RESULT AREA 4: SMALL-SCALE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PILOTS IDENTIFIED AND IMPLEMENTED 4.1․ Identify and submit to ASPIRED at least five pilot projects, leading to increased and sustained community water access designated and developed by capacitated community-based organizations and residents (including women and youth) Pre-project situation: The baseline survey identified that in almost all communities of Ararat Valley the water stress was also caused due to obsolete, dilapidated and damaged drinking and irrigation water infrastructure. More than 60% of the households of Ararat Valley did not have regular drinking water-supply: it was either a scheduled supply or supply with unscheduled interruptions. Over 45% were dissatisfied with the quality of drinking water. Many respondents mentioned that they do not consider/use water received in their house tap as “drinking water” and they get drinking water from other places or buy it. Regarding the irrigation water supply, the water users in Ararat Valley mentioned that they were getting irrigation water predominantly either from the community irrigation canals or artesian boreholes. Half of the water users have agricultural land plots, apart from their backyard plot. Around 45% do not receive regular irrigation water to irrigate agricultural land pots. Among frequently brought reasons were lack of irrigation water supply system or decrease of the amount of water resources in artesian boreholes.
Achievements Increased and sustained drinking and irrigation water access is in place designed and developed with direct input of water users 5 improved water infrastructures are in place: 2 drinking water infrastructure 3 irrigation water infrastructure Aratashen Community, Armavir Region: improved drinking water infrastructure Yeghegnut Community, Armavir Region: improved drinking water infrastructure Vedi Community, Ararat Region: improved irrigation infrastructure Pokr Vedi Community, Ararat Region: improved irrigation infrastructure Khachpar Community, Ararat Region: improved irrigation infrastructure
19,000 people benefit with improved irrigation system 5,000 people have uninterrupted drinking water supply The PURE Water planned to improve drinking and/or irrigation water systems and supply in 5 target communities. All 12 target communities of the project had the aforementioned problems. Under this component, the PURE Water closely cooperated with another USAID-funded project for Ararat Valley, ASPIRED project. With support of the PURE Water the target communities reveal their problems regarding drinking water and irrigation, put together and submitted the proposals to the PURE Water for small-scale. The proposals were reviewed by PURE Water and ASPIRED. After the review, ASPIRED provided engineering design and ensured implementation of construction activities. The PURE Water ensured public/environmental monitoring during the construction activities. Participatory approach was also at the core of identifying and implementing small-scale water infrastructure projects (SSWIP). Below are the steps of participatory development of infrastructure projects with support of the PURE Water: 43
