ASPIRED Program Report for Q 2 Year 6-January-March 2021.pdf

ADVANCED SCIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS

FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

QUARTERLY REPORT

January – March 2021

ADVANCED SCIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS

FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

July-September 2020

April 2021

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development.

It was prepared by ME&A, Inc.

ASPIRED project

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 2

Advanced Science & Partnerships for Integrated

Resource Development

SECOND QUARTER FY 2021

April 2021

Contract No.AID-OAA-I-14-00070/AID-111-TO-15-00001

Prepared for:

United States Agency for

International

Development

Armenia Mission

1 American Avenue

Yerevan 0082, Armenia

Prepared by:

ME&A, Inc.

4350 East-West Highway

Suite 210

Bethesda, MD 20814

Tel: +1 301 652 4334

Fax: +1 240 630 8935 www.MEandAHQ.com

Armenian Branch of ME&A, Inc.

105/1 Teryan St., Suite 204, Yerevan 0009

Republic of Armenia

Tel. +374 10 514 315

Fax: +374 10 514 317

Email: aspired@engl.com

DISCLAIMER

This report is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of ME&A, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

http://www.meandahq.com/ mailto:aspired@engl.com

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 3

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary 5

1.2 ASPIRED Project Summary 5

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period 6

2. Summary of Performance Indicators 7

3. Program Implementation 15

3.1 Water Resources Data 15

3.2 Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies 19

3.4 Stakeholder Coordination and Communications 24

4. General Administrative Issues 26

5. Environmental Compliance 26

6. Existing Problems or Issues 26

7. Activities for the Next Quarter 29

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 4

List of Acronyms

ASPIRED Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development

ATTC Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center

AAB Ararat Artesian Basin

AHP Analytical-Hierarchic Process

BMO Basin Management Organization

COR Contracting Officer’s Representative

COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease 2019

CJSC Closed Joint Stock Company

CPO Charitable Public Organization

CSR Corporate Social Responsibility

DPLC Department of Licenses, Permits and Compliances

DSS Decision Support System

EE/RE Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy

EMIC Environmental Monitoring and Information Center SNCO

EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

ERGIS Environmental Research and Geographic Information Systems

EU European Union

FAR Fund for Armenian Relief

F2F Farmer to Farmer Project

GIS Geographic Information System

GOA Government of Armenia

HAAF Hayastan All-Armenian Foundation

HMC Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center

HPP Hydropower plant

ICARE International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education

IR Intermediate Result

ITF Interagency Task Force

LOP Life of Project

ME&A ME&A, Inc.

ME Ministry of Environment

PMP Performance Management Plan

PURE-Water Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water

PV Photovoltaic

RFA Request for Approval

SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

SEDF Sustainable Energy Development Fund

SoE State of Emergency

SWCIS State Water Cadaster Information System

RA The Republic of Armenia

3D Three-dimensional

TO Task Order

USAID United States Agency for International Development

WRMA Water Resources Management Agency

WUA Water Users Association

WUP Water Use Permit

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 5

1. Executive Summary

This report describes the programmatic activities implemented by the ASPIRED project during the second quarter of Year 6, from January 1 through March 31, 2021. The report reviews progress and achievements in each of the project components during the reporting period, as well as planned activities for the next quarter.

The report highlights issues and problems, along with actions taken to address these challenges.

The country remains in quarantine regime for an unspecified period of time. Starting from October 2020, the

ASPIRED office switched back to home-based operations after a dramatic rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, which remains on the level of 1000 + cases per day. The finance and administration team visits the office to process and file documents; task leaders visit the office on specific days to coordinate activities.

1.2 ASPIRED Project Summary

On September 29, 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded ME&A

Inc. (ME&A) a Task Order to implement the ASPIRED project under the Water and Development IDIQ. The purpose of the ASPIRED project is to support sustainable water resource management and sustainable practices of water users in the Ararat Valley using science, technology, innovation, and partnership initiatives.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the rate of groundwater extraction in the Ararat Valley to sustainable levels.

To this end, the ASPIRED project focuses on several critical areas:

1. Water Resources Data

2. Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

3. Water Regulation and Enforcement

4. Coordination across stakeholders

The ASPIRED project places a strong emphasis on building partnerships with the public and private sectors, research organizations, and international donors to pilot innovative water and energy efficiency technologies, and to promote better water resource monitoring, planning and sustainable management.

On July 14, 2020, the ASPIRED project received a Modification to the Task Order from USAID for a total amount of $600,000 and 10-months extension for the period of performance from September 28, 2020 to July

26, 2021.

The ASPIRED project started implementation of the activities under this extension.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 6

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period

o Water Resources Data

The ASPIRED team completed the capacity building program for the stakeholders on the DSS and ArcGIS tools use for generating data for the water resources management decision-making. Training focused on calculating water balance, water supply and demand balance components of a selected river basin or other area and determining water availability for use by various sectors of economy.

USAID approved the project on restoration and refurbishment of two groundwater wells in Dalar and

Vardanashen communities.

o Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

Due to the lack of cooperation from the Armavir Fish Farm in completing their share of the work, ASPIRED discontinued its support to the ATTC project and shifted its effort to supporting the Artyom Torosyan’s fishery. ASPIRED has dismantled the two compressors already installed at the Armavir Fish Farm and installed them at the Artyom Torosyan’s fishery. Additionally, the ASPIRED team started procurement process to install solar panels at Artyom’s private fishery.

ASPIRED started construction of the following projects:

• Irrigation improvement project in Mrgashat community

• Expansion of Irrigation system in Hovtashat Village

ASPIRED received USAID approvals for the following project concepts:

• Optimization of Irrigation System in Griboyedov Village

• Decommissioning of Artesian Well in Griboyedov Village

• Renewable Energy for Fish-Farming o Water Regulation and Enforcement

On January 14, ASPIRED conducted a peer review of the Method of Assessment of Self-Purification Capacity of Rivers with the water sector experts.

o Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

ASPIRED celebrated the World Water Day on March 22 by preparing and sharing a short film highlighting

ASPIRED efforts on improving the water legislation of the country in collaboration with the ME.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 7

2. Summary of Performance Indicators

The Table below summarizes performance indicators for the reporting period.

Table 1: Summary of performance indicators – Quarter 2 of FY 2021, Year 6

Indicator1

Year 6

Target/ Actual

Q 2 Year 6

Actual

LOP

Target/

Actual

Notes: Descriptions/Comments/Assumptions

IR 1: Establish a comprehensive, user-friendly, open data system that is accessible to all stakeholders.

Sub-IR 1.1: Ararat Valley geo-coded, real-time, publicly accessible data system that incorporates water resource, groundwater, and hydrological datasets from multiple stakeholders built and shared with the GOA

Indicators

1.1.1 Percent of total datasets for the

Ararat Valley publicly accessible 30/0 0 80/50

This indicator refers to the datasets related to the water resources in the Ararat

Valley which will be accessible for the general public. 80% of all datasets on the Ararat Valley will be made publicly available, which accounts for 100% of all the data that can be available to the public according to the Armenian legislation. This indicator results are contingent upon finalization of the Water Atlas and the Report on Water

Balance, and Water Supply and Demand Balance in the Ararat Valley as well as the

State Water Cadaster Information System (SWCIS). The datasets will include the following data:

- Data on groundwater flow model of the Ararat Valley;

- Datasets of the DSS for the Ararat Valley;

- Datasets of the online monitoring of groundwater use in the Ararat Valley;

- Geodatabase on the Ararat Valley;

- SWCIS online; and

- Ararat Valley Atlas published and online.

1.1.2 Percent of total wells mapped in the Ararat Valley

N/A N/A

100/100%

Completed in Year 2.

1 Indicators are presented on a cumulative basis. Non-cumulative indicators are marked separately.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 8

1.1.3 Number of stakeholders engaged in the data collection activities

N/A - 16/162

This indicator refers to the number of stakeholders engaged in the groundwater-related data collection activities in the Ararat Valley from different sectors – government, private, and public. ASPIRED met planned targets for this indicator in

Year 4.

Sub-IR 1.2: An online tool for hydrogeological modeling and decision-support for the Ararat Valley that incorporates hydrologic, economic, energy, social equity and environmental data generated

Indicators

1.2.1 GIS-based decision support tools for

Ararat Valley developed 2/2 1 2/2

ASPIRED completed the DSS and 3-dimensional model for the Ararat Valley in Year

4. The Groundwater flow model for the Ararat Valley was completed in Q4 of Year 5.

Sub-IR 1.3: A publicly accessible system that maximizes the use of open-source technology and produces reports based on high-quality, real-time monitoring data created

Indicators

1.3.1 Number of fisheries with automatic data system installed

N/A N/A 4/4 This indicator was dropped based on Year 5 approved Work Plan.

Sub-IR 1.4: Plan for decentralized, sustainable data collection methods to monitor groundwater resources and strengthened implementation capacities of partners developed in partnership with the Government of Armenia (GOA) and local stakeholders

Indicators

1.4.1

Percent of total coverage of the groundwater extraction points monitored

4/0 0 80/763

This indicator refers to the percentage of groundwater extraction wells monitored by the online automated system that the ASPIRED project installed versus the total number of 336 operational groundwater wells available in the fisheries. The data groundwater wells monitored by the ME will be reported by the completion of the

ASPIRED project.

IR 2: Introduce locally appropriate, cost effective technologies to improve water resource management

Sub-IR 2.1: Technologies developed, piloted, and evaluated at different-sized fish farms with the objective of improving water resources management

Indicators

2 ME with its 2 subdivisions, PEER grantee, Institute of Water Problems, USGS, EU Water Initiatives Project, Ministry of Agriculture, State Hydromet Service, Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydro ecology, Metsamor power plant which are/were involved in the data collection process, fisheries: Alex Grig, Interaqua, Golden Fish, Max Fish, State Hydromet Service, the Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, Water Committee.

3 The cumulative results include the systems installed by the ASPIRED project (on 19 groundwater wells), and 238 wells monitored by Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center (HMC-former EMIC) in FY19 with the equipment provided by the ASPIRED

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 9

2.1.1

Number of pilot projects demonstrating application of groundwater extraction reduction technologies (cumulative)

4/0 0 11/84

This indicator refers to the projects with technologies introduced at fish farms or other water use points that contribute to the reduction of groundwater extraction by users. This indicator also provides information on annual water saved, measured in cubic meters, for the indicator 2.1.2. Year 6 target refers to the projects in Vedi, Sardarapat, Mrgashat and ATTC. The ATTC project support was discontinued terminated, and equipment was transferred to Artyom Torosyan’s fishery, where

ASPIRED will install solar photovoltaic equipment, therefore the data from the new project will be reported instead of the ATTC. ASPIRED will report the results upon completion of projects.

2.1.2 Thousands of cubic meters of water saved annually in Ararat Valley

13,140/0 0 13,140/25,27

This indicator measures the amount of water savings from the application of innovative water saving technologies, introduced by ASPIRED, at fish farm and other water use points. The annual data on past projects will be reported by the end of

Year 6; the data on new projects will be reported upon their completion.

Sub-IR 2.2: Technologies with the objective of increasing energy efficiency and/or renewable energy generation of water users developed, piloted, and evaluated

Indicators

2.2.1

Number of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy technologies piloted/upscaled and evaluated (cumulative)

3/0 0 5/2

This indicator refers to water-use related EE/RE technologies to be piloted during the project. LOP target refers to efficient pumping in Aratashen, Yeghegnut and solar energy for fish farming project. Targets for Year 6 include solar energy for fish farming project and projects in Mrgashat and Sardarapat.

2.2.2 Megawatt hour of energy saved annually

1,335/0 0 1,335/1,0096

This indicator refers to the kilowatt-hour energy savings generated due to more efficient use of energy. Recurrent savings generated by completed projects are counted in the subsequent years and will be reported on an annual basis upon completion of the ASPIRED project. Year 6 targets include savings from completed projects plus projects scheduled for completion during Year 6: Sardarapat, Mrgashat, and solar project in Artyom Torosyan’s fishery. ASPIRED will report the results upon completion of the projects.

2.2.3 Clean energy generated annually, MWh 33/0 0 33/0

This indicator refers to the clean energy generation capacity resulting from the introduction of RE technologies aimed at minimizing extraction of the groundwater.

The expected result was to be provided by the Urban Irrigation project in Vedi.

4 The data refers to the Water Reuse Projects in Hayanist and Sayat-Nova communities, Well Sealing (with motor pumping) and Well Optimization technologies in Sipanik village, Well Optimization Project (with electric pumping or drift irrigation) in Hovtashat, Drinking Water Project (efficient pumping combined with metering) in Aratashen and Yeghegnut and Irrigation Project in Pokr Vedi community.

5 The first figure of the cell refers to the cumulative cubic meters of water to be saved as a result of the ASPIRED Pilot Projects by the end of year 5, which is also the LOP, while the second figure refers to the actual cumulative cubic meters of water saved as a result of ASPIRED pilot projects to-date.

6 LOP data refers to Hayanist project during 4 years of operation (24 MWh/year), Aratashen project during 2 years of operation (204 MWh), as well as Yeghegnut (116 MWh), Pokr Vedi (342 MWh) and Vedi (47 MWh)

Projects completed in Year 5.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 10

However, the installation of the solar system was postponed to Year 6 because of issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic and war with Azerbaijan. ASPIRED will also report data from the solar project in Artyom Torosyan’s fishery.

2.2.4

Gains in the reduction of GHG emissions as a result of USG assistance, in metric tons

2,640/0 0 2,640.2/3,45

GHG emissions reduction-related data will be calculated in metric tons/year based on the kilowatt-hours of savings resulting from application of energy saving technologies by the factor of 0.473 t CO2 per megawatt-hour of energy. In addition to the GHG emission reduction occurring from the energy savings, ASPIRED also accounted for the CO2 reductions from the irrigated farmlands. In addition to recurrent projects, Year 6 targets include new projects in Sardarapat, Mrgashat, Hovtashat (extension) and the new solar project. Data on GHG emissions reduction from past and current projects will be reported at the end of the project..

2.2.5

Number of people receiving improved service quality from an existing basic or safely managed water service as a result of USG assistance.

33,267/0 0 33,267/26,61

Qualitative improvements9 of water resource resulting from the infrastructure projects implemented by ASPIRED project. The term “water users” refers to households, local farmers, and other groups benefitting from these improvements

(gender disaggregated). Year 6 projections include completed projects as well as new projects in Mrgashat, Sardarapat and Hovtashat (extension). These projects are underway. Data from past and current projects will be reported at the end of the ASPIRED project.

Men 14,667 12,007

Women 18,600 14,608

2.2.6

Number of water users experiencing improved efficiency of water resources

4/1 0 17/1410

This indicator tracks the communities/individuals that are benefitting from improved efficiency in use of water, resulting from the pilot projects implemented under the ASPIRED project. Examples of such projects can potentially reduce water abstraction by fish farms due to new technologies installed. Year 6 targets refer to the ATTC, Sardarapat, Armavir WUA, and Mrgashat. The Year 6 result refers to a private entrepreneur Artyom Torosyan who has installed a recirculation system in his private fishery by the technical support of the ASPIRED project.

Sub-IR 2.3: Based on the pilot process and available research, recommendations developed for successful water and energy technologies for policymakers and stakeholders shared

Indicators

7 LOP actual data refers to the recurrent savings provided by completed projects during the entire period of their performance (starting from their launch date) and projects completed during Year 5.

8 The LOP data refers to the beneficiaries of the two Water Reuse Projects in Hayanist and Sayat-Nova, the Well Optimization Projects in Sipanik and Hovtashat, the Drinking Water projects in Aratashen and Yeghegnut, Irrigation Projects in Pokr Vedi, Vedi and Khachpar.

9 ASPIRED will conduct pre- and post-implementation water tests to detect the qualitative changes in water.

10 The results refer to Vedi, Pokr Vedi, Artashat WUA, Khachpar, Yerevan WUA, Yeghegnut, Aratashen, Hovtashat, Sipanik communities, water reuse projects in Hayanist and Sayat-Nova communities ((a) two communities avoided drilling of wells for irrigation needs; (b) two fisheries, Samvel Lablajyan’s fish farm and Masis Dzuk fishery, became more efficient water users), efficient water use by Artyom Torosyan’s fishery.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 11

2.3.1 Number of successful technologies recommended and shared with the stakeholders and policymakers

211/1 0 11/1012 ASPIRED will pilot at least six technologies by the end of the Project, conduct an evaluation, and provide recommendations during Year 6 of the project.

Sub-IR 2.4: Technology or method to permanently close illegal and/or abandoned wells, developed, piloted, and evaluated

Indicators

2.4.1

Number of projects on permanent closure or optimization of illegal or abandoned wells.

2/0 0 5/3

ASPIRED project piloted one well sealing technology in Sipanik and two well optimization technologies in Sipanik and Hovtashat communities. During Year 6, the

ASPIRED team plans to implement two projects in Griboyedov community: well sealing and well optimization.

IR 3: Introduce new policies and regulations to improve integrated water resource management.

Sub-IR 3.1: Trainings to build groundwater monitoring capabilities, capacity strengthening, and knowledge of how to use equipment; and follow-up assessments to test knowledge on groundwater monitoring and analysis of the basin management organizations (BMOs) and relevant water management agency officials to improve enforcement

Indicators

3.1.1

Number of trainings for building capacity of ME in groundwater monitoring

3/1 0 9/7

This indicator refers to trainings on the enhanced up-to-date State Water Cadaster Information System and Management Information System (MIS) for the Ararat Valley and on enhanced transparent water use permitting, control, oversight systems and decision support tools.

3.1.2

Number of people with improved knowledge and capacity on tools, approaches, and/or methods for water security, integrated water resource management, water source protection and sustainable water use as a result of USG assistance. (not cumulative)

20/12

126/135

This indicator refers to trainings on enhanced up to date SWCIS and MIS for the Ararat Valley; enhanced transparent water use permitting, control, and oversight systems; and environmental compliance procedures and efficient water use trainings for the beneficiaries of the communities. This indicator is not cumulative and is reported on a quarterly basis.

Women 4 37

Men 8 98 Sub-IR 3.2: Rigorous, evidence-based analysis of optimal water fee levels completed, shared with engaged stakeholders and recommendations provided to the GOA

11 Year 6 data refers to the ATTC and Vedi Projects.

12 Aeration technology piloted in Masis Dzuk fish-farm; Water Reuse Projects in Hayanist and Sayat-Nova communities; Sipanik Well Sealing Project; Sipanik and Hovtashat Well Optimization technologies; efficient pumping and billing/metering system in Aratashen and Yeghegnut; two irrigation technologies in Pokr Vedi and Khachpar; airlift pumps and sludge removal system in Artyom Torosyan’s fishery.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 12

Indicators

3.2.1

Number of workshops and consultations with stakeholders to discuss water fee levels

N/A N/A 9/9 The target for this indicator was met during Year 2 /Quarter 2; therefore, ASPIRED has completed data collection under this indicator for the project.

Sub-IR 3.3: Water permitting monitoring and enforcement measures assessed and publicly available and recommendations, including development of regulations, provided to the GOA.

Indicators

3.3.1

Package of recommendations to address water permitting monitoring and enforcement measures provided to GOA

113/0 0 4/314

This indicator refers to the package of recommendations that ASPIRED drafted and submitted to the GOA. In Q4 of FY20, the ASPIRED team planned to submit the Draft Government decree/resolution on adopting the method for assessing self-purification capacity of rivers. Submission of this deliverable is postponed to April 2021 because of several factors: COVID-19 infection, military situation in the country as well as additional analysis to be conducted by the working group for generating combined classification of chemical, biological, and morphological status of the rivers and a single self-purification capacity index.

IR 4: Ensure communications and coordination with stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts

Sub-IR: 4.1: Systems-mapping to gain and apply knowledge of points of influence, incentives, and resources of stakeholders in water and the water-energy nexus completed and shared

Indicators

4.1.1

Number of international and local organizations participating in the system mapping activities

2/2 1 29/29

This indicator refers to newly identified stakeholders and points of influence in water and water-energy nexus for the ASPIRED project. Eurasia CPO has been identified by

ASPIRED as a partner. EU Water Initiative+ works on creating a database on water resources quantity and quality for HMC. ASPIRED will link the database to the

SWCIS Data Warehouse. ASPIRED considers EW WI+ as a partner. Target met.

4.1.2 Number of partnerships made by ASPIRED with other organizations

2/4 3 23/2615

This indicator refers to partnerships, collaboration with other public and private sector organizations, donors for the implementation of joint projects and/or other initiatives contributing to the accomplishment of ASPIRED objectives. ASPIRED partnered with Artyom Torosyan, fish-farm owner for installation of the solar system, 13 Submission of the Draft Government decree/resolution on the adoption of the method for assessing self-purification capacity of rivers.

14 (1) The ASPIRED team opinion on Program of Measures in National Water code to USAID; (2) the Strategy for Policy and Regulatory Improvements and a Road Map for Improved Participatory Management of Water

Resources developed under the USAID’s PURE Project; (3) the draft Government decree on establishment of the requirements for the protection of water resources in the recreational zones submitted to the ME.

15 ASPIRED’s partnerships with Hayanist community, Samvel Lablajyan LLC, UNDP/GEF SGP, ERGIS NGO, CCHBCA, Satagro, Masis Dzuk fish farm , SME DNC, FAR, Sayat-Nova community, Sipanik, SEDF, Aratashen, Hovtashat, Vedi, F2F, AAF, UNDP/Climate Change Program, the community of Yeghegnut, Artashat WUA, the community of Khachpar, Eurasia CPO and Sardarapat Community, Griboyedov community, Mrgashat community, and Artyom Torosyan.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 13

Mrgashat and Griboyedov communities for the implementation of irrigation improvement projects. Target met.

Sub-IR 4.2: A transformative partnerships model to respond to needs for research, pilots, analysis, and other coordinated efforts that is demand-driven, flexible, and has a plan for financial sustainability created

Indicators

4.2.1

Percent of total funding leveraged from stakeholders for water resources management activities.

(not cumulative)

40/0 0 40/3416

This indicator refers to the total in-kind and financial contribution by ASPIRED partners versus the total contribution of the ASPIRED project for a given year.

Targets are not cumulative and refer to a specific year of the project cycle. The projections for Year 6 refer to the expected cost shares for Sardarapat, Mrgashat and

Hovtashat projects. The cost -share figures of the projects in Hovtashat, Mrgashat, Sardarapat, Griboyedov communities as well as Artyom Torosyan’s fish-farm; will be reported upon completion of the projects.

IR 5: Portfolio-level indicators

5.1

Percent of population living in targeted areas with improved water management

19/0 0 76/5717 The geographical target area is the Ararat Artesian Basin (AAB), a territory of 13,075 hectares with a population of 58,373 people (28,392 men; 30,345 women). The results will count the population of affected communities who benefitted from the projects completed both during the previous years and in Year 6. The numbers of beneficiaries will be reported upon completion of the projects.

Women 11 40/31.3

Men 8 36/25.7

5.2

Number of key implementation steps taken to improve water management in the Ararat Valley

2/0 0 14/1218

This indicator refers to policy, analysis, and other activities targeted towards improvement of water data-related activities, including training and pilot projects. In Year 6, the ASPIRED will develop the SCADA software and finalize the method of self-purification capacity of rivers.

5.3 Number of private sector firms that

have improved management 0/1 0 9/1019

This indicator refers to (a) the number of fisheries with automated groundwater use monitoring systems installed; and (b) fisheries which have adopted innovative water

16 This figure represents the actual cost-share provided by the communities and partners in relation to the total cost of all the projects completed by the ASPIRED project for the entire project period.

17 The results refer to the population size of Sipanik, Hayanist, Sayat-Nova, Aratashen, Hovtashat, Yeghegnut, Pokr Vedi and Khachpar communities versus the total size of the population in the AAB.

18 This figure refers to: (1) Inventory of the Groundwater wells, natural springs and fisheries of the Ararat Valley (2) The Report presented to the GOA - Achieving Sustainable Groundwater Use in the Ararat Valley: the Role of the Fisheries Sector; (3) ASPIRED was involved into the Interagency Task Force (ITF) established by the Prime-Minister’s assignment in January-February 2017. (4) Pilot projects (5) Installation of the automated online groundwater use monitoring system in the fisheries of the Ararat Valley; and (6) DSS with its hydrologic, climate change and water quality assessment models; (7) 3D model of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin; (8) Capacity building activities,(9) Billing and metering system introduced in the communities with drinking water projects; (10) Preparation of legal package for adoption of the requirements for the water resources in recreational zones of Armenia , (11) Ararat Valley Atlas (12).SWCIS.

19 The LOP result includes seven fisheries with improved water management practices: four have been equipped with online monitoring systems and three fish-farms participate in the infrastructure projects – ATTC and water reuse for irrigation (Lablajyan and Masis Dzuk).

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 14 practices or technologies as a result of USG assistance or energy efficiency (including renewable) technologies. ASPIRED met this indicator in Year 5.

5.4 Number of innovations supported through USG assistance

3/0 0 8/520

This indicator refers to innovative technologies, management/monitoring tools or practices introduced by the ASPIRED team in fish farms, at water use points and/or communities of the Ararat Valley which contribute to the reduction of the groundwater use. ASPIRED will report on three planned targets: Ararat Valley Atlas, solar energy for fish-farming project (instead of ATTC), and SCADA software.

5.5

Number of innovations supported through USG assistance with demonstrated uptake by private and/or public sector firms

1/121 0 6/622

This indicator refers to the uptake/replication by the public and/or private sectors of projects, technologies, innovations and/or practices introduced by the ASPIRED project at fish farms, water use points, and/or communities of the Ararat Valley.

Construction of recirculation system by Artyom Torosyan following the approach of the ATTC. ASPIRED met its planned LOP results for this indicator.

20 The data refers to the (1) practice of the secondary use of outlet water from fisheries for irrigation purposes, which has never been practiced at a community scale; (2) well sealing/optimization activities; (3) installation of the online monitoring system in the fisheries; (4) use of inverter pumping technology in Aratashen; (5) decision support tools developed by the ASPIRED project

21 The actual result refers to the project on extension of the irrigation network in Sayat-Nova community with grant funding of the ATDF??? Please open the abbreviation

22 (1) Replication of the water reuse project in Hovtashat community (with assistance from ERGIS NGO) and (2) Sayat-Nova community, (3) secondary use of Masis Dzuk outlet water for fish-breeding, (4) extension of the drinking water network in Aratashen by the community’s resources, (5) grant provided by the Japanese Embassy to ERGIS for the extension of the irrigation network in Sayat-Nova community and installation of a PV system on the pumping station, (6) Construction of recirculation system by Artyom Torosyan.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 15

3. Program Implementation

3.1 Water Resources Data

SWCIS Enhancement

The ASPIRED team conducted a series of discussions with the Department on Licenses, Permits, and

Compliances (DPLC) of the Ministry of Environment (ME) to talk through the steps needed for full operationalization of the SWCIS Data Warehouse. In order to support the decisions to be made by the

ME for operationalization of the data system online, the ASPIRED team prepared detailed information on the data management tools that have been developed with USAID’s assistance to support data-driven and transparent decision-making on water resources in the Ararat Valley and nation-wide. The document described the work that has been completed by USAID/ASPIRED on the SWCIS Data Warehouse and listed the decisions of the ME required for the online availability of the data system.

By recommendation of the new acting head of the DPLC, ASPIRED sent a letter to the Deputy Minister of

Environment in February, asking for the Ministry’s decisions on operationalization of the SWCIS Data warehouse, SCADA system (including hand-over of the installed flow meters and data loggers), and the platform for online submission of applications for water use permits (WUPs)23. ASPIRED received the ME’s letter with the proposed next steps and worked with the focal points nominated by the Ministry on identifying the specific security requirements for hardware and software.

Based on the requirements specified, ASPIRED will upgrade the software for the SWCIS Data Warehouse and the platform for online submission of WUP applications during the next quarter for further operationalization of the data system and online portal on the ME’s website.

On January 29, ASPIRED and the European Union’s (EU) Water Initiative (WI) Plus Project discussed the assistance provided by both projects to the ME and other stakeholders in the field of data collection, storing and sharing. The EU project was working on creating a comprehensive database on water resources quantity and quality for the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center (HMC) of the ME, as well as selected technical tools to be utilized online for data analysis. This comprehensive web-based database was initially planned to be completed in 2020, but due to some delays the EU project anticipates its completion in

March-April 2021. Upon completion, the ASPIRED team, the EU Project and HMC will discuss the possibilities of linking the HMC database with the SWCIS Data Warehouse. The EU WI Plus team is still in the process of testing and debugging of the new database of the HMC.

Enhancing the capacities of key stakeholders in using the Decisions Support Tools

Decision Support System (DSS): In January, the ASPIRED team completed the capacity building program for the stakeholders on the DSS and ArcGIS tools use to generate data for better water resources management decision-making. Training was attended by eleven water sector specialists from the DPLC and

HMC of the ME, the Inspectorate for Nature Protection and Mineral Resources, Agrarian University and

Acopian Center for the Environment. The training focused on calculating water balance, water supply and demand balance components of a selected river basin or other area, and determining water availability for use of various sectors of the economy. Training participants mastered their skills in assessing quality of surface water and groundwater resources, estimating values of ecological flow in the rivers, and assessing impacts of climate change on availability of water in a longer term, through the use of the decision support

23 The portal was developed with assistance of USAID’s PURE-Water project.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 16 tools. The practical exercises, which were developed by the ASPIRED team in advance based on pre-training evaluation results, helped the participants improve their skills in the use of DSS.

The DSS training process. Participants wear face masks or shields.

Upon completion of the training program, ASPIRED provided all participants with the DSS tool set up in

Armenian and English, and the supporting information, including the User Manual, data templates in

MS Excel to support use of the DSS, and the User Manual and data templates for calculating the values of ecological flow in the rivers of Armenia. The ASPIRED team conducted follow up consultations for the participants during the quarter. In particular, the project team assisted the representatives of the Water

Use Permitting division of the ME’s DPLC and Acopian Center of the American University of Armenia in installing the DSS on their computers and addressed the questions and inquiries of the specialists on application of the DSS.

Groundwater modeling tools: The groundwater modeling training is another capacity building program planned for the water sector specialists in April 2021. The team received the names of the participants nominated by the ME, American University of Armenia, and Geology Institute of the National Academy of

Sciences; conducted the pre-training evaluation to assess the participants’ capacities on application of

ArcGIS, Arc Hydro Groundwater (AHGW), GMS/MODFLOW and other tools for modeling three-dimensional structure of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin and groundwater flow; and developed the agenda for a 13-day hands-on training. The training is intended to enhance the understanding of the stakeholders in general principles of groundwater modeling, building 3-dimensional and groundwater flow models of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin, and to build capacities and skills in using the groundwater models for analyzing impacts of groundwater use on the Ararat Valley aquifers.

ASPIRED Deliverable on Hydrologic Balance and Water Supply and Demand Balance in the

Ararat Valley: The ASPIRED team continued collaboration with the representatives of the DPLC and

Water Policy Department of the ME - the members of the of the Working Group (WG) established by the

ME24 - on completing the analysis of scenarios for effective management of surface water and groundwater resources in the Ararat Valley.

24 Established on January 30, 2020 by the order of the Minister of Environment, the WG involves representatives from the ME, including Departments of Licenses, Permits and Compliances; Water Policy; and Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center. As well, the WG Members include Water Committee of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; Institute of Geological Sciences; and Institute of Geophysics and Engineering Seismology after A. Nazarov;

USAID-Armenia and ASPIRED project representatives. The role of the WG is to ensure effective implementation of tasks and planned results within projects supported by international donor organizations in Armenia’s water sector, such as USAID.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 17

During the meetings, held in February, the project team presented to the new head of the DPLC, and

Chairman of the WG, main findings of the project on the calculated sustainable rate of groundwater abstraction in the Ararat Valley, level of over-exploitation of both surface water and groundwater in the study area, as well as methods and modeling tools used by the project team. ASPIRED specialists also presented findings made from the analysis of two groundwater resource management scenarios in the

Ararat Valley. The scenarios consider reduction of groundwater use to the calculated value of sustainable groundwater use in the Ararat Valley, and impact of reduced groundwater abstraction on the state of the aquifers.

In addition, the ASPiRED team discussed with the ME representatives a scenario for improved management of surface water in the Ararat Valley, which is based on data from the permitted volumes of surface water use in the Ararat Valley. The development of this scenario is based on the data from actual volumes of surface water resources in the study area, provided by the Inspectorate on Nature Protection and Mineral

Resources of the Government of Armenia (GOAM) per the request of the ME. Since the data referred to

2018 and 2019, the team could not use it is because the Team set 2016 as the baseline for analysis. In addition, the data didn’t contain a breakdown by regions or basin management areas of Armenia, which made it impossible to apply this information for developing and analyzing more scenarios of effective use of surface water in the study area.

Considering the lack of data, the ME advised ASPIRED finalizing its deliverable report on Water Balance, and Water Supply and Demand Balance in the Ararat Valley with two management scenarios on groundwater resources, and one scenario on improving management of surface water in the Ararat Valley.

Completing operationalization of the automated online system for groundwater use monitoring

ASPIRED sent a letter to the Deputy Minister of Environment on February 16, asking for the Ministry’s decisions on operationalization of the SCADA system and hand-over of the installed flow meters and data loggers. Based on the response, ASPIRED developed a draft Terms of Reference (TOR) and submitted it to the ME for their feedback. On March 31, ASPIRED received a response from the ME providing their feedback on the TOR for the development of the SCADA software and recommended steps to determine the best appropriate mechanism for handing over the installed flow meters and data loggers.

Restoring and Refurbishing Selected Groundwater Monitoring/Observation Wells

In January-February, the ASPIRED team and hydrogeologists of the HMC of the ME, completed field surveys of the groundwater monitoring wells in Dalar and Vardanashen communities. Specialists monitored the well structures using a well camera. Depending on the observed condition of the wells and associated structures, the specialists listed the activities required for the restoration of both wells and accurate monitoring of the groundwater. Based on this, the ASPIRED team prepared a concept document for restoration and refurbishment of the groundwater monitoring wells in Dalar and Vardanashen communities and agreed on it with the HMC representatives. In March, ASPIRED and HMC representatives met with the mayors of Dalar and Vardanashen communities to present the planned activities and to check the ownership status of the land plots (communal or private) on which the wells are located. ASPIRED received the written consent of the municipalities on implementation of the well refurbishment works on the community-owned land. Both mayors expressed their readiness to collaborate with a subcontractor of the ASPIRED project during implementation of the works and provide the necessary permits for the disposal of construction waste at the landfills designated to the respective communities.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 18

Groundwater wells in Dalar (on the left) and Vardanashen (on the right) during the joint site inspection by the HMC and ASPIRED hydrologists.

The ASPIRED team finalized the project concept and environmental review documentation for restoration and refurbishment of two groundwater wells in the valley for USAID’s review and received the approval on March 20, 2021. ASPIRED prepared tender documentation and will announce the tender in April.

Ararat Valley Atlas

The ASPIRED team conducted another round of peer-review of the Ararat Valley Atlas, both in English and

Armenian. Finalization of the Ararat Valley Atlas in Armenian and English languages is contingent upon completion of the report on Water Balance, Water Supply and Demand Balance of Ararat Valley, as described in the previous section. Atlas sections present findings from this report, such as the estimated values of groundwater reserves, natural groundwater recharge and sustainable volume of groundwater use in the Ararat Valley. ASPIRED will finalize and include into the Atlas after receiving USAID’s and stakeholders’ feedback on the deliverable report.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 19

3.2 Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

The Table 2 below summarizes the status of the pilot projects as of December 31, 2020.

Table 2: Summary of pilot projects Project Name/

Technology

Status Total cost, USD

ASPIRED

cost-share, USD

Partner cost-share, USD

Partner

Hayanist irrigation rehabilitation project

Completed in April 2017 127,553

85,372

27,212 Coca Cola HBC

11,269 ERGIS

3700 Community

Sipanik well sealing project

Completed in August 2017

51,546

47,823

3,723

VALML LLC

Sipanik well optimization project

Completed in

September 2018

25,032

22,480

2,552

Sipanik community

Sayat-Nova water reuse project

Completed in September 2018

132,878

81,187

20,876

Partnership for Rural

Prosperity Project

14,395 Fund for Armenian

Relief

16,420 Sayat-Nova community

Aratashen water supply project

Completed in June 2019 135,045 92,129 42,916 Aratashen community

Hovtashat well optimization project

Completed in September 2019

50,554

35,602

14,952

Hovtashat community

Yeghegnut water supply project

Completed in February 2020

137,055 96,023 41,032 Yeghegnut

ASPIRED commitments completed and support discontinued in March 2021

The ASPIRED team completed its share of support to as described in the ATTC project agreement and made efforts to help the owner complete its commitment and ensure the

116,826

116,826

11,52125

Armavir Farmer LLC

25 The fish-farm owner made a contribution of USD 11,521 instead of USD 63,486.

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 20

Aquaculture

Technology

Transfer

Center (ATTC)

Project operation of installed equipment. ASPIRED brought the issue to the attention of USAID and had a meeting to discuss the best solution options. The owner of Armavir Farmer LLC did not accept the recommendations shared by the international expert and, per request of the

ASPIRED team, presented a list of structural improvements that were essential, in his opinion, for the operation of the ATTC. On February 16, USAID, ASPIRED team, and ME&A

Home Office discussed the ongoing challenges and refusal of the Armavir Farmer owner to cooperate in completing the ATTC Project and fulfilling his commitment under the ATTC

Agreement. ME&A presented the chronology of the ATTC project implementation and interactions with Azat Harutyunyan, as well as ASPIRED efforts and mitigation measures to complete the project. After analyzing the facts, USAID and ME&A agreed to suspend any further financing on the ATTC project and develop a Withdrawal Plan, including the dismantling of the two compressors that were funded by USAID and installing them at the

Artyom Torosyan’s fishery since the owner of “Artyom Torosyan” fish farm successfully applied the water recirculation, sludge removal and airlifting technologies developed by the

ASPIRED in his newly established fish farm in 2019.

The ASPIRED team consulted with the lawyer all legal aspects to be considered prior to dismantling the equipment of the facility. On February 22, the ASPIRED team visited the

ATTC site to discuss the budget presented earlier by Azat Harutyunyan and inspect the state of equipment. The ASPIRED team prepared the inventory protocol of installed equipment and, on March 5, the ASPIRED subcontractor dismantled the two compressors and moved them to Artyom Torosyan’s fish farm.

Vedi urban irrigation project

Ongoing

On March 12, the ASPIRED team met the mayor of Vedi to discuss the municipality’s plans on installation of the solar PV panels. The municipality expressed its willingness to address the issue in the near future. However, the mayor mentioned that they face challenges with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and military crisis with Azerbaijan. For this reason, the city directed funding to solve these issues. The mayor requested the ASPIRED team to check the irrigation system in operation to see if there still exists low water pressure

140,397

52,491

87,906

Vedi Municipality

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 21 in the uphill sections of the irrigation network. ASPIRED team will address this issue during the upcoming month.

Irrigation upgrade in

Pokr Vedi

Completed in July 2020

86,876

37,192

38,609

HAAF

11,075 Artashat WUA

Irrigation upgrade in

Khachpar

Completed in May 2020

98,247

64,774

33,473

Khachpar municipality

TOTAL

1,102,009

731,899

370,110

Table 3: New Projects

Project Name/ Technology

Status Total estimated cost, USD

ASPIRED

cost-share, USD

Partner cost-share, USD

Partner

Sardarapat water supply project

Ongoing

The ASPIRED team worked on the specifications for the construction subcontractor tender selection. By request of the village municipality, the project engineer assisted the mayor’s office in developing the tender documents for the items to be furnished by the municipality for this project.

On March 25, the ASPIRED released the Invitation for Bids (IFB) for supply of materials and construction services and held the online question and answer session.

389,941 133,592 256,349 Sardarapat community

Irrigation improvement project in Mrgashat

Ongoing

On January 12, USAID approved the project concept. On February 15, the ASPIRED team announced the IFB for supply of materials and services for the project, and after evaluation of bids selected Shahart LL to carry out construction.

26,328 22,279 4,049 Mrgashat community

Hovtashat well optimization project extension

Ongoing

On January 19, the ASPIRED team announced the IFB for selection of a construction sub-contractor, and after review of bids contracted Shahart LLC for the supply of materials and installation of the irrigation network.

13,815 12,330 1,485 Hovtashat community

Report Q 2 – FY 2021 22

The village and Shahart LLC coordinated the trenchwork and installation works and started construction on March 25. The EMMP specialist conducted environmental and social compliance training with the village and sub-contractor representatives. By the end of March, the trenchwork and installation of the pipeline on 300-meter section of the extended irrigation network was completed. ASPIRED will accept the works in April after the testing of the installed pipes.

Griboyedov well decommissioning project

Approved in March 2021

The ASPIRED team designed the project concept and submitted for approval to USAID in a single package with the irrigation improvement project in the same community. The project was approved by USAID in March 2021, which led the team to start preparation of the tender documents for the selection of the sub-contractor.

13,362 13,362 0

Griboyedov irrigation optimization project Approved in March 2021

The ASPIRED project, the village administration, and Echmiatsin Water User Association agreed on the proposed solution for the improvement of the irrigation efficiency in the village.

To avoid water permitting process, the parties decided to increase the water use efficiency from the existing groundwater well, used by the community for…