2015年-世界发展银行全球_Toward_Integrated_Water_Resources_Management_in_Armenia_177页_8mb

Summary of "Toward Integrated Water Resources Management in Armenia"

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of water resources management in Armenia, focusing on the progress and challenges of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) over the past decade. It outlines the country's water resources, the legal and institutional framework, current water management practices, and the emerging challenges that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable water use and management.

Main Points

Water Resources Overview

• Armenia has sufficient water resources, with an average of 3,100 cubic meters per capita per year, which is well above the Falkenmark water stress indicator of 1,700 cubic meters.
• Water resources are unevenly distributed in space and time, with significant seasonal and annual variability in river runoff.
• The country has constructed 87 dams with a total capacity of 1.4 billion cubic meters to address temporal variations in water availability.
• Groundwater accounts for about 96% of drinking water and 40% of total water abstraction, making it a critical component of the water balance.

Water Use and Management

• Irrigation: Dominates water use, with over 80% of gross crop output coming from irrigated land.
• Water User Associations (WUAs): Play a key role in agricultural water management, covering approximately 195,000 hectares (out of 208,000 total irrigable hectares).
• Domestic Water Use: Declined sharply in the 1990s due to the introduction of water metering and volumetric billing.
• Sanitation: Has not kept pace with water supply improvements; wastewater collection and treatment systems are inadequate.

Key Institutions

• Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA): Main agency responsible for IWRM implementation.
• Basin Management Organizations (BMOs): Support river basin planning and management.
• Armenian State Hydrometeorological and Monitoring Service (ASHMS): Manages water monitoring and data collection.
• State Environmental Inspectorate (SEI): Oversees environmental compliance and regulation.

Legal and Institutional Framework

• Water Code (2002): Provides the legal basis for water resources management and protection.
• Law on Water User Associations (2002): Supports the establishment and operation of WUAs.
• National Water Policy (2005) and National Water Program (2006): Establish the strategic direction for IWRM in the country.

Water Sector Challenges

• Tariff and Fee System: Current tariffs are too low to cover operational and maintenance costs.
• Monitoring System: Needs strengthening for both water quantity and quality, especially in groundwater and surface water.
• River Basin Planning: Lacks sufficient development and coordination.
• Water Permit System: Weak enforcement and inconsistent application.
• Climate Change Vulnerability: Armenia is highly exposed and sensitive to climate change, with limited adaptive capacity.
• Future Climate Projections: Indicate rising temperatures and declining precipitation, which will affect water availability and agricultural productivity.
• Ararat Valley Issues: Concerns over water use by fish farms and the need for improved water storage and transboundary cooperation.
• Transboundary Water Resources: Issues with the Kura-Araks River Basin require stronger cooperation and agreements.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen the monitoring system for water quantity and quality to support effective management and planning.
• Improve the implementation of the National Water Program through increased internal funding and capacity building.
• Enhance the water permit system to ensure better enforcement and compliance.
• Promote the decentralization of water management to increase local participation and efficiency.
• Develop and implement comprehensive river basin management plans (RBMPs) aligned with the European Union Water Framework Directive.
• Address the challenges of climate change by increasing adaptive capacity and improving water storage and distribution systems.
• Enhance transboundary cooperation and water sharing agreements in the Kura-Araks River Basin.
• Support the development of strategic water storage and management in the Ararat Valley.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the importance of IWRM in Armenia's sustainable development and highlights the need for continued institutional, legal, and financial reforms. It also underscores the significance of addressing climate change and improving water monitoring and management systems to ensure long-term water security and environmental protection. The recommendations focus on enhancing the capacity of water management institutions, improving data collection and transparency, and fostering regional cooperation to address shared water resources challenges.

Key Information

• Water Consumption by Sector: Agriculture remains the largest consumer, followed by domestic and industrial use.
• Water User Associations: Have improved water supply, fee collection, and crop productivity since their establishment.
• Climate Change Impact: Predicted to reduce crop yields and increase irrigation demands, with potential impacts on energy and transboundary water resources.
• Donor Support: Plays a crucial role in funding and implementing water sector reforms, though long-term sustainability remains a challenge.
• Hydropower Potential: Armenia has significant hydropower potential, with 1,032 megawatts of installed capacity.
• Water Storage: The country needs to increase its water storage capacity to manage seasonal and annual variability in water supply.

Appendices Overview

• Appendix A: Provides a general overview of Armenia's socio-economic and environmental conditions.
• Appendix B: Contains a basic water balance analysis.
• Appendix C: Compares climate change scenarios in terms of precipitation and temperature changes by the 2050s.
• Appendix D: Summarizes the implementation status of the National Water Program.
• Appendix E: Details the European Union Water Framework Directive and its application in Armenia.
• Appendix F: Lists fish farms with large water use in the Ararat Valley.
• Appendix G: Describes transboundary surface water flows in the country.
• Appendix H: Reviews existing agreements for transboundary cooperation in the Kura-Araks River Basin.
• Appendix I: Outlines the status of ratification of multilateral treaties and customary international law by Armenia and its neighbors.
• Appendix J: Details World Bank projects related to the water sector in Armenia.
• Appendix K: Lists other international donor activities in the water sector.

Figures and Tables

• Figures: Include data on water consumption by sector, lake levels, and installed capacity.
• Tables: Provide information on water use, fee collection, and implementation status of water management initiatives.

This report serves as a comprehensive guide for policymakers, donors, and stakeholders to improve water resources management in Armenia and address the growing challenges in the sector.