ASPIRED Program Report for Q4 Year 5-July-Sept 2020.pdf

ADVANCED SCIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS

FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

QUARTERLY REPORT

July-September 2020

ADVANCED SCIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS

FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

July-September 2020

October 2020

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 4 – FY 2020 2

Advanced Science & Partnerships for Integrated

Resource Development

FOURTH QUARTER FY 2020

October 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

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 3

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary 5

1.2 ASPIRED Project Summary 5

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period 6

2. Summary of Performance Indicators 7

3. Program Implementation 15

3.1 Water Resources Data 15

3.2 Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies 19

3.4 Stakeholder Coordination and Communications 24

4. General Administrative Issues 26

5. Environmental Compliance 28

6. Existing Problems or Issues 29

7. Activities for the Next Quarter 30

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 4

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

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

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 4 – FY 2020 5

1. Executive Summary

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

Integrated Resource Development (ASPIRED) project during the fourth quarter of Year 5 of the project, from

July 1 through September 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.

The State of Emergency (SoE) declared by the Government of Armenia (GOA) on March 16 has been extended for the fifth 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 using online platforms, virtual meetings, and site visits.

On September 12, the GOA declared quarantine until January 14, 2021. This regime allows going back to the office operations in phases, taking all safety measures, rules and guidelines issued by the GOA, Armenia’s

National Center for Decease Control and World Health Organization. ASPIRED team developed an office re-opening plan, including a schedule for employees to work in shifts and resumes office operations in accordance with the plan in mid-September.

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.

During the last quarter, in response to USAID request for a cost proposal for an extension to the ASPIRED

Task Order, ME&A submitted the cost proposal with budget to USAID. 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.

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 6

Under this extension, the ASPIRED project will continue to provide technical assistance to the GOA in the same focus areas as stated above.

1.3 Main Highlights from the Reporting Period

o Water Resources Data

On August 28, the ASPIRED project jointly with the Ministry of Environment (ME), conducted the first session of the ME’s Working Group (WG), which was previously postponed due to COVID-19. The project received

WG members feedback on its draft deliverable on water balance, and water supply and demand balance in the

Ararat Valley, on the draft of the Ararat Valley Atlas, for finalizing both deliverables.

ASPIRED team completed calibration of the complex steady steady-state groundwater flow model of the

Ararat Valley groundwater basin in GMS/MODFLOW. The model allows estimating the effects of groundwater abstraction on the levels of groundwater in the basin and its different zones, thus serving as a tool to generate data for informed decision-making on groundwater allocation for use in the Ararat Valley.

ASPIRED project completed the English version of first Draft of the Ararat Valley Atlas, including 56 thematic maps, and submitted it to USAID and ME for their review before finalization.

o Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

ASPIRED team discussed and agreed with the beneficiaries and designers on three new projects: Sardarapat water supply, Mrgashat well optimization and Hovtashat well optimization. As of late September, communities received the final drafts of engineering designs for all three projects for further submission for approval.

o Water Regulation and Enforcement

The Working Group (WG), comprised of the ASPIRED project experts on hydrobiology, hydrochemistry and hydromorphology completed data collection, including field measurements, and data analysis for the selected sections of the Akhuryan River to validate the replicability of the method for assessment of self-purification capacity of rivers in Armenia.

o Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

On July 30, the ASPIRED team organized a virtual opening for the Yeghegnut drinking water project.

USAID/Armenia Mission Director Debora Grieser, USAID/Caucasus Regional Contracting and Agreement

Officer Deborah Perlman, Armavir Governor Hambardzum Matevosyan, representatives of Yeghegnut

Municipality, USAID ASPIRED and PURE-Water Projects, as well as key partners attended the event. The event livestream video and post event coverage were posted on the Project FB page; USAID/Armenia also shared the information on its FB page.

On September 11, the ASPIRED team also conducted an online opening event for the Pokr Vedi irrigation improvement project, which included a film exhibition and opening remarks by USAID Mission Director, Ararat region Governor, and President of Armenia Fund. Post completion material was posted in ME&A’s FB page in two languages.

On September 25, the ASPIRED team submitted the project Year 6 work plan to USAID for approval.

Report Q 4 – 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 4 of FY 2020, Year 5

Indicator1

Year 5

Target/ Actual

Q 4 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. This indicator was delayed due to COVID-19, which caused lockdown of the ASPIRED project and government institutions. ASPIRED plans to meet this indicator by the end of the first quarter of Year 6 with 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 4 – FY 2020 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

18.2/44.2 44.2 50/76

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 cumulative results for Year 5 refer to 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.

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

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

Indicators

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

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 9

2.1.1

Number of groundwater extraction reduction technologies piloted and evaluated

2/1 1 8/73

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 ASPIRED project completed installation of the system in Vedi, which was operated by the local municipality. Installation of solar system was postponed to Year 6 due to issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

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

11,412/8,9

11,412/25,27

This indicator measures the amount of water savings from the application of innovative water saving technologies, introduced by 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, Pokr Vedi and Vedi. Q4 data refers to the water savings from Vedi project.

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 drop in the actual results is caused by the delay in installation of solar system in Vedi, which was postponed to Year 6 due to issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

2.2.2 Megawatt hour of energy saved

annually 7965/733 47 796/10096

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 5 actual results include recurrent savings

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 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 (116 MWh), Pokr Vedi (342 MWh) and Vedi (47 MWh) Projects completed in Year 5.

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 10 from past projects as well as savings generated by Yeghegnut, Vedi and Pokr Vedi projects. Q4 data refers to the project in 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 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

2.2.4

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

2,227,27/2, 2,227.2/3,45

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. Year 5 actual results refer to the past projects as well as projects in Pokr Vedi, Khachpar and Vedi project completed during Year 5. The Q4 data refers to Vedi project.

2.2.5

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

22,1449/22 /144

14,800 26,615/26,61

Qualitative improvements11 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). Q4 data refers to the urban irrigation project in Vedi. Men 10,127 7,000 12,007

Women 12,017 7,800 14,608

2.2.6

Number of water users experiencing improved efficiency of water resources

5/6 3 12/1312

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. Q4 results refer to Vedi

7 Year 5 targets include recurrent savings from completed projects as well as projects planned for completion during Year 5 (Yeghegnut, Khachpar, Vedi, Pokr Vedi).

8 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.

9 Year 5 target includes projects planned for completion in Year 5: Drinking Water Project in Yeghegnut; and Irrigation Projects in Vedi, Pokr Vedi, and Khachpar communities.

10 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.

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

12 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), Report Q 4 – FY 2020 11 municipality as the water user, as well as Yerevan and Artashat Water Users

Associations (WUAs).

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

313/2 1 10/914

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 Q4 refers to the irrigation project in Khachpar.

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

4/1i 0 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. However, this deliverable was partially fulfilled due to the lockdown of the ASPIRED office and Government institutions, and inability to conduct formal trainings. The trainings on the use of the DSS and other tools developed by the project will be conducted in Year 6 after the situation with COVID-

19 infection improves.

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

14 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, Irrigation Projects in Pokr Vedi and Khachpar.

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 12

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)

10/415

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. The actual for Year 5 refers to the on-the-job training to ME specialists on the generation of reports from the SWCIS, training to the water service operator in Yeghegnut. Women 1 0 31

Men 3 0 88

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

116/0 0 4/317

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 the adopting the method of assessing self-purification capacity of rivers. However, this deliverable was delayed to Year 6 due to the lockdown of the ASPIRED office and Government institutions and inability to conduct trips. The ASPIRED will submit the deliverable in December 2020.

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

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

16 Planned submission of the Draft Government decree/resolution on the adoption of the method for assessing self-purification capacity of rivers in Year 5.

17 (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 4 – FY 2020 13

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

1/2 2 26/27 This indicator refers to newly identified stakeholders and points of influence in water and water-energy nexus for the ASPIRED project. The result refers to the collaboration with Yerevan and Artashat WUAs.

4.1.2

Number of partnerships made by

ASPIRED with other organizations

1/3 1 19/2118

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. The data refers to the partnership with Khachpar 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)

35/40 0 35/3419

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 actual for Y5 (40%) refers to the cost shares provided for Yeghegnut, Pokr Vedi, and Khachpar Projects. Vedi Municipality delayed installation of the solar system to Year 6 due to the emergency situation in the country and the need to address COVID-19 pandemic consequences.

IR 5: Portfolio-level indicators

5.1

Percent of population living in targeted areas with improved water management

52/57 25.3 52/5720 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. Q4 result refers to the population of the community of Vedi.

Women 28/31.3 13.3 28/31.3

Men 24/25.7 12 24/25.7

5.2

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

2/3 2 12/1221 This indicator refers to policy, analysis, and other activities targeted towards improvement of water data-related activities, including training and pilot projects.

18 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 and the community of Khachpar.

19 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.

20 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.

21 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)

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 14

5.3

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

2/2 2 9/922

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. During the reporting period, the ASPIRED provided consultation to Golden Fish fishery near Ranchpar community on the secondary use of fish farm water for irrigation and Asatur Muradyan’s fishery near Gay community on the installation of the recirculation system

5.4 Number of innovations supported

through USG assistance 2/0 0 7/523

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. The drop in the indicator is explained by the delay in completion of Vedi and ATTC projects, in which ASPIRED completed its part of the commitments.

These projects will be completed in Year 6.

5.5

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

1/124 0 5/525 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.

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.

22 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).

23 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 24 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 25 (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.

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 15

3. Program Implementation

3.1 Water Resources Data

SWCIS Enhancement

During the reporting period, the ASPIRED project continued providing online coaching sessions to the selected personnel of the new Division on Cadasters and State Registers of Department of Licenses, Permits and Compliances (DPLC) of the ME on developing queries for generating the desired reports in the SWCIS Data Warehouse. In particular, the specialists focused on preparing datasets on permitted volumes of surface water and groundwater abstraction in Ararat Valley for 2016 and 2019. These datasets were used by the ASPIRED team for preparing revisions and updates in the draft Ararat Valley Atlas, as it was recommended by the ME after the review of the draft version of the Ararat Valley Atlas in the previous quarter.

In August-September, ASPIRED team conducted a series of online discussions with the acting head of the

ME’s DLPC on full operation of the SWCIS Data Warehouse. ASPIRED team presented advantages of online operation and maintenance of the Data Warehouse for timely sharing of data between the participating agencies and public, as well as project’s recommendations for making the enhanced SWCIS

Data Warehouse online. Participants identified further tasks to be implemented by the ME and ASPIRED for online operation and maintenance of the data warehouse, including the following:

• Ministry’s decision on a website where the SWCIS Data Warehouse could be uploaded for online operation and maintenance.

• Ministry’s decision on levels of authorization to be granted to various stakeholder institutions, including within the ME, and the public for online use of data from the SWCIS Data

Warehouse.

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

ME requested the ASPIRED project to further upgrade the SWCIS Data Warehouse to accommodate recent structural changes in the Ministry and create linkages between the Data Warehouse and existing water-related datasets on bioresources, waste and atmospheric air. The Ministry also requested ASPIRED project to assist with re-coding an online portal for submission of applications for water use permits (WUP) and respective online operations. The portal was developed with assistance of USAID’s PURE-Water

(PURE-Water project completed in July 2020).

The ASPIRED team and ME agreed on several tasks to be completed by the Ministry, which will serve as basis for the ASPIRED project to help the Ministry with the two requests. The tasks include: (a) drafting a concept of the environmental cadaster of the ME, based on review of the legal requirements for various components of the cadaster on atmospheric air, waste and biodiversity; (b) determining a web-server for operationalization of the online portal for submission of applications for WUPs, determining website requirements and software security. ASPIRED project expects receiving these documents during the next quarter, and will continue discussion with the ME on specific tasks to be additionally implemented by the

ASPIRED project on further upgrading of the SWCIS Data Warehouse and operationalization of the online portal for WUP applications.

Decision Support Tools

During the reporting quarter, the ASPIRED team completed the last phase of calibration of the steady-state complex groundwater flow model for Ararat Valley groundwater basin in GMS/MODFLOW. With guidance

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 16 provided by Todd Wood, Aquaveo expert, project specialists verified data on groundwater abstraction by wells, values of hydraulic conductivity assigned to the three water bearing units of the basin, and diagnosed the model by comparing the outputs of the model with the hydraulic heads measured in the monitoring wells. ASPIRED project completed calibration of the model in early September, using manual and parameter estimation (PEST) calibration tools.

Figure 1: Comparing the outputs of the groundwater flow model with the hydraulic heads in the monitoring wells

After completing the calibration, ASPIRED started utilizing the model for analysis of various scenarios of groundwater management in Ararat Valley. The model allows estimating the effects of the reduced volumes of groundwater abstraction on the groundwater levels in different zones of the valley, as well as analyzing both for the groundwater basin, and separate basin management areas that are a part of Ararat Valley. The project will complete different scenarios analysis during the next quarter and present the findings and recommendations in the project deliverable on Water balance, and water supply and demand balance in the

Ararat Valley that assesses the hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions of the area.

In the quarter reported, the ASPIRED team prepared a User Manual on groundwater modeling, describing the use of ArcHydro Groundwater tools (AHGW) for developing a three-dimensional model of the hydrogeologic structure of the Ararat groundwater basin, making various calculations using available data. Additionally, ASPIRED will complete another manual describing the steps for constructing a steady-state groundwater flow model using GMS/MODFLOW tools. Both manuals will be used during the capacity building program for the technical personnel of the ME on groundwater modeling.

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

Ararat Valley

In July, the ASPIRED project collaborated with the ME on receiving further clarifications on selected comments and recommendations from the members of a Working Group established by the ME26 on its deliverable Water balance, and water supply and demand balance in the Ararat Valley. The project requested the WG secretary, representing the DLPC of the ME, to organize a discussion (in-person or online) with the representatives of academia Institute of Geophysics and Engineering Seismology after A. Nazarov, to refine their comments on the ASPIRED deliverable provided on March 30, 2020. ASPIRED also requested

26 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 WB

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 4 – FY 2020 17 to organize a first session with the WG members to present the project deliverable on Water balance, and water supply and demand balance in the Ararat Valley and discuss with the WG members management scenarios as presented in Chapter 9 of the deliverable report.

In August, ASPIRED project worked with the ME on organizing the first session with the ME’s WG, which was initially postponed due to COVID-19. The session took place on August 28, in Marriott Armenia Hotel, to discuss the ASPIRED project preliminary findings on hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions in Ararat

Valley, and reviewed draft of the Ararat Valley Atlas.

ASPIRED presented its preliminary findings on water balance, water supply and demand balance for the

Ararat Valley, calculated values of groundwater reserves, natural groundwater resources recharging the

Ararat groundwater basin and sustainable volume of groundwater abstraction. ASPIRED team also presented a compendium of comments and recommendations received from the stakeholders on its deliverable reports, and how the project incorporated those in the work.

Participants discussed the ASPIRED findings on hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions in the Ararat

Valley, including methodology and analytic tools used in the work and gave further advice for refining the deliverable before presenting it to the Government and other stakeholders. On September 28, the

Secretary of the ME’s WG informed the ASPIRED project that the WG members had no further comments on the presented findings on the hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions in Ararat Valley. She also asked the project to analyze the water management scenarios and conclude the deliverable on Ararat Valley for the final presentation to the stakeholders. ASPIRED team will work closely with the ME in analyzing the scenarios for effective management of water resources in the Ararat Valley during the next quarter.

Introduction of the automated online system for groundwater use monitoring

In July, the ASPIRED team received a request from the ME to assist them in the process of application for a calibration certificate from the National Institute of Standards of Armenia for a set of flow meters and data loggers that were installed with the project assistance in Interaqua fishery. ASPIRED provided the necessary guidance to the ME and the fishery on the process for receiving this certificate. The ME will use the certificates for sealing the flow meters of the fishery.

In August, ASPIRED project discussed with the acting head of the DLPC of the ME the recommended mechanisms for hand-over of the installed flow meters and data loggers to the ME, having as basis the methods that have been applied by the EU supported Water Initiative Project. DLPC’s acting head will discuss the mechanisms with the legal department of the ME and collaborate with the project on the transfer of the installed equipment.

Figure 2: Presentations and discussions

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 18

Ararat Valley Atlas

During the reporting quarter, the project team continued close collaboration with the personnel of the

ME on updating selected maps of the draft Ararat Valley, following Ministry’s recommendations provided in June. ASPIRED and ME specialists worked on finalizing the following datasets:

o Permitted volumes of water use in the Ararat Valley from 2016 and 2019;

o Groundwater monitoring in the national monitoring network; and o Groundwater wells that were permanently and temporarily closed by the ME’s initiative between 2014-2019.

ASPIRED presented the updated draft of Ararat Valley Atlas to the WG members during the session on

August 28 and received a few recommendations on finalizing the selected maps of the draft.

In September, after a rigorous review of the English version of the Ararat Valley Atlas by the Home Office, ASPIRED submitted the draft Atlas to USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for review and feedback.

In the reporting period the ASPIRED team continued collaborating with the editorial team, technical team and USAID on finalizing the case study prepared by Carson+Co Global and Partners on Climate Risk

Management by ASPIRED project. The team reviewed the draft article and suggested its revisions to the draft, before its preparation for final review by the USAID/Armenia Mission.

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 19

3.2 Low Cost and Water Efficiency Technologies

The Table 2 below summarizes the status of the pilot projects as of October 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

Aquaculture Technology

Transfer

Center (ATTC)

Project

Ongoing

Dr. Stephen, a selected US aquaculture expert with extensive international experience, worked remotely on the verification of the ATTC project concept using materials, designs and photos provided by the ASPIRED project, since the planned trip to Armenia and the ATTC site were canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Dr. Stephen summarized all

178,028

114,542

63,486

Armavir Farmer LLC

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 20 findings in a report, which confirmed that all components and technical approaches suggested by

ASPIRED are valid, technically sound, and operational. The report recommended a few modifications to improve the system’s efficiency. ASPIRED provided the report to the ATTC owner, along with the executive summary translated into Armenian. The COP conveyed the ATTC owner comments and questions to Dr. Stephen for further clarification of his recommendations. An online discussion between the ATTC owner and Dr. Stephen to finalize conclusions is planned during the next quarter.

The registration of the ATTC facility at the Armenia’s 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. 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. ASPIRED project installed a fire prevention and security system in the ATTC, following a recommendation of 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. In August, the Armavir department of State Urban Development Committee issued a final completion act that will work as a basis for the final registration of the property at the real estate cadaster. ASPIRED handed over the completion act to the owner of the ATTC who will be responsible for registering the property and receiving the title deed.

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.

In August, the owner of the ATTC verbally informed the ASPIRED team that he does not accept involving a third-party operator to provide assistance with start-up operation of the ATTC facility, despite his earlier agreement. At the time of preparing this report, ASPIRED and the ATTC owner decided to discuss, agree and implement Dr. Stephen’s recommendation regarding modifications to be made in the facility. Upon agreeing on the modifications, the farm owner will give his final decision on operation of the ATTC – either with involvement of a third-part operator or with his participation.

The team started preparatory work for disseminating new fish farm technologies and the results of the ATTC project among the interested fish-farmers. For this reason, the team met with Tigran

Aleksanyan, the Deputy Head of Division of primary agricultural production of the Ministry of

Economy and discussed the possibility of organizing an online dissemination event, including presentation of technologies implemented in the Armavir fish farm.

ASPIRED is working on organizing the online dissemination event in November.

Report Q 4 – FY 2020 21

Vedi urban irrigation project

Ongoing

During the reporting period, Vedi Municipality identified more damages to water outlets caused by local vandalism, and during the monitoring visit to the project site in August, requested ASPIRED’s assistance in eliminating the new damages. ASPIRED, jointly with the Municipality elaborated technical solutions for prompt elimination of the damages, and per COR approval, ASPIRED subcontracted the

Yereky Mek Tegh LLC for implementing the technical solutions. The Municipality further postponed the installation of the Photovoltaic (PV) kit planned for the Project, due to financial restraints caused by the SoE.

147,538

59,632

87,906

Vedi…