By Matthias Hitzel
With over 4,000 mm, the Ajara region in the southwest of Georgia has the highest precipitation in the Southeastern Europe and, according to scientific forecasts, the precipitation will further increase. Due to anthropogenic climate change, an increase of intensity and frequency of storm events is already experienced. Furthermore, climate change leads to longer droughts during summer, making small scale farmers increasingly dependent on irrigation schemes. Already during recent years, environmental disasters, mainly landslides, have made entire villages uninhabitable and forced people to leave the area and become “eco-refugees” that depend on state handouts and social security programs. The current water infrastructure has turned out to be unsustainable and increases the risks of further landslides and soil erosion.
On behalf of the Georgian government, as well as local governments and funding from Germany (KfW) and the EU, MACS together with GITEC is designing new climate resilient rural water supply and sanitation systems. The new systems are designed to increase resilience and water security in the face of climate change while minimizing also negative environmental impacts. This is achieved for instance by using more reliable water sources, avoidance of water over-abstraction and safeguarding minimal environmental river flows while also considering the changing water availability and demands. Moreover, erosion control, soil conservation and protection of endangered species through for example forestation activities are an integral part of the project. The introduction of septic tanks is a paradigm shift, as up to now all wastewaters have been either infiltrated into the soil or disposed in rivers where they cause contamination and related hygiene and health risks.
Given the vulnerable local environment, construction companies need to apply adequate technologies and work methods that minimize the environmental impact and risks. This includes that no roads will be constructed, and trenching processes must avoid heavy machinery as this might lead to an increase of the landslide risks. Manual trenching, transport of materials by ropeway shall be considered. It goes without saying that any environmental damage (e.g. tree cutting, etc.) that cannot be avoided has to be compensated.
An operation and maintenance system based on self-sufficiency and cost recovery will be implemented ensuring high service quality, reduction of water losses and collection and adequate treatment of septic tank content while reducing pressure and protecting water sources. A water quality monitoring system measures the capacity of all rivers and springs in rural Ajara to assess the impact of climate change thus enhancing the resilience of rural water supply in the region.
MACS is assisting the Ajara Water Alliance in the implementation of the Ajara Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Program. All steps of the program implementation are based on active participation of the inhabitants of the program regions. This regards, planning, implementation and future sustainable operation and maintenance of the climate resilient water supply and wastewater systems.
MACS has been implementing a comprehensive institutional assistance and training program for the Municipality of Batumi, the Municipal Water Utility Batumi Tskali as well as the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara starting in 2007.
After already 3 successful phases supporting Batumi Tskali and the municipal infrastructure in Batumi, MACS has once again been contracted for the fourth phase of the project, providing institutional support and training to the municipality of Batumi as well as training to the local water utility with regard to technical and financial operation of the water supply and wastewater facilities
Focus of the assignment is the assistance of the Municipality of Batumi in capacity strengthening of the Municipal Water Utility in adequate and sustainable Operation and Maintenance of the new facilities. Moreover, the government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara receives assistance in the restructuring of the Ajaran water sector. Main emphasis is put on sustaining and deepening of achieved improvements in adequate utility management and high-quality water and wastewater service provision to Batumi citizens.
The project is considered a lighthouse project in South Eastern Europe.
In December 2023, the fifth phase of the Project "Communal Water Infrastructure Program Batumi" Phase V started with MACS and Emscher Wassertechnik as Accompanying Measures Consultants supported by EWEC Water s Subconsultant. The focus of the current phase is the continued improvement of operation and maintenance at the Municipal Water Utility Batumi Tskali as well as the technical improvement of approaches for sludge management, organizational management and operation of the newly constructed treatment plants to be designed and constructed by the Implementation Consultant.
Matthias has a degree in agricultural science and postgraduate honors in rural development and more than 20 years of professional experience in international development projects. At MACS he developed into a prolific Project Manager and Institutional Expert as well as Team Leader who played a major role during the very successful rehabilitation program for water and sanitation in Batumi (Georgia).
In the field of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Matthias has developed a profile for himself and MACS through his work of coordinating the finance division for energy projects in the framework of the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), which has earned a reputation as one of the leading EE/RE funds today.
As one of the Partners and Managing Directors of MACS, Matthias is responsible for operations and financial management at MACS.