Comparison of practices

Use of water resources

Use of water resources

Country: Kazakhstan

Province: Karaganda Region

District: Shet District

Other settlement: Aksa-Ayuliye Rural District

Country: Uzbekistan

Province: Andijan Region

The site is located in the area of acute shortage of irrigation and drinking water

Uzbekistan’s section of the Fergana Valley; the Kara Darya River Basin

Start date: 01.01.2015

End date: 31.12.2015

Start date: 01.01.2001

End date: 31.12.2012

Acute shortage of irrigation water

1. Prior to the implementation of the IWRM-Fergana Project, SFMC was managed based on the territorial principle by 3 water management organizations (WMOs): Andizhan Regional Water Administration, Operation Department of the Main Fergana Trunk Canal, and Fergana Regional Water Administration.
2. On the borders between regions and districts (especially between Andizhan and Fergana Regions (Polvontosh Hydro Section)) frequent water distribution related conflicts took place;
3. The quality of water management (uniformity, stability and efficiency of water supply) was poor.

Measures to restore natural springs: arrangement of stone protection fencing around springs and installation of water-release pipes

The hydro-graphic principle of main trunk canal management

Actions
For project purposes, 10 springs were selected still able to exert water to the surface. Project actions included arrangement of stone protection fencing around springs to prevent cattle from trampling the springs. To allow water release, drain pipes were installed in protection stone walls.

Results
Financial and economic:
The economic effect of livestock production and irriga-tion development exceeding 100,000 USD.

Technical
Enhanced (by up to 30-40%) supply of irrigation and drinking water in the area; drafted “Rules of Using General Use Water Facilities for Personal and Domestic Needs Located on the territory of the Rural District”.

Actions:

Instead of 3 WMOs established based on the territorial-administrative principle, one organization (Administration of the Southern Fergana Main Canal, ASFMC) was created on the basis of the hydro-graphic principle.  ASFMC is fully responsible for maintenance and operation of the SFMC from the point of water intake to the very end of the canal (see figures).

 Results:

 Transition to the hydro-graphic principle of establishing WMOs allowed to do the following:

• sharply decrease the number of water conflicts on the borders between regions and districts;
• enhance the uniformity (fairness) of water resources distribution;
• enhance the stability of water supply;
• reduce organizational losses.

Lessons learnt:
The practice demonstrated the advantages of restoring springs and the need to regularly maintain water bodies

Recommendations:
It is necessary to continue the efforts not only in Kazakhstan, but also across the region. For example, it is possible to rehabilitate multiple springs and water accumulators (like “sardoba” or underground “kyariz”) across all Central Asia.

Lessons learnt:

1. Transition to the hydro-graphic principle of establishing WMOs constitutes an institutional tool of improving the quality of water management as it allows implementing a more objective and fair water management policy less dependent on local authorities;
2. Local authorities are not interested in transiting to the hydro-graphic principle and demonstrate resistance to the process.

Recommendations:

Transition to the hydro-graphic principle should be preceded by the following:

1. comprehensive analysis of water allocation issues along the target main canal;
2. training aimed at educating water-related personnel and decision-makers on integrated water resources management (IWRM).

Domestic tools (outcomes of research by domestic R&D organizations)

• Traditional approaches that had been applied in water management earlier;
• International project (transfer of foreign experience).

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

Project title: SaveH2Okz Project within the framework of the joint EU/UNDP/UNECE Project “Supporting Kazakhstan in its transition to green economy model”

Duration: 2015-2018

Project goal and objectives: raising awareness on the issue of water resources exhaustion with the aim of fostering “green economy” practices

Project beneficiaries: local population

Project implementer: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Project title: Integrated Water Resources Management in the Fergana Valley (IWRM-Fergana).

Project duration: Jan 01, 2001-Dec 31, 2012 (12 years).

Project goal and objectives: overall project goal was “to contribute to safer living, environmental sustainability and wide social harmony, to support rural restructuring in Central Asian countries by enhancing water resources management based on the example of the Ferghana Valley”.

Project beneficiaries: water users and water consumers within the project site.

Project implementer: Head Water Administration Office of the MAWM of the RUz jointly with ICWC SIC/IWMI

Joint EU/UNDP/UNECE Project “Supporting Kazakhstan in its transition to green economy model” sponsored by the European Union (saveh2o.kz)

SIC ICWC

SIC ICWC