Embedded Files
news messages (August 2021)
news messages (August 2021)
News messages July 2021
This is the second newsletter of the partnership Blue Deal Mozambique. We provide you with a bird’s eye view of all the topics that we are currently working on together. Due to Covid-19, we are directed to new approaches to achieve our goals. We wish all partners, all involved staff of partners and contracted services wisdom in their work. Take care and stay well!
Covid-19 teaches us new approaches
The global Covid 19 situation is changing. In Europe most people will be vaccinated within a few month and in Mozambique vaccination is also in progress. Besides this the measure like keeping distance and nose and mouth masks are becoming part of normal standards. Therefore we are positive that in the last trimester of 2021 travelling between the Netherlands and Mozambique might become possible again. Let us hope that the positive line continues and that we can start working face to face by the end of this year.
Mid Term Review: Blue Deal is a success
MDF and IRC conducted a Mid Term Review (MTR) of the Blue Deal Program between December 2020 and May 2021.
The main conclusion is that the Blue Deal program has contributed to the achievements of the Goverments goals and has great potential to influence water policy at a global level: ” the program is one of a kind”. Within a relatively short time, and despite the Covid-19 pandemic, a solid program which high potential has been set up. The individual partnerships like the Mozambique partnership are achieving good results. The program office is effective and the Blue Deal's approach is unique. We do thank all Mozambican partners who have contributed to the MTR.
The review also indicated a few subjects for improvement namely improving on the decision making structures in the Netherlands, improving on the Theory of Change and reporting structures.
All Dutch partners: the Dutch Ministries and the Dutch Water Authorities expressed their intention to continue with the Blue Deal program for the second phase 2023 -2026. An important aspect in the preparation of the second phase is the involvement of the country partners (e.g. Mozambican partners ) to define a program that will create tangible results. A second important aspect is continued alignment with the programs of the Dutch Embassies. Later this year we will provide a detailed proposal to plan in the first half year of 2022 workshops and meetings to prepare the second phase 2023 -2026. In September this year we will prepare the annual plan for 2022.
Licensing and enforcement of discharges in relation to water quality
(component 2)
For the Blue Deal Mozambique, Robert Boonstra and Bert Jager are working on licensing and enforcement of discharges in relation to water quality. In April we held a first skype meeting with our Mozambican colleagues to discuss the ideas for the pilots at the 3 ARAs. We are now several consultations further and have defined almost all the pilot areas. The next step is to conduct research into licensing and enforcement of discharges and their effect in the pilot areas. The purpose of this is to get an image of the current local situation, where things are going well and where there are gaps in knowledge, cooperation or implementation. When there are gaps on local scale we expect them also for the whole area of the ARA. It is expected that there will be a lack of cooperation and knowledge sharing between the various governmental organizations. These opportunities to improve will be presented in the planned workshop in November 2021. This workshop will also be attended by the other governmental organizations. During this workshop we will make a start for a strategic action plan for improvement.
Small water storages (component 3)
As part of the water allocation component3 aiming to contribute to the improvement and innovation of the selection, construction and maintenance of small water reservoirs, a field work mission took place in June 2021 in Manica and Sofala Provinces within thePungue and Buzi basins. Two technicians of ARA Centro, a consultant from Resilience, a program partner and the program officer were part of the mission.
During the 5 days of field work local goverment offices, agricultural fields and hydraulic infrastructure were visited to understand different water storage solutions in the region. The results of the field mission served as input for the E-learning module 4 being prepared under the cooperation of the Blue Deal with the Orange Knowledge Program (OKP).
Module 4 is a knowledge sharing activity on water storage techniques and structures with a view to increasing water availability which will target ARA Centro technical staff and staff of NGOs involved in the process of operation and maintenance of water storage structures in order to draw up a water allocation plan for 2 pilot areas located in the districts of Nhamatanda and Vanduzi in the Pungue and Buzi basins.
Licensing and billing of water users (component 3)
In 2021, we continued the activities to introduce the software tool SIRHA of iCarto for licencing and billing of water users within the ARAs. Amongst others the monthly “grupo de debate” was continued.
ARA Sul uses this tool since 2019 and the efficiency of the working process for licensing and billing increased dramatically. As a result, ARA Sul now has a better view on the total water use, the revenues from water users increased; fewer errors in data exist and less time is spend on the process. The video in this link https://youtu.be/AI8qQSWp84c explains these improvements.
In 2020/2021, the former five ARA’s has merged into three ARA’s. In addition, the department structure changed. Now the SIRHA tool has to be adapted to this new situation and the databases of water users have to be joined. More training in the use of SIRHA will be organised for ARA Centro and ARA Norte. For this work, a new assignment for iCarto for the coming year will be prepared.
Last year a prototype was developed to integrate the data of water users in the SIRHA tool with the water allocation model (WEAP) in order to facilitate the hydrological assessment of new request for water use.
ARA Sul has to send 1000-1500 bills to water users every month. To improve the efficiency of this process a prototype was made for integration of the SIRHA data with the billing software PrimaVera. In the coming year these two prototypes will be used in the working processes of ARA Sul and will be evaluated. A new pilot will be started in ARA Sul to use satellite images to find water users and a test will be done with on line requests for a licence by new water users. After positive evaluation of these new tools, we intend to introduce these new tools in the other two ARA’s.
Under the first objective of the water allocation component, aiming to improve the process of licensing and billing, a terms of reference was developed by Blue Deal with input of all the ARA’s for the continuation of the work performed by iCarto for the development and operation of SIRHA. On May 28, 2021 the last monthly meeting of the Grupo de debate moderated by Anton Amado took place via Skype, where new priorities were defined by each ARA for the continuation of the partnership with iCarto. The following 4 priorities were defined: tasks for unification and restructuring, training, follow-up, support and debate, identified improvements in the system and prototype developments.
Training on emergency repair of fluvial dikes (component 4)
A training on emergency repair of fluvial dikes took place in Bilene, Gaza Province between 14 and 21 of June 2021. A consultant from Técnica Engenheiros Consultores prepared and facilitated the training sessions and a topographer, and two lab technicians joined the group for the last 3 days of the training. 13 staff from ARA Sul main office and staff from all basin management units attended the training. Not all participants were familiarized with dike repairs or are involved with hydraulic works on a daily basis. For future activities, it was agreed that a smaller group will be targeted to allow that those working daily with dikes and hydraulic works will have a more tailored knowledge transfer.
e-Learning workshop on making videos with smartphones
In all program component activities an E-learning course on filming using smartphone is being planned to target Blue Deal Mozambique staff (from 3 ARAs and the city of Beira). The Dutch company Ventoux Productions was contracted to prepare and facilitate the course and is now in the process of finding a suitable local company to assist them on delivering the training.
Feacal Sludge Transfer Station (ETLF) in Beira (component 5)
The feacal sludge transfer station (ETLF) became active in June 2020, with a supporting team present in the field. The team consists of a manager and two technicians of SASB. NGO FACE's technical team was involved in the opening process of ETLF providing assistance, after the opening of the station the team was connected in the day-to-day operational work.
During the rainy season, specifically the second season, January to March 2021, the station was closed and unable offer its services to suction companies. During this period Beira was hit by the severe tropical storm Chalane, which passed through the city on December 19, 2020 causing heavy rainfall reaching about 100mm in 24-hour period. In the following month, on January 14, 2021, another tropical cyclone, Eloise, struck the city with high rainfall of 200 to 300 mm in 24 hours, 500 mm in 48 hours, causing floodings and other destructions to roads and infrastructures. The access road to the station was affected, which made it impossible for cars and motorcycles to get to the station. Due to the circumstances the ETLF station had to be closed.
The transfer station reopened in May 2021, after its reopening it received two operators, a primary and a secondary, for disposal (secundary company Orlando Zinpinga and primary company Mapotere Construções).
Early June 2021 the current situation of the ETLF was assessed by FACE. The main findings were: There is a need for piped water supply for personal hygiene (bathroom) and for cleaning materials. There is also a need for an electrical connection for more safety at night and guarding purposes to prevent sabotage and theft of stored materials. It became also clear that that the intake boxes of the septic tank need to be slightly reconstructed in order to improve the disposal process of collected sludge from the cars. It should also be prevented that solid waste in the sludge is entering the septic tank. And at last there is a need for paving the truck manoeuvring circuit to minimize erosion.
In the Inhamizua district the assistance team is executing door-to-door visits disseminating the ETFL activities and promoting the work of suction companies (Orlando Zinpinga and Mapotere Constructions).
In May 2021 231 households were visited and in July about 1,792 door to door household visits were made: from the total of number of visits made in the two months, 11 % sought the services of septic tanks’ suction.
Beira’s drainage system
(component 5)
The Blue Deal is supporting the city of Beira with improvement of the operation and management conditions of the drainage canal system through capacity building of the urban services managing entity SASB. This is partly implemented via community awareness campaigns for people living in the direct neighborhood of the canals: awareness of solid waste management (posture, supervision, control committees, sanitation-hygiene-covid-19) and the correct use of solid waste containers.
During May 2021 1242 families were visited. It was observed that 24% of them are living within 100 mtr from where garbage container is placed.
Within component 5 field teams are implementing activities. In partnership with SASB, a training and education of field teams took place at the SASB offices. The training aimed at making the afield teams aware of the field work procedures, the challenges and objectives of conducting door to door visits and campaigning in general. The training in which staff of SASB was also present was received very positive. The field teams received working equipment from FACE.
Special attention was paid to the Covid-19 aspects. The importance of personal protection for each field team member was emphazised, as well as care within the community and advice to address to people at homes such as hand washing and social distancing.
news messages (August 2020)
news messages (August 2020)
Covid-19 teaches us new approaches
Covid-19 teaches us new approaches
Due to Covid-19, we are directed to new approaches to achieve our goals. We explore and use online communication and e-learning tools to carry out our planned workshops, meetings and on the job trainings.
Adjusted Implementation plans 2020
We changed the programmed activities for the coming months, because all international flights have been cancelled. Working visits are not possible at this moment. A large part of the programmed activities for 2020 consists of workshops, meetings and webinars via "Zoom" (see picture above) / on the job training in Mozambique. We will continue as much as we can a part of those activities. For example, the online WEAMP-model user training and the start of the ‘building with nature’- pilot project on small water reservoirs.
Future is unclear
At this time, it is not clear yet when it will be possible again to carry out working visits. We will follow the instructions from our governments. We will continue to look for opportunities to implement the activities of our partnership. We hope the crisis will pass, and travelling will be possible again by the end of this year or early 2021.
Stay well
We wish all partners, all involved staff of partners and contracted services wisdom in their work. Take care and stay well!
Egidio Govate & Antoon Kuijpers
New insights about depletion of the groundwater system
New insights about depletion of the groundwater system
In November 2019 ARA Sul discovered remarkable groundwater fluctuations in the Maputo - Incomanti river Basin. The data may indicate depletion of the groundwater system. Sra. Lizete Dias (ARA Sul) reacted: “We never knew there was such a large groundwater extraction in that area. Systematic analysis provides a lot of insight.”
Scenario study needed
In November 2019, a delegation of Dutch Water Authorities travelled to Maputo, Mozambique. They were invited to assist ARA Sul with the development of a strategic groundwater plan. Hydrologist Robert Broekhuis: “Since we don’t have a crystal ball, the development of the growth in water demand is unpredictable. A scenario study is needed to provide insight into the effects of the actual groundwater use and of the different water demands.”
Groundwater modelling
To be able to interprete the observations in a validated manner, a groundwater model is required. This model should approach reality as near as possible. The base of this model has been developed by experts Pieter Filius and Marijke Jaarsma. Robert: “To validate and calibrate the model, we needed monitoring data. ARA Sul has a groundwater monitoring network, from where multiple year monitoring data can be extracted and made available for the model”
Remarkable ground water fluctuations
The Mozambican and Dutch experts executed a time series analysis on the available groundwater level data. In certain monitoring series, they observed eventual abnormal groundwater fluctuations: strange ‘peaks and drops’.
Indicated depletion
On a larger scale this new insights may indicate depletion of the groundwater system. Sra. Lizete Dias from ARA Sul replied: “We never knew there was such a large groundwater extraction in that particular area. Time series analysis provides extra insight.”
Hereunder in the upper graph fluctuations in groundwater level appear twice a day. In this case it means, the groundwater level is influenced by the tide.
The lower graph shows a groundwater decline at approximately 7 AM, lasting till 12 PM (only once a day). Which suggests that it’s caused by an "on-off" groundwater extraction. In addition, the water level never becomes a flat line (groundwater level at rest).
Improved water users relation management
Improved water users relation management
In 2020 all ARA’s work on improving their water users relation management, by adopting the system SIRH. Senior technician Lizete Dias of ARA Sul has experienced the system for two years: “Using this system, we achieved an increase of the number of licences, and consequently a rise of invoices for the use of water -and thus the budget of the institution”.
Licence management system
In 2017 iCarto, a Spanish consultancy firm and partner of Blue Deal, developed the ARAs Water Licence Management System (SIRH: Utentes). SIRH is not only a database, but also a tool to improve work processes of all the departments of ARAs that are involved in management of information on users.
Management improvements
ARA-Sul has been using this system for two years now. Lizete Dias: “SIRH has strengthened the management capacity of the departments of ARA-Sul and the internal information flow.“ In 2020, the Blue Deal project is funding the introduction of the system at ARA-Centro and ARA Centro-Norte. Furthermore, all ARA’s will be getting workshops and trainings on the system. ARA Sul will realize system improvements to increase work efficiency.
Information on the use of water
With SIRH also information on the use of water in space and time becomes available, which is important. Because, as Lizet Dias states it: “knowledge about water demand and resource availability is the key to improve access of people and enterprises to water”.
Innovating planning & control
Innovating planning & control
In Nampula, ARA Centro-Norte is innovating the planning & control cycle. In 2020, the ARA is gaining experience with a system approach of “traffic light (red-yellow-green)” to indicate the progress on the operational action plan that was developed in 2019. ARA Centro-Norte is gaining also new experience with a more detailed financial estimate for the year 2020. Director Sr.Carlitos Omar: “We welcome a more sustainable grip on finances.”
“Traffic light approach” creates overview
In January 2020, ARA Centro-Norte in Nampula adopted an approach of traffic lights (red-yellow-green). For easy overview the system indicates the progress of each subject in the action plan for planning & control.. The new appraoch was introduced by experts Taco Mulder and Geert Room.. To make it workable, they discussed all details of the action plan with mr. Carlitos Omar, and with the managers of the technical department, the financial department, the human resources department and the procurement/legal department.
A more detailed estimate
ARA Centro-Norte is also gaining experiences with a more detailed annual financial estimate. Geert Room: “When developing the annual budget we used inputs from the national budget, the expenses made by the ARA during 2019, the costs for operation & maintenance and the own (tax) income of ARA Centro-Norte”. The estimate was further detailed by the mentioned staff, including Sra. Adelgisa, a financial controller financed through the Blue Deal partnership.
Next working visit
Geert Room expects a next working visit in the second half of 2020. “We hope to be able to monitor the development and implementation of the annual budget, and have a look at the progress of the operational action plan. But only if we are allowed to visit Mozambique and not to be stopped because of the Covid-19 pandemic measures”.
Adequate protection against COVID-19
Adequate protection against COVID-19
Since last May, the employees of the SASB department in the city of Beira who work at the waste water treatment plant (ETAR) are safely protected against the COVID-19 virus. They received clothing, masks, gloves and disinfectants from Daviz Simango, the maior of Beira.
Safety and Hygiene
Working at a waste water treatment site or in sewage systems requires full attention for safety and hygiene. This topic was indicated as priority by Moises Chenene, Director of SASB. Hence, at the end of 2019, we have started sharing knowledge and experiences between DWA and SASB colleagues.
The COVID-19 crisis caused an urgency to give specific attention to protective personal equipment for the SASB employees working at the ETAR and at the sewage system of the city.
Program Committee: ‘Respectable number of activities’
Program Committee: ‘Respectable number of activities’
Since mid 2019, a respectable number of activities has been initiated already. Covering all components, and involving all ARA’s. That was the conclusion of the members of the Program Committee, in their meeting of March 2020 on integrated water management. In this committee, the Directors and senior staff of the Mozambican water management sector participate.
Give direction
The task of Program Committee Blue Deal is to give direction to the implementation of the program. The Committee does so, by giving advice and opinion on annual plans and reports and results. The members of the Program Committee are the National Director of Water Resources Management, the Directors of the ARA’s and the Blue Deal Program Director. To support the members, senior staff of the sector organizations participate in the meetings and give their contributions.
Involving all ARA’s
The annual plan of 2019 was presented and discussed in the meeting of March 12th 2020, at the DNGRH office in Maputo. In this meeting, it was noted that a respectable number of activities was initiated already, since only mid 2019. Activities covering all components of the program, and involving all ARA’s.
Outlook on 2021
During the meeting, an outlook was given on the annual activity plan for 2021. A systematic approach to sharing knowledge between the ARA’s was proposed, with involvement of the Dutch Water Authorities. Another proposal on the agenda was regarding the internal functioning of the Program Committee. All proposals were approved by the members of the committee.
Next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Pemba by mid-September 2020. On the agenda of that meeting will feature the proposal for the annual plan of 2021.
Flood risk map for land use planning
Flood risk map for land use planning
After the cyclone Idai in March 2019, ARA Centro was able to measure the maximum flood levels in the Buzi valley. Resulting in an flood risk map, that shows which areas of the river valley are at risk for such an extreme flood. This map enables necessary discussions about land use planning.
Flood risk management
Flood risk management is part of the Blue Deal project. Proper land use planning in river valleys is a must, to avoid damage by floods. Flood risk maps are crucial for discussions about this land use planning.
Measure flood levels
After the extreme flood that was caused by the cyclone Idai in March 2019, flood levels were visible in the landscape of the Buzi valley. With support of the Blue Deal project, ARA Centro measured these flood levels. A flood risk map emerged. This map shows which areas of the river valley are at risk when such an extreme flood occurs.
Initiate discussions
New discussions about land use in the Buzi valley will be initiated. All the organizations that are responsible for land use planning, will be involved. The discussions will be based on the flood risk map that is now available.
Hereunder: the river water level during idai is marked.
Sustainable water reservoirs
Sustainable water reservoirs
On the sustainability of small water reservoirs
Small water reservoirs in local communities need a proper functioning in a sustainable way. This can be achieved with active involvement of the local community.
Successful intervention by ARA Zambeze not only depends on the technical inputs and outputs, but probably much more on its ability to connect with local people. They can provide support to the ARA with knowledge on types of water uses, site selection and hydrological and geological information. Or as Sr. Tiago Vilanculo from CCM – who successfully built 60 sand dams - stated: “Without the involvement of local people, we would not have been successful.”
Water reservoirs and dams
ARA Zambeze focuses on the construction of open water reservoirs. In the same region the non-governmental organisation Christian Council Mozambique (CCM) is active in constructing sand dams. Here part of the river discharge during the rainy season is stored in the sediments which are deposited upstream of the dam. Realization of new infrastructure is delayed due to time consuming and bureaucratic contracting procedures, which may take up to 6 months while the suitable construction period is from August till November.
Represas
Carlos Fenhane is a specialist in represas (small water reservoirs constructed by a dam in the river) and within ARA Zambeze, he is the one and only expert in this field. Represas provide capacity for water storage in dry periods. In November 2019, Carlos and Martin Bos of DWA visited a selected number of represas in the region near Tete.
Guideline
Carlos expressed his need for more exchange of knowledge and experiences in other countries; in particular on sustainability of dam construction. As Carlos stated: “I will perform better when I can use experiences and knowledge from colleagues elsewhere.” Now Carlos and Martin draw up a guideline and a manual for the design and construction of small dams.
During the joint field work it became obvious that the involvement of local communities for site selection and for operation and maintenance is a key factor for the sustainability of small water reservoirs.
Solidarity after cyclon Idai
Solidarity after cyclon Idai
Solidarity between the Blue Deal partners after the cyclone Idai
The Blue Deal project intends to start a Flood Risk unit at ARA Centro in Beira. In this Flood Risk Unit staff will be trained to use hydrological models for better prediction of time and level of floods.
In March 2019 the Cyclone Idai caused a lot of damage to the office of ARA Centro. DWA expert Jan den Besten took the initiative to collect funds in the Netherlands to support ARA Centro to repair the damage. Due to this quick action of the DWA partners ARA Centro managed to repair the roof and the damage inside the office before the next rainy season that started in November 2019. With a few months of delay, we are glads that our partnership can make a start with the Flood Risk Unit in 2020.
The Blue Deal effect: What impressed Jan was the mutual feeling of solidarity between the partners. To have the basic office infrastructure in place is an important condition for the staff to perform its tasks. “This was felt in the Netherlands too and I am glad that we were able to help a little bit solving the situation caused by IDAI”, according to Jan.
The road to positive outcomes: ‘’Small contributions can lead to huge impact’’
Awareness building in Beira
Awareness building in Beira
Awareness building in Beira
One of the partners in the Blue Deal activities in Beira is the Association FACE, where Helder Domingos is in charge of our activities. Helder Domingos: “Our association was founded by colleagues who had been working within the Frisian Urban Sanitation Project ( FUSP 2010-2018). Our activities have always been turned to the sanitation chain with a focus on raising awareness and building sanitation infrastructures such as improved latrines, public sanitation facilities and school sanitation. In 2018 in Beira, we were involved in the construction of a pilot fecal sludge transfer station (component 5) and in training of small private companies for emptying of latrine pits. We very much welcome the opportunity provided by the Blue Deal initiative to continue with these kind of activities which have important added value for the sustainability of infrastructures and behaviour change”. “At the start we were involved in the various preparatory meetings with the local partners in the city of Beira, field visits, conversation with the partners and the communication meeting for the launch of the Blue Deal. The interconnection between the main actors (Municipal Council, SASB, ARA Centro, universities, private sector) with an informed community will enhance the desire to improve the individual situation for sanitation in families.
The Blue Deal effect: According to Helder: for us, to be part of this project is inspiring and as a team we have a positive feeling as we are contributing for the sustainability of the existing sanitation environment that was created in the previous projects. We think that community education by means of awareness is important and should be constant and continuous.
The road to positive outcomes: The Blue Deal offers opportunities for improvement of behaviour in relation to the correct management of solid waste and a proper management of the drainage system at city level impacting positively in public health.
Development of a strategic plan at ARA Centro Norte
Development of a strategic plan at ARA Centro Norte
Carlitos Omar is general director of ARA Centro Norte: “From 26 to 30 August 2019, we had a full week workshop at ARA Centro Norte in Nampula, with all head of the departments and other staff members”. “We discussed a lot about planning and control topics and we made some very important steps from our strategic plan towards an operational action plan. We also defined the outcomes and outputs of our new action plan”.
The Blue Deal effect: As Carlitos Omar mentioned: “it was very interesting to learn that with the help of the colours green, yellow and red of a traffic light we can easily and simply visualize the progress of our actions and tasks”.
The road to positive outcomes: During the workshop we discussed and emphasized that an important element of our daily work is based on: “say what you do, and do as you say”.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse