The rehabilitation/ improvement works include:
Ø Restoration of outlets, weak sections of channel banks & berms Ø De-silting Ø Repair of regulator gates, cross regulators and diversion structures Ø Protection works upstream and downstream of structures and channel sides Ø Construction of cattle crossings and cattle ghats (cattle drinking water points) Ø Installation of gauges and control structures for flow measurement at the Distributary head and each Mogha (watercourse off take outlets).
At present around 195 irrigation channels have been transferred to FOs and about 100 distributaries/ minor canals, that are managed by FOs, are being rehabilitated through a project of Sindh On-Farm Water Management funded mainly by the World Bank. An FO is responsible to act as contractor for the rehabilitation of their own distributary/ minor canal in case of less than US$ 100,000 contract amount through Community Based Contract (CBC). On the other hand, if amount exceeds US$ 100,000, the contract could be awarded to the private contractors through National Competitive Bidding (NCB) and FO becomes employer of the contractor. The works are identified and proposed by FOs on the basis of joint walk-through surveys along with AWB staff, consultants and social mobilization teams of Social Development Cell SIDA.
In the first year 10 contracts were awarded of which 09 were NCB and one was CBC. In the first year the maximum limit of CBC work was US$ 30,000 and based on the first year performance, environmental compliance and work quality review, the Government of Sindh and World Bank agreed to extend upper limit of CBC up to US$100,000. This directly resulted in a greater opportunity to many FOs to undertake investment activity directly under their management and execution. At present more that 50 contracts have been awarded of which majority is CBC. This activity of delegation and transfer of power is undertaken first time in the history of Pakistan and farming community is now fully involved not only in implementing and managing contracts but also monitoring environmental compliance. The equity in water has improved and DPR value of FO managed channels is closer to one than the channel operated by non-FO management.
Participation in Joint Walk Through
In order to identify the work a joint walk through is carried out. The joint walk through largely helps in determining the scope of rehabilitation work for FO. At the end of walk through, a format is jointly signed by all the parties incorporating all the technical requirements, repair needs and necessary irrigation structures. At the same time, environmental impacts of the rehabilitation works are also assessed jointly along with any resettlement impact of the works. In addition through the survey identification of community infrastructures like washing bays, buffalo baths, and foot bridges are proposed on appropriate places with consultation of FO members.
Some committees are formed by FOs to manage the rehabilitation work, monitor the work, and implement the CBC works.
Participation in Contract Bidding and Award
After joint walkthrough and detail designing, tender documents are prepared and based on the cost estimation bids are invited for NCB works (costing more than US$ 100,000) and evaluated in presence of the FO representatives. The contracts are awarded by the FO in capacity of employer and FO Chairman Signs the agreement with selected contractor. This process creates ownership of FOs and ensures sustainability.
As stated earlier, under the rehabilitation works program of irrigation channels, initially it was decided that contracts worth less then US$ 30,000 will be awarded to FO as part of institutional strengthening measure. And later on this limit was enhanced to US$ 100,000. In the first year of program of works, only one contract was awarded as CBC contract (FO Bagi minor in NAWB). Whereas in second year, out of 35 contracts, 21 were classified as CBCs. This enhancement in the upper limit for contract amount was appreciated by the FO community at large. By and large, the performance of CBC has been satisfactory as local labor and local machinery like tractors and excavators are hired, generating employment opportunities at local level. The contractors on the contrary largely bring their manpower and machinery from their own pool of resources, mostly located outside of the project area. Community appreciated the donor and Government efforts for awarding the contract to FOs.
Participatory Monitoring
Generally there is a strict monitoring by FOs on the rehabilitation works at most places. FOs generally form a committee to address the quality work and ensure that work is completed as per scope. The contractors exerted political pressures to obtain the bills in advance but FOs withstand the pressure and forced contractor to complete the work. For example contractor of Mir Minor exerted pressure on FO chairman to release his final bill before the completion of work. But chairman took stand and described to contractor clearly that bill could not be signed before the work was completed.
Drip Irrigation — Answer to Water Shortages in Pakistan
Faced with acute water shortages, the Pakistan government has launched a 0.3 billion U.S. dollar subsidised drip irrigation programme that could help reduce wastage over the next five years.
According to Pakistan’s latest economic survey released in June, agriculture continues to be the single largest sector of economy providing livelihood to 66 percent of the country's population of 162.5 million people. Besides, it accounts for 20.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 43.4 percent of the total work force in the country.
Under the subsidised drip irrigation programme agricultural land will steadily switch over to the new technique from the wasteful, traditional flood irrigation method dating back to the Indus valley civilisation.
The decision to tap the potential came after the successful completion of a pilot project in Faisalabad district. Under the project, cotton crop was grown successfully over an area spanning seven acres by scientists at the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) located in the district.
"We installed a model drip irrigation system here that was used to irrigate cotton and the experiment was highly successful. The cotton yield with drip irrigation ranged 1,520 kg to 1,680 kg per acre compared to 960 kg from the traditional flood irrigation method," says Wajid Ishaq, a junior scientist at NIAB.
Ishaq says the federal government was so enthused by the results that it asked NIAB to develop a project proposal to spread drip irrigation in all the four provinces over an area of 1,000 acres. "We have prepared the proposal and submitted it with the Planning Commission of Pakistan. Hopefully they will approve it and come out with a comprehensive plan," he adds.
Agricultural experts say that drip irrigation is most suitable in countries like Pakistan where crop yield is low and irrigation water wastage is far more than acceptable limits.
Ehsan Qazi, an agricultural scientist based in Lahore district, told IPS that in drip irrigation water and fertilisers are applied through special pipes at a uniform flow rate. "Water directly reaches the roots where it is most needed. There is little wastage of water due to evaporation or seepage as what happens in the case of traditional flood irrigation," he adds.
Flood irrigation, often called surface irrigation, usually results in the flooding of cultivated land and is the oldest and most common method. Against this, in Qazi’s opinion, water saving by drip irrigation can be as high as 70 percent. Encouraged by the increased yield of cotton crop, NIAB is now using the same drip irrigation technique to grow onion, corn and summer fodder. There are plans to extend the system for orchards as well.
Sajjad Siddiqui, spokesman for Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority, told IPS that the government is aware of difficulties and has an overall plan to overcome them. Rehabilitation of canal systems, improvement and lining of water courses, handing over of canals to local farmers and drip irrigation are all part of this plan, he says.
As no major water storage project has been completed for the last 30 years, all these measures are necessary to stave off impending, acute water shortages. While the government is yet to draw up a complete and comprehensive plan, individual communities have begun taking their own small initiatives with the help of NGOs and international donors.
According to federal minister for food and agriculture Sikandar Bosan, Pakistan has sought help from the Japanese government to double the efficiency in irrigation water use from the present 45 percent to 90 percent with the help of drip irrigation.
Bosan said the government would ensure that at least 300,000 acres of land would be brought under drip irrigation this year with federal and provincial governments providing 80 percent subsidy on drip irrigation equipment.
With support from the World Bank and other donors, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has already begun providing finance to small farmer communities in select water-deficient areas to install drip irrigation systems.
"PPAF disburses funds to locals in collaboration with NGOs that have been working in particular areas for a certain period of time," said Ghulam Haider, communication executive with PPAF.
At Khan Muhammad Rajar village in Sanghar district, for example, PPAF provided 80 percent of the funds required to install the system and made the community contribute the remainder. Support also came from the Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organisation (SAFWCO), a non-profit body having experience in social work in the backward areas of Sindh.
Abbas Panhwar, a mechanical engineer working with SAFWCO, told IPS that the local community in the village was asked to contribute 20 percent of the cost, mainly to give them a sense of ownership and responsibility. Without making them put in their money, it would have been very difficult to mobilise them and achieve desired results, he says.
Abbas says though the cost of installing drip irrigation system is high at Rs 70,000 (1,148 dollars) per acre, it is justified by the high yields. "In the deserts of Sindh we have rains after every 3 to 4 years. We would often run out of water but now, after adopting this method, we can save enough water to survive during the period without rains. We grow tomato, potato, maize, grapes, citrus, banana and fodder.’’
Despite successfully handling several drip irrigation projects, Abbas says there are limits to what small NGOs can do. "We can just set a few examples – the onus definitely is on the government to take the benefits of the technology to the masses across the country.’’
(Source: By Irfan Ahmed, http://www.asiawaterwire.net/node/562)
Punjab (Pakistan) Making Institutional Arrangements for Implementing Groundwater Management Plan
Planning and Development Board has prepared a comprehensive Groundwater Management Plan which includes:
Ø Groundwater management policy guidelines; Ø Implementation strategy; and Ø Groundwater management action plan consisting of priority actions and implementation schedule
The World Bank consultants' mission (GW-MATE) provided their feedback on the plan and proposed adoption of a parallel track approach for implementing the policy and plan, i.e., to go ahead in the implementation of groundwater management at pilot level using the information available and building on the existing legal and institutional framework, while undertaking the necessary improvements in a phased manner and with the participation of stakeholders.
Institutional setup for Groundwater Management in Punjab
Groundwater Steering Committee: The establishment of Groundwater Steering Committee has been notified by the Planning and Development Board. The Committee will provide overall guidance towards groundwater policy, regulations and holistic resource planning and management.
Groundwater Working Group: The Groundwater Working Group has also been notified by the Planning and Development Board. The Group will coordinate and streamline groundwater monitoring activities and formulation of groundwater management projects in line with policy guidelines and directions of the Groundwater Steering Committee.
Groundwater Management Organization (PC-II): The PC-II has been prepared and submitted for approval to the competent authority. As per PC-II, Groundwater Management Organization is being established in IPD along with strengthening of GW monitoring (DLR). Under the PC-II, groundwater management interventions will also be piloted for 3-Years (July 2007 to June 2010) in the selected 3 pilot areas of the Punjab. The Groundwater Management Organization would be responsible for undertaking various actions and studies related to groundwater management.
Groundwater Monitoring Organization: The DLR is going to be given the additional responsibilities of groundwater in Punjab. It will be responsible for monitoring groundwater level, quality, processing of the collected groundwater data and presenting the output in the form of GIS maps on groundwater level and quality.
Pilot Area Selection: Based on field survey and available data of Faisalabad, Sargodha, Bahawalpur and Lahore Irrigation Zones of Punjab, groundwater management team of Strategic Planning/Reform Unit has proposed the following 3 pilot sites for groundwater management:
1. Kamalia Disty Command (Faisalabad Irrigation Zone) 2. 4L-Sardar Wah Disty Command (Bahawalpur Irrigation Zone) 3. Qila Jawind Singh Disty Command (Lahore Irrigation Zone)
Surface Water Quality Monitoring Activities The IPD is implementing the surface water quality monitoring plan in Punjab since October 2006. The plan covers the monitoring of rivers, headworks and canals after every two months and drains twice a year. In June 2007, the plan was revised by the Dept. and it included 20 additional points for drinking water quality monitoring in Punjab, focusing on Bahawalpur and D.G Khan Irrigation Zones. The revised draft plan has been submitted to various stakeholders for review. The implementation of revised plan will start soon.
(Source: Punjab Irrigation E-Newsletter, Issue 2, August 2007)
Strengthening Participatory Groundwater Management Project in Mexico and Ethiopia
Groundwater management is one of the main challenges in water management globally. In face of a rapidly deteriorating resource base, new approaches towards groundwater management are needed. This project will create an Aquifer Management Support Package, to strengthen the institutional capacities of groundwater user groups. In Mexico the project will work with the technical groundwater committees of the state of Guanajuato and in Ethiopia with the Oromia Water Bureau.
Objectives The objective of the project is to create and promote an Aquifer Management Support Package that combines institutional analysis, capacity building and innovative remote sensing technology. Through the Aquifer Management Support Package the project will contribute to the development of groundwater management plans and institutional arrangements that are sustainable and effective.
Output Based on an institutional and stakeholder analysis and the use of remote sensing images and the Surface Energy Balance model (SEBAL) the Dutch consortium together with the counterparts in Mexico and Ethiopia will develop a training package that supports the efforts of groundwater users and management institutions to develop participatory and sustainable groundwater management plans.
Activities Institutional analysis, capacity building, interpretation of remote sensing data, creation of an option package. Duration October 2006 – July 2007
Funding “Partners for Water” program of the Dutch Government.
Partners WaterWatch a Wageningen based scientific advisory company, supports water management by providing spatial information on quantitative aspects of water management on the basis of satellite images. Its portfolio covers irrigation and drainage studies throughout the world, as well as environmental studies towards the quantification of soil and land degradation. WaterWatch is the intellectual owner of the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm of Land (SEBAL), which has become one of the internationally leading algorithms for estimating actual evapotranspiration.
Contact person: Dr Wim Bastiaanssen Gen. Foulkesweg 28A 6703 BS Wageningen t. +31 317 423410 w.bastiaanssen@waterwatch.nl
MetaMeta specializes in communicating knowledge and in supporting participatory processes, by developing, testing, and using innovative data formats. MetaMeta has developed training packages recently on Drainage, IWRM, Gender and Water and Spate Irrigation. It has also developed the first version of the Participatory Groundwater Management Kit and runs www.groundwatermanagement.org.
Contact person: Dr Frank van Steenbergen Agro Business Park 44 6708 PW Wageningen t. +31 317 479650 fvansteenbergen@metameta.nl
Further information
Contact person: Ir. Philippus Wester Nieuwe Kanaal 11 6709 PA Wageningen t. +31 317 484826 www.iwe.wur.nl
(Source: http:\\www.iwe.wur.nl/uk/collaborative+projects/Mexico+Ethiopia)
Unequal Water Resources Present a Challenge in Africa
Water resources are unevenly distributed throughout the countries of Southern Africa. The region boasts of some of the world's largest lakes and rivers, but is also a land of vast deserts.
The region is, however, also home to two extensive deserts. The Kalahari spreads through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, and the Namib Desert covers most of the country named after it.
Frequent droughts have struck large parts of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi. These long dry periods have proved disastrous for farmers trying to eke out a living in marginal areas and left the inhabitants of urban slums vulnerable to diseases due to a lack of proper sanitation.
In Mozambique, just 43 percent of people have access to potable
water, according to 2004 figures from the Joint Monitoring
Program for Water Supply and Sanitation, overseen by the World
Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF) - and in Angola, 53 percent. In Zambia, the figure is
58 percent.
While the international community as a whole appears to be on track to meet this target, sub-Saharan Africa is falling short. According to the 2007 update of a U.N. report, 'Africa and the Millennium Development Goals', 63 percent of people in this region lacked access to basic sanitation facilities by 2004, for instance - only marginally down from 68 percent in 1990, the base year for the MDGs. Projecting this slow rate of progress into the future leaves little doubt that most of Africa will fall short of achieving goal seven by the MDG deadline.
Rapid population growth and urbanization are putting strain on
the water authorities in urban areas. In many slums, dozens, and
sometimes hundreds of people share a single water source. A lack
of sanitation infrastructure means that effluent remains exposed
among the shacks, and so creates a breeding ground for bacteria.
(Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200707260577.html)
National Peer Review Water Workshops in Uganda and Zambia
Two local governments in Uganda (Entebbe and Jinja) and six in Zambia (Lusaka, Chibombo, Chililabombwe and Chongwe) held their National Peer Exchange and Review Workshops for the ICLEI Water Programme from 20-21 and 27-28, June 2007, respectively.
The National Peer Exchange and Review Workshops were held within the project ‘Capacity Building for Integrated Governance in the Management of Water and Sanitation in Uganda and Zambia’, which is managed by ICLEI and supported by the Dutch Government (see ICLEI Africa News June 2006).
The purpose of the workshops were for the elected leaders (Councilors); Council Officials from the different departments of the above-mentioned local governments participating in the project in each country; and the representatives of the key stakeholder institutions within the respective local governments to meet and share best practices from their local governments areas, thus exchanging, reviewing and learning from one another on how to best govern and manage water and sanitation issues in their local governments areas. The Local Governments also took advantage of the workshops to draft their priority areas and Local Water and Sanitation Agendas, thus rolling out the processes of achieving Milestones 2 and 3 of the above-mentioned Project.
There were 27 and 48 participants at the workshops in Uganda and Zambia, respectively. The workshop in Uganda was honoured by the presence and participation of his Worship the Mayor of Jinja Municipal Council, Councilor Mohammed Baswari Kezaala. On the other hand, the workshop in Zambia was honoured by the presence and participation of their worships:- the Council Chairman of Chongwe District Council, Councilor Charles Kabinga Mumena; the Deputy Council Chairlady of Chongwe District Council, Councilor Joyce Sakala; and the Deputy Council Chairman of Chibombo District Council, Councilor Augustine Mwamainda. The participation at the workshop saw some increase with regard to: Ø participation of both women and; Ø policy and decision makers Representation of women in Uganda was 37 % while it was 20% in Zambia, including representation at the highest level by the Council Chairlady of Chongwe District Council. There was around 50% representation by policy and decision makers (Councillors) in both countries thus striking the necessary balance between policy and decision makers and; technocrats.
Exchange of best practices was also across the two countries participating in the Project (Uganda and Zambia). The Director of Engineering Services of the Lusaka City Council attended and presented a case on Community Participation in water supply and management in the peri-urban areas (Water Trust Models) of the Lusaka City to the participants of the Uganda National Workshop. On the other hand, the Principal Health Inspector of the Jinja Municipal Council also attended the Zambia National Workshop and presented a case on the development of the Jinja Local Agenda 21 and implementation of projects that emanated from the Local Agenda 21 Development process mainly on sustainable development including projects on best practices in water supply, management, sanitation, stakeholder involvement and poverty eradication.
Below is a list of Cases that were shared by and among the Local Governments: 1. Community and household surveys on water consumption, conservation and quality in Jinja, Chongwe, Lusaka, Chibombo and Chililabombwe which were done by the Local Governments as part of the milestone 1 of the Capacity Building Project managed by ICLEI as mentioned above 2. Development of Jinja Local Agenda 21 through a programme that was called a Model Communities Program (MCP) through which communities in Jinja identified certain sustainable development and environmental issues of priority for them. The programme was implemented from 1995 to 1997. The programme also involved action planning and implementation of some demonstration projects under the prioritized areas and was managed by ICLEI. 3. Initiatives, projects and plans to increase water access and conservation, and sewage treatment and water quality protection by the Jinja National Water and Sewerage Corporation 4. Degradation and loss of wetlands (water sources) due to human activities in Entebbe 5. The Entebbe water supply and sanitation project which was aimed at increasing water supply and sanitation services in Entebbe which was implemented by the Entebbe National Water and Sewerage Corporation 6. A Prioritised Capital Investment Programme to increase levels of water and sanitation services to existing customers and expansion into un-served areas of the Lusaka City, particularly the poor by the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company thus improving water and sanitation management 7. Community based water utility in the Chipata Compound in the peri-urban areas of the Lusaka City to provide efficient and sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene services to the Community taking into consideration the plight of the poor (Chipata Compound Water Trust Scheme) 8. The Central Province Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project through the District Water and Sanitation Health Education (DWASHE) which was implemented in Chibombo with the following five main components;- water development, Sanitation support, catchment protection, community mobilization and malaria prevention and control 9. Community initiated waste management program (CIWMP) in Chililabombwe focusing on the various community waste management initiatives that local residents in collaboration with the local authorities have put in place to try and address a number of waste management problems facing the district 10. Water conservation case that was implemented by the Nkana Water & Sewerage Company in the former copper mining areas of Chililabombwe. The initiative involved detection and repair of leaks and massive sensitization of the community on the need to conserve water. The sensitizations involved production of campaign material, community meetings and school quiz for pupils 11. Reduction of an un-accounted for water (UFW) in the areas which were formerly served by the Chililabombwe Minicipal Council with water and sanitation services. The objective of this initiative was achieved through customer sensitization with community participation; water metering units; and construction of water kiosks in peri-urban areas to replace direct connections/stand pipes. For further information please contact ICLEI-AS Water Programme Manager Rapule Pule (rapule.pule@iclei.org). IDWR Expedites Water Transfer for CREP Acreage USA
IDWR has instituted a new policy to fast track
water right transfers for landowners in the Eastern Snake Plain
Aquifer who enroll in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program (CREP) in order to encourage voluntary curtailment. This
program will speed the water right transfer process that
normally takes from 6 months to a year or more to just 90 days
in many circumstances making enrollment in CREP a more viable
option for many landowners.
CREP contracts require a 10 to 15 year commitment, the land must
have a valid water right, and the land must be owned for at
least one year prior to enrollment to be eligible. IDWR would
also verify that a water right transfer application and a CREP
application were filed simultaneously before expediting a
transfer application. (Source: http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2007/07/28/news/ag_news/news34.txt)
Twinning Arrangement between PPWSA and BIWASE
Background
In 2006, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) entered into an agreement to fast-track developments in the Asia-Pacific's water sector. One of the agreed core areas of their cooperation is the Water Operators Partnership (WOP) Program.
The WOP program aims to organize twinning arrangements between water utilities to develop specific technical or managerial capacity. These twinning arrangements between operators will introduce management and institutional reforms needed to improve operations and financial viability.
A twinning arrangement between Cambodia's Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) and Viet Nam's Binh Duong Water Supply Sewerage Environment Company Limited (BIWASE) was commenced on 31 July 2007 upon the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by both parties. The arrangement will proceed for 18 months and may be extended upon the parties' mutual written agreement. BIWASE is a member of the South East Asian Water Utilities Network.
Objectives of the Twinning
PPWSA and BIWASE intend to cooperate with each other to achieve the following outcomes: Ø identified priority areas for improvement of BIWASE operations Ø trained BIWASE personnel in priority areas of water supply operations Ø institutionalized system of process benchmarking and monitoring Ø measurable improvement in two or more areas of operations at the end of the twinning period Means of Cooperation
A week-long performance audit of BIWASE's operations will ensue after the MoA Signing to identify and prioritize the areas for improvement, and to structure BIWASE's required assistance. It will review the business processes related to: Ø quality control and assurance of water production and distribution Ø customer relation, billing and collection Ø financial administration and information Ø strategic management and planning Based on the performance audit, a work plan will be developed and agreed upon, and may include a wide range of activities that include: 1. Secondment of expert personnel by PPWSA for a period of at least two (2) weeks for managerial positions and at least one (1) month for technical personnel 2. On-site demonstration, especially on asset maintenance and rehabilitation 3. Exchange visits of BIWASE personnel to PPWSA for a period of at least two (2) weeks for managerial positions and at least one (1) month for technical personnel 4. Training of personnel through seminars, courses, and internships on areas of operations that urgently need improvement. Advisory Committee
PPWSA and BIWASE agree that an independent Advisory Committee (AC) will be established to provide advice and recommendations to the parties in the implementation of the twinning arrangement. The AC will be composed the following: Ø 2 representatives from the ADB Ø 1 South East Asian Water Utilities Network (SEAWUN) Board Member Ø 1 representative from a donor agency and/or international organization as agreed upon by the Parties. The AC shall assist the parties by: Ø providing advice on the priority areas to be addressed Ø assessing the outcomes of the twinning arrangement Ø monitoring the progress and impact of the twinning arrangement Contacts:
Paul van
Klaveren
Mai Flor
(Source: www.adb.org/water)
Netherlands Helping to Provide Clean, Safe Water in Asia-Pacific
The Government of Netherlands has agreed to contribute $19.75 million to support the Water Financing Partnership Facility of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in line with efforts to provide safe drinking water supply and sanitation services, especially in remote and impoverished areas of the Asia and Pacific region.
The Water Financing Partnership Facility supports projects under the Bank’s Water Financing Program, which was formulated to make water a core investment area. ADB expects to increase its water investments to more than $2 billion annually under the Water Financing Program.
“We appreciate the generous assistance to ADB's Water Financing Program,” said Werner Liepach, Principal Director of ADB's Office of Cofinancing Operations. “The contribution will be useful in helping the ADB’s developing member countries in meeting their Millennium Development Goals related to water.”
The assistance was formalized with the signing of the Channel Financing Agreement establishing the Netherlands Trust Fund by the Government of Netherlands and ADB. Projects covered by the grant will include rural, urban and basin water demonstration projects. The grant will also be used to support the quality of the Water Financing Program through knowledge, capacity and innovation services.
“Water and sanitation are essential in reducing poverty, improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable economic growth,” said WooChong Um, Director of ADB’s Energy, Water and Transport Division. “Yet, investments in water services and in water resource management have lagged behind demand.” In 2002, about 700 million people in the Asia-Pacific region were without safe water supplies and some 2 billion had inadequate or no sanitation services.
ADB approved the establishment of the Water Financing Partnership Facility in December 2006 to mobilize additional resources from development partners for the Water Financing Program. Resources from partners under the Water Financing Partnership Facility are provided through project-specific loans, grants or guarantees under framework agreements to be negotiated with each financing partner, pooled grants through the Facility’s trust fund component, and other forms of assistance.
(Source: www.adb.org/water)
Improving Access to Clean Water, Sanitation Crucial to Growth in Asia
Improving access to clean water and sanitation are crucial in enabling Asia to achieve sustainable economic prosperity and effectively eradicate poverty, Asian Development Bank Vice President Liqun Jin said during his speech before participants of the steering committee preparing for the first Asia Pacific Water Summit scheduled in December.
“Last year, ADB commissioned an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to assess the development prospects of the Asia and Pacific region and provide recommendations on its course of actions,” said Mr. Jin in his remarks before the second steering committee meeting held in Tokyo. “The EPG report concludes that by 2020, Asia will be dramatically transformed, free of pervasive extreme poverty, with 90 percent of the continent’s people living in “middle income” countries, and a regional economy comprising 45 percent of global GDP and 35 percent of world trade.”
“Achieving this vision, however, will require concerted efforts by the stakeholders, including its Governments, its civil societies, and all development partners,” Mr. Jin said. “We in ADB will do our best. And such a vision simply cannot be achieved if the region’s massive needs for clean water, improved sanitation and sustainable water resource management are not met.”
Asia faces the biggest challenge in the world in the access to drinking water. Between 2002 and 2004, an additional 117 million were served in the region, but the progress has been insignificant, and the gap is still considerable. The coverage moved up from 80.9% in 2002 to 81.1% in 2004. However, another 635 million remain unserved.
The region is also saddled with a serious problem in access to sanitation. Between 2002 and 2004, an additional 117 million were served, but progress has also been modest and the gap remains huge. The coverage moved up from 42.8% in 2002 to 44.7% in 2004. A total of 1.86 billion remain unserved.
Mr. Jin said that water financing and capacity development is a high priority for ADB, and the Bank is pleased to be the lead agency for this area through the Asia Pacific Water Forum.
At the fourth World Water Forum in Mexico in 2006, water ministers from the Asia Pacific sought the establishment of a new network that will address water challenges in the region. Several development agencies supported the proposal and the Asia Pacific Water Forum was officially launched at the conference on ADB's Water Financing Program last year.
The Asia Pacific Water Forum is working to increase the region’s access to improved water supplies and sanitation, protect and restore river basins and reduce people’s vulnerability to water disasters. Its initial task is to organize an Asia Pacific Water Summit, which will be held in Oita Prefecture, Japan. It will focus on measures that will ensure the effective delivery of adequate and safe water supply to critical areas in the region.
Mr. Jin said the ADB supports the vision of making the Asia Pacific Water Summit an action-oriented meeting that will help the region achieve the Millennium Development Goal and Target on water in the region, which is essentially to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation by 2015.
As a key supporter of the Asia Pacific Water Forum, ADB recently approved a $1 million grant to support the Water Summit and other forum activities.
ADB also launched a Water Financing Program 2006-2010, which aims to double the Bank’s water investments over the next five years. “We have adopted specific outcome targets for these investments, one of which is to improve water services for 200 million people in urban and rural areas,” said Mr. Jin.
A Water Financing Partnership Facility was also set by ADB to provide grants for investment projects, technical assistance operations, knowledge management, and regional cooperation. Initial contributions to the facility are targeted at $100 million by 2008.
(Source: www.adb.org/water)
Greywater Treatment and Reuse in MENA Region – A Technical Bulletin by International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Urban Poverty and Environment Programme of the IDRC has worked with partners in the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Lebanon to study and promote associated opportunities and challenges. IDRC coordinates a regional Water Demand Initiative (WaDImena), in partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). WaDImena aims to facilitate intra-regional collaboration and ultimately promote effective water governance in MENA.
Greywater is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic usages including showers, bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. It is distinguished from ‘blackwater’ (i.e. sewage), which is regarded as heavily polluted wastewater generated from the toilet and contains large concentrations of faecal matter and urine.
Greywater reuse refers to the process of collecting domestic greywater and allowing it to pass through small-scale natural filters prior to being ‘reused’ for irrigation purposes.
IDRC has supported research into a simple, home-based Water Demand Management (WDM) strategy that aims to make an efficient and productive use of a scarce resource. This greywater technology is only one of many options. Its prevalence has been gaining widespread momentum and support in the water-poor MENA region in light of its visible added value.
WDM implies that wastewater be viewed as a resource, and advocates its reuse following appropriate treatment for application in myriad activities such as crop production, irrigating green spaces and golf courses, groundwater recharge, influent for industrial cooling systems, domestic cleaning, as well as toilet flushing to name a few.
The technical bulletin aims to capture local knowledge on greywater treatment and reuse in the MENA region gained as a result of research projects funded and coordinated by IDRC. It is intended to highlight the future courses of action requisite to balance between the increasing challenges of water scarcity, food security and sustainable development.
It is available in three languages online (English, French and Arabic) at the following link.
http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=113574_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
DONORS’ LENDING AND SUPPORT FOR IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE PROJECTS
World Bank
Irrigation Development Project: Additional Financing for Armenia
The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a US$5.0 million credit for additional financing for the Irrigation Development Project (IDP) for Armenia. The additional financing will support the government’s efforts in scaling up activities implemented under the on-going IDP through rehabilitation of tertiary irrigation systems, and through providing training and technical assistance to Water Users’ Associations (WUAs).
For more information, please contact Miriam van Dyck at (202) 473-4215 Email: mvandyck@worldbank.org
For more project documents, please visit the project web site:
Liberia Receives a Grant for Agriculture and Infrastructure Development
The World Bank Board of Directors approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$37 million to support the Government of Liberia’s efforts in reestablishing basic infrastructure and reviving agricultural activities.
This grant responds to the request of the Government of Liberia for emergency funds and aims to reinstate critical infrastructure that was destroyed in the war.
The Agriculture and Infrastructure Development project will support the Government with a management contract for operation of the Port of Monrovia and complementary advisory services to undertake a reform of the port sector. It will also fund technical assistance to other entities of the Government responsible for transport and infrastructure.
The project will assist the Government in developing policies to enhance agricultural value chains, promote public-private partnerships, strengthen farmers’ organizations as the primary institution in the rural area, and link farmers to local, national and international markets.
The Agriculture and Infrastructure Development project will fund the reconstruction of the oil jetty in the Port of Monrovia, the rehabilitation and construction of several major bridges on principal road corridors, including the collapsed Vai City Bridge in Monrovia, and on a number of smaller river crossings nationwide. Funds will also be made available for maintenance of roads currently under emergency repairs.
The water treatment plant for Monrovia will be rehabilitated to at least 50 percent of capacity and provision of safe drinking water in selected secondary cities will be improved. The project will provide essential inputs to spur production and rebuild physical market infrastructure such as market places and post-harvest handling facilities for the agricultural sector.
The European Commission will contribute Euro 10 million for activities on rural roads and the water sector.
For more information about this project, please visit
World Bank Approves US$12 Million Additional Financing for Agricultural Research in Uganda
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a $12 million International Development Association (IDA) credit* to provide additional financing to the Second Agricultural Research and Training Project in Uganda.
The objectives of the Second Agricultural Research and Training Project (ARTP II) are to generate new knowledge, strategies and technologies in support of the Government of Uganda's Plan for the Modernization of Agriculture (PMA); design and implement improved procedures and capacities for scaling-up the application of new technologies; and capacity building of the reformed National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
“IDA financing will help ensure the continuity of a stream of new practices and innovations that will be of crucial importance to improve agricultural productivity and better utilize crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry resources for enhanced food security, improved livelihoods and increased incomes for large numbers of Uganda’s smallholders,”said Madhur Gautam, the project’s Task Team Leader.
The ARTP-II has progressed well over the last seven years with Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARIs) continuing to conduct high quality research, as well as to maintain a steady flow of relevant research outputs, many of which are being adopted by Ugandan farmers.
The additional credit will enable the World Bank to meet its long-term commitment to the institutional development and strengthening of the Uganda National Agricultural Research System. “It will allow adequate time for the preparation of a new single program to jointly cater for agricultural advisory services and agricultural research, preferably through a broader sector-wide approach, beginning July 1, 2009,” said Grace Yabrudy, World Bank Uganda Country Manager.
The ARTP-II is part of the Bank’s long-term assistance program to agricultural research in Uganda, which supports technology development and dissemination, consistent with the Government of Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and the Plan for the Modernization of Agriculture (PMA). The project was initially financed with a $26 million credit, which was approved by the Bank Board’s Executive Directors on May 6, 1999.
“The Government of Uganda and the World Bank place high priority on agriculture and agricultural research. Raising agricultural productivity is a key results area for the Government’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan and a “flagship” operational area for the Bank’s Africa Action Plan. The importance of agricultural productivity for broad-based economic growth cannot be over-emphasized,” said John McIntire, Country Director for Tanzania and Uganda.
For details please contact Steven Shalita, Tel: (202) 473 2907, E-mail:sshalita@worldbank.org
*The credit is provided on standard International Development Association (IDA) terms, with a commitment fee of 0.35 percent, a service charge of 0.75 percent over a 40 year period of maturity which includes a 10-year grace period.
African Development Bank AfDB Approved US$ 45 million for Water and Sanitation Project in Burkina Faso
Some 3 million persons will benefit from improved access to drinking water and sanitation in Burkina Faso following the approval of a loan and a grant to finance a water and sanitation project in the country.
The Boards of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) and the African Development Bank approved on Tuesday in Tunis a total 30 million Units of Account (US$ 45 million or CFA 33 billion) to finance the rural drinking water and sanitation project. The AfDB Group funding is made of an ADF loan of UA 20 million (US$ 30 million or CFA 22 billion) and a grant of UA 10 million (US$ 15 million or CFA 11 billion) extended by the multidonor trust fund of AfDB Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI).
In order to achieve these objectives, the project will build 20,100 new household latrines and 1,150 new community latrines (markets, schools and health centres) along with 7,000 new domestic drain-wells. The project will also provide training for 200 masons in the construction of latrines and 200 teachers in hygiene. Some 400 female intermediaries will be set up in villages to raise awareness on hygiene. The project will involve the construction of 1,345 new modern water points (MWP) equipped with hand pumps (HP), 16 new simplified pipe-borne water supply systems (SPWS). The project will also rehabilitate 50 boreholes equipped with HP, 5 SPWS and 10 autonomous water stations. Some 1,080 water supply users associations will be put in place, run and trained in the management and maintenance of MWPs. Capacity building activities also include training of 31 SPWS managers and outreach and awareness campaigns in the villages.
The ADB Group operations in Burkina Faso started in 1970. To date, its commitments in the country stand at US$ 900 million in 72 operations. CONTACT: Chawki Chahed – Tel: +216 71 10 27 02 – E-mail: c.chahed@afdb.org
External Relations and Communication Unit – Tel.: +216 71 10 29 16 – Fax: +216 71 83 16 51 – E-mail: comuadb@afdb.org
UPCOMING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETS AND EVENTS
58th International Executive Council (IEC) Meeting and USCID’s 4th International Conference on Irrigation and Drainage 30 September-5 October 2007 Sacramento, California USA
The theme of conference is ‘The Role of Irrigation and Drainage in Sustainable Future’ and explored through the three main topics viz. (1) Developing Sustainable Irrigation and Drainage Systems, (2) Using Technology to Improve Irrigation and Drainage Systems, and (3) Improving The Interaction of Irrigation and Drainage Systems with the wider society.
The ICID workbody meeting will be held from 30 September to 2nd October 2007, the 4th International Conference on Irrigation and Drainage is scheduled from 3-5 October 2007. Technical exhibition will be organized on 3-4 October, the IEC meeting will be held on 5 October and technical study tour will begin on 6 October. The list of the accepted papers for oral and poster presentations has been posted on the USCID website: www.icid2007.org. The papers will be presented in 15 concurrent technical sessions.
The detailed program is available online. The USCID will provide the pdf version of the program, registration form and other information, upon request.
Contact: Mr. Larry D. Stephens, Vice President, US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (USCID), 1616 17th Street, # 483, Denver, Co 80202 USA. Tel: 303 628 5430, Fax: 303 628 5431 E-mail: stephens@uscid.org Website: http://www.uscid.org
International Conference on Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Palestine 25-28 August 2007 Amman, Jordan
The
conference which is being organized by UNESCO-Cairo Office,
Egypt; Capacity Building and Training on Environmental Planning
and Management Project will bring together researchers,
professionals, policy makers, NGO representatives and experts
from the international community to discuss both the challenges
facing the water sector as well as possible solutions involving
research, capacity building and development in water related and
environmental issues. The conference will cover the following keynote themes: Ø Integrated water resources management Ø Water supply/demand management Ø Institutional and human resources capacity building Ø Conflict resolution on transboundary water resources management Ø Water quality and environmental issues Ø Cultural, ethical and socio-economic aspects of water resources.
Contact: Conference secretariat
22nd European Regional Conference 2-6 September 2007 Pavia, Italy
Conference is organized by Italian National Committee of ICID (ITAL-ICID) in cooperation with Agriculture General Direction, and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies, Italy. The conference will address the theme “Water Resource Management, and Irrigation and Drainage Systems Development in the European Environment”.
During the Conference two international workshops viz. “History of Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control” on 2nd September and “European Framework Directive in the Field of Water” on 4th September will be held. In addition, technical tours to Pavia-Novara-Vigevano and Pavia-Mantova have been planned.
There is an early bird registration discount before 02 Jun 2007. For information on programme, registration form, accommodation, and technical tours, please visit website: http://www/italicid.org/erc2007
Contact: Ms. M Elisa Venezian Scarascia, General Secretary, ITAL-ICID, Via Sallustiana, 10 Rome Italy. Tel: +39 06 488 1728, E-mail: erc2007@italicid.it, me.scarascia@politecheagricole.it
Third International Conference on Climate and Water 3-6 September 2007 Helsinki, Finland
The Third International Conference on Climate and Water is being organized by the Finnish Environment Institute, the Helsinki University of Technology, and the Academy of Finland. UNESCO, WMO and IAHS are contributing to the event through the Scientific Committee. The Conference is targeted to the hydrological science community, coordinators of water resources programmes, and decision makers. The main themes of the conference are the following:
Ø Climate change and hydrological extremes Ø Climate change and water resources; risk and risk management Ø Adaptation to the impacts of climate change in the water sector Ø Climate change mitigation and hydrology Ø Hydrological science, poverty and capacity building.
Contact: Esko Kuusisto (Conference Secretary)
International Workshop on ‘Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Systems’ 10-11 September 2007 Munich, Germany
This meeting which is being organized by Institute of Groundwater Ecology (GSF), Germany; Centre of Applied Geosciences (ZAG), Germany; Institute of Hydrology of the University of Bayreuth, Germany aims to foster interdisciplinary discussion of novel perspectives in biotic and abiotic degradation processes in groundwater systems by bringing together scientists from all relevant areas of expertise. The workshop will be organized in 3 sessions focusing on:
Ø Links between hydrogeology and biogeochemistry in groundwater systems Ø The complexity of reactions that pollutants undergo in groundwater Ø The role of microorganisms in groundwater systems.
Contact: Florian Einsiedl
14th German Dam Symposium/5th ICOLD European Club Dam Symposium 17-19 September 2007 Freising, Bavaria, Germany
The general topic of this symposium is ‘Dams in Europe – Tasks and Challenges’. The focus will be on topics such as public awareness of dam-related issues and the benefits, risks and economic value of dams, large hydraulic structures and hydropower. The Symposium provides a platform to share experience, not only between German-speaking dam experts but for the whole European dam industry.
This symposium is being organized by German National Committee on Large Dams and International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD).
European Water & Wastewater Management Conference 24-26 September 2007 St James' Park, Newcastle, UK
The Conference which is being organized by Aqua Enviro intends to provide a focal point for those engineers, scientists and regulators with an interest in the collection, treatment and supply of water, the collection, treatment and recycling of wastewaters and management of the associated assets. This first Conference aims to keep you abreast of engineering best practice, based around examples of successful case-studies, together with updates on the development of those innovative solutions that will be required, in order to deliver on the requirements of a number of EC Directives, in the timescales that they propose and in the more sustainable manner now increasingly demanded. It will provide: an opportunity to: observe and discuss technical and policy issues; network with potential clients and customers at the Conference exhibition, and a chance to meet old friends and colleagues in an informal setting.
Contact: Frances Eldon
3rd International Yellow River Forum on Sustainable Water Resources Management and Delta Ecosystem Maintenance 16-19 October 2007 Dongying City, Shandong Province, China
This forum which is being organized by Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC), China will provide suggestions and plans for the sustainable utilization of water resources and delta ecosystem maintenance of the Yellow River and other rivers in the world.
Some of the main themes of the forum are: Ø Integrated water resources management and developing trends Ø Sustainable water resources exploitation for sound ecosystems Ø Protection and rehabilitation of the delta ecosystem Ø Delta ecosystem and exploitation mode Ø Water environment protection and harmonization of the river’s many functions Ø Regional water resources allocation and inter-basin water regulation Ø Water rights, water markets and water saving.
HELP - Local Solutions to Global Water Problems: Lessons from the South 4-9 November 2007 Pretoria, South Africa
The International HELP Symposium on 'Local Solutions to Global Water Problems- Lessons from the South' which is being organized by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) of South Africa, in partnership with IWMI and UNESCO/HP HELP aims at bridging the gap between science and policy to solve water related issues at the local, national and international levels. HELP is creating a new approach to integrated catchment management through the creation of framework for water law and policy experts, water resource managers and water scientists to work together on water-related problems. Participation of the 67 basin organizations from 56 UNESCO partner countries makes this a tremendous knowledge sharing opportunity on how to put HELP into action. The HELP International Symposium is being organized by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) of South Africa, in partnership with UNESCO HELP. Highlights will include technical and poster sessions, thematic discussions, workshops, receptions and a field trip to the Olifants River HELP basin.
Contact: Taryn Van Rooyen
2nd African Regional Conference 6-9 November 2007 Johannesburg, South Africa
The Conference is organized by South African National Committee (SANCID) together with the Southern African Regional Irrigation Association (SARIA), the Department of Agriculture and the Water Research Commission.
The Conference theme is “Contribution of rainfed and irrigated agriculture to poverty alleviation through increased productivity in Africa” and will be explored through sub-themes which focus on: natural, social, human, physical, and financial capital. The conference aims to attract a multi-disciplinary group of professionals involved with agriculture water management to create new challenges and opportunities for investment in people, agriculture and rural areas of Africa in 21st century.
Contact: Monica Chipeta, Global Conference Africa, E-mail: monica@globalconf.co.za or Dr. Gerhard R Backberg, Chairman, South African National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (SANCID). Tel: +27 12 330 9043 () Direct, E-mail: gerhardb@wrc.org.za or visit http://www.sancid.org.za
International Conference on the Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive 8 - 10 November 2007 Rome, Italy
Meeting will be organized around the main current topics on the Framework Directive implementation in the European River Basin Districts in 2007. As the meeting is taking place in Italy, special attention will be paid to the issues specific to water management in the Mediterranean region. The implementation of the Water Framework Directive is now in an active and operational phase, which directly involves the Basin Organizations or the District Authorities that are facing operational problems in its field implementation. The aim of INBO is to enable the Basin Organizations to regularly and informally meet in order to exchange their practical experiences.
The meeting is open to all INBO member organizations and observers, and also to the water administrations and organizations, interested in the implementation of the Framework Directive, of the member and candidate countries of the European Union and of all the other countries of the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, and of the Mediterranean region, in particular.
Any useful information, programs and proposed papers will be continuously available on the website: www.inbo-news.org.
Contact: Permanent Technical Secretariat 21, rue de Madrid - 75008 PARIS (FRANCE) Tel. +33.1.44.90.88.60 Fax. +33.1.40.08.01.45 E.mail: inbo@wanadoo.fr
The “1st International Conference on Adaptive & Integrated Water Management: Coping with complexity and uncertainty" (CAIWA 2007) 12-15 November 2007 Basel, Switzerland
The
conference will provide a multidisciplinary platform and bring
together scientists from academia, industry, and policy
making/government to analyse progress, to explore new research
directions and highlight policy implications of scientific
findings. It will focus on basic research findings across all
sectors of adaptive and integrated water resource management.
Furthermore it will share the major scientific insights from the
NeWater project with the wider scientific community and embed it
into the current scientific debate in all relevant themes. The conference will be divided between scientific contributions (3 days) and practitioner insights (1 day). Furthermore it will be possible to organise special workshops under the auspices of CAIWA 2007. Contact:
CAIWA 2007, Claudia Pahl-Wostl,
Institute of
Environmental Systems Research; University of Osnabrueck,
arbarastr. 12 -49069 Osnabrueck, Germany Email:
caiwa@usf.uos.de
South Asian Conference on Water in Agriculture: Management options for increasing crop productivity per drop of water 15-17 November 2007 Raipur, India Rainfed agriculture constitutes the major economic activity in South Asian countries being the key source of employment and income for rural population. Water is essential for agricultural production and rural development in order to improve food security and eradicate poverty. Reduced investment in infrastructure, increased competition for water and large withdrawals of ground water are the primary causes for decreased plant productivity. Despite the constraints of water scarcity, crop production must rise substantially over the next decade to meet the food needs of South Asian rural community. Providing more yields with less water is therefore a formidable challenge for the food, economic, social and water security.
South Asian countries have to manage their water resources on a long-term with integrated planning. The imperatives of such planning are particularly critical for countries, where ground water withdrawals are more than 50% of available water. Incentives for economizing the use of water must come from reasonable pricing policies; however, it remains a contentious issue. Some form of community or individual property rights needs to be introduced where common resources are wasted. Appropriate participatory institutions are also needed to undertake collective responsibility for the efficient use and conservation of water.
South Asian countries have taken some initiatives, but a realistic policy framework is yet to emerge. With rapid urbanization and industrial growth, shortfalls of water have developed in various parts of South Asia that are particularly acute during the dry season. This calls for the integrated management of river basins in order to use water resources in a sustainable manner. The potential of Himalayan water resources for agricultural uses is enormous but underutilized. The potential for hydropower is immense that could supply a significant proportion of the energy need of agriculture. Political will and the appropriate institutional infrastructure are required for the management and sharing of water. Water resource management will therefore be a challenging task in South Asian countries where rainfed cultivation is predominantly followed. A more strategic development of water resources will be needed to cater demand of rainfed and irrigated agriculture. There is an overall need for policy support and the reform of institutions, human resources development and capacity building, particularly farmer's association while maintaining International and regional collaboration.
UN General Assembly has proclaimed the period 2005-2015 as international decade for action Water for life. It is necessary to make all societies vigilant about the multiple roles of irrigation water in economics and ecosystems. It is need of present era to encourage innovative and strategic investment, research and development and international cooperation for the progressive improvement of agricultural water management, by demand-driven management options. It includes participatory irrigation management, rehabilitation, water-harvesting, water saving, water storage etc coupled with information technology tools. SAARC has also launched a Green South Asia 2007 campaign from January 1, 2007. This year is devoted to the region-wide afforestation campaign, which is ultimately interrelated to conservation and management of natural resources. The year 2007 has also been declared as Water Year by the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India to create awareness among end users for judicious use of water through a series of pre scheduled activities. South East Asia has much more water resources per person than the world average. However, India is reaching the water scarcity limit (2000 m3/ inhabitant /year). In the light of the above, adequate investments have to be made in the water and environmental sector at all levels. To ensure sustainable development of water resources, the interventions/new developments in this field need discussion at length at a common platform to suggest the way out for maintaining the natural ecosystem, which is the primary objective of the proposed conference. Themes and Sub-themes of the conference are as follow:
1. Climate changes and water resources . Climate variability and changes . Rainfall modeling and prediction. Hydrological modeling and forecasting. Rainfall and runoff availability for collection . Advances in drought & flood management 2. Water harvesting and recycling . In-situ rainwater conservation. Water harvesting structure for efficient collection and reuse of rainwater. Promoting rainwater harvesting at community level . Low-cost micro-rainwater harvesting technologies .Water saving technologies: Myths and realities. Siltation of reservoirs and catchments management . Water losses from catchments and water harvesting structures 3. Efficient water management for sustaining agricultural productivity . Suitable crops and varieties. Techniques for improving water use efficiency 4. Groundwater recharge. Advances in field techniques. Groundwater flow and solute transport modeling. Groundwater issues in urban, industrial and mining environments. Groundwater sustainable use and development .Surface water -groundwater interaction 5. Diversified farming and rainwater management. Crop diversification and diversified rainwater use. Farming systems. Biotic stress management. Farm mechanization 6. Irrigation and water management .Water logging, salinity and drainage. Plasticulture in Agriculture .Command Area Development. Irrigation methods, practices and equipments . Participatory irrigation management . Water budgeting & water balance 7. Natural resource management. Agro forestry systems § Mining and water resources . Watershed management and development 8. Applications of frontier technologies. Use of remote sensing & GIS. Crop simulation modeling to increase water productivity 9. Economic and rural development. Social and economic aspects of rainwater management. Water policy and trading. Social infrastructure development. Poverty alleviation through agriculture development. Trans-boundary water resources management 10. Water security and related issues. Water for food security. Capacity building including training
This conference is being organized by Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India & Soil Conservation Society of India, New Delhi, India.
Contact: Dr. K.K. Sahu Organizing Secretary and Head, Department of Land and Water Management, College of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur 492006 (Chhattisgarh) India Telephone: +91-771- 2443220 (O) 0091-98261-62940(Mobile), Fax: +91-771- 2443220 E-mail: saarc_wia@yahoo.co.in, saarc_wia@rediff.co.in
MELIA 1st Workshop: “Water Culture and Water Conflict in the Mediterranean Area” 22-26 November 2007 Tunisia
The first workshop within the framework of the MELIA project “Water culture and water conflict in the Mediterranean area” will be celebrated in Tunisia from the 22nd to the 26th of November 2007. The Workshop intends to pull together scientists, decision and policy makers, water users, relevant NGOs and Organizations from all the Mediterranean countries for discussing and sharing views and experiences on Water Culture and Prevention of Water Conflicts, considering terms from the historical, economical and social point of view, and the possible application of the principles of the Water Framework Directive. More information on this event can be found on the project website http://www.meliaproject.eu/
This workshop is being organized by MELIA project, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA).
Contact: Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) Mr. Rafael RODRIGUEZ, CSIC / Maria Serneguet Belda, REMOC
Email:
WORKSHOP1MELIA@Yahoo.fr; raro@orgc.csic.es;
Maria.Serneguet@chj.mma.es;
Water Management 2008, Exhibition and Conference 14-16 January 2008 Mumbai, India Water Management 2008, Exhibition and Conference will act as the platform for the industries in the field of water to get a competitive edge on their competitors. With the event’s focus on new Technologies, equipment and innovative ideas, many Companies and Governmental officials hope to find solutions to major water issues facing today. With that in mind, the primary effort at this exhibition and conference will be technologies whose methods and practices operate in efficient and environmentally-friendly ways.
Ø Water treatment Ø Water supply and services Ø Water conservation Ø Filtration equipment Ø Water pollution monitoring Ø Sewage and sludge treatment Ø Packaged drinking water Ø Water treatment chemicals Ø Rainwater harvesting Ø Wastewater management & recycling Ø Water management systems Ø Effluent treatment systems Ø Water purification Ø Pipes, fittings and valves Ø Instrumentation and process control Ø Boilers and cooling towers Ø Pumps and motor Ø Water reclamation Ø Desalination plants Ø Water Jetting accessories Ø Water and Sewage Refinery Ø Surface Water and Sewage Gathering Ø Water and Sewage Pipes and Joints Ø Water preparation for drinking purposes Ø Power engineering utilities Ø Water quality control equipment Ø Hydroelectric Power Generation Ø Macro Water Management Ø Water shed Management Ø Trade Publications Ø Consultants & Research Ø Technical Institutes Ø Water quality software Vendors Ø Irrigation Network Ø Tunnel projects Ø Dam projects Ø Water sorry spam devices Ø Water distribution networks Ø Information technology Ø Water storage reservoirs
Contact: Services International
B-9, LSC, A block, Naraina Vihar, Ring Road, New
Delhi-110028 India
106,
Nirma Plaza, Makwana Road, Behind S.M. Dyechem Building, Off
Andheri Kurla Road, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai - 400059. India
Second African Show of Irrigation and Drainage 5-10 February 2008 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Outline Ø A show of business; Ø 5 000 m2 of exhibition area in open air, Ø 2 000 m2 of exhibition area in covered room with air conditioning, Ø More than 150 expected national and international exhibitors, Ø Concerned fields: food security, irrigation and related activities: - Manufacturers and distributors (irrigation equipment, agricultural mechanization, chemicals etc..), - Research (modernization of irrigation, agronomy, biotechnology, renewable energies, food security, etc.), companies and international organizations, - Producers, tradesmen and traders, - Civil society.
Objectives Ø to offer a consultation framework for institutions and professionals of irrigation and drainage, Ø to popularize and diffuse technologies of irrigation and drainage, Ø to allow farmers to inform themselves and be trained in the techniques of irrigated agriculture, Ø to train the professionals, Ø to launch the process of certification of professionals’ competences, Ø to allow merchants - repairers in formal trade to: - increase their share of markets, - develop their public image, - create new contacts, - Valorise their products.
Contents and Organization
Regional Seminar
Topic: Informal Irrigation; Towards a Regional Approach Ø national and regional experiences definition and quantification Ø selection of a joint definition Ø selection of regional indicators for quantification and representation towards a regional data base
Special Sessions Ø Support- counselling in irrigation: repercussions of the APPIA Project Ø The RAID network, actor of irrigation development in Africa Ø Summit of RAID countries Ministers of Agriculture: which answers to the Call of Ouagadougou?
Technical Sessions Ø Management of irrigation and drainage; Ø Drinking water and sanitation Ø Agronomic, environmental and socioeconomic aspects; Ø Emerging technologies and sustainable agricultural productions; Ø Manufacture and marketing of irrigation equipment; Ø Climate change; Ø Integrated management of water resources.
Exhibitions and Demonstrations (National Houses for the ECOWAS countries) Ø Irrigation Equipment; Ø Equipment of water conveyance and sanitation; Ø Technologies of the Sahel (CILSS) ; Ø Demonstrations in natural size; Ø Produces of irrigation (cereals, fruits, vegetables, etc.); Ø Data-processing tools of decision-making; Ø NTIC; Ø Results of agronomic research; Ø Mechanization and handling; Ø Engineering and design departments; Ø Network of producers’ organizations; Ø International organizations and NGOs.
Visits of Irrigated Perimeters Ø Visit of a large irrigated perimeter; Ø Visit of the complex water and sanitation of Ouagadougou. Contact: ARID S/c EIER 01 BP 594 Ouagadougou 01 BURKINA FASO Telephone: (226) 50 30 43 61: (226) 50 30 20 53 Telefax: (226) 50 31 27 24 Website: http://www.arid-afrique.org E-mail: info@arid-afrique.org
33rd WEDC International Conference “Access to Sanitation and Safe Water: Global Partnerships and Local Actions” 7-11 April 2008 Accra, Ghana
The Conference 'Access to Sanitation and Safe Water: Global Partnerships and Local Actions' will be held in Accra, Ghana from April 7-11 2008. The theme focuses on the concepts of global partnerships, alliances and networks within the water and sanitation sector. These offer many benefits including identification of issues at the country, regional and global levels, and programme design to meet this demand. They also provide a mechanism for building strong alliances across the different stakeholder groups, and for capacity building through information exchange and skills sharing. This has important implications for improving practice at the local level and delivering change through the promotion and uptake of technologies and policies, and ultimately contributing to meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The WEDC International Conference is in itself a global partnership bringing together a wide range of sector professionals from many continents, providing a forum for practitioners, policy makers, academics and researchers from a wide range of disciplines who are working in the water and environmental sanitation sectors.
Please visit our website http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/conferences/33 to find out more and for links to guidance for those preparing a presentation and to the conference paper template.
Water Down Under 2008 15-18 April 2008 Adelaide, Australia
Water Down Under 2008 incorporates the 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and the 4th International Conference on Water Resources and Environment Research. The main conference themes are: Ø Climate, rainfall and surface water variability Ø Hydrological modelling, data and forecasting Ø Water management and sustainability Ø National and international water issues and case studies Ø Groundwater systems.
The organizers of this event are Engineers Australia; International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management (ICE WaRM); with the support of the Centre for Groundwater Studies, Australia; the International Commission on Water Resources Systems (ICWRS); International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR) and International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH; UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP).
7th International Congress on Hydraulic Engineering: ‘Enough Water for Sustainable Development!’ 15-18 May 2008 Juventud Island, Cuba
This congress will analyse hydraulics-related topics and current
problems and be an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences
between specialists, academia, researchers and professionals who
work on facing natural disasters, integrated river basin
management, and rational uses of water resources and their
protection. Some of the themes to be discussed during this conference are:
Ø droughts prevention and integral use of water resources Ø integrated river basin management Ø hydraulics and hydrodynamics Ø irrigation and drainage Ø software and computer programmes applicable to hydraulic engineer.
The organizers of this event are National Institute of Water
Resources (INRH), Cuba; National Union of Architects and
Engineers of Cuba; Hydraulic Engineering Society, Cuba; and
UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP).
Contact: Rafael Feito Olivera
Groundwater and Climate in Africa - An International Conference 25-28 June 2008 Kampala, Uganda
Current assessments of the impacts of climate variability and
change on water resources commonly exclude groundwater. This
omission is of particular concern in Africa where current usage
and future adaptations in response to climate change and rapid
population growth, place considerable reliance upon groundwater
to meet domestic, agricultural, and industrial water demands. This event is being organized by Directorate of Water Development (Uganda) and supported by UNESCO/IHP, IAHS, IHDP/START
13th World Water Congress 01-04 September 2008 Montpellier, France
The main theme of this congress will be ‘Global Changes and Water Resources: Confronting the Expanding and Diversifying Pressures.’ The congress aims to enhance knowledge and raise global consciousness of the impact of global changes on water resources.
The main themes of the congress are: Ø water availability, use and management Ø towards the future: water resources and global changes Ø climate change and disasters Ø development of water resources and infrastructure Ø water governance and water security: 30 years after the UN Mar del Plata conference of 1977 Ø water conservation and demand management Ø financing water development and capacity building Ø capacity-building in developing countries.
This event
is being organized by International Water Resources Association (IWRA). Contact: Congress Secretariat E-mail: wwc2008@msem.univ-montp2.fr URL: http://wwc2008.msem.univ-montp2.fr/
Africa Water Resources Management 2008 (AfricaWRM 2008) 8-10 September 2008 Gaborone, Botswana
This conference is being organized by the International Association of Science and Technology for Development (IASTED). The purpose of this conference is to act as an interdisciplinary forum for decision-makers, academics, and professionals interested in the development and application of technology in ensuring the sustainable use and management of our water resources. This purpose is consistent with the goals of the United Nations Decade of Water for Life. The forum will cover both hard and soft technology and will serve to promote the use of appropriate technologies. AfricaWRM 2008 will be held in conjunction with the IASTED International Conferences on:
Ø Power and Energy Systems (AfricaPES 2008) Ø Modelling and Simulation (AfricaMS 2008)
The conference topics include, but are not limited to, the following themes:
Theme 1: Water Supply and Sustainable Use
Ø Hydrological and Hydraulic Systems Ø onservation, Reuse, and Recycling Ø Demand Forecasting Ø Distribution and Optimization Ø Monitoring and Surveillance Ø Sourcing Ø Water Quality Protection Ø Treatment: Solar Water Disinfection , Low-tech Filtration, Chemical Disinfection Ø Diagnostic Techniques Ø Storage Ø Reclamation Ø Eco-hydrology Ø Water Augmentation Ø Water Use: Aquaculture, Domestic, Recreation, Transportation, Industrial, Agriculture/Irrigation, Hydropower
Theme 2: Wastewater and Stormwater Management
Ø Containment and Collection Ø Modelling and Simulation Ø Integrated Urban Water Management Ø Stormwater Prediction Ø Stormwater Treatment: Permeable Pavement, Grass Swales, Constructed Wetlands Ø Domestic and Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Ultraviolet, Nanotechnologies, Aquaculture Ø Instrumentation and Automation Ø Sludge Handling Ø Performance Evaluation Ø Data Analysis and Visualization Software Ø Wastewater Reuse Ø Wastewater and Stormwater Discharge Ø Total Maximum Daily Loading Ø Extreme Events
Theme 3: Integrated Watershed Management
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