Comparison of practices

Use of water resources

Use of water resources

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Country: Uzbekistan

Province: Tashkent Region

Transboundary river

Chirchik River Basin, Zarafshan River Basin, mid-streams of Syr Darya River Basin, mid- and lower streams of the Amu Darya River

Start date: 01.04.2012

End date: 31.10.2016

Start date: 01.01.2015

End date: 31.12.2017

Imperfections of the water management mechanism in the Isfara small transboundary river basin

Until today, hydrometric revolver meters (GR-21) with propeller blade and contact mechanism are generally used.  These mechanisms are difficult to operate and require special skills and knowledge on behalf of personnel.  GR-21 hydrometric revolver meters possess certain essential flaws, including the following:

• need for individual calibration (speed) execution and subsequent check-up of which requires an expensive test stand;
• lack of continuous measuring capacity;
• operating requires complete dismantling, cleaning and lubrication after each use, etc.;
• presence of mechanically rubbing details in design unprotected from harmful effects of water;
• impromptness of water speed (current) data.

The principle of stakeholder engagement in decision-making associated with water management of small transboundary river; IWRM planning technique

Electronic Water Current Meter (ISV-1)

The Aspara River originates in the Western Tien Shan on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and flows northwards crossing the border with Kazakhstan.  The river’s total length exceeds 44 km, and its catchment area amounts to approximately 66 km².  The Aspara River Basin is located in Chu Region in Kyrgyzstan’s northwest and Jambyl Region in Southern Kazakhstan.  The basin is shared by several different ethnicities where they live and work.  The basin’s population is rapidly growing, and the agriculture is developing.  In many places along the course of the river, especially in its lower streams, the water doesn't meet quality and sanitary standards.  Liquid waste produced by the population, industry and livestock production as well as solid waste constitute major sources of environmental pollution.

Project efforts were carried out in Jambyl Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chu Region of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Actions:

Establishment of 2 stakeholder groups, i.e. Small Basin Councils (SBC) – on both Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s sides of the river – representing local authorities, NGOs, water users and local communities.  The SBCs already held 6 joint meetings proving the value of SBCs as platforms to exchange opinions and information as well as take joint decisions on enhancing the overall situation in the basin.

In addition, hydrometric posts were reconstructed and underwent certification, and the automated water distribution and accounting system was installed on the Mailybai Canal. The water supply system in the village of Cholok-Aryk also underwent reconstructed.  A demo-site to demonstrate drip irrigation equipment and technology was established on the premises of Ravshan Farm receiving its irrigation water via the Mailybai Canal.

Results:

Thus, the creation of national Small Basin Councils (SBC) on the Aspara River ensured a platform for exchanging opinions and information as well as joint decision-making to improve the overall situation in the Aspara River Basin, including the development of the IWRM basin-specific plan.

ISV-1 is universal and easy to use.  Measurements are presented on the display in digital form and in speed units.  Use of the electronic device for measuring water speed and, based on it, water consumption facilitates the work of hydro-accountants.

Device characteristics:

• no rubbing details in the design;
• no requirement for preliminary and subsequent periodic calibration;
• measurement results do not depend on changes in physical composition and properties of water;
• simplifies the process of water speed measuring and, therefore, water consumption accounting;
• available in stationary and portable designs;
• measurement error is comparable to this of the widely used GR-21;
• small overall dimensions and weight;
• relatively low cost, etc.

 The device is universal and its measurement results do not depend on water composition and properties, except for temperature (desired range 0 to +30°C). The device underwent successful testing and was deployed in 5 Basin Irrigation System Administrations (BISA): Chirchik-Akhangaran BISA, Zarafshan BISA, Syr Darya-Sokh BISA, Amu-Surkhan BISA, Lower Amu Darya BISA.

Actions:

• manufacturing of 5 ISV-1 devices;
• training of BISA hydro-accountants on device operation and use.

Results:

• 5 above-stated BISAs accepted (acceptance certificate) and are presently using them;
• the device’s testing is continuing for different irrigation system conditions;
• the device developers continue receiving positive feedback from leading hydro-accountants;
• at present, the works to enhance and certify the device are in progress.

Lessons learnt:

Introduction of IWRM principles is the pre-requisite of stable and fair water supply irrespective of a given water user’s location.

Recommendations:

Currently, when local stakeholders are represented in SBCs and are engaged in joint water management, it is necessary to continue the capacity-building efforts to build-up SBCs’ efficiency.  In the long term, it might be necessary and possible to establish a joint body to manage the whole Aspara River Basin shared by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Lessons learnt:

Application of the device increases the efficiency of data collection compared to the currently used equipment, as well as promotes rational and effective use of water resources due to higher accuracy, reliability and efficiency of irrigation water accounting data and saving of material and labor resources.

Recommendations:

The device is recommended for use on large canals and collector facilities as well as intra-farm water supply networks.  Today, the majority of WUAs do not have revolver meters or other water-measuring devices in their disposal, so fitting them with such units would improve WUAs overall technical capacities.

With the ongoing acute deficit of hydro-accountants, any technical college graduate would be able to use ISV-1.

Foreign tools (transfer of foreign experience)

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

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: Moderate

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha: $1000

3. O&M costs: Low

4. Expert support: Needed at implementation stage

Development and implementation of basin plans constitute principal elements of integrated water resources management.  Multi-agency coordination mechanism via basin councils or coordination groups is an important advantage of IWRM.  This approach allows streamlined coordination and synergy of actions on all levels of management hierarchy.

Project title: Stakeholder partnership in joint policy-making: assistance to transboundary cooperation in small watersheds of Central Asia.

Project duration: Apr 2012-Oct 2016

Project goal and objectives: introduction of the integrated water resources management (IWRM) practice in three transboundary watersheds and its scaling-up in Central Asia.

Project beneficiaries: communities of the Aspara small transboundary river basin, specialists of water and environmental agencies, farmers.

Project implementer: USAID/CAREC.

Project title: Commercial contract engagement with 5 BISAs.

Project duration: 2015-2017.

Project goal and objectives: create an easy-to-operate tool to measure water speed (current) within the 0.2-5.0 m/s range for deployment on facilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management (MAWM) of the RUz.

Project beneficiaries: BISAs of the MAWM of the RUz.

Project implementer: Head Water Administration (HWA) of the MAWM of the RUz.

carecnet.org

Operator manual for the electronic device “Water Speed Measuring Unit”, 2015.

SIC ICWC

SIC ICWC