Название практики |
Introduction of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles on the Isfara small transboundary river |
Improving water distribution in water user association/s (WUA) |
Category |
Water resources |
Water resources |
Tool |
Public participation principle |
Water distribution technology |
Field of application |
- Use of water resources
- Use of land resources
|
Use of water resources |
Usability of practice for adaptation to climate change |
High |
Moderate |
Implemented by |
USAID/CAREC
|
IWMI Tashkent Office jointly with Counterpart representatives
|
Used by |
Country: Kyrgyzstan
|
Country: Kazakhstan
Province: South Kazakhstan Region
District: Maktaaral District
|
Local specifics |
Transboundary river |
Rural Water Consumer Cooperatives (RWCC) are located in the tail part of Dostyk and Turkestan Main Canals (TMC) |
Practice usage period |
Start date: 01.04.2012
End date: 31.10.2016
|
Start date: 01.01.2006
End date: 31.12.2006
|
Problem solved through this practice |
Imperfections of the water management mechanism in the Isfara small transboundary river basin |
Conflicts between water users associated with water distribution;
Loss of water from canals (due to filtration and discharge) |
Tools used in the practice |
The principle of stakeholder engagement in decision-making associated with water management of small transboundary river;
IWRM planning technique |
- Survey among stakeholders,
- Microsoft Excel computer-based planning of water use,
- Seminars to train water users on computer-based technologies and water accounting
|
Description of the practice and its results |
The river originates in Kyrgyzstan in Ak-Suu Glacier on the northern slope of the Turkestan Ridge 3,193 m above sea level. The Ak-Suu ruins are located close to the river source. Near the settlement of Karavshin, the river is called the same name. Crossing the national border, the river merges with the Kshemysh River (Kshemyshsai) and, further on, the river receives the name of Isfara.
Actions:
Establishment of stakeholder groups, i.e. Small Basin Councils (SBC) representing local authorities, NGOs, water users and local communities. SBC secretariats independently hold internal semi-annual meetings. Thus, the SBCs serve as platforms to exchange opinions and information as well as take joint decisions associated with the enhancement of the overall situation in the river basin.
Results:
Creation of national Small Basin Councils (SBC) on the Isfara River allowed a platform for exchanging opinions and information as well as for drawing joint decisions to improve the overall situation in the Isfara River Basin, including the development of the IWRM basin plan for the target basin. |
Actions:
Based on the location of RWCCs and with the account of recommendations by akimats (local governance bodies), 8 RWCCs were selected to conduct a survey based on specially prepared questionnaires. Survey results showed that the main issues in target rural areas were water distribution among consumers and drawing up water use plans (WUP) for RWCCs. The proceeding trainings seminars focused on exactly these themes. At the end of the year, the monitoring of the introduction of new water distribution methods was conducted.
Results:
Application of this water distribution practice allowed to sharply reduce the quantity of conflict situations as well as nearly eliminate water losses due to filtration at the canals’ headworks and discharge. |
Lessons learnt and recommendations made |
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 hold thematic seminars to ensure sustainability of SBC operations in the future. In the long term, it might be possible to establish a joint body to manage the whole river basin. |
Lessons learnt:
Hourly water distribution allows more flexibility in the context of water deficit. After the trainings for water users and WUAs personnel on hourly water distribution, the number of corresponding conflicts decreased.
Recommendations:
Considering the high turnover of RWCC staff, the trainings should be repeated on annual basis. Hourly water distribution schemes should be used in locations/periods of acute water shortage. |
Source of practice |
Foreign tools (transfer of foreign experience) |
- Domestic tools (outcomes of research by domestic R&D organizations)
- Foreign tools (transfer of foreign experience)
|
Readiness for implementation |
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
|
Brief information on the project |
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 Isfara small transboundary river basin, specialists of water and environmental agencies, farmers.
Project implementer: USAID/CAREC. |
Counterpart holds seminars, training courses and programs on effective use of water resources in Kazakhstan with the aim of assisting farmers and other land users in building up their corresponding skills as well as teaching them basic water use principles. In the course of its collaboration with Counterpart, IWMI analyzed and studied the reclamation condition of irrigated land plots and the technical state of irrigation and drainage networks in Makhtaaral and Turkestan Districts of Southern Kazakhstan Region.
Project title: Support Program for water associations in Southern Kazakhstan
Project duration: 1 year
Project goal and objectives: train water users on new water distribution techniques, computer technologies for drawing WUPs, most simple methods of water accounting.
Project beneficiaries: water consumers
Project implementer: local akimats
Project donor: USAID |
Funding source |
USAID |
Support Program for water associations in Southern Kazakhstan |
Information sources |
carecnet.org |
IWMI Report “Training on water management on RWCC level and drawing up the water use plan for Makhtaaral and Turkestan Districts of Southern Kazakhstan Region”, Tashkent 2006 |
Contacts of a person, who filled this form |
SIC ICWC |
SIC ICWC |
Form submission date |
02.04.2018 |
30.03.2018 |