Water Sector Experience
CENTRAL ASIA
USAID Industrial and Municipal Water Pricing Program in Four Central Asian Republics
An industrial and municipal water pricing study was conducted in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Water pricing mechanisms and national drinking water standards were discussed with municipal operators in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Tashkent, Karakalpakstan, Burkara, and Samarquand, Uzbekistan, Almaty and Qyzlorda, Kazakhstan and in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Seminars were provided for managers and operating staff of municipal water utilities (Vodocanals) to: 1) facilitate the evaluation of national, regional and local water distribution systems; 2) examine water pricing laws and municipal, industrial and agriculture/irrigation water pricing; 3) demonstrate the use of CAD systems; 4) share case studies pertaining to regional water use allocations and water use compacts.
CENTRAL ASIA
Trans-Boundary Water Allocation Conflicts – Multilateral Agreements and Water Use Compacts
Mediation were provided on national and regional levels to facilitate trans-boundary water allocation conflicts pertaining to head-water hydropower utilization in Kirgizstan and end user irrigation utilization of water resources in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – from the Ama Darya and Syr Darya Rivers that flow from Kyrgyzstan to the Aral Sea.
Results: Prime ministers from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were party to multilateral agreements and water use compacts.
CENTRAL ASIA
USAID U.S.-Based Study Tour of the Colorado River Basin
Designed and implemented a U.S.-based study tour of Western States for Central Asian participants from all five Central Asian Republics interested in trans-boundary environmental conflict resolution and international, regional, national and local water resource allocation agreements and policies pertaining to the Colorado River Basin.
CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA
U.S. Trade & Development Agency Municipal Wastewater Project
On-site technical assistance was provided to communities in the Czech Republicand Slovakia seeking affordable technologies for municipal wastewater treatment. The purpose of the projects in both countries was to identify improvements to operational and financial practices and the adoption of more effective and less costly technologies.
ETHIOPIA
USAID Watershed Management Needs Assessment
Strategic policy and interventions to stimulate sustainable change in watershed protection and management were assessed. Institutional strategies to improve coordination and operational performance within the ministries and regional and local agencies responsible for natural resource protection and management were developed. Recommendations were made for greater focus, funding and leverage for critical technical support services to rural residents living in watershed areas.
JORDAN
USAID Financial and Technical Water, Wastewater and Sanitation Audits Program
Provided a three-year technical audit of the Greater Amman Water and Wastewater Service Area of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Greater Amman Water and Wastewater Service Area includes Amman Governorate and parts of Madaba, Karak and Balqa Governorates within the Water Authority of Jordan which has an estimated population of between 1.6 to 2.0 million people with about 265,000 to 300,000 service subscribers.
Provided technical and financial audits of the service management contract between the Water Authority of Jordan, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and the Contract Operator, LEMA (A French company). The management contract was part of a USAID Private Sector Participation (PSP) activity to improve the operation and delivery of water and wastewater services for the Amman service area, and to create a case study for PSP in Amman.
Provided an evaluation of the contract operator's (LEMA) performance against designated service contract targets and acceptable international standards for a municipal water and wastewater utility. Defined audit methodology and procedures for annual audits and redefined the inter-relationships between the financial and technical activities of the water and wastewater utility operation, maintenance and management practices.
Provided capacity-building and training to representatives of the Water Authority and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation of Jordan. Implemented a financial audit and prepared a technical audit report of the service management contract between the Water Authority of Jordan (regulator/owner) and LEMA (contract operator). Implemented mid-year and annual financial and technical audits for each of three consecutive years.
Recommended that the Water Authority and the Government of Jordan (WAJ/GOV) accelerate funding and implementation on a “Fast Track Emergency” basis on all rehabilitation and new construction of components of the water supply distribution system. Recommended that WAJ/GOJ should seek, from the donor community, an “emergency-cash-withdrawal fund” to allow LEMA and WAJ to replace existing high leakage and cross-contamination areas with the proper types and sizes of pipelines in order to meet the new design standards of the new water distribution system. At the present rate of old distribution system deterioration, the longer the capital construction distribution replacement program is delayed, the higher the risk is of not being able to adequately provide water.
Memorandums of understanding and a revised action plan were negotiated with the Government and operating contractor. The contract now has a performance incentive-based compensation formula. To better recognize the contractors progress, some of the targets and withholding and liquidated damages that were not under the direct control of the operating contractor were restated (in MOUs/action plan) in order to be more in line with local conditions and restrictions. In order to assure project sustainability, a new billing control system was initiated so as to provide revenue enhancement essential for funding capital investment and replacement needs.
Participated in technical review and evaluation meetings with USAID, the World Bank, Arthur Andersen, Water Authority of Jordan, Ministry of Water of Jordan, LEMA. Training was provided to the Water Authority of Jordan, Ministry of Water of Jordan and LEMA (contract operator). Prepared “Technical Performance Standards Reference Chart/Audit Control” and “Final Report: On the Performance of a Technical Audit Section of the Combined Financial and Technical Audit Report of the Services Management Contract between WAJ and LEMA.”
Outputs/Results: Due to the increase of contractual targets met, the Operator’s contract was extended for an additional 17 months. This type of incentive-based contract is now being utilized across ministries. The new billing control system is in place and the Operator’s directors are providing increased technology transfer. The extremely high percentage of unaccounted-for-water was lowered by installing control meters and monitoring water flows and pressures, and the continuity of water supply to users was increased.
KAZAKHSTAN and KYRGYZSTAN
USIA Local Government and Public Administration Infrastructures for the Tengiz Oil Fields Region
USIA Water and Natural Resources Management Program
In-Country Training Programs and U.S.-Based Study Tour
Implemented training programs to develop local government and public administration infrastructures for the Tengiz Oil Fields Region of Western Kazakhstan. Program participants included representatives from the Government of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Energy and Fuel Resources, Ministry of Geology, Ministry of Industry, National Oil Company, State Committee on Economics and the Atyrau Oblast Administration.
Conducted workshops at Lake IssykKul, Kyrgyzstan and in Almaty and Qyzlorda Kazakhstan for the purposes of providing training in water resources management, international environmental law, environmental impact assessment and trans-boundary environmental conflict resolution.
Designed and implemented a U.S.-based study tour “Building Government and Public Administration Capacities for Water and Natural Resources Management: Local, Regional and National Perspectives” for training program and workshop participants from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The US-based study tour was sponsored by:The United States Information Agency (USIA) and the Government of Kazakhstan (Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Energy and Fuel Resources, Ministry of Geology, Ministry of Industry); and The National Oil Company of Kazakhstan.
The in-country training programs and U.S.-based study tour were showcased at a USAID/World Bank Conference of Water Systems in Central Asia.
KAZAKHSTAN
USAID Water Pricing Seminars and Training Programs
Participated in the design and implementation of water-pricing seminars to assess and transfer methods for water pricing at the national level in Kazakhstan. Organized a regional water pricing conference at which the water pricing laws of each Central Asia republic were assessed. Provided training programs focused on water pricing (municipal, industrial and agriculture/irrigation) and training programs pertaining to the evaluation of national, regional and local water distribution systems.
MADAGASGAR
USAID Cyclone Recovery Program Evaluation
Conducted a process evaluation of a two-year disaster relief project. Assessed and reported on environment, biodiversity, agriculture, infrastructure and institutional development activities.
PANAMA
Evaluation of a USAID Panama Canal Watershed Natural Resources Management Project
Assessed USAID/Panama’s strategic policies in the area of natural resources protection, conservation and management. Measures to protect Panama’s natural resources and environment must be designed with the context of international economic trends.
Recommendations included: 1) support for strategic policy, planning and program interventions to stimulate a more favorable environment for aggressive and sustainable change in watershed protection and management; 2) development of creative institutional support strategies to improve coordination requirements and operational performance within the Panamanian institutions responsible for natural resource protection and management; 3) support for the establishment of new public-private linkages as a means to establish a more sustainable national system of protected areas; 4) exploration of alternative funding sources that are needed to expand the presence of the national government in the national system of protected areas; 5) provision of greater focus, support and leverage for critical technical support services to rural residents in the Panama Canal Watershed.
PANAMA
Preparation of USAID 118/119 Assessment
Assessment of biodiversity and topical forests in Panama pursuant to requirements of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) Sections 118 and 119 and related to USAID guidance. The assessment was presented in a report to USAID/Panama entitled “Environmental Biodiversity, Water, Tropical Forest Conservation, Protection and Management in Panama: Assessment and Recommendations.”
The assessment summarized information available on the biological, forest and water resources in Panama, the status of those resources and known pressures impacting them. It includes the actions and potential actions of the overall Mission Program, not just environment programs, including development plans designed by government institutions in which the Mission works. The assessment provided a list of species and ways to prioritize eco-regions and watersheds in order to determine common conservation challenges affecting them.
PHILIPPINES
USAID/Philippines Environmental Governance Project Evaluation
The purpose of the evaluation was to measure the effectiveness and impact of USAID’s investment, as well as document the key lessons learned, of the seven-year USAID-funded $23.5 million EcoGov2 project – the largest Mission biodiversity conservation project in the Philippines.
This project used a landscape, “ridge-to-reef,” approach to frame its activities with municipal, provincial, regional and national institutions. The landscape management approach facilitates the development of climate change adaptation and environmental governance strategies that will help implement municipal mitigation activities. Nationally, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has recognized the utility of the “ridge-to-reef” approach and has identified 131 critical watersheds where it wants to use a landscape approach, working with the provinces and municipalities, to ensure sustainable activities.
The evaluation reviewed the project’s achievement of objectives and results, and examined whether project strategies and approaches were and remain valid, relevant and efficiently carried out to address key environmental challenges. While working in Manila and during five rural site visits, investigatory interviews were conducted and actual versus planned outputs and results were researched and reviewed. Two well-attended presentations were made in Manila prior to the submission of the final report.
The evaluation identified planning tools and landscape approaches that could be expanded in the implementation of energy governance and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. The purpose of the evaluation is to leverage, not duplicate, USAID knowledge and activities, therefore the following are provided for the purpose of provoking global points for climate change and energy governance:
- By utilizing the “ridge-to-reef” approach, ecosystems are identified as responsible for life-supporting environmental services, for the hydrological, nitrogen and carbon cycles that are essential for long term human survival. The approach is scalable, allowing for a range of interventions, from single sub-sector initiatives to complex, long term, multi-sector, multi-partner interventions.
- The “ridge to reef” framework is adapted by multilateral donors including The World Bank (Global Environment Facility), Asian Development Bank, bilateral donors, international NGOs including the World Wildlife Fund, and private sector corporations.
- There is economic opportunity in good environmental governance. In coastal areas, local governments are improving their management of marine protected areas. They are expanding their influence and enforcement through the adoption of formal management planning processes and also creating networks with other local governments, recognizing that economies of scale can bring greater benefits.
- EcoGov2 assisted tenure holders in contributing to improved management of more than 70 percent of natural forests in tenured areas. Having budgetary and enforcement control and land use planning jurisdiction for this proportion of upland forests and biodiversity is substantial. There is now greater food and water security, improved local livelihoods and larger areas being stabilized through improved soil conservation practices.
- USAID/Philippines investment leveraged international donor financing in support of reforestation, assisted natural regeneration, and agro forestry.
RUSSIA
USAID Lake Baikal Environmental Action Plan Pulp and Paper Mill Program
A project in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia to: 1) consider privatization and re-profiling options for the Baikalsk bleached kraft pulp mill and, 2) consider related socio-economic opportunities for the City of Baikalsk. Provided technical assistance to Russian authorities in the Irkutsk Region – examining the future sustainability of the mill – the subject of long political, socio-economic, and technical controversy surrounding its location and adverse environmental effects on Lake Baikal and the surrounding region.
Included: a) an evaluation of the technical and economic capabilities of entrepreneurial advocates of the unique alternate technology for utilization of timber resources and mill facilities, and its relevance to the existing mill community and facilities; b) examination of pulping technology options developed by a UNIDO-financed study, c) review of re-profiling options for conversion of the existing pulp mill to a paper mill able to capitalize on current and likely future demand for several paper grades not currently produced east of the Ural Mountains; and d) providing an interface with Russian pulping and energy technology, and environmental quality groups.
Wrote: “Reprofiling (changing the specialization) of the Baikal Integrated Pulp and Paper Mill and Solution of Related Social Issues in the City of Baikalsk (1997-2007).”
RUSSIA
Pollution Prevention and Water Restructuring Project
Implemented pollution prevention and municipal and industrial water restructuring projects in the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk, an industrial city of 600,000 people. Project emphasis was on public participation and NGO capacity building and work with a committee of city and enterprise finance officials to facilitate political reforms designed to strengthen the budgetary and political autonomy of Novokuznetsk.
TURKMENISTAN
USAID Assessment of Potable Water Facility Improvements
Conducted an analysis of the institutional and financial sustainability of potable water facility improvement projects in the Aral Sea Basin areas of Turkmenistan.
TURKMENISTAN and UZBEKISTAN
USAID Technical Assistance to Water Ministries and Municipal Water Utilities
USAID Water Pricing Strategies to Promote Water Quality Workshops, Training Programs
Worked with ministries and municipal water utilities (Vodocanals) and provided institutional development, policy and legal restructuring technical assistance, and privatization assistance through: provision of water pricing information (municipal, industrial, agricultural, irrigation); and training to evaluate national, regional and local water distribution systems and facilitate regional water use allocations and compacts.
Assisted the Republic of Uzbekistan in developing pricing policies to promote water quality. Workshops and training programs were provided in Tashkent, Karakalpakstan, Bukhara and Samarqand on affordable wastewater technologies for engineers and local government officials.
These programs were showcased in a USAID/World Bank Conference on Water Systems in Central Asia held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
UKRAINE
USAID Water Sector Projects in the L’viv Region
Provided water utility expertise for a Vodocanal (water utility) workshop for operational staff of Vodocanals. Provided technical assistance for “Roll-Out and Residential Services Restructuring” projects.
Conducted leakage and pump capacity and efficiency surveys and analyses to determine the rates and locations of water loss occurring in the L'vivVodokanal distribution system. Initiated leak detection training programs and prepared a flow testing and leak detection manual for use by Vodokanal staff.
Assisted the L’viv Design Institute, and Vodokanal staff in learning AutoCad LT software for computer drafting of technical drawings for water and wastewater designs and modifications.