By Matthias Hitzel
With over 4,000 mm, the Ajara region in the southwest of Georgia has the highest precipitation in the Southeastern Europe and, according to scientific forecasts, the precipitation will further increase. Due to anthropogenic climate change, an increase of intensity and frequency of storm events is already experienced. Furthermore, climate change leads to longer droughts during summer, making small scale farmers increasingly dependent on irrigation schemes. Already during recent years, environmental disasters, mainly landslides, have made entire villages uninhabitable and forced people to leave the area and become “eco-refugees” that depend on state handouts and social security programs. The current water infrastructure has turned out to be unsustainable and increases the risks of further landslides and soil erosion.
On behalf of the Georgian government, as well as local governments and funding from Germany (KfW) and the EU, MACS together with GITEC is designing new climate resilient rural water supply and sanitation systems. The new systems are designed to increase resilience and water security in the face of climate change while minimizing also negative environmental impacts. This is achieved for instance by using more reliable water sources, avoidance of water over-abstraction and safeguarding minimal environmental river flows while also considering the changing water availability and demands. Moreover, erosion control, soil conservation and protection of endangered species through for example forestation activities are an integral part of the project. The introduction of septic tanks is a paradigm shift, as up to now all wastewaters have been either infiltrated into the soil or disposed in rivers where they cause contamination and related hygiene and health risks.
Given the vulnerable local environment, construction companies need to apply adequate technologies and work methods that minimize the environmental impact and risks. This includes that no roads will be constructed, and trenching processes must avoid heavy machinery as this might lead to an increase of the landslide risks. Manual trenching, transport of materials by ropeway shall be considered. It goes without saying that any environmental damage (e.g. tree cutting, etc.) that cannot be avoided has to be compensated.
An operation and maintenance system based on self-sufficiency and cost recovery will be implemented ensuring high service quality, reduction of water losses and collection and adequate treatment of septic tank content while reducing pressure and protecting water sources. A water quality monitoring system measures the capacity of all rivers and springs in rural Ajara to assess the impact of climate change thus enhancing the resilience of rural water supply in the region.
MACS is assisting the Ajara Water Alliance in the implementation of the Ajara Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Program. All steps of the program implementation are based on active participation of the inhabitants of the program regions. This regards, planning, implementation and future sustainable operation and maintenance of the climate resilient water supply and wastewater systems.
The initial concept for the Trujillo Waterloss Reduction Program was realized in 2016/2017 in close cooperation with SEDALIB to determine the focus of activities necessary to strengthen the institutional capabilities of SEDALIB to ensure a significant reduction of water losses nd a reliable water supply in Trujillo and Alto Trujillo. The region on the pacific coast is suffering inceasingly from water scarcity and intense weather developments intensified by climate change while also illegal piping connections and overall ownership of the community and the utility for the water supply systems issufficient.
The main goal of the project is the improvmeent of the efficiency of water use in order to contribute to the sustainable supply of drinking water to the population of the the Project area, taking into account the intensification of water scarcity due to climate change. This is to be achieved through the cohesion of institutional strengthening measures eith invesmtent measures.
MACS is implementing the Project in a Consortium together with GITEC-IGIP GmbH (Lead) and WMI International, with MACS activities focusin on the capacity development support to SEDALIB as utility in the context of implementation of change management measures and the involvement of local stakeholders and the public for awareness raising in the context of health and sanitation.
Ms. Lina Saenz completed her bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering in Colombia, her home country. Additionally, she holds a master's degree in Water Resources and Environmental Management from Leibniz University of Hannover. During her professional career, Ms. Saenz has worked on a wide range of projects in Colombia, Panamá, Ecuador and Germany. This makes her a highly adaptable professional with experience working in multicultural environments.
She has extensive experience conducting Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) and risk assessments at contaminated sites, following the required international and national environmental and health and safety standards in Colombia, Panamá and Ecuador. During her last professional experience, Ms. Saenz had the opportunity to increase and strengthen her knowledge in hazardous building materials and hazardous materials management, ESDD and further environmental training. Additionally, she had the opportunity to develop and improve her project management skills by providing client technical support to both local and international clients in Germany.
Currently, Ms. Saenz supports the MACS Team as an E&S Expert for the projects 'KfW Perdidas II' in Trujillo, Perú and 'Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Program' in Ajara, Georgia, as well as in the review of the PFI’s ESMS and preparation of the ESDD and ESAPs. Ms. Saenz is fluent in English and German, on top of Spanish as her mother tongue.
