Water Management in the South Caucasus USAID Contract No. OUT-LAG-I ANALYTICAL REPORT

Transcription

1 Water Management in the South Caucasus USAID Contract No. OUT-LAG-I ANALYTICAL REPORT Water Quantity and Quality in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia Prepared for: U.S. Agency for International Development Mission for the South Caucasus Prepared by: Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002

2 Water Management in the South Caucasus Mr. Peter Argo Director Office of Energy & Environment U.S. Agency for International Development 20 Telavi Street, 5 th Floor Tblisi Georgia Dear Mr. Argo, February 27, 2002 Analytical Report We are pleased to provide the USAID Caucasus Mission with the attached report titled Analytical Report on Water Quantity and Quality in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia for the project activities conducted to date in as part of the Water Management in the South Caucasus Project. This report is part of a series of activities for Water Resource Management in the Kura-Aras River Basin that address technical and related policy and institutional conditions and experiences relevant to achieving the objectives of the Project. This report summarizes some of the tasks completed as part of the Activity 1, Monitor Water Quantity and Quality in the Kura-Aras Basin. This report was prepared by the Water Advisors in each of the three countries with the cooperation of the Hydrometeorological Services in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This report is intended to be a working document and a focal point of discussions with the Hydrometeorological Services in each country to increase the dialogue for sustainable water management in the South Caucasus. The report will be updated following a detailed review and as more accurate information becomes available. We are pleased to distribute this report to the interested parties in the region on behalf of USAID. Thank you for your assistance in support of this project. Sincerely, Paul C. Dreyer, PE Chief of Party Enclosure cc: Dr. Michael Boyd, USAID/Armenia Mr. William McKinney, USAID/Azerbaijan Mr. Edwin Stains, DAI/Bethesda D Paliashvili Street, Tblisi Georgia AUA Center Building; 9 Alex Manukian Street, Suite 207; Yerevan Armenia Caspian Business Center; 40 Jafar Jabbarli Street, Suite 604; Baku Azerbaijan

3 Water Management in the South Caucasus Water Quantity and Quality Analytical Report TABLE OF CONTENTS No. Item Page 1. INTRODUCTION Project Activities 1.2 Sources of Information 1.3 Regional Collaboration 1.4 Water Quantity and Quality Data 2. ACTIVITIES IN ARMENIA Hydrological Data Collection 2.2 Water Quality Data Collection 2.3 Collaborating Organizations 3. ACTIVITIES IN AZERBAIJAN Hydrological Data Collection 3.2 Water Quality Data Collection 3.3 Collaborating Organizations 4. ACTIVITIES IN GEORGIA Hydrological Data Collection 4.2 Water Quality Data Collection 4.3 Collaborating Organizations 5. SUMMARY Data Collection in the Region 5.2 Funding Allocations 5.3 Proposed Activities 5. APPENDIX 21 D210A Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 1 of 21

4 Water Management in the South Caucasus Water Quantity and Quality Analytical Report No. Title Page LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Kura-Aras River Basin 6 Figure 2 Hydrological Stations in Armenia 9 Figure 3 Water Quality Points in Armenia 10 Figure 4 Hydrological Stations in Azerbaijan 13 Figure 5 Water Quality Points in Azerbaijan 14 Figure 6 Hydrological Stations in Georgia 17 Figure 7 Water Quality Points in Georgia 18 LIST OF TABLES (Appendix) Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Hydrological Stations in Armenia Water Quality Points in Armenia Hydrological Stations in Azerbaijan Water Quality Points in Azerbaijan Hydrological Stations in Georgia Water Quality Points in Georgia Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 2 of 21

5 Water Management in the South Caucasus 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Activities The project activities are being completed by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) is based on a Task Order to the Contract (No. OUT-LAG-I ) for a Project Water Management in the South Caucasus issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on September 28, Phase I developed a Needs Assessment to address inter-related activities on issues pertaining to the management of trans-boundary water resources in the Kura-Aras River basin. The Kura-Aras River Basin is shown in Figure 1. The Phase I Needs Assessment of the project identified technical actions for implementation to strengthen water management, as follows: Improve the institutional capacity for monitoring water quantity quality, Sponsor projects that demonstrate the benefits from increased cooperation in river basin management, and Strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks for trans-national water management. A Final Report was completed and submitted to USAID on April 20, 2001 that summarized the results of all the Phase 1 activities, and recommended the principal activities to be implemented during Phase 2 of the Project. The Phase 2 activities were initiated in the field on August 6, 2001 based on a Task Order issued by USAID on July 27, The objective of Phase 2 is the implementation of a series of technical activities pertaining to the management of trans-boundary water resources for improved water management in the South Caucasus. The Phase 2 objective is being implemented by technical tasks based on five Principal Activities: Monitor water quantity and quality in the Kura-Aras River basin, Develop a framework for a geographic information system (GIS), Promote data and information exchange to facilitate water management, Initiate a process for building capacity for integrated river basin planning, and Initiate a process for an improved legal framework for co-riparian management. The intended outcome is an increase in the quality and quantity of key information that encourages a regional dialogue leading to enhanced water management in the region. A Final Report will be issued with the results of the principal activities and will include long-term plans for integrated river basin management in two pilot areas, as well as a concept paper on the legal aspects of river basin management. 1.2 Sources of Information During the Soviet era, the each of the Hydrometeorological Services (Hydromet) of the republics was structured to provide vertical meteorological and hydrologic data collection services to Russia. Meteorological data, for example, were collected from Soviet-designed networks and forwarded to Russia for daily distribution to other republics and the international community. Less important to the Soviets were data on the status and distribution of water resources, which were collected from Sovietdesigned networks and forwarded to Russia at the end of each year. Additionally, data collection and management were not directed toward resolution of local (currently national) environmental issues. Similarly, other agencies that focused on municipal, agricultural, and Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 3 of 21

6 Water Management in the South Caucasus industrial water uses were structured to serve ministries throughout the Soviet system, from which they received direction and budget. Hydromet, as a support agency, was not structured to forge cooperative relationships laterally with one another or with other agencies which they now must do on both a national and regional basis. Nowhere is this more evident than in the South Caucasus, where Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia must maintain and enhance the value of their shared water resources. At present, shared responsibility for water management reflect a legacy of the Soviet era, such as: widespread and persistent pollution, inexperience in setting domestic policy among numerous water-related agencies, a declining information base for decision making, no post-independence international agreements on water quantity and quality at trans-boundary points, and other issues that predate the Soviet era. 1.3 Regional Collaboration The World Meteorological Organization was established as a specialized agency of the United Nations by agreement between the UN and WMO in The purposes of WMO are to facilitate international cooperation in the establishment of networks of stations for making meteorological, hydrological and other observations; and to promote the rapid exchange of meteorological information, the standardization of meteorological observations and the uniform publication of observations and statistics. The WMO facilitates cooperation within water basins shared between countries through a Hydrology and Water Resources Programme that concentrates on promoting world-wide cooperation in the evaluation of water resources and the development of hydrological networks and services, including data collection and processing, hydrological forecasting and warnings and the supply of meteorological and hydrological data for design purposes. At present there is no common mechanism for the exchange of water-related observations. Therefore, it is not possible to integrate and make efficient use of all the observations. The Head of each of the national Hydromets of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia is a Permanent Representative in the WMO. In the three countries of the South Caucasus, each Hydromet representative is a member of Intergovernmental Soviet on Hydrometeorology of CIS and uses the guide documents of WMO. During the Soviet period Hydrological Information was collected in Obninsk, Russia (World Data Center). The published annual hydrological information is available until After the fall of the Soviet Union, these countries began to create their own data bases. As member of WMO, these countries in the region cooperate with WMO for the measurement of basic hydrological data from the hydrological and meteorological stations. The WMO also promotes improvements in the capabilities in these countries through technology transfer and technical cooperation for assessment of the water resources on a continuous basis and to respond to threats of floods and droughts. 1.4 Water Quantity and Quality Data The First Principal Activity, Water Quantity and Quality in the Kura-Aras Basin, of the Project is the subject of this Analytical Report. Intensive efforts were conducted in cooperation with the Hydrometeorological Services (Hydromet) in Yerevan, Armenia, Baku, Azerbaijan, and Tblisi, Georgia to evaluate the existing systems currently in place. The main focus is on the three states comprising the South Caucasus. This Analytical Report summarizes the present status of these networks and provides a snapshot of the stations and data collection at this time. This document is intended to be a working document that will be updated as more accurate information becomes available. The intent is to use the information in this report in the Second Principal Activity, Framework for a GIS, as a tool to effective use the water quantity and quality data collected by the Hydromet personnel in each country. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 4 of 21

7 Water Management in the South Caucasus This Report attempts to address the complex and persisting institutional barriers that inhibit the effective collection and use of meteorological and hydrological data among states of former Republics of the Soviet Union (FSU). However, the intent is the formulation of an institutional and technical capacity-building framework that may be applicable to other hydro-meteorological institutions in the region as well, including the states of the Central Asian Republics and the Caspian Sea basin. This is part of the Third Principal Activity, Promote the Data Exchange to Facilitate Water Management, of the Project. Future economic and political stability in this area will require a sustainable partnership and means to integrate water policies among Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan with those of other neighboring states, such as Iran and Turkey, where rivers are, in fact, shared political boundaries as well as shared resources. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 5 of 21

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9 Water Management in the South Caucasus 2. ACTIVITIES IN ARMENIA 2.1 Hydrological Data Collection The Republic of Armenia is a landlocked country with a land area of 29,800 square kilometers (km 2 ) and population of 3.75 million. Armenia lies completely in the Kura River basin. The Araks River marks the border between Turkey and Armenia, and further between Iran and Armenia, before flowing into Azerbaijan, where it flows into the Kura River. The Araks River basin covers 22,790 km 2 in Armenia and drains 76.6 per cent of the territory through the Akhurian, Kasakh, Metsamor, Hrazdan, Azat, Vedi, Arpa and Vorotan Rivers. The tributaries flowing directly into the Kura River in the north-east (i.e. via the Debed, Pambak, Agstev, Hakhum and Tavush Rivers) drain less than 23 per cent of the country. The outflow to Georgia through the Debed River is estimated at 890 million m 3 /year and the north-eastern outflows through various rivers to Azerbaijan at 55 million m 3 /year. In the south-east, the total direct outflow to Azerbaijan through the tributaries of the Araks River (Arpa, Vorotan, Voghi, etc.) is estimated at approximately 1,790 million m 3 /year. The State Department of Hydrometeorology (Hydromet) of Armenia is responsible for collecting meteorological and hydrological (surface-water) information, including water quality data, and for analyzing and reporting this information. The network of stations is operated by 10 regional offices. The Armenian Hydromet takes measurements, keeps the water register and provides related information to the public. The Hydrometeorological data in Armenia is collected from 97 active hydrological stations. The data is collected at each station twice a day. At a lesser frequency, a discharge measurement is made at each station. The decision to make a discharge measurement seems to be a compromise between regularly scheduled measurements made as a function of high or low flows. The technicians use a Soviet-era current meter that is checked for calibration every year. The daily data consists of water level, water temperature, air temperature, and precipitation. At each post, an observer logs the data on site. A small number of posts forward their data on to a hydrologic station via telephone or radio. At the end of the month, hydrological data are sent to one of 10 regional centers. A small set of data are sent daily to Yerevan, but otherwise, data goes to Yerevan only once per month. The Hydrological Stations in Armenia are listed in Table 1 and was prepared from information provided from Hydromet in Yerevan and is intended to summarize the characteristics of each water quantity measuring station. The name and exact location of each station is included. The years of record and the present operation of each station is indicated. The location of each water quantity station is shown on Figure 2, Hydrological Stations in Armenia. 2.2 Water Quality Data Collection The water quality data in Armenia is collected by the Environmental Monitoring Centre. The data are transmitted and treated manually. A decision of 1998 by the Ministry of Nature Protection requires water quality to be monitored in 131 sampling points by the Environmental Monitoring Centre. This decision has not been fully implemented because of a lack of funding for these activities. After 1992, these activities were drastically reduced. For instance, in 1998 only around 10 per cent of the water samples were taken. The samples taken during the last few years have been taken at different times of the year, and the results are therefore difficult to compare to get a picture of the trend in river pollution due to different economic activities. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 7 of 21

10 Water Management in the South Caucasus The Water Quality Points in Armenia are listed in Table 2 and was prepared from information provided by the Environmental Monitoring Center in Yerevan and is intended to summarize the characteristics of each water quality observation point. The name and exact location of each point and the present operation is indicated. The location of each water quality observation point is shown on Figure 3, Water Quality Points in Armenia. 2.3 Collaborating Organizations Within its scope of activities the Hydrometeorological Department of Armenia regularly collaborates with the following Government Agencies and Academic Institutions at national level: Ministry of Nature Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry Nature Protection, Environmental Monitoring Center, Institute of Water Ecology and Fisheries and Institute of Ecology and Noospheric Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. The Armenian Hydromet also collaborates with international development organization located in Armenia, particularly with the Associates for Rural Development, Inc., within the Sustainable Water Resources Management Project. The Armenian Hydromet regularly provides meteorological information to the World Meteorological Organization, but not hydrological information. Such information is only provided upon the request of the WMO. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 8 of 21

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13 Water Management in the South Caucasus 3. ACTIVITIES IN AZERBAIJAN 3.1 Hydrological Data Collection The Republic of Azerbaijan includes an area of approximately 86,600 square kilometers (km 2 ). The principal river system is the Kura River and its tributaries the Araz (Aras) and Alazan (Alazani) Rivers that flow directly into the Caspian Sea. The river system of the country is divided into two groups: local and trans-boundary rivers. The trans-boundary rivers are Kura River and its tributaries the Araz, Ganikh (Alazan) Rivers and other small rivers of the basin that discharge directly into the Caspian Sea. The Samur River flows along the Russian Azerbaijan border and Astarachay River flows along the Azerbaijan and Iran border. The Kura River system is the key water provider and the main water artery of the South Caucasus. The river flows through the territories of Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan Republics. The total watershed area is 188,000 km 2 of which 58,000 km 2 relates to Azerbaijan, 34,700 km 2 to Georgia, 29,800 km 2 to Armenia, and km 2 to Iran and Turkey. Therefore, about 30 per cent of the watershed area is in Azerbaijan. The second largest river is Araz River. The river flows through Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan territories and falls into the Kura River near the Town of Sabirabad. The total watershed area is 102,000 km 2 of which 18,740 km 2 relates to Azerbaijan, 22,090 km 2 to Armenia, and 61,000 km 2 to Iran and Turkey. The indicates that only 18 per cent of the drainage area is in Azerbaijan. The Ganikh (Alazan) River is the third largest river and flows through the territory of Georgia and Azerbaijan before discharging into Mingechaur Reservoir on Kura River and has a total watershed area of 12,080 km 2. The Samur River watershed area comprises 3,620 km 2 and the Astarachay River is 242 km 2. The watershed areas of rivers which drain directly into the Caspian Sea from northeast slope of Greater Caucasus and Lenkoran-Astara Zone are 22,500 km 2 and 52,000 km 2, respectively. The total water resources of rivers which flow into the Caspian Sea within the Azerbaijan Republic together with the Samur and Astarachay Rivers make up approximately 31.5 km 3. The total water resources are about 26.6 km 3 from the Kura River and aррroximately 10 km 3 from the Araz River system. The water resources of other rivers directly falling into the Caspian Sea from the Greater Caucasus north-east slope and Lankaran-Astara Zone make up approximately 4.67 km 3 of which 2.17 km 3 is related to the Samur River and 0.22 km 3 to the Astarachay River. About 25 per cent (7.5 km 3 ) of total water resources of the rivers is formed within the Azerbaijan Republic. There are more than 8,300 rivers in this territory of Azerbaijan including small shallow rivers. The drainage density is about 0.36 km/km 2 in the Azerbaijan Republic and about one-half of the drainage density of neighboring countries of the South Caucasus in the upper parts of the basins. The river system in arid areas of Kura-Araz River lowlands is less developed. Many rivers of Shirvan Zone dry up in summer before reaching of sea or the main river due to the lack of atmospheric precipitation and the high level of evaporation. As a water poor region, water supply over the Azerbaijan Republic territory makes up about 100,000 m 3 / km 2. The ratio amounts to an average of about 1,000 m 3 of water per person per year, putting the Azerbaijan Republic to one of the lowest rankings in the world. Water resources of the Republic are distributed very irregularly over administrative districts and the water resources of Sheki-Zakatala Zone, Khachmaz and Kelbajar economic districts exceed those in other areas. The Absheron and Kura-Araz River lowlands are the most water-poor regions. During the period of vegetation the river Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 11 of 21

14 Water Management in the South Caucasus run-off amounts is only 10 to 20 per cent of the annual amounts, and in the Lenkaran-Astara zone does not exceed 5 per cent. The hydrological data is collected by National Hydrometeorological Service of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan. To operate hydrological network there are 11 regional offices of this service in the country. The water quantity network consists of 100 stations throughout the country of which 85 are active today. There are 77 active stations on rivers and channels and 8 stations on lakes and reservoirs. Some of the stations send daily information about water levels (gauged at 8 am and 8 pm and 5 or 6 water discharge measurements a month) by telephone or telegraph to the Hydrological Forecasts Department of the Ministry. Other stations send information to the Ministry at the end of every month and at the end of the year. The Hydrological Stations in Azerbaijan are listed in Table 3 and was prepared from information provided from Hydromet in Baku and is intended to summarize the characteristics of each water quantity measuring station. The name and exact location of each station is included. The years of record and the present status of operation of each station is indicated. The location of each station is shown on Figure 4, Hydrological Stations in Azerbaijan. 3.2 Water Quality Data Collection The water quality network is more recent and this data is collected by Monitoring Service of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan. The water quality network consists of 44 observation points on 40 rivers in the country and there are 9 water quality points on lakes and 7 points on reservoirs in the country. The samples are taken from water quality points every month. A part of analyses is completed in the field and a complete physical-chemical analyses are completed at the Hydromet laboratory in Baku. The Water Quality Points in Azerbaijan are listed in Table 4 and was prepared from information provided by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in Baku and is intended to summarize the characteristics of each water quality observation point. The name and exact location of each station and the present operation of each station is indicated. The location of each water quality observation point is shown on Figure 5, Water Quality Points in Azerbaijan 3.3 Collaborating Organizations Within its scope of activities the Hydrometeorological Department of Azerbaijan regularly collaborates with the following Government Agencies and Academic Institutions at national level: State Ameleoration and Water Economy Committee, Absheron Water Company, Azerbaijan Hydroproject Institute, Institute Geography of Academy of Sciences, Baku State University, National Committee on IHP of UNESCO, and the EU Tacis Caspian Environment Programme. The Azeri Hydromet regularly provides meteorological information to the World Meteorological Organization, but not hydrological information. Such information is only provided upon the request of the WMO. Coordination also occurs with the various International organizations and NGOs with an interest in water issues. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 12 of 21

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17 Water Management in the South Caucasus 4. ACTIVITIES IN GEORGIA 4.1 Hydrological Data Collection Georgia includes a land area of approximately 70,000 square kilometers (km 2 ) with population of 5 million persons. Georgia s river system is divided into two general areas: the western part that drains into the Black Sea, and the eastern part that drains into the Caspian Sea. Georgia is rich of water resources and the amount of water discharged is about 820,000 tons per km 2 that is 2.5 times the world average. About 78 per cent of water resources is concentrated on the western area and only 22 per cent in the eastern area. The country s water stock is about 56.5 km 3 per year. Approximately 67 per cent of water resources are surface waters. There are approximately 26,000 rivers in the country with total length of 59,000 km. and about 860 lakes and reservoirs with total area of 170 km 2. Most of the rivers (93 per cent) are less than 10 km. long. The largest rivers are the Rioni (12.6 km 3 ), the Chorokhi (8.9 km 3 ), the Kura (7.2 km 3 ), the Enguri (5.9 km 3 ), the Kodori (4.1 km 3 ), and the Alazani (3.1 km 3 ). The Kura River flows for more than 300 km. through Georgia and drains about 15,000 km 2, or 23 per cent of the country. The State Department of Hydrometeorology (Hydromet) of Georgia is responsible for collecting hydrological information (surface water) including water quality data and for analyzing and reporting this information. The network of hydrological stations (posts) in Georgia is operated by six regional offices and is coordinated by the Hydrometeorological Observatory of the Hydromet. The number of hydrological stations has being changed continuously. In the middle 1980s there were about 182 stations operating on the rivers and 16 stations on the lakes and reservoirs, among which 17 stations were managed by agencies other than Hydromet. Almost all river stations record water level and discharge measurements, plus water temperature and turbidity. According to Hydromet, due to the economical and political instability during the last decade only 76 stations (69 on the rivers and 7 on the lakes and reservoirs) remain in operation in Georgia. Among these stations, only 2 record level and discharge, 47 record level only, and 27 stations are not operating. At the end of each month, the hydrological data are sent to one of six regional offices. After the calculation of daily averages, the data are sent to Tbilisi once per month. There is no electronic data management system in the Hydromet for recording and archiving these data. The Hydrological Stations in Georgia are listed in Table 5 and was prepared from information provided by Hydromet in Tbilisi, and is intended to summarize the characteristics of each water quantity measuring station. The name and exact location of each station is included. The years of record and the present operation status of each station is indicated. The location of each water quantity station is shown on Figure 6, Hydrological Stations in Georgia. 4.2 Water Quality Data Collection The water quality in Georgia is collected by the Environmental Baseline Monitoring Center of the State Department of Hydrometeorology (Hydromet). The data are transmitted and treated manually. According o the Hydromet, 131 sampling points are chosen in Georgia for baseline water quality monitoring in the rivers and reservoirs. Due to a lack of funding, only 26 points are monitored at regular basis (i.e., samples are taken and analyzed each month), another 26 at irregular basis (i.e., samples are taken and analyzed 2 or 3 times per year), and the remaining 70 points are not monitored at this time. The collected data are provided by Hydromet to the Ministry of the Environment of Georgia. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 15 of 21

18 Water Management in the South Caucasus The Water Quality Points in Georgia are listed in Table 6 and was prepared from the information provided by the Environmental Monitoring Center in Tbilisi and is intended to summarize the characteristics of each water quality observation point. The name and exact location of each point and the present operation is indicated. The location of each observation point is shown on Figure 7, Water Quality Points in Georgia. 4.3 Collaborating Organizations Within its scope of activities, the State Department of Hydrometeorology of Georgia regularly collaborates with the following agencies at national level: Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of the Agriculture, Ministry of the Energy, Ministry of Urban Planning, Institute of Hydrology, Hydroproject Institute, Tbilisi State University, Georgian Technical University, National Agency on Climate Change, and various private and non-governmental organizations. The Georgian Hydromet regularly provides meteorological information to the World Meteorological Organizations. Hydrological information is only sent upon the request on the WMO. Coordination also occurs with the various International organizations with an interest on the water issues. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 16 of 21

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21 Water Management in the South Caucasus 5. SUMMARY 5.1 Data Collection in the Region This report summarizes some of the tasks completed to date as part of the Activity 1, Monitor Water Quantity and Quality in the Kura-Aras Basin, of the Water Management in the South Caucasus project. This report was prepared by the DAI Water Advisors in each of the three countries with the cooperation of the Hydrometeorological Services and the Environmental Monitoring Centers in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This report is intended to be a working document and a focal point of discussions with the Hydrometeorological Services and the Environmental Monitoring Centers in each country to increase the dialogue for sustainable water management in the South Caucasus. This document will be updated following a detailed review and as more accurate information becomes available. At this time, there is a wide variety of factors that influence the water quantity and quality data collection in the South Caucasus. The equipment in use in all three countries is from the Soviet era and is generally outdated and oftentimes in need of repair. The data collected is provided to a central location; however, there appears to be no data management system in place that utilizes the data collected. At this time, there are no annual reports published by Hydrometeorological Services in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia that summarize the water quantity information collected. In general, the number of hydrological stations is being changed continuously in each of the three countries. The water quantity data is collected from 97 active hydrological stations in Armenia and from 85 stations in Azerbaijan. For example, in Georgia, in the 1980s there were about 182 stations operating on the rivers and 16 stations on the lakes and reservoirs and almost all river stations recorded water level and discharge measurements, plus water temperature and turbidity. At this time, only 76 stations (69 on the rivers and 7 on the lakes and reservoirs) remain in operation in Georgia. Among these stations, only 2 record level and discharge, 47 record level only, and 27 stations are not operating. 5.2 Funding Allocations In general, the amount of funding from the central government to the Hydromet agencies continues to decrease. The funding for the Hydromet operations in each country is a relatively small percentage of the central government budget. The Armenian State budget for the Fiscal Year 2002 is Armenian Dram (AMD) billion (about US$540 million at US$1.00 = AMD 560). Of this total, the amount of approximately AMD 252 million (US$450,000) has been allocated to Hydromet. The actual allocation from the government budget is 0.08 per cent of the total budget. In 2001, the State budget was AMD billion (US$511 million) or about 6 per cent lower, and the allocation to Hydromet was AMD million (US$381,000) or more than 15 per cent lower. In Azerbaijan, the State budget for the Fiscal Year 2002 is Azeri Manat (AZM) 5,130 billion (about US$1.07 billion at US$1.00 = AZM 4,800). Of this total, approximately AZM 4.0 million (US$833,000) has been allocated to Hydromet. The actual allocation from the government budget is 0.08 per cent of the total budget. In 2001, the State budget was AZM 6,270 billion (US$1.31 billion) or 22 per cent higher, and the allocation to Hydromet was AZM 6.3 million (US$ 1,312,000) or more than 50 per cent higher. However, due to restructuring in the new Ministry of Environment, some of the activities of Hydromet have been assigned to other units in The State budget of Georgia for the Fiscal Year 2002 is Georgian Lari (GEL) billion (about US$572 million at US$1.00 = GEL 2.20). Of this total, the amount of approximately GEL 900,000 (US$409,000) has been indicated to Hydromet. The latter amount includes an allocation of GEL Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 19 of 21

22 Water Management in the South Caucasus 726,500 (US$330,000) to Hydromet from the central government and GEL 172,800 (US$78,500) for income sources from Hydromet activities. The actual allocation from the State budget is less than 0.06 per cent of the total budget. The amount of GEL 531,800 (US$242,000) has been allocated for salaries or about 60 per cent of the Hydromet budget. In 2001, the State budget was GEL billion (US$460 million) or 20 per cent lower, and the allocation to Hydromet was GEL 805,000 (US$ 366,000) or about 10 per cent higher in The following table summarizes the allocation and the percentage of the total State budget in 2002 provided by the central government to Hydromet in each of the three countries in the region: Country 2002 Allocation 2001 Allocation 2002/2001 Armenia $450,000 $ 381,000-18% Azerbaijan $833,000 $1,312, % Georgia $330,000 $ 366, % 5.2 Proposed Activities In general, a program of institutional strengthening of each Hydromet and the Environmental Monitoring Center would be of great value to these institutions. However, this is an extensive effort beyond the scope of the present Project. A set of criteria will have to be developed by each Hydromet to determine the allocation of the scarce resources for the most beneficial use of the current funding from the central government. This would assist in the short and long term selection of the hydrological stations for continuing operation and develop a phased program of improvement. For example, some criteria could be considered, as follows: Representative Criteria - The station should be representative of the hydrological field conditions in the basin Historical Criteria - The number of years of record for continuing station operation Energy Criteria - Determination of the quantity of water for hydro-electric generation Irrigation Criteria - Determination of the seasonal variation of runoff for agricultural development Environmental Criteria - The location of industrial or municipal discharges that impact water quality International Criteria - Water discharge measurement at a border point Commercial Criteria - Potential source of income for the commercial use of the data collected There are other considerations to be evaluated by Hydromet in the use of similar criteria for a sustainable program of operation and improvement of the individual stations. It is intended as part of this Project that several sites be selected to install new monitoring equipment as demonstration projects. These sites have been tentatively selected in the Alazani River basin and in the Khrami-Debed River basin. The equipment has not been selected at this time; however, continuous stream gauging equipment will be selected for installation. As part of Activity 2, Promote Data and Information, of the project, additional efforts are being implemented to share the water quantity and quality information in the region. It is intended to use an agreed data base in a process of development of a data management system that utilizes the information collected at each station by the Hydromet in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Following the review of this Report, meetings will be arranged with each Hydromet to develop a strategy to increase the dialogue for sustainable water management in the region. Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 20 of 21

23 Water Management in the South Caucasus 6. APPENDIX Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Hydrological Stations in Armenia Water Quality Points in Armenia Hydrological Stations in Azerbaijan Water Quality Points in Azerbaijan Hydrological Stations in Georgia Water Quality Points in Georgia Development Alternatives, Inc. February 2002 Page 21 of 21

24 Table 1 Hydrological Stations in Armenia No. Code Region Station Latitude Longitude Lori Pambak-Shirakamout km east of Shirakamout station Lori Pambak-Vanadzor km above Vanadzir railway station Lori Pambak-Meghrout km below Meghrout village Lori Pambak-Toumanyan Toumanyan station, 2 km above Gargar inflow Lori Debed-Akhtala In the area of Akhtala railway station Tavush Debed-Ayrum In the area of Ayrum railway station Lori Ajigara-Lernapat km north of Lernapat railway station Lori Tandzout-Vanadzor Location Year of Records Northeast of Vanadzor city Tavush Alareks-Debed km south from Debed village Lori Dzoraget-Stepanavan km below Stepanavan-Tashir old road Lori Dzoraget-Gargar km above Gargar river inflow Lori Tashir-Saratovka Village Saratovka Lori Gargar-Kourtan m from Tumanyan-Stepanavan bridge Lori Martziget-Tumanyan m above the mouth of Martziget river Lori Agstev-Fioletovo Northeast of Fioletovo village Tavush Agstev-Dilijan In the vicinity of Dilijan Tavush Agstev-Ijevan Southwest of Ijevan Gegharkunik Getik-Chambarak Northeast of Chambarak, 1 km below the bridge Tavush Getik-Gosh m above the bridge on Dilijan-Gosh road Tavush Paghjour-Getahovit km above the village Getahovit Tavush Kirants-Kirants In the village Agharkut Tavush Akhoum-Tsaghkavan km southeast of Tsaghkavan Tavush Tavush-Berd Southeast of Berd, 50 m above the bridge Tavush Akhinja-Aygedzor m above the hydrostation in Aygedzor Armavir Araks-Surmalu km above Armavir watershed Armavir Araks-Markara In the village Markara Status Notes: The following notation is used in the Status column: 1 discharge and level, 2 level only, 3 station closed. Page 1 of 4

25 Table 1 Hydrological Stations in Armenia No. Code Region Station Latitude Longitude Shirak Akhuryan-Pakhakn km below the watershed Shirak Akhuryan-Amasia km above the irrigation channel Shirak Akhuryan-Akhurik Below the railway station bridge of Gyumri Shirak Akhuryan-Bayandur m above the Bayandur pump station Shirak Akhuryan-Haykadzor km below Akhuryan watershed Armavir Akhuryan-Yervandashat Location Year of Records km below the village Bazaran Shirak Dzoraget-Dzorakert m north of Dzorakert village Shirak Ashotsk-Krasar km northwest of Krasar Shirak Iliget-Jradzor m above the watercourse Armavir Karkachun-Karkachun km below the bridge Karkachun-Bayandur Shirak Jajour-Jajour km below Jajour Armavir Sevjur-Taronik km southwest of Taronik Armavir Sevjour-Echmiadzin km east of Echmiadzin railway station Ararat Sevjur-Ranchpar Under the Ranchpar bridge Gegharkunik Kasakh-Vardenis In Vardenis, 8 m below the concrete bridge Aragatsotn Kasakh-Artavan km below the watershed Aragatsotn Kasakh-Ashtarak Under the bridge of Ashtarak Aragatsotn Yeghipatroush-Yeghipatroush Southwest of Yeghipatroush Aragatsotn Gegharot-Aragats km downstream of Aragats Aragatsotn Shahverd-Parpi In Parpi village Gegharkunik Hrazdan Canal-Gegamavan Geghamavan village, 400 m below the tunnel Kotayk Hrazdan-Hrazdan m above the village Atabekyan Kotayk Hrazdan-Lusakert m above the Argel Hydrostation Yerevan Hrazdan-Yerevan m above Yerevan watershed Ararat Hrazdan-Masis Under the bridge of Hovtashen-Ranchar road Kotayk Marmarik-Hankavan In the village Hankavan Status Notes: The following notation is used in the Status column: 1 discharge and level, 2 level only, 3 station closed. Page 2 of 4

26 Table 1 Hydrological Stations in Armenia No. Code Region Station Latitude Longitude Kotayk Marmarik-Agavnadzor In the southern part of Agavnadzor village Kotayk Gomur-Megradzor In the northeastern part of Megradzor village Gegharkunik Dzknaget-Tsovagyug Location Year of Records m southeast of Tsovagyugh Gegharkunik Drakhtik-Drakhtik In the southeastern part of Drakhtik Gegharkunik Pambak-Pambak Southeast of Pambak village Gegharkunik Masrik-Tsovak km northwest of the village Torf Gegharkunik Karchaghbyur-Karchaghbyur Under the bridge on the road Martuni-Vardenis Gegharkunik Arpa Sevan-Tsovinar m below the tunnel Gegharkunik Vardenis-Vardenik m below the bridge of Vardenik Gegharkunik Martuni-Geghahovit m below the bridge on Gegahovit-Yans road Armavir Argichi-Getashen Verin East of Verin Getashen village Gegharkunik Tsagkashen-Vagashen In the milk farm Gegharkunik Lichk-Lichk m below the road Gavar-Martuni Gegharkunik Bakhtak-Tsakqar East of Tsakqar village Gegharkunik Gavaraget-Noratus In the village Noratus Kotayk Azat-Garni In the canyon of Garni Ararat Vedi-Urtsadzor Under the bridge of Urtsadzor-Karakhan road Vayots Dzor Arpa-Jermuk m east of the resort Vayots Dzor Arpa-Yeghegnadzor Under the old bridge of Agarakadzor Vayots Dzor Arpa-Areni Vayots Dzor Yerer-Gendara km North-East from Areni m above the village Herher Vayots Dzor Vayk-Zaritap In the village Zaritap Vayots Dzor Gladzor-Vernashen m above the road bridge Vayots Dzor Elegis-Ermoneh In the village Ermoneh Vayots Dzor Elegis-Shatin km southwest of Shatin Vayots Dzor Yeghegis-Artabuynk m below the road bridge Status Notes: The following notation is used in the Status column: 1 discharge and level, 2 level only, 3 station closed. Page 3 of 4

27 Table 1 Hydrological Stations in Armenia No. Code Region Station Latitude Vayots Dzor Saliget-Shatin Gegharkunik Megriget-Lichk Longitude Location Year of Records m east of the Saliget hospital West of the village Lichk Syunik Megriget-Megri km North-West of Megri Syunik Voghji-Kajaran km below the outflow of Aralik river Syunik Voghji-Kapan m below the outflow of Vachagan river Syunik Vorotan-Gorhayk km east of Goritzk Syunik Vorotan-Vorotan km above the Vorotan village Syunik Vorotan-village Vorotan m below the bridge on Goris-Kapar road Syunik Tsghouk-Tsghouk m west of Tsulak village Syunik Gorisget-Goris m above the old concrete bridge Shirak Arpilich-Paghakn Arpilich watershed Shirak Akhuryan waterwhed-jrapi Akhuryan Watershed Aragatsotn Aparan watershed-artavan Aparan watershed Gegharkunik Sevan-peninsula Sevan Peninsula Sevan Gegharkunik Sevan-Shorzha In the village Shorzha Gegharkunik Sevan-Karchaghbyur In the village Karchaghbyur Gegharkunik Sevan-Martuni In Martuni Ararat Azat watershed-lanjazat In Azat watershed Lori Pambak-Shirakamout km east of Shirakamout station Status Notes: The following notation is used in the Status column: 1 discharge and level, 2 level only, 3 station closed. Page 4 of 4

28 Table 2 Water Quality Points in Armenia No River-Observation Point Latitude Longitude Region Location Year of Records 1 Pambak-Hartagyugh Shirak In the village Hartagyugh Pambak-Spitak Lori 500m above Spitak Pambak-Vanadzor Lori 500m above Vanadzor Pambak-Vanadzor Lori 500m below Vanadzor Debed-Martziget Lori Below Martziget river outflow Debed-Ayrum Tavush 500m above Ayrum Debed-Ayrum Tavush 500m below Ayrum Dzoraget-Stepanavan Lori 500m above Stepanavan Dzoraget-Stepanavan Lori 500m below Stepanavan Dzoraget Lori Mouth of Dzoraget tributary Tashir-Mikhayilovka Lori In the village Mikhayilovka Tashir-Saratovka Lori In the village Saratovka Martziget Lori Mouth of Martziget tributary Akhktala Lori Mouth of Akhtala tributary Agstev-Dilijan Tavush 500m above Dilijan Agstev-Dilijan Tavush 500m below Dilijan Agstev-Ijevan Tavush 500m above Ijevan Agstev-Ijevan Tavush 500m above Ijevan Getik-Chambarak Gegharkunik In the village Chambarak Getik Tavush Mouth of the Getik tributary Akhum Tavush Near the border with Azerbaijan Tavush-Berd Tavush In the city Berd Tavush Tavush Near the border with Azerbaijan Hakhinja Tavush Near the border with Azerbaijan Araks-Surmalu Armavir In the village Surmalu Araks Ararat Above the outflow to Hrazdan river Status Notes: The following notation is used in the Status column: 1 regular sampling, 2 intermittent sampling, 3 closed. Page 1 of 5