Asia Water Week 2013, Manila, Philippines, 14-15 March 2013

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will invite around 400-500 participants from its stakeholder groups to discuss water sector issues, technologies, and emerging priorities around the theme “Securing Water for All”.

Topics: climate change, water-food-energy nexus, disaster management, civil society, financing, leveraging, private sector participation, governance, water supply and sanitation, water resources and environment, agriculture/irrigation, regional and national focus groups; and technical presentations.

The ADB Water Prize 2013 award will also be presented.

For more information go to: www.adb.org/news/events/asia-water-week-2013

Asia: reducing lost water could bring water to millions

Millions of people in Asia and the Pacific could have access to clean water if leaks were plugged and water utility reforms adopted, says a new study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“By cutting the amount of lost water in half, 150 million people could be supplied with treated water”, said ADB’s Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Bindu Lohani.
ADB estimates that 29 billion cubic meters of water is lost each year in the region, causing Asia’s water utilities to lose more than US$ 9 billion in revenue each year.

The ADB study, which showcases eight of the best-performing water utilities [2] in Asia, shows that current unaccounted for water (UFW) levels in the region of up to 60%, can be brought down to less than 20%. Phnom Penh even managed to lower its UFW level to just 6% in 2008.

Good Practices: The Success Framework for Urban Water Utilities. Source: ADB publication “Good Practices in Urban Water Management”

The study developed a Good Practices Success Framework (see figure above) with seven key elements that urban water utilities need to address. Regarding one of these elements, empowering the poor, the study notes that each of the eight water agencies studied provided some kind of subsidy for obtaining a water connection and, in deserving cases, for the use of water as well.

[1] Chiplunkar, A., Seetharam Kallidaikurichi and Tan Cheon Kheong (eds), 2012. Good practices in urban water management : decoding good practices for a successful future. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank. xx, 206 p. Available at: <
http://www.adb.org/publications/good-practices-urban-water-management
>

[2] Bangkok, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Jamshedpur, India; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Manila, Philippines; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; and Singapore.

Related news: Higher water tariffs are associated with lower water loss, E-Source, 06 Dec 2011

Related web site: World Bank – Urban Water

Source: ADB, 03 Jul 2012

Cambodia: ADB plans US$ 27 million loan for rural water and sanitation

As part of the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2011-2013 for Cambodia, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is planning a US$ 27 million loan and a US$ 800,000 technical assistance grant for the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation III project.

Source: ADB Country Operations Business Plan : Cambodia 2011–2013. June 2011. Download full plan ; ADB, Cambodia Announce $500 Million Three-Year Partnership Strategy, ADB, 07 Jul 2011

Bhutan, Thimphu: interim water project tackles water shortages

An interim water supply project will hopefully provide relief to residents in south and north Thimphu city who have been going without water for almost four days a week. Authorities are blaming an unprecedented construction boom and the increasing population for the capital city’s persistent water shortage problem, despite an ongoing Asian Development Bank (ADB) water supply project [1].

Indra, a Jungshina resident said, for the last three days, they had been waiting for water to fill up their tanks, in absence of which residents normally fetched the precious resource from far away sources.

“Even when we have water flowing down our taps, they’re usually timed and rationed,” he said. An Olakha resident Nima Gyem said it was a growing inconvenience to have to store water in empty buckets and pots in preparation for days without water.

“To fetch water from a far away place travelling by taxi is both expensive and difficult, especially when you have school going children,” she said.

The Thimphu City corporation (TCC) interim water supply project, worth 8 million ngultram (US$ 180,000), plans to rehabilitate and restore existing water channels from Ngabironchu, and supply water to some 200 households in the north, and another 200 households in the city’s south, which are not covered by teh ADB project. The community will be asked to contribute labour, while the city corporation will contribute 20 per cent of the labour charge. The TCC expecst that the project will be completed by September 2011.

[1] ADB – Urban Infrastructure Development : Bhutan

Source: South Asian Media Net, 12 Apr 2011

India: US$ 2 billion unused aid for water and sanitation

India is sitting on 89.95 billion rupees (US$ 2 billion) of unused foreign aid for water supply and sanitation, according to a report by government auditor Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG).

As of 31 March 2010, unutilised committed external assistance for 16 sectors, including water and sanitation, amounted to 1,053 billion rupees (US$ 23.7 billion).

During 2009-10, the Indian government had to pay 861 million rupees (US$ 18 million)  in commitment charges  as a penalty for not utilising aid approved by multilateral and bilateral lending agencies on time. Of that amount, 532.6 million rupees (US$ 11.8 million) went to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 272.8 million rupees (US$ 6.1 million) to the World Bank.

Source: Hindu, 18 Mar 2011

Sri Lanka: US$ 164 million project to address water, sanitation issues in conflict-affected areas

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Sri Lankan government are jointly financing a US$ 164 million project to restore water supply and sanitation infrastructure to the conflict-affected Northern Province. The ADB has approved US$ 90 million in loans and technical assistance, AFD is expected to provide US$ 40 million and the Government of Sri Lanka will provide over US$ 34 million for the project.

The Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project aims to serve both current residents and returning internally displaced people in target areas of the Jaffna Peninsula.

After 30 years of civil conflict ended at the end of 2009, much of the key infrastructure was damaged or has deteriorated as a result of neglect. Adding to these problems are over extraction of groundwater, aquifer pollution and the absence of effective water resources management.

The project will rehabilitate and improve reservoir headworks, and construct a water treatment and distribution system serving the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts. The new water distribution system will provide access to household connections and metered community water facilities. On the sanitation side, funds will be used to build a sewage collection and treatment system for the Jaffna Municipality; and construct low-cost household and communal latrines in poor communities.

Support will be given to the Jaffna Water Resources Management Committee to carry out a study and to draw up a comprehensive, integrated water resources management plan. Assistance will also be given to other resource bodies and local authorities, to develop groundwater quality and quantity monitoring and management systems, and to conduct public conservation, environmental protection and hygiene awareness campaigns.

A technical assistance grant of $600,000 from ADB’s concessional Technical Assistance Special Fund will be used for a needs assessment and to establish training courses on service delivery for relevant agencies and local authorities. The Government of Sri Lanka will finance US$ 65,000 equivalent for a total cost of US$ 665,000.

The Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage and the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Council are the executing agencies for the project, which is due for completion by February 2017.

For more information read the Jaffna Water Supply and Waste Water Management II project information document

Source: ADB, 01 Dec 2010

Asian Development Bank invests in private equity water infrastructure fund

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is investing up to US$ 20 million for its first-ever investment in a private equity fund solely focused on supporting the development of water-related infrastructure in the region.

ADB’s Board of Directors approved the equity investment in the Amkonzen Asia Water Fund which will invest in water and wastewater assets in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and across Southeast Asia.

[...]

The fund, which will be owned by a subsidiary of the AmInvestment Group with a more than 24-year track record of private equity investment, is targeting investments in municipal, industrial and rural water and wastewater treatment plants, and water rehabilitation. About 70% of its portfolio will be in the PRC, and the rest in Southeast Asia.

The target fund size is US$ 100 million, with an anticipated first closing of $40 million this year. It will inject around US $5 million to US$ 10 million per investment.

It will seek out projects that engage engineering companies with strong proven track records in the sector and a willingness to invest their own equity, helping to generate both strong returns and greater private sector participation. The opportunity for increased private involvement in water has increased over the past 2 years with government finances strained by the global crisis, and the regulatory environment in Asia gradually moving towards full-cost recovery, making such investments more cost-effective.

ADB’s investment will be kept at a level which ensures it does not exceed a 25% stake in the fund, or become the largest stakeholder. The International Finance Corp. (IFC) has also committed to invest up to US$ 20 million. The fund will have a 10-year life, with two 1-year extensions for divestment.

Source: ADB, 17 Nov 2010

China, Shandong Province: Asian Development Bank to help improve dam quality

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping water-scarce Shandong Province to rehabilitate and improve the efficiency of nine ageing dams with a US$ 29.8 million technical assistance loan. The Risk Mitigation and Strengthening of Endangered Reservoirs in Shandong Province Project will “set the standard for efficient, safe and cost-effective reservoir operation and management nationwide”.

“This initiative will reduce the risk of reservoir failure as well as protect lives, property and livelihoods downstream where poverty levels are high. It will also provide more water for agriculture and household use, improve the quality of reservoir releases, preserve water quality and improve groundwater resources,” said Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Water Resources Management Specialist in ADB’s East Asia Department.

About 90% of China’s reservoirs were built between 1958 and 1976 and are in poor condition. Since 2001 China is carrying out a phased rehabilitation programme. In Shandong Province (pop. 94 million) water scarcity and saltwater intrusion into coastal catchments are severe problems.

“ADB’s assistance will give the provincial and local governments access to international expertise in rehabilitation and management, and establishing models which can be replicated throughout the PRC,” Mr. Kobayashi said.

The ADB loan makes up around 33% of the total project cost of almost US$ 90.1 million. The Chinese Government, the Provincial Government of Shandong, and county governments will finance the remainder.

Source: ADB, 22 Nov 2010

Palu: ADB loans US$ 16 million Water Sector Improvement Program

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$ 16 million for the Water Sector Improvement Program in the Pacific island state of Palau (pop. 20,000). The programme will address regulatory, management, technical and pricing problems that currently result in high non-revenue water losses and undermine cost recovery. It will also help establish the Palau Water and Sewer Corporation, an independent government-owned corporate entity. It is the first loan agreement between ADB and Palau.

The government currently subsidises the bulk of the cost of water and this is placing a heavy burden on its finances. Growing demand from tourism – which accounts for almost half of the country’s GDP – is also putting a strain on water resources, requiring a new strategy to meet an estimated supply gap of around 1.4 million gallons [5.3 million litres] a day by 2020.

The program aims to set benchmark targets for improving bill collections, including cutting non-revenue water losses from current levels of 43% of production to around 25% by fiscal year to September 2015, and progressively increase tariffs to achieve full cost recovery by the same date. Sewerage tariffs will also be introduced for the first time.

So as not to penalize the poor, the first 5,000 gallons [19,000 litres] of water supplied will still be priced below the cost of production to ensure affordability, while the average total household water and sewerage bill will increase by less than 2% of average household income over the 4 years, according to Anthony Gill, Country Specialist for ADB’s Pacific Department.

During the transition to full cost recovery the corporation will post losses, which will be offset by government financial assistance as well as program support to cover the difference between tariff revenue and actual costs. ADB will also provide management and technical skills training to ensure the new agency is professionally managed and operated.

The Ministry of Finance is the executing agency for the program, which is due for completion by September 2014.

Related web site: ADB – Water Sector Improvement Program : Palau (project information document)

Source: ADB, 10 Nov 2010

ADB launches My View H2O: The Asia-Pacific Video Contest

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is launching its second video competition which is open to all aspiring filmmakers across the globe.

The video contest – My View H2O: The Asia-Pacific Video Contest – promotes awareness of the causes, implications and solutions to Asia’s looming water crisis.

Over $10,000 worth of prizes are being offered for the best videos (between 1 minute and 5 minutes long) about water issues in the Asia and Pacific region in three categories:

• Youth (under 21) from ADB Developing Member Countries
• Open (21 and over) from ADB Developing Member Countries
• Open (all ages) from other ADB Member Countries

Among the judges are: the father of Philippine digital filmmaking Khavn dela Cruz, Japanese filmmaker Momoko Ando, Indonesian director Joko Anwar, American film curator Christopher Beaver, Chinese documentary maker Du Hiabin, and Pakistani filmmaker Samar Minallah.

To register applicants need to complete a short online registration form, and upload their videos to YouTube.com or Youku.com.

The deadline for submission of entries is 31 January 2011.

The launch comes in the lead-up to a five-day international conference “Water Crisis and Choices: ADB and Partners Conference 2010” to be held at ADB Headquarters from 11-15 October.

Source: ADB, 07 Oct 2010