ASPIRED Program Report for Q 3 Year 5-April-June 2020.pdf

July 2020

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

Development. It was prepared by ME&A, Inc.

WUA

ADVANCED SCIENCE &

PARTNERSHIPS FOR INTEGRATED

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

QUARTERLY REPORT

April-June 2020

ASPIRED Project Report Q 3 – FY 2020

Advanced Science & Partnerships for

Integrated Resource Development

QUARTERLY REPORT

THIRD QUARTER FY 2020

July 2020

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

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary 5

1.2 ASPIRED Project Summary 5

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period 5

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

3.3 Water Regulation and Enforcement 22

3.4 Stakeholder Coordination and Communications 24

4. General Administrative Issues 24

5. Environmental Compliance 26

6. Existing Problems or Issues 26

List of Acronyms

ASPIRED Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development ATTC Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center AAB Ararat Artesian Basin BMO Basin Management Organization COR Contracts Officer’s Representative COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease 2019 CJSC Closed Joint Stock Company DSS Decision Support System EE/RE Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy EIA Environmental Impact Assessment 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 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 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

1. Executive Summary

This report describes the programmatic activities implemented by the Advanced Science and

Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development (ASPIRED) Project during the third quarter of Year 5 of the project, from April 1 through June 30, 2020. The report reviews progress and achievements in each of the project areas during the reporting period, as well as planned activities for the next quarter.

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

The State of Emergency (SoE) declared by the Government of Armenia (GOA) on March 16 has been extended for the fourth time during the reporting period. These SoE extensions have been for a period of 30 days each time in response to continuing challenges related to the COVID-19 global outbreak.

ASPIRED developed a Mitigation Plan to minimize potential disruptions to project implementation during the SoE, including all staff continuing to work from home as of March 18. The Mitigation Plan has allowed the ASPIRED team to continue internal and external communications with USAID, ME&A home office, government counterparts, partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries through the use of online platforms, virtual meetings, and site visits.

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 through the use of 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.

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period

On May 23 per USAID request ME&A submitted cost proposal for the ASPIRED Project cost extension.

o Water Resources Data

ASPIRED finalized the manual calibration of the simplified steady-state groundwater flow model of the

Ararat Valley in GMS/MODFLOW: a key milestone in creating a fully calibrated groundwater flow model of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin.

The team completed preparation of the Armenian version of first Draft of the Ararat Valley Atlas, with 56 thematic maps on the Ararat Valley. The team also completed the English version of the Draft Atlas. These are intended for review by the ME and USAID before finalization.

o Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

Despite the challenges posed by the SoE, two pilot projects were successfully completed in compliance with all GOA restrictions, and are now fully operational: Improving the Efficiency of Irrigation in Pokr Vedi and Khachpar Villages.

o Water Regulation and Enforcement

The Working Group (WG), comprised of the ASPIRED Project’s experts, selected Akhuryan River as the most appropriate site to expand the basis for replicability of the assessment method for self-purification capacities of rivers in Armenia. Two observation points were identified for further study.

o Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

Under the heading “We are celebrating World International Environment Day,” USAID Armenia highlighted the ASPIRED Project on its Facebook page1, presenting that the Project “supports sustainable water resource management and sustainable practices of water users in the Ararat Valley through the use of science, technology, innovation, and partnership initiatives.”

1 https://www.facebook.com/USAIDArmenia/posts/3266819330006013?__tn__=K-R https://www.facebook.com/USAIDArmenia/posts/3266819330006013?__tn__=K-R

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 7

2. Summary of Performance Indicators

The Table below summarizes performance indicators for the reporting period.

Table 1: Summary of performance indicators – Quarter 3 of FY 2020, Year 5

Indicator2

Year 5 Target/ Actual

Q 3 Year 5 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 Geocoded, 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.

1.1.2 Percent of total wells mapped in the Ararat Valley

N/A N/A

100/100%

Completed in Year 2.

1.1.3 Number of stakeholders engaged in the data collection activities

N/A - 16/163 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

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

3 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.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 8

1.2.1 GIS-based decision support tools for Ararat Valley developed

2/0 0 2/2 ASPIRED completed the DSS and 3-dimensional model for the Ararat Valley in Year 4.

Groundwater flow model for the Ararat Valley will be completed in Q4 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

18.2/0 0 50/31.8

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 actual LOP results refer to the systems installed by the Project (on 19 groundwater wells), groundwater monitoring systems installed by the Water Initiatives Plus Project and 80 wells monitored by the Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) with the equipment provided by the ASPIRED. The Year 5 indicator refers to the number of extraction points monitored by the ME subdivisions. The data will be collected and reported by the end of Year 5.

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

2.1.1 Number of groundwater extraction reduction technologies piloted and evaluated

2/1 1 8/74

This indicator refers to 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. The Year 5 results refer to efficient pumping technology in Vedi and irrigation project in Pokr Vedi. The data for Q3 refers to the project completed in Pokr 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 Sealing Project with (electric pumping or drift irrigation) in Hovtashat, Drinking Water Project (efficient pumping combined with metering) in Aratashen, and Irrigation Project in Pokr Vedi community.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 9

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

11,412/8,8

1,161 11,412/25,2

This indicator measures the amount of water savings from the application of innovative water saving technologies, introduced by the ASPIRED, at fish farms and other water use points. It also accounts for the implementation of water rehabilitation projects in the communities of the Ararat Artesian Basin (AAB) affected by the shortage of groundwater resource (in collaboration with participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water (PURE-Water) Project. Actual results for Year 5 include recurrent savings provided by completed projects, and results of the drinking water project in Yeghegnut, Khachpar and Pokr Vedi. The quarterly data refers to the water savings from Khachpar and Pokr Vedi projects.

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 (EE/RE) technologies piloted and evaluated

2/1 0 3/2

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 project in Vedi. Year 5 projections include efficient pumping in Yeghegnut and solar projects in Vedi.

The drinking water project in Yeghegnut was completed during Q2, while the project in Vedi will be completed by the end of Year 5 and reported in Q4.

2.2.2 Megawatt hour of energy saved annually

7966/686 342 796/9627

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 programmatic year. Q3 results refer to the irrigation project in Pokr Vedi.

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 ASPIRED team adjusted the indicator for clean energy generation as the RE component has been removed from the ATTC. The Urban Irrigation project in Vedi will provide the expected results.

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 Year 5 targets consider recurrent savings from Hayanist and Aratashen projects, plus savings expected from projects scheduled for completion during Year 5: ATTC, Yeghegnut, Vedi and Pokr Vedi.

7 LOP data refers to Hayanist project during 4 years of operation (24 MWh/year, Aratashen project (204 MWh) completed in Year 4, as well as

Yeghegnut and Pokr Vedi Projects completed in Year 5.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 10

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

2,227,28/2 ,161.4

1,324 2,227.2/3,41

6.89

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. Data is reported on an annual basis. Q3 results refer to the GHG emission reduction due to completed projects in Pokr Vedi and Khachpar communities.

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.

22,14410/7 ,344

5,182 26,615/11,8

1511 Qualitative improvements12 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).

Q3 data refer to the drinking water project in the communities of Khachpar and Pokr Vedi. Men

10,127/3,1

2,073 12,007/5,00

Women 12,017/4,2

3,109

14,608/6,80

2.2.6 Number of water users experiencing improved efficiency of water resources

5/3 2 12/1013

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 5 projections refer to pending projects in Yeghegnut, Vedi, Pokr Vedi, Khachpar and ATTC. Q3 results refer to the projects completed in the communities of Pokr Vedi and Khachpar.

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

8 Year 5 targets include recurrent savings from completed projects as well as projects to be completed during Year 5 (Yeghegnut, Khachpar, Vedi, Pokr Vedi).

9 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.

10 Year 5 target includes projects scheduled to be completed in Year 5: Drinking Water Project in Yeghegnut; and Irrigation Projects in Vedi, Pokr

Vedi, and Khachpar communities.

11 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 and Khachpar.

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

13 The results refer to Pokr Vedi, Khachpar, 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), Report Q 3 – FY 2020 11

Indicators

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

314/1 1 10/815 ASPIRED will pilot at least six technologies by the end of the Project, conduct an evaluation, and provide recommendations during Year 5 of the project. The data for Q3 refers to the irrigation project in Pokr Vedi.

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 piloted technologies to permanently close illegal or abandoned wells

0/0 0 3/3 ASPIRED Project piloted one well sealing technology in Sipanik and two well optimization technologies in Sipanik and Hovtashat communities.

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

4/1 1 9/6

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. During Q3, the ASPIRED team provided online on-the-job training to ME staff on generation of accurate reports from the SWCIS Data Warehouse.

3.1.2

Number of people educated 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)

10/316

126/119

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. During Q3, the ASPIRED team provided online on-the-job training to ME staff on generation of accurate reports from the SWCIS Data Warehouse.

Women 1 0 31

Men 2 1 88

14 Planned targets for Year 5 refer to ATTC, Vedi and Pokr Vedi Projects.

15 Aeration technology piloted in Masis Dzuk fish-farm; Water Reuse Projects in Hayanist and Sayat-Nova communities; Sipanik Well Sealing

Project; Sipanik Well Optimization Project, Water Project in Aratashen (efficient pumping/billing & metering), Hovtashat Well Optimization Project, Irrigataion Project in Pokr Vedi.

16 Y5 actual result refers to the water service training conducted by the ASPIRED Project engineer in Yeghegnut in December 2019.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 12

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

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

117/0 0 4/318

This indicator refers to the package of recommendations that ASPIRED drafted and submitted to the GOA. Year 4 result refers to the draft Government decree on the establishment of requirements for the protection of water resources in the recreational zones submitted to the ME. The package of laws stipulating enforcement of requirements for the protection of water resources in recreational zones has been signed by the Armenian President on November 26, 2019.

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

1/0 0 26/25 This indicator refers to newly identified stakeholders and points of influence in water and water-energy nexus for the ASPIRED Project.

4.1.2 Number of partnerships made by ASPIRED with other organizations

1/2 0 19/2019 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.

17 During Year 5, the ASPIRED team will submit the Draft Government decree/resolution on the adoption of the method for assessing self-purification capacity of rivers.

18 (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.

19 ASPIRED’s partnerships with Hayanist community, Samvel Lablajyan LLC, UNDP/GEF SGP, ERGIS NGO, CCHBCA, Satagro, Armavir Farmer LLC

(ATTC), SME DNC, FAR, Sayat-Nova community, Sipanik, SEDF, Aratashen, Hovtashat, Vedi, F2F, AAF, UNDP/Climate Change Program, the community of Yeghegnut and Artashat WUA.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 13

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)

35/40 36 35/3420

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. For Year 5 target, ASPIRED will count the cost-share contribution of the communities of Yeghegnut, Pokr Vedi, Vedi, and Khachpar. The results of Q3 refers to the expenses on renovation of the internal irrigation network made by the community of Khachpar. The actual for Y5 (40%) refers to the cost shares provided for Yeghegnut, Pokr Vedi and Khachpar Projects by the end of Q3.

IR 5: Portfolio-level indicators

5.1

Percent of population living in targeted areas with improved water management

52/12.5 8.8 52/32.321 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 5. Q3 result refers to the population of the community of Pokr Vedi and Khachpar.

Women 28/7.2 5.3 28/18.4

Men 24/5.3 3.5 24/13.9

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

2/3 0 12/1322 This indicator refers to policy, analysis, and other activities targeted towards improvement of water data-related activities, including training and pilot projects.

20 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.

21 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.

22 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) Groundwater flow model; (8) 3D model of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin; (9) Capacity building activities,(10) Billing and metering system introduced in the communities with drinking water projects; (11) Water balance, water supply and demand balance estimates for the Ararat Valley for 2016 , (12) Estimated Values of natural GW reserves, recharge and sustainable rate of GW use in the Ararat Valley (13) Preparation of legal package for adoption of the requirements for the water resources in recreational zones of Armenia.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 14

5.3

Number of private sector firms that have improved management practices or technologies as a result of USG assistance

2/0 0 9/723 This indicator refers to (a) the number of fisheries with automated groundwater use monitoring systems installed; and (b) fisheries which have adopted innovative water or energy efficiency (including renewable) technologies.

5.4 Number of innovations supported through USG assistance

2/0 0 7/524 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.

5.5

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

1/125 0 5/526 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.

23 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).

24 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 25 The actual result refers to the project on extension of the irrigation network in Sayat-Nova community with grant funding of the Japanese Embassy in Armenia 26 Replication of the water reuse project in Hovtashat community (with assistance from ERGIS NGO) and Sayat-Nova community, secondary use of Masis Dzuk outlet water for fish-breeding, extension of the drinking water network in Aratashen by the community’s resources, 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.

3. Program Implementation

3.1 Water Resources Data

SWCIS Enhancement

During the reporting period, the ASPIRED Project continued collaboration with the Water Resources

Management Agency (WRMA), which is currently reorganized in a new Department for Licenses, Permits and Compliances of the ME, on further improvements in the SWCIS Data Warehouse to: a) meet their needs for data input and report generation within the system; and b) support them in the decision-making process.

Specifically, during the reporting period, an additional form was developed for the reservoirs database which allows generating separate reports on values of water inflow and outflow for the specified time period. This also included optimization of the search window control parameters to adjust to the revisions made. The original SWCIS Data Warehouse generated only annual reports, as was requested in the Scope of Work provided by the WRMA in March 2017. New reporting forms were added to the database on hydropower plants (HPPs) which allow users to generate reports on the HPPs per region or basin management area. This also included optimization of the search window control parameters to filter searches by selecting a region or basin. The ASPIRED Database Programmer made these improvements virtually after the IT Administrator of the Ministry of Environment (ME) granted authorization for remote access to the Ministry’s server.

The ASPIRED team continued providing virtual on-the-job training to the selected personnel of the ME.

During the reporting period, the training focused on developing correct queries in order to generate the desired reports in the SWCIS Data Warehouse.

During this quarter, the ASPIRED Project team did not meet with ME staff to discuss recommendations on full operationalization of the SWCIS Data Warehouse due to ongoing institutional changes within the

ME, including the development of a new website for the Ministry. ASPIRED expects to continue this activity next quarter.

Decision Support Tools

Decision Support System (DSS): During the reporting period, the ASPIRED team completed the Armenian version of the DSS Manual and its English translation.

In the next quarter (July-September), whenever the SoE is lifted by the GOA, the ASPIRED team will plan to conduct an extensive training program with the representatives of the ME and Academia on the

DSS use, generating the decision support data on water allocation and management. The training requires Arc GIS and Modeling software, which is not available at participants’ home computers for online training. ASPIRED will rent a GIS lab for this purpose to ensure proper quality and adequate coverage. Discussions are being held about what would be the alternative if SoE extensions keep happening.

Groundwater modeling tools: In May, the ASPIRED team, through weekly distance coaching sessions with AQUAVEO Expert Todd Wood, finalized the manual calibration of the simplified steady-state groundwater flow model of the Ararat Valley in GMS/MODFLOW. This is a key milestone in creating a fully calibrated groundwater flow model of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin, which is a complex hydrogeologic system with one unconfined and two confined water-bearing units. The pictures below illustrate the work process on the above-listed tasks and their progress.

In June, the ASPIRED team, with guidance from Todd Wood and AQUAVEO, started the calibration of the complex steady-state groundwater flow model of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin. The team completed the following major steps:

● Assigned the altitudes to various components of the three layers of the model, using parameters from the simplified model;

● Created a 3-dimensional grid of the model;

● Imported values from the simple model, including piezometric heads in the monitoring network, Hydraulic conductivity (HK) and conductance (H);

● Classified the datasets on the groundwater wells and observation points, subject to their depth;

● Assigned water-bearing unit(s) to each groundwater well and observation point;

● Completed manual calibration of the complex model.

After completing the steps described above, the model converged successfully, indicating that it is ready for the next, most important phase of the calibration, using parameter estimation (PEST). The team will work on the last phase of automated calibration during the next quarter.

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

Valley: The team reviewed the WG (established by the ME) 27feedback regarding the hydrologic and hydrogeological conditions of the Ararat Valley (feedback provided on March 30, 2020). As a follow up, ASPIRED informed the ME that the Project team has addressed a portion of the recommendations and

27 According to the ME Minister Order dated January 31, 2020, the Ministry established a WG tasked to review the ASPIRED report on hydrologic balance and water supply and demand. The working group is comprised of representatives of the ME, State Academical Institutions, USAID and ASPIRED project, chaired by ME.

Figure 1: ASPIRED Hydrologist presenting the values assigned to the model comments provided in the WG report. Some of the comments, however, required further clarifications and guidance from the side of the WG members. The ME letter in May recommended organizing a meeting with the selected WG members to discuss specific aspects of their comments further.

In June, ASPIRED continued working with the WG selected members to finalize the format and date for the discussion. To expedite the process, the team shared its feedback regarding WG comments on the

ASPIRED deliverables about the analysis of hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions in the Ararat Valley, for their consideration.

After receiving the ASPIRED feedback, the WG members requested additional time for internal discussions and consensus before recommending a suitable date/time for online discussion. At the time of communicating with the WG members representing Academia, they were taking exams with graduate students. They, therefore, needed longer time to discuss ASPIRED feedback to their comments and prepare for an online discussion. During preparation of this report, the ME, in response to SPIRED request for expediting the organization of discussions with the ME WG members, sent a letter to the WG, anticipating their proposed data and time for subject discussions. ASPIRED also recommended that the

ME notifies the WG members on the first sessionin August. The ASPIRED will assist in arranging the session.

Introduction of the automated online system for groundwater use monitoring

ASPIRED did not hand-over the flow meters and data loggers to the ME during the reporting period, due to the ongoing restrictions posed by the SoE. Therefore, the team did not conduct joint site visits to check operations of the installed devices. In addition, during the reporting period, the Minister resigned which also delayed the hand-over process. The ASPIRED team anticipates completing this task in the next quarter, when the SoE is lifted and the new Minister is assigned.

The Ararat Valley Atlas

ASPIRED completed preparation of the first draft of the Ararat Valley Atlas in Armenian. It contains 56 thematic maps on the Ararat Valley along with statistical information. ASPIRED used existing data provided by stakeholder agencies, as well as information compiled by the team. The draft Atlas was printed in A3 format and provided to USAID and ME for review and feedback in May, before its finalization and publication.

In June, the ME provided comments and recommendations on the first draft of the Atlas. Many recommendations were accepted, others required discussions with the ME for further refinement. As a

Figure 2: Teams are checking values of various parameters (Elevation, Hydraulic conductivity, etc.) computed by the model, using pest follow-up, on June 9 the

ASPIRED technical team conducted online discussions with Edgar Pirumyan, the newly-appointed Acting Head of the Department for

Licenses, Permits and

Compliances of the ME

(former Head of the WRMA) and Arman Shahnubaryan, Leading Specialist of the

Division of Cadasters and

State Registers of ME on the

Ministry’s feedback on the first draft.

The participants discussed the recommendations, specified the revisions, and agreed on additional datasets to be provided by the ME for further updates around late June.

The ME information will contain data on the permitted volumes of water use and wastewater discharge for 2016 and 2019;

groundwater levels in the national monitoring network for the period

2016 – 2019; and the list of the groundwater wells permanently closed and regulated by the ME in 2019.

ASPIRED will review and analyze these datasets and finalize revisions with the ME representatives during the next quarter. In parallel, the ASPIRED team completed the English version of the first draft of the

Ararat Valley Atlas, followed by a thorough review by the ME&A Home Office. The team will finalize the draft version once ME feedback is incorporated during the next quarter. The next step is printing the Atlas for the USAID COR’s review in the next quarter, before its finalization for publication.

Figure 3: ASPIRED technical team and ME discussing the Ministry comments on Draft Atlas

Figure 4: ASPIRED and ME clarifying maps for land use and classification.

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 19

3.2 Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

The Table 2 below summarizes the status of the pilot projects as of June 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 131,706

89,525

27,212 Coca Cola HBC

11,269 ERGIS

Sipanik well sealing project

Completed in August 2017

51,546

47,823

3,723

VALML LLC

Sipanik well optimization

Completed in

September 2018

24,554

22,002

2,552

Sipanik community

Sayat-Nova water reuse project

Completed in September 2018

132,100

80,409

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 130,371 87,455 42,916 Aratashen community

Hovtashat well optimization

Completed in September 2019

43,539

28,587

14,952

Hovtashat community

Yeghegnut water supply project

Completed in February 2020

120,809 79,777 41,032 Yeghegnut

Ongoing

178,028

114,542

63,486

Armavir Farmer LLC

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 20

Aquaculture Technology Transfer

Center Project

Dr. Stephen, a selected aquaculture expert from the US, worked remotely on the verification of the ATTC project concept using materials, designs and photos provided by the ASPIRED Project, because the planned trip to Armenia and the ATTC site were canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Under the circumstances, the ASPIRED team conducted a virtual tour in the ATTC for Dr. Stephen to study the actual conditions of the site; check the water flow, airlift performance in the system and evaluate the operations of the greenhouse and biofilter. He summarized all findings in a report, which confirmed that all components and technical approaches suggested by ASPIRED are valid, technically sound, and operational. ASPIRED provided the report to the ATTC owner, along with the executive summary translated into Armenian.

The registration of the ATTC facility at the Armenian real estate cadaster was delayed due to the SoE restrictions and additional steps needed to complete issuance of the registration certificate by the real estate cadaster. In particular, after some restrictions of SoE were removed in May, including travel, ASPIRED organized a post completion/construction evaluation of the ATTC strengthened facility and lab, as requested by the Armavir department of State Urban Development Committee. In June, the evaluation confirmed that it was compliant with the Armenian regulations and construction norms and standards. This evaluation was needed for the ATTC registration with the real estate cadaster.

The ASPIRED lawyer prepared a draft Contract between ME&A and the to-be selected ATTC operator based on the requirements of the ASPIRED Project; the Contract will be an attachment to the RFP for the third operator.

Vedi Urban

Irrigation Project

Ongoing

At the request of Vedi Municipality, ASPIRED signed a contract with Shahart LLC to help the City eliminate several minor damages resulting from local vandalism (breakage of many water outlets in down-town). Despite these few damages, the system is fully operational since May. At the time of preparing this report, ASPIRED identified new damages to water outlets during its monitoring visit, ASPIRED, jointly with the Municipality worked on technical solutions for prompt elimination of the damages in the next quarter and prevent further damages to the system. The Municipality decided to postpone the installation of the Photovoltaic (PV) kit planned for the Project, due to financial restraints caused by the SoE. The plan is to finalize this task during the next reporting quarter.

147,538

59,632

87,906

Vedi Municipality

Completed during the reporting period

Report Q 3 – FY 2020 21

Irrigation Upgrade in Pokr Vedi

ASPIRED completed construction works on Pokr Vedi Irrigation Project before the SoE restrictions were in place. On April 15, the day after construction restrictions were eased for selected sectors, the system was successfully tested and handed over to the community. The test proved that all components of the system are working well. The irrigation season started in May due to excessive rains in April. Since then, the system has been operating smoothly with proper oversight by the

Water Users Association.

81,762

38,743

31,944

HAAF

11,075 Artashat WUA

Irrigation Upgrade in Khachpar

Completed during the reporting period

All the construction works on Khachpar Irrigation Project were completed. On May 22, the system was successfully tested in the presence of the Water Users Association. The test demonstrated that all components of the system were working properly. Since its completion, the system has been operated smoothly by the Water Users Association. However, during the monitoring visit in June, the team noticed that solid waste in the canal that feeds the system was blocking the protection grid and slowing down the flow of the water into the irrigation network constructed by the Project.

After evaluating the situation with representatives of the WUA and the project COR, the ASPIRED technical team decided to install a 3-dimensional pyramid shaped grid to simplify maintenance of the system. This work will be completed early next quarter.

93,478

60,005

33,473

Khachpar municipality

TOTAL

1,135,431

708,500

426,931

Identification of New Projects

The ASPIRED Project places a strong emphasis on building partnerships with the public and private sectors and international donors to enhance impact through joint efforts and financial contributions. Contributions by respective local governments promote ownership, vested interest, and sustainability for completed projects. On several occasions, private and/or public sector players have approached USAID interested in partnership with the ASPIRED Project. During this reporting period, the French Company Pernod-

Ricard expressed interest in contributing to

ASPIRED water projects. The ASPIRED team identified three projects for potential partnerships to discuss with Pernod-Ricard and other interested entities, in coordination with USAID. In the next quarter, the ASPIRED team will prepare brief outlines for the suggested projects and share with Pernod-Ricard for their consideration for partnership.

3.3 Water Regulation and Enforcement

Follow-up activities related to adoption of the Ministerial Decree “On Establishment of Requirements for Protection of Water Resources in Recreation Zones of Armenia.”

Following a request from the ME, The ASPIRED team made appropriate revisions to the draft ministerial decree on the requirements for protection of water resources in recreation zones. Specifically, the requirements suggested in the draft decree were juxtaposed with the requirements provided in the RA

Governmental Decision N 64 to ensure consistency and avoid conflicting provisions. In addition, the morphological requirements for all types of buildings were compared with the requirements for construction permits specified in the RA Law "On Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)" and requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. An amendment was made by the ASPIRED Team in the hydro-chemical requirements for water resources in recreation zones, stating that the pH threshold

Figure 6: Joint Monitoring site visit by USAID and

ASPIRED; Khachpar

Figure 5: ASPIRED monitoring, Pokr Vedi irrigation project value will not be applied to natural water with high pH levels. Finally, the reference to the EIA present in the previous draft was removed per request from the ME legal team.

In April 2020, the ASPIRED team shared the final draft decree with the ME for the latter to submit to the

Ministry of Justice for clearance and approval. Although the ministerial decree was cleared, the resignation of then Minister of Environment Erik Grigoryan delayed its formal approval. The acting

Minister has expressed reluctance to grant approvals in his temporary role, thus the decree is pending upon the assignment of the new Minister.

Development of Assessment Method on Self-Purification Capacity of Rivers in Armenia

During the reporting period, the

ASPIRED WG experts continued weekly meetings, focusing on progress regarding the development of the assessment method on self-purification capacity of rivers from hydro-morphological, hydro-chemical, and hydro-biological perspectives. The team ensured the active engagement of respective ministerial representatives, collecting their advice and guidance to ensure the methodology is developed consistent with government priorities and needs.

In April 2020, the Environmental Monitoring and Information Center SNCO of the ME and the Scientific

Center of Zoology and Hydro-ecology conducted a final site visit to the selected pilot river basin for monthly samplings. They submitted complete data on the Qasakh River for the period of May 2019 - May

2020. The hydro-chemist and hydro-biologist analyzed the data collected from the Qasakh River to incorporate in their technical input.

As a next step, the government partners requested the WG experts to select an alternative river of a different size aimed to test the applicability of the suggested method to a new context, expand its replicability, and re-validate the initial findings.

Akhuryan, Aghstev and Hrazdan rivers were discussed as possible options. The WG considered characteristics of these rivers, checked the availability of data, and finally selected the Akhuryan River as the most appropriate site for this purpose. The plan was to study the

Akhuryan river basin area and identify observation points. The Environmental Monitoring and Information

Figure 7: Discussion on section of Akhuryan river to test the method

Figure 8: WG discussion on data accuracy

Center provided biological data on the Akhuryan River for the years 2014 – 2016. Site visits to the

Akhuryan river basin will take place in July.

Recruitment of a Legal Expert

In June, ASPIRED issued an announcement for a short-term Legal Expert position. The selected candidate will provide legal expertise towards improving the national legislation on protection of water resources in the Ararat basin management area, and will work on the development of enforcement mechanisms for the assessment method of self-purification capacity of rivers in Armenia. It is anticipated that the Legal

Expert will complete this assignment within one month upon award of the contract. The main deliverable of the legal expert will be the draft governmental decree on the method and respective enforcement mechanisms. The selection and recruitment of the legal expert will be finalized in July.

3.4 Stakeholder Coordination and Communications

During…