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By Matthias Hitzel

Climate resilient rural water supply and sanitation

Background:

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.

Design of climate resilient water supply and sanitation systems

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.

Climate resilient construction works

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.

Sustainable O&M

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.

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MOLDOVA: Training Needs Workshop at Apa Canal Edinet

On-site Training Needs Assessment with ApaCanal Edinet for the determination of O&M Activities relevant to support ACE in becoming a regional water utility in the context of the LOCOMO Program

The Utility of Apa Canal Edinet is in the process of becoming a regional water utility and extending their regional responsibilities, In the Framework of the ADA financed EU LOCOMO (Local Communities) Program. MACS is assisting the municipality of Edinet and ACE, the water utility, in getting prepared for the sustainable management and Operation and Maintenance of the new water supply and wastewater utilities that will be established in the context of regionalization. The new set-up will significantly improve service provision to the inhabitants of the region, requires an in-depth analysis of the training needs required for the regionalization activities and water loss reduction activities connected with the changes in the set-up.

The workshop, taking place on the 18th of February at the Apa Canal Director Office in Edinet, included a constructive exchange of expectations, training needs and technical capacity assessment in order to define the concrete training activities to be implemented in the coming months.

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Get in touch

Matthias Hitzel

Managing Director

+49 69 943188-13

matthias.hitzel@macsonline.de