Water P-Notes
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These practitioner notes (P-Notes) are published by the Water Sector Board of the Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank Group. P-Notes are a synopsis of larger World Bank documents in the water sector.
Items in this collection
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Publication
Greenhouse Gases from Reservoirs Caused by Biochemical Processes : Interim Technical Note
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-04)A decade ago, the contribution of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from reservoirs was estimated to be up to 7 percent of global GHG emissions from all sources. Much research on GHG emissions from reservoirs has subsequently been conducted and recent studies have indicated corresponding global estimate to be less than 1 percent. However, these studies still have a limited coverage of ecosystems and geographic areas, and, more critically, almost none of them have measured the long-term change in GHG emissions over many years. Therefore, the research conducted to date has shown disparity in GHG emission magnitudes from reservoirs, which has caused a debate on methodologies and reliability of results. The purpose of this note is to provide interim guidance to World Bank staff on how to assess GHGs from reservoirs in preparation for dam infrastructure projects. The note describes the major biochemical processes that cause GHGs from reservoirs, provides the status of current knowledge and research, and puts the issue into a global perspective. Based on the state-of-the-art, it makes recommendation on how to assess GHG emissions and how to make preliminary rough estimates of emissions caused by biochemical processes for planned reservoirs. -
Publication
Climate Change and Urban Water Utilities : Challenges and Opportunities
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-06)The impact of climate change is increasingly important for the design, construction, and maintenance of water sector infrastructure. Average global temperatures are on the rise, causing cycles of extreme weather: droughts and flooding are becoming common; seawater levels are rising; and many locations are considerably drier, impacting water sources such as lakes and rivers. Groundwater supplies are under stress due to decreasing precipitation rates and increasing extraction rates. Urban water systems must meet the demands of expanding industry needs and rapid population growth. Pollution adds to the growing threats to water resources, increasing treatment requirements for providing safe water to city residents. With two-thirds of the world's megacities located in regions that are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, urban water utilities are facing an increasing need to improve the management of water resources and associated infrastructure. Diversifying sources of water supply will become increasingly important whether through the construction of new storage facilities, the appropriate and sustainable extraction of groundwater, water trading or conservation, or the use of recycled or desalinated water. This water note, based on the input of 20 large utilities around the world presents the perceptions, experiences, and approaches to addressing climate related challenges of urban areas in developing, middle income, and developed countries. -
Publication
Strategic Environmental Assessment : Improving Water Resources Governance and Decision Making
(Washington, DC, 2010-06)The Sustainable Development Network (SDN) calls for elevating the environment into upstream processes such as policy, programmatic, and investment dialogue. In its 2002 environment strategy, the Bank committed to use strategic environmental assessments (SEAs), an environmental planning tool for improving decision-making at the strategic level of decision-making, policies, legislation, strategies, plans, and programs (PLSPP), and as a process for improving public policy design and good governance of natural resources. SEAs share many concepts and characteristics as integrated water resources management (IWRM), the accepted paradigm for efficient, equitable, and sustainable management of water resources since the 1990s. IWRM recognizes the dual nature of the environment as both a water using sector and a provider of services that maintains water resources for all sectors. The overall goal of this report is to help water resources and environment professionals use SEAs to effectively implement the principles of IWRM. It recommends a framework for expanding use of SEAs to mainstream environmental considerations in water resources policy, legislative and, institutional reforms, planning and development lending decision-making as well as for enabling adaptation in the water sector. -
Publication
Tanzania - Public Expenditure Review (PER) of the Water Sector
(Washington, DC, 2010-06)Tanzania initiated a forward-looking National Water Policy (NAWAPO-2002) to promote an integrated approach to water resources management and improve water supply and sanitation service (WSS) delivery in both urban and rural areas. To do this, the Government initiated in 2004 a doubling of budget allocations to the water sector from $60 million to $120 million. It also has shifted the role of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MOWI), moving from central control of water projects to facilitating and funding projects and strengthening sector institutions and capacity at the national, basin, and local government levels. Much of Tanzania's capital budget goes to fund water supply infrastructure, largely driven by the focus on achieving the millennium development goals. Donors supply most of the capital funding and are coordinating funds through a Sector Wide Approach to Planning (SWAp) to maximize effectiveness. This public expenditure review focuses on the quantity and quality of Tanzania's public funding process to assess how well budget allocations for the water sector actually translate into better water and sanitation service delivery. -
Publication
Overcoming Drought in India : Adaptation Strategies for the State of Andhra Pradesh
(Washington, DC, 2010-04)The study objectives were designed to enhance the state's capacity to assess long-term effects of drought and increase resilience to drought risks at state, district, and community levels. The process for development of study objectives featured extensive consultation with affected sectors, and with state and national programs that aim to address the effects of drought. The study aimed to: (i) develop a framework for simulating long-term impacts of drought in drought-prone areas and at state levels; (ii) conduct risk assessments of the impacts under different scenarios; and (iii) assist the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) in development of a strategy for adapting to frequent drought and water deficits. During the study, a model was developed as a powerful tool for thorough drought risk assessments and for investigation of risk coping strategies and climate scenarios on crop yield and production. The model was calibrated using local farming practices and crop selection (that is, rice, maize, jowar (sorghum), sunflower, and groundnut,) in the eight selected districts. The report presents results at the district level. Challenges in determining the economic impacts included: the slow onset of droughts that spread over long periods and large areas; the significant indirect losses; the need to link local impact analysis with statewide analysis; and the linkages between the different sectors and subsectors of the economy, the flow of goods and services and employment. -
Publication
Directions In Hydropower : Scaling up for Development
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-04)After a period of stagnation, the story of hydropower infrastructure is changing. Emerging global dynamics are recasting the role and value of hydropower in development, recognizing its potential contribution to a complex web of energy security, water security and regional development and integration. In addition to bringing electricity to the 1.6 billion people who lack access, hydropower offers a hedge against volatile energy prices and can play an important role in energy trade and regional power pools. As a renewable energy resource, hydropower's dual role in climate change mitigation and adaptation is critically important. -
Publication
Environmental Flows in Water Resources Policies, Plans, and Projects - Part 1: Findings and Recommendations and Part 2: Case Studies
(Washington, DC, 2010-04)Environmental flows are central to equitable distribution of and access to water and services provided by aquatic ecosystems. They refer to the quality, quantity, and timing of water flows required maintaining the components, functions, processes and resilience of aquatic ecosystems that provide goods and services to people. They are fundamental for sustainable water resources development, benefits sharing, and poverty alleviation. Nonetheless, water resources development planners have often overlooked environmental flows or addressed them inadequately. This two-part report, based on the Bank's economic sector analysis, shows their central importance for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and presents data, findings, and recommendations, based on in-depth case study analysis, to help make environmental water allocation an integral part of IWRM. -
Publication
Making a Large Irrigation Scheme Work : A Case Study from Mali
(Washington, DC, 2010-04)Located in the heart of Mali, the Office du Niger (ON) is one of the oldest and largest irrigation schemes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The French, who began the scheme in 1932, planned on developing about 1,000,000 hectares (ha) over a period of 50 years. The scheme did not provide the expected resources for cotton and rice farming, and a major source of exploitation of farmers. Change began in the 1980's with Government/donor led reforms that resulted in dissolving the monopoly power of ON and increasing citizen participation in its management. This report provides the context and details on how the government of Mali became committed to reform of the ON, an irrigated rice scheme. The government's decision is presented as the outcome of a series of small power shifts triggered by pro-reform players. Reform advocates played a key role, and identified opportunities and applied their skills to tilt the power balance between agency and farmers to further goals of sustainability and partnership. Initial steps for reform had a significant impact, as they raised yields and farmer incomes in a single season. Coalitions grew into partnership institutions that became effective enough for government to consolidate them into a legal and financial framework. This case study serves as an illustration of how the World Bank and other donors can help governments turn public irrigation systems into financially sustainable operations. -
Publication
Public-Private Partnerships for Urban Water Utilities : A Review of Experiences in Developing Countries
(Washington, DC, 2010-04)Since 1990, many national and local governments in developing countries have contracted with private companies to operate or manage their water utilities under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts. The assumption was that the private sector will improve utilities by bringing in new capital, raising the level of staff expertise, and making operations more cost-effective and efficient. More than 260 PPP contracts have been signed to provide water services in more than forty developing countries. The recourse to private operators has been accompanied, however, by a good deal of controversy. Several high profile contracts, such as in Buenos Aires, were cancelled in recent years following conflicts between the public and private partners. This has raised doubts about the suitability of PPPs to help improve water services in developing countries. Yet, there has been only little objective data available in the literature about the performance of PPPs, and the resulting debate has been based more on ideology than fact. This study attempts to redress the shortage of information by examining, through objective indicators, the actual performance of PPPs in developing countries over the last fifteen years. It collected data from as many as 65 PPP projects, representing a served population of about one hundred million people half of the urban population served at one point in time since 1990 by private water operators, and 80 percent of the population served by a private operator for more than 3 years and under a contract signed before 2003. -
Publication
Making the Most of Scarcity : Accountability for Better Water Management in the Middle East and North Africa
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2009-06)Most of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) cannot meet current water demand. Many countries face full-blown crises, and the situation is likely to get even worse. Estimates show that per capita water availability will be cut in half by 2050, with serious consequences for aquifers and natural hydrological systems. Demand for water supplies and irrigation services will change as economies grow and populations increase, with an attendant need to address industrial and urban pollution. Some 60 percent of the region's water flows across international borders, further complicating the resource management challenge. Rainfall patterns are predicted to shift as a result of climate change. The social, economic, and budgetary consequences of these challenges are enormous. The supply of drinking water could become more erratic, necessitating greater reliance on expensive desalination technologies, and increasing drought would require emergency supplies brought by tanker or barge. Service outages would put stress on expensive network and distribution infrastructure. Unreliable sources of irrigation water would depress farmer incomes, economic and physical dislocation would increase with the depletion of aquifers and unreliability of supplies, and local conflicts could intensify. All of this would have short- and long-term effects on economic growth and poverty, exacerbate social tensions within and between communities, and put increasing pressure on public budgets.