ASPIRED Program Report for Q1 Year 6-Oct-Dec 2020.pdf

ADVANCED SCIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS

FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

QUARTERLY REPORT

October-December 2020

ADVANCED SCIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS

FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

July-September 2020

January 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 1 – FY 2021 2

Advanced Science & Partnerships for Integrated

Resource Development

FIRST QUARTER FY 2021

January 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 1 – 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 20

3.4 Stakeholder Coordination and Communications 24

4. General Administrative Issues 26

5. Environmental Compliance 26

6. Existing Problems or Issues 28

7. Activities for the Next Quarter 30

Report Q 1 – 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 Contracts 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 1 – FY 2021 5

1. Executive Summary

On November 18, 2020, USAID approved the Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource

Development (ASPIRED) work plan for Year 6. This report describes the programmatic activities implemented by the ASPIRED project during the first quarter of Year 6, from October 1 through December 31, 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 highlights issues and problems, along with actions taken to address these challenges.

On September 27, the Government of Armenia (GOA) declared a military emergency as a result of a war with

Azerbaijan. The mobilization was announced among country’s male population. This conflict caused delays in the implementation of the project as many counterparts were being drafted for military service, and the

Government authorities work transitioned into a special emergency mode and were not as available for communication, as they used to.

The country continues to remain in the quarantine regime until January 11, 2021. Starting from October, ASPIRED office switched back to home-based operations after a dramatic rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. The finance and administration team visits the office in specific days to process and file documents.

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 1 – FY 2021 6

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period

o Water Resources Data

On December 7, the ASPIRED team launched the Decision Support System (DSS) training program which had to be paused as one of the trainers was identified to be in contact with a COVID-19 case, but will be resumed in January 2021.

ASPIRED team completed the draft Ararat Valley Atlas in English.

o Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

On November 30, ASPIRED conducted an online presentation of Aquaculture Technologies Transfer Center

(ATTC) technologies for the Government, fish-farming industry, and academic sector representatives.

In December, ASPIRED launched two pilot projects: well optimization project extension in Hovtashat and drinking water supply improvement in Sardarapat community.

o Water Regulation and Enforcement

ASPIRED team drafted the Governmental Decree on the Method for Assessment of Self-Purification Capacity of Rivers and shared it with Lilith Abrhamyan, the Head of the Water Policy Department of the Ministry of

Environment (ME).

o Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

On December 15, ASPIRED team signed the Cooperation Agreement with Eurasia Charitable Public

Organization (CPO) and Sardarapat community for the implementation of the community-wide drinking water supply improvement project.

ASPIRED released a newsletter featuring two human impact stories of the Project: (1) the story about the farmer in Pokr Vedi who has improved yield and revenues due to the irrigation project implemented in this community; and (2) the career development of two young GIS specialists who have completed internships with the ASPIRED project.

Report Q 1 – 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 1 of FY 2021, Year 6

Indicator1

Year 6

Target/ Actual

Q 1 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 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. This indicator was delayed due to COVID-19, which caused lockdown of the ASPIRED project and government institutions. 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 1 – 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 end of Year 6.

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 pilot projects demonstrating application of

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

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) with the equipment provided by the ASPIRED.

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 Yeghegnut and Irrigation Project in Pokr Vedi community.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 9 groundwater extraction reduction technologies (cumulative) 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. USAID approved the project in Sardarapat, and the project in Mrgashat is pending approval. The data on the projects will be reported upon their completion.

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. 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. 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 project in Vedi. Targets for Year 6 include solar project in Vedi, and new projects in Mrgashat and Sardarapat. USAID approved the project in Sardarapat; project in

Mrgashat is pending approval. ASPIRED will report the results upon completion of projects.

2.2.2 Megawatt hour of energy saved annually

1,335/0 0 1,335/10096

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. Year 6 targets include savings from completed projects plus projects scheduled for completion during Year 6: Sardarapat, Mrgashat, and ATTC. USAID approved the project in Sardarapat; project in Mrgashat is pending approval.

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 1 – FY 2021 10

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.

However, the installation of the solar system was postponed to Year 6 because of issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic and war with Azerbaijan.

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 and Hovtashat (extension). USAID approved the project in Sardarapat; project in Mrgashat is pending approval. Data on GHG emissions reduction from past and current projects will be reported at the end of the year.

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). USAID approved the projects in Sardarapat and Hovtashat; project in Mrgashat is pending approval. Data from past and current projects will be reported at the end of the year.

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 1 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 Q1 result refers to a private entrepreneur Artyem Torosyan who has installed a recirculation system in his private fishery by the technical support of the ASPIRED project.

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) as well as Artyom Torosyan’s fishery.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 11

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

2.3.1

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

211/1 1 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. During the reporting quarter, ASPIRED shared the ATTC technologies with a private entrepreneur Artyom Torosyan, who later installed recirculation system in his private fishery.

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 a well sealing project in Griboyedov and two well optimization projects in Griboyedov and Mrgashat 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

3/1 1 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. In December 2020, ASPIRED started a two-week course on DSS that will continue through January 2021.

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

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. The reported figure refers to the participants of the

DSS training.

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 1 – FY 2021 12 water use as a result of USG assistance. (not cumulative)

Women 4 4 37

Men 8 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

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, the ASPIRED team planned to submit the Draft

Government decree/resolution on adopting the method of 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

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.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 13

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

2/1 1 29/28 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.

4.1.2

Number of partnerships made by

ASPIRED with other organizations

2/1 1 23/2115

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. Partnership agreement with Eurasia CPO and Sardarapat community.

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. Although Sardarapat and Hovtashat projects have been started by the ASPIRED and Mrgashat project is pending approval, the cost -share figures 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. No projects are completed at the moment of writing this report.

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

15 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, Artashat WUA, the community of Khachpar, Eurasia CPO and Sardarapat Community.

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.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 14

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 practices or technologies as a result of USG assistance

0/1 1 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 or energy efficiency (including renewable) technologies. ASPIRED met this indicator in Year 5. However, a private entrepreneur Artyom Torosyan constructed a fish-farm with the recirculation system and components of the ATTC (airlift pumps, passive settler, etc) with consultation of the ASPIRED engineer. ASPIRED also reported this data and successfully exceeded the planned targets for LOP.

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. Installation of the solar system in Vedi and finalization of the ATTC

Projects were delayed and pushed to Year 6 due to the State of Emergency in the country. In Year 6, ASPIRED plans to develop SCADA software.

5.5

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

1/121 1 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.

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).

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 Japanese Embassy in Armenia

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 1 – FY 2021 15

3. Program Implementation

3.1 Water Resources Data

SWCIS Enhancement

In October, ASPIRED project received a draft structure of separate cadasters on bioresources, atmospheric air and waste, prepared by the Ministry of Environment’s (ME) Department on Licenses, Permits and

Compliances (DPLC). The documents would serve as basis for the ASPIRED project to assist the Ministry with (a) further upgrading of the SWCIS Data Warehouse; (b) accommodating recent structural changes in the Ministry; (c) creating linkages between the Data Warehouse and existing water-related datasets on bioresources, waste and atmospheric air; and (d) assisting the ME in preparing a conceptual framework for the joint environmental information system to be developed by the ME in future. Based on the ASPIRED team review, the documents provided a very preliminary structure of separate cadasters on bioresources, waste and atmospheric air. The documents did not specify the availability of datasets for each component, including water-related data, and format of the datasets. The documents also did not provide the overall concept of linking these stand-alone cadasters in the future joint environmental information system to be constructed by the ME in a longer-term.

On December 2, the project team met with the acting Head and staff of the DPLC to discuss joint activities on further upgrading of the SWCIS Data Warehouse to accommodate the structural changes in the

Ministry, and its operationalization online. ASPIRED specialists presented their comments on the draft structure of separate cadasters prepared. The discussion focused on the need to update the documents with information from available datasets under each cadaster, including their format. ASPIRED team also shared their vision on the joint environmental information system. The revised documents on separate cadasters will be used for determining the scope and timeline for the upgrading of the SWCIS Data

Warehouse and assisting the ME in preparing a conceptual framework for the joint environmental information system. The ME plans to develop the system it in the future.

During the meeting, the ASPIRED team also discussed the ME’s decisions for online operation and maintenance of the SWCIS Data Warehouse, including the following:

• Security requirements for hardware and software. Based on these requirements, ASPIRED will enhance the SWCIS Data Warehouse software security.

- To facilitate the process, the ASPIRED team re-affirmed its readiness to assist the personnel of the DPLC in drafting a letter with specific inquiries to the ME’s subcontractor company that is providing IT services to the Ministry. It was agreed to have the first draft of the letter for ASPIRED team review by mid-December. However, ASPIRED project has not received anything to review at the time of preparing this report.

• A website where the SWCIS Data Warehouse could be uploaded for online operation and maintenance.

• Levels of authorization to be granted to various stakeholder institutions, including within the ME, and the public for online submission and use of data from the SWCIS Data Warehouse.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 16

On December 21, ASPIRED project COR and team met with the Deputy Minister of Environment to present the ASPIRED activities on assessment of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin status, using modeling tools, and the comprehensive data system, established with the ASPIRED project assistance. The Deputy

Minister informed about upcoming organizational changes in the ME, namely the DPLC re-structuring for the decentralization of water resources management, bioresources, waste and atmospheric air into separate units (the integrated DPLC was established in early 2019). The ME plans to complete the re-structuring in spring 2021 and appoint a new head for the reorganized unit on water resources. The Deputy

Minister assigned the Deputy Head of the DPLC to coordinate with the ASPIRED Project activities on operationalization of the SWCIS Data Warehouse, and online portal for submission of water use permit applications (the portal was developed with assistance of USAID’s PURE-Water project).

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

Decision Support System (DSS): The ASPIRED team completed preparations for a capacity building program on the use of the ArcGIS and DSS for generating data required for informed decision-making on sustainable management of water resources in the Ararat Valley. Training was scheduled on

December 7-18, 2020. The ASPIRED project evaluated capacities of 12 specialists, representing divisions on water use permitting; state cadasters, registers and monitoring of the DPLC of the ME; Hydrology and

Information-Analytic Centers of the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center (HMC) of the ME; Department on Water and Atmospheric Air control of the Inspectorate on Nature Protection and Mineral Resources of Armenia (Inspectorate); National Agrarian University; and Acopian Center for the Environment of the American University of Armenia. The training agenda is based on the participants’ pre-training evaluation results. ASPIRED will also provide the DSS installation package and the hard copies of the User Manual.

On December 7-9, the ASPIRED team coached the training participants on data organization and management, ArcGIS tools and packages used for the DSS. However, on December 10, ASPIRED Project interrupted the training program because of a self-isolation of the ASPIRED project trainer as a COVID-19 contact person. The ASPIRED team discussed with the training participants the option of continuing the training program by online coaching using MS Teams, Blue Jeans or another platform. Participants recommended postponing the rest of the training to a later period, as they needed to work with the trainer in-person for better understanding of the complex topics and run tutorials using various tool of the DSS for calculations. ASPIRED postponed the training modules to the period of January 14-22, 2021.

Per request of the representatives of the National Agrarian University and HMC of the ME, ASPIRED team installed the DSS on their office computers. Specialists want to explore the DSS with the help of User

Manual in advance and prepare more specific questions on application of the GIS and DSS to be addressed during the training in January.

Groundwater modeling tools: In the quarter reported, the ASPIRED team worked on the User Manual on Groundwater Modeling, using AHGW, GMS and MODFLOW. This manual includes detailed guidance for constructing two- and three-dimensional models of a groundwater basin, constructing a numeric steady-state groundwater flow model of the study area, as well as tutorials for various practical exercises that will help the specialists in running the models, updating the models with new data, and generating output data for decision-making on groundwater basin management. The manual is adapted to the capacities and needs of the local stakeholders. The project will provide the manual to the stakeholders during the second capacity building program on groundwater modeling, which is anticipated in February-March 2021.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 17

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

Ararat Valley: In October, the ASPIRED team completed analysis of scenarios for effective management of groundwater resources in the Ararat Valley. Scenario 1 considers reduction of groundwater use in the

Ararat Valley by 20% compared to total use in 2016. Scenario 2 considers reduction of groundwater use in valley by about 40%, i.e. to the level of the calculated value of sustainable groundwater use in the Ararat

Valley estimated by the project team for 2016. The ASPIRED team used groundwater flow model in

GMS/MODFLOW and ArcGIS tools to estimate the effects of the reduced groundwater abstraction in the

Akhuryan, Hrazdan, and Ararat Basin Management Areas of the Ararat Valley on the groundwater aquifers.

The ASPIRED team validated with the Aquaveo expert the analysis techniques and results. The Expert found both the analysis technique and results reasonable and provided several recommendations to the

ASPIRED team regarding the accurate presentation of the findings in the project Report on Water Balance, and Water Supply and Demand Balance in the Ararat Valley.

The ASPIRED team coordinated with the representatives of the DPLC (Chairman and Secretary of the

Working Group established by the ME23) the possible date for the presentation and discussion of the findings made from the analysis of various groundwater resource management scenarios in Ararat Valley, and receiving ME’s input on at least two scenarios for surface water use management for finalizing the project deliverable. After receiving ME’s feedback and input, ASPIRED team can summarize the project findings on hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions in Ararat Valley and finalize the project deliverable on

Water Balance, and Water Supply and Demand Balance in the Ararat Valley. The deliverable needs to be submitted to USAID for review and approval and presented further to the stakeholders. However, ASPIRED could not discuss these issues with the DPLC during the reporting period due to COVID-

19 infection incidences among the Ministry staff, and the slow-down of the Government operations due to the military crisis. Although the ASPIRED team proposed conducing discussions online, the ME’s representatives preferred personal meetings arguing they would be more efficient.

Completing operationalization of the automated online system for groundwater use monitoring

The ASPIRED team advised the representatives of the Golden Fish K fishery (former Unifish) on obtaining metrology certificates for the flow meters and data loggers which were installed by the ASPIRED project on 5 groundwater wells of the fishery. Project team coordinated with the representatives of the ME and the National Body for Standards and Metrology of the Ministry of Economy the process of obtaining metrology certificates and assisted the fishery with the application documents (passports of the flow meters, manufacturer’s certificates, etc.). As a result, Golden Fish K fishery received the metrology certificates.

ASPIRED project also continued discussing with the ME the hand-over process of the flow meters and data loggers installed by the project in the 4 large fisheries. In 2019, the ASPIRED team recommended transferring the equipment to the ME which was still pending the resolution of the ME Legal Department.

In December, the acting Head of the DPLC recommended transferring the equipment to the respective

23 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 1 – FY 2021 18 fisheries, which will be responsible for maintenance of the equipment and uninterrupted data transfer to the ME via a SCADA software to be developed with the project assistance. On December 21, the Deputy

Minister of the ME recommended developing and installing SCADA in the Inspectorate on Nature

Protection and Mineral Resources of Armenia - an authorized body for compliance assurance of water use with the requirements set in the permits and enforcement. ASPIRED will further discuss these options with the ME and Inspectorate during the next quarter and recommend to USAID the best appropriate mechanism for handing over the installed flow meters and data loggers either to a Government institution or fish farms where the equipment is installed.

Restoring and Refurbishing Selected Groundwater Monitoring/Observation Wells

In October, the ASPIRED team and a representative of the ME’s HMC visited two groundwater monitoring wells in Dalar and Vardanashen communities in the Ararat Valley to conduct visual inspection of the wells, and assess the options of rehabilitation and refurbishment. The ASPIRED team and HMC representative determined a need of further inspection on the state of the structure of the wells using groundwater well camera, in order to finalize the scope and technical requirements for the rehabilitation and refurbishment of these wells. They also identified several technical issues regarding the ownership of access roads and land plots around the groundwater wells, which the ME representatives needed to coordinate with the heads of respective communities.

Benyamin Zakaryan, ASPIRED Hydrologist, and Gegham Muradyan, Head of Groundwater Monitoring Division of HMC conduct visual inspection of the groundwater observation wells for further restoration and refurbishment.

ASPIRED team and HMC representatives could not conduct further inspection of the wells with the camera in November-December because of the slow-down of the Government operations due to the military crisis, and COVID-19 infection incidences among the HMC staff.

The project intends meeting with an acting Head of the HMC of the ME during the next quarter, to discuss the ways of speeding up implementation of the field investigation and finalization of the technical specifications for refurbishment of the two groundwater monitoring wells.

Ararat Valley Atlas

The ASPIRED team finalized the English version of the draft Ararat Valley Atlas. This version incorporates comments and recommendations of the USAID COR, including new maps and statistical analysis on water services in the Ararat Valley and groundwater use classification in the fisheries. It also incorporates updated

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 19 maps, information, and datasets on permitted volumes of water use in the Ararat Valley from 2016 and

2019, and groundwater wells that were permanently and temporarily closed by the ME’s initiative between 2014-2019, as recommended by the ME. The ASPIRED team also worked on the

Armenian draft of the Atlas to include the updates from the English version in the maps.

Completion of the Ararat Valley Atlas in Armenian and English languages is pending finalization of the project deliverable on Water Balance, Water Supply and Demand Balance of Ararat Valley, described in the previous section. One of the Atlas sections presents the estimated values of groundwater reserves, natural groundwater recharge and sustainable volume of groundwater use in the Ararat Valley – a report part to be finalized jointly with the ME.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 20

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

Ongoing

The ASPRIED team facilitated communication between the owner of the fish farm, Azat

Harutyunyan, and international aquaculture expert, David Stephen. The fish farm owner raised additional questions to be addressed by the international aquaculture expert and the team arranged

116,826

116,826

63,48624

Armavir Farmer LLC

24 The fish-farm owner didn’t make any contribution so far, therefore the project total includes only the investment of the ASPIRED Project.

Report Q 1 – FY 2021 21

Aquaculture

Technology

Transfer

Center (ATTC)

Project the online meeting with Mr. Stephen to discuss them on November 25. The ASPIRED COR also participated at the meeting.

On November 30, the team organized an online event to present the technologies installed at the

ATTC. The event gathered 32 participants: fish farmers, public officials, scientists, international and local experts. The local expert who had been involved in the ATTC design explained the concept of the ATTC and piloted technologies. The international expert delivered the presentation on the international best practices in the aquaculture sector.

Before the event, on November 26, the ASPIRED team visited a fishery in Hovtashat owned by the individual entrepreneur Artyom Torosyan, who applied recirculation method with the use of airlift pumps, passive settlers and the sludge removal system at his fish-farm following the example of the

ATTC project, with consultation of the ASPIRED engineer. The local expert presented Artyom

Torosyan’s experience as an example of successful replication of the ATTC technologies by the local fish-farm owners. ASPIRED Project considers assisting the fish-farm with installation of a 25-30 KW photovoltaic system to minimize the energy costs of the fish-farm.

On December 11, the ASPIRED team also met with the lawyer…