Full Title and Acronym

Water harvesting and Agricultural techniques in Dry lands: an Integrated and Sustainable model in MAghreb Regions (WADIS-MAR)

Target Countries /  Areas

ALGERIA:      Oued Biskra – Biskra Region

TUNISIA:       Oum Zessar – Medenine Region

Overall Objective(s)

To improve the living conditions of rural populations in arid and semi-arid areas of the Maghreb region in which the increasing water scarcity accelerates ongoing desertification processes.

Specific Objectives of Demonstration Activities

To contribute to an integrated, sustainable and participative water harvesting and water and agriculture management in two watersheds characterized by water scarcity and groundwater overexploitation through the realization of an integrated water harvesting and aquifer recharge system and the implementation of best agricultural practices, with a view to promote adaptation to climate change conditions and particularly droughts.

Expected outputs of Demonstration Activities

• An Integrated Water and Agricultural Management (IWAM) System is designed;
• Agricultural practices and rational irrigation techniques are improved;
• Capacity building and awareness of local and national institutions are enhanced;
• Across-countries activities directed to exchange experiences and lessons learnt are implemented;
• Best practices are widely diffused to other Mediterranean countries.

Leader Organisation / Institution

Desertification Research Group (Centro Interdipartimentale di Ateneo), University of Sassari (NRD-UNISS), Italy

Partner Organisations

1. Institut des Regions Arides (IRA), Tunisia
2. Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel, Tunisia
3. Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH), Algeria
4. Universitat de Barcelona (UdB), Spain

Contact details

Prof. Giorgio Ghiglieri, Project Coordinator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Prof. Giuseppe Enne, Scientific Coordinator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Dr. Salvatore Virdis, Project Manager (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Phone: +39 0792111016

Fax: +39 079217901

e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website:www.wadismar.eu

Activity

Beneficiary country

• Processing of hydro geological, iso-chemical and isotopic data related to water quality
• Technical mission and finalization of procedures for launching the tender of works related to the design of the artificial aquifer recharge interventions (see below). 
• Finalisation of the design of the artificial aquifer recharge interventions (recharge basins, vadose-zone wells, also called dry wells, and recharge tranches) for the infero-flux aquifer in the Oued Biskra, the cost analysis and the selection of intervention areas (including the final costs estimation, the materials selection, the topographic survey, tenders for works, works supervision, procedure for work authorization).
• Finalisation of the agronomic intervention plan in synergy with the local agricultural development Institute ITDAS. Agronomic demonstrative intervention sites have been identified in the project area for the main crops grown (mainly dates palms, tomatoes, and wheat) with different farming and irrigation systems in the region.
• Training course on Agrometeorology and its applications for engineers of the Technological Institute for Agricultural Development of Sahara (ITDAS) and the National Agency for Research in Hydrology (ANRH).
• Purchase of all needed equipments (irrigation material, fertilizers, seeds, plastic etc ) and support to engage the chamber of agriculture and farmers in participatory and learning events of the Project.
• Definition of a time plan and tasks for the implementation of works related to artificial aquifer recharge.
• Definition of a preliminary design and cost analysis of the artificial aquifer recharge interventions.
• Development of a proposal for the artificial groundwater recharge for the infero-flux aquifer in the Oued Biskra and selection of intervention areas. The artificial recharge system so defined includes recharge basins, vadose-zone wells, also called dry wells, and recharge tranches.
• Water sampling campaign, an additional hydrogeological survey and a video of possible identified intervention sites.
• Hydrogeological and isotopic sampling survey aiming at the hydrogeological reconstruction and modelling of the intervention area of Wadi Biskra and training of partner’s technicians on how to execute a suitable hydrogeological survey and apply internationally recognized standards for specific laboratory analysis.
• Signature of agreement between ITDAS and ANRH based on which ITDAS will provide sites at farm level for the implementation of agronomical activities, help to buy all needed equipments (irrigation material, fertilizers, seeds, plastic etc ) and support to engage the chamber of agriculture and farmers in participatory and learning events of the Project.
• Technical meetings and field visits in Biskra to perform a water pling campaign

Algeria

• Report on agronomyc activities in Oum Zessar site to disseminate the results of research obtained at pilot demonstration scale on irrigation water management. 
• Processing of hydro geological, iso-chemical and isotopic data related to water quality
• Technical mission and finalization of procedures for launching the tender of works related to the design of the artificial aquifer recharge interventions (see below) 
• Interviews and briefings with selected local beneficiaries (farmers)
• Agricultural interventions consisting on deficit irrigation, at many levels, on crops during all the cycle or at some crucial stages of growth in the 3 chosen areas Chaabet El Anz site (up-stream area), Loudayette site (mid-stream area), Oued Moussa site (Down-stream area).
• Finalisation of the design of the artificial aquifer recharge intervention (recharge basins, vadose-zone wells, also called dry wells and recharge wells with recharge chambers) for the Trias aquifer in the Oum Zessar watershed in collaboration with CRDA (including the final costs estimation and the materials selection)
• Spectroradiometric Measurements Campaign in the study area of the extended hydrogeological basin of Oum Zessar, in the Medenine Governorate area
• Ground truth campaign in order to adjust boundaries, interpretation keys and land cover nomenclature as well as class assignment of previously photo-interpreted land cover features using Landsat imagery.
• Geoelectrical campaign in Medenine
• Field works between Jeffara Zone and Dahar Zone, including: Geology field Trip; data collection (structural geological data and a hydrogeological data); Collection of data for new geological interpretation
• Second learning event of CADWAGO project (June 2014). The Tunisian part of the SWIM - Wadis Mar project (www.wadismar.eu) has become one of the case studies of the Cadwago project (www.cadwago.net). Cadwago (Climate change adaptation and water governance - reconciling food security, renewable energy and the provision of multiple ecosystem services) aims to improve water governance by developing a more robust knowledge base and enhancing capacity to adapt to climate change.
• Field work (Oum Zessar area): a- Land Cover Ground-truth; b- Secondary data collection (i.e. socio-economical data); c- Adjustment of interpretation keys; d- Areas affected by salinity: ground observation and e- In situ spectral measurements
• Acquisition of remotely sensed data intended for the preparation of maps of the evolution over time of land cover (land degradation and desertification phenomena in arid and semi – arid areas throughout Remote Sensing techniques based on the soil salinity severity identification, mapping and dynamics analysis methods as well as the comparison of remote spectral signatures from satellite images with direct spectral  measurements of salt –affected areas)
• Collection of salty soils samples for hyperspectral remote sensing analysis
• Finalization  of the artificial aquifer recharge intervention design (including the final costs estimation, the materials selection). This will be done in collaboration with CRDA
• Proposal for the artificial groundwater recharge for the Trias aquifer in the Oum Zessar watershed and selection of intervention areas. The artificial recharge system so defined, includes recharge basins, vadose-zone wells, also called dry wells and recharge wells with recharge chambers
• Preparation of a tentative hydrogeological and agricultural intervention plan. 3 micro-catchments of Oum Zessour watershed have been defined for intervention: Chaabet El Anaz site (up-stream area), Loudayette site (mid-stream area), Oued Moussa site (Down-stream area).
• A Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) workshop in Medenine involving beneficiary farmers of the identified micro-catchments and other stakeholders (representatives of local authorities, researchers, professionals, representative of civil society, NGO)
• Preparation of a tentative hydrogeological and agricultural intervention plan. 3 micro-catchments of Oum Zessour watershed have been defined for intervention: Chaabet El Anaz site (up-stream area), Loudayette site (mid-stream area), Oued Moussa site (Down-stream area)
• Field visits to: 1) make short interviews and briefings with selected local beneficiaries (farmers); 2) collect salinized soils samples for hyperspectral remote sensing analysis
• Technical meetings and field visits in Medenine with relevant stakeholders to discuss about aquifer artificial recharge solutions, agronomic, Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) activities and tender procedures

Tunisia

• Report on "Water collection and agricultural techniques in an arid environment: an integrated and sustainable model in the Maghreb Regions" concerning Public Participatory GIS and South South experience exchange activities to disseminating the results obtained in the demonstration sites and exchanging experiences between farmers from the selected sites of Oum Zessar basin (Medenine) and farmers of Biskra (Algeria).
• Organisation of field workshops concerning agronomic and Public Participatory GIS Activities and South-South experience exchange with the involvement of Algerian and Tunisian stakeholders and partners of the project. 
• Presentation of the project during “The Italian Geosciences of the Future”,  Milan (Italy):  Geological 3D model for the design of artificial recharge facilities into the Oued Biskra inféro-flux aquifer (oral presentation) and Geological modeling for hydrogeological purposes in Oum Zessar area - SE Tunisia (poster presentation) 
• Participation in the International Workshop  on  Geomatics for ecosystem based adaptation in the dry areas of North Africa (Djerba Island, Tunisia (June 2014) and promotion of visibility of the project
• Participation in Flowpath 2014 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology  18-20 Giugno 2014, Viterbo (Italy) (http://www.flowpath2014.it/) – session Climate change and groundwater sustainability -  Design of Artificial Aquifer Recharge Systems in dry regions of Maghreb (North Africa) - Visibility of the project
• Organisation of a Training on Database and Geological 3D Modeling during which participants of Institut des Région Arides - Tunisie (IRA), CRDA-Tunisie, OSS Tunisie and Agence nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques – Algerie (ANRH) shared experience (June 2014)
• Preparation of a questionnaire to be compiled by farmers in Algeria and Tunisia within the Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) and agronomic activities to identify socioeconomic characteristics, farming practices and farmers’ perceived environmental and climate change impacts.
• Organisation of a training on Database and Groundwater Modeling during which participants of Institut des Région Arides - Tunisie (IRA) and Agence nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques – Algerie (ANRH) shared experience with the Système Aquifère du Sahara Septentrional project (SASS) and SASS consultation Mechanism

Algeria, Tunisia

Full Title and Acronym

Network of demonstration activities for sustainable integrated wastewater treatment and reuse in the Mediterranean countries (Sustain Water MED)

Target Countries /  Areas

EGYPT:        Al Gezayra village in the Ismailia  Governorate

JORDAN:    The Headquarters of the Public Security Directorate in Moqablane, Amman 

MOROCCO: The village Ait Idir in the Souss-Massa-Draa region in the South of Morocco

TUNISIA:     Irrigated farm area around the Ouljet El Khodher Wastewater treatment Plant in the Medenine Gouvernorate

Overall Objective(s)

• To improve the sustainable integrated management of non conventional water resources;
• To enhance the capacity of national organizations and consortium partners in sustainable management of non conventional water resources;
• To disseminate best practices on sustainable integrated wastewater management and reuse.

Specific Objectives of Demonstration Activities

To demonstrate:

• the socio-economic and environmental benefits of decentralized wastewater management in rural areas in Egypt (pilot site: Al Gezayra Village in the Ismailia Governorate; pilot activity: wastewater collection and treatment as well as disposal/treatment of sludge and effluent); 
• the socio-economic and environmental benefits of decentralized wastewater management in peri-urban areas (pilot site: the Public Security Directorate in Moqablane; pilot activity: treatment of wastewater using the Sequencing Batch Reactor technology and reuse system for landscaping purposes);
• The economic, health and environmental benefits of locally adapted wastewater, rainwater and human excreta management in rural areas of Morocco (pilot site: Ait Idir village in the Souss-Massa-et-Draa region; pilot activity: Human excreta management through Urine Diversion and Dehydration Toilets; wastewater treatment using the constructed wetlands, the UASB and other ecosan technologies; rainwater management through the construction of weirs and growing plants to prevent soil erosion); 
• The benefits of a participatory wastewater quality monitoring and early warning system between different authorities and farmers to increase the safe use of treated wastewater in agriculture in Tunisia (pilot site: Irrigated farming area around the Ouljet El Khodher Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Medenine Governorate; pilot activity: Construction of a Sand filter, procurement of water quality monitoring devices for the field and labs, establishment of an IT platform for coordinated quality monitoring).

Expected outputs of Demonstration Activities

• Five demonstration activities are conducted and put in operation in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia;
• Best practices on sustainable integrated non-conventional water resources are documented, demonstrated and disseminated in the form of information centers and publications;
• A comprehensive impact assessment system documented in the form of easy-to-use guidelines;
• Local and regional training courses on managerial aspects as well as on operation and maintenance of the demonstration plants/systems;
• Policy recommendation papers and a compendium are developed and disseminated.

Leader Organisation / Institution

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Partner Organisations

1. Adelphi Research GmbH (Adelphi)  - Germany
2. Agenzia nationale per le nuove tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostentible (ENEA) -  Italy
3. International Union for Conservation ofNature Regional Office for Europe (AISBL/IUCN ) -Belgium Al Balqa Applied University (BAU) - Jordan
4. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) - Egypt
5. Office National de l`Assainissement (ONAS) – Tunisia
6. Agence du Bassin Hydraulique du Souss-Massa et D'raa (ABH-SMD) – Morocco

Contact details

Dr. Ismail Al Baz, Senior Project Manager

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Mohamed Bassem Al - Khamash Str.13, 11190 Amman, Jordan

Tel. :  +962-6-5868090-107

Fax :  +962-6-5868090-101

Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

website: http://swim-sustain-water.eu/index.php?id=251