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Water Security for Central Kosovo
The Kosovo - Ibër River Basin
and Ibër Lepenc Water System
Water resources, water demands,
Water balance assessment,
And programme of measures
MARCH 2011
Edited March 2012
. DOCUMENT LEAD SHEET
Client Project Number: 7156058
SCE Project Number: 10292
Document Number: 2
Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning
WATER SECURITY FOR CENTRAL KOSOVO
Reports: Water Resources, Water demands,
Water balance assessment and
Programme of measures
Issue Date Author Collaborators Reviewer WORLD BANK
Approver
Reasons for issue
A 25/03/2011 F. BAUDRY
- K. ZENA
- N. PIRVA
- C. SCHMANDT
- C. MASCRE
- F. PINTUS
- B. PICON
A. AZIZI
G. DENIGOT
C. VALLET
The team thanks all the partners in Kosovo who provided help to collect data in the field for the canal survey as well those who shared information for this study.
We hope that this assessment will provide opportunities to improve water security in Central Kosovo.
This Main Report and its additional volume on the WEAP Model Activities are the results of the work of the Consultant Team led by F. Baudry and G.Denigot, in cooperation with experts and government officials at the Water Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, the Ibër-Lepenc Canal Water Company, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Government Water Task Force, the Lignite Power Technical Assistance Project, and several other Ministerial and other agencies. The support and information of several donor agencies are gratefully acknowledged, notably of the Swiss Cooperation Office Kosovo, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, and the European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo. The World Bank team that supervised and led this initiative comprised Guy Alaerts, Michael Jacobsen and Krenar Bujupi.
Disclaimer
The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are those of the Consultant and do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colours, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
ACRONYMS 12
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 13
A- Context and Objectives 13
B- Integrated River Basin Planning and Water Balance 14
C- Bulk Water Supply Vulnerability and Water Security in Central Kosovo 15
D- Priority Measures and Investments 23
E- Conclusion 25
PART I CONTEXT, CONCEPT 1 TOOLS ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
I. REPORT SCOPE & PROJECT AREA ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
II. COMMON UNDERSTANDING: “ MOVING TOWARDS WATER SECURITY IN CENTRAL KOSOVO “ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
II.1. Concept of Water security for this study Error! Bookmark not defined.
II.2. Preliminary objectives for Water Security Error! Bookmark not defined.
III. INFLUENCE ON WATERS SECURITY OF THE CHANGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT IN
CENTRAL KOSOVO ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
III.1. Issues regarding the Ibër Lepenc Canal Error! Bookmark not defined.
III.2. Infrastructure Development Error! Bookmark not defined.
III.3. Energy and water Error! Bookmark not defined.
III.4. International context Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV. CONCEPTUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE ISSUES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
IV.1. Schematic representation of the issues Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV.2. Use of WEAP: A River Basin Management Modeling Tool Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- WEAP model main features Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Set up of a WEAP model for the Ibër River Basin in Kosovo and Montenegro Error! Bookmark not defined.
V. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND DATA LIMITATION ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
PART II IBËR RIVER BASIN IN KOSOVO & TRANSBOUNDARIES WATERS ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
I.1. Geographical area - international waters Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Project Area Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Central Kosovo area Water Supply Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.2. Ibër transboundary waters and Danube river basin Error! Bookmark not defined.
PART III WATER BODIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES ACHIEVEMENTERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
I.1. Brief overview of European Water Directives Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.2. Delineation and characterisation of Water Bodies Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Eco regions and surface water body type Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Delineation and characterization of Surface Water Bodies Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Delineation and characterization of Groundwater Bodies Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.3. Pressure & Impact On Water Bodies Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Impact on flow regime of abstraction or regulation Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Description of morphological alteration Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Impact of Land use patterns & population densities Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Significant point and diffuse pollution sources Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.4. Resulting Ecological and chemical status of surface water bodiesError! Bookmark not defined.
A- Quantity and quality of data available Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Evaluation of the Status of Surface water Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Status of the Groundwater Error! Bookmark not defined.
PART IV TOWARD WATER SECURITY IN CENTRAL KOSOVO 2010-2035 ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
I.1. Scope of the analysis - Key Indicators Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Scope of the Analysis – Water Security Objectives Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Environmental flow - Key Water uses within Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Methodology - Scenarios Building Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.2. Period considered and planned actions Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.3. Supply Side: Hydrology, Climate & Water Resources Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Hydro- meteorological information Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Precipitation, Temperature, Evaporation Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Analysis of runoff and basin Yield Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Climate change possible impact Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.4. Water supply infrastructure Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- The 2010 Water supply Infrastructure Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Resources available for use – quality issues– Infrastructure Vulnerabilities Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.5. DEMAND OF THE KEY WATER USES Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Demand of urban Water needs and communities Water supply Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Demand for Agriculture Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Demand for Power Production Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Demand of Key industries Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.6. BASELINE SCENARIO Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Baseline Scenario - Bulk Water Balance & Security Vulnerabilities Error! Bookmark not defined.
B- Bulk water balance under baseline scenario Error! Bookmark not defined. I.7. BUILDING SCENARIOS FOR THE FUTURE Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Justification of range of values for the various parameters used in scenario Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Factors of Uncertainties Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Demand Side Parameters Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Supply Side Parameters Error! Bookmark not defined. E- Selection of Series of Scenarios Error! Bookmark not defined. F- Successive scenarios by varying these factors Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.8. RESULTS OF THE SCENARIOS – BULK WATER BALANCE UNDER FUTURE CONDITIONS Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Impact of selected parameters on the water demand Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Hot spots Identification Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.9. CONCLUSIONS Error! Bookmark not defined.
PART V DRAFT PROGRAM OF MEASURES TOWARDS WATER SECURITYERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
I.1. Terms of reference Error! Bookmark not defined.
I.2. Schematic presentation of ToR Error! Bookmark not defined.
II. PROCESS OF MEASURE IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENTERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
II.1. Steps for measureS identification and assessment Error! Bookmark not defined.
II.2. methods for measure assessment and visualization Error! Bookmark not defined.
II.3. Criteria for the assessment of measures Error! Bookmark not defined.
II.4. Cost Benefit Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Overview Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Background Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Assumptions – General Methodology Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Assumptions – Costs Error! Bookmark not defined. E- Assumptions – Benefits Error! Bookmark not defined. F- Steps to neutralize Bias Error! Bookmark not defined.
III. PROJECTS AND MEASURES IDENTIFIED ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
III.1. Quantitative Assessment of water security Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Assessment of the water shortage and water saving needs Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Operational shortcomings Error! Bookmark not defined.
III.2. Vulnerabilities of Water Security Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Pressure on Water Resource Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Pollution pressure on drinking water resources Error! Bookmark not defined. C- the conveyance system needs rehabilitation and priority allocation Error! Bookmark not defined. D- diversification and allocation of water resource Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND MEASURES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
IV.1. Project 1 - protection of drinking water resources of reservoirs Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Project title Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Beneficiary institutions Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Situation Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Logical Framework Matrix Error! Bookmark not defined. E- Capital expenditures & Operating expenses Error! Bookmark not defined. F- BENEFITS - Protection of drinking water resource Error! Bookmark not defined. G- Stakeholder Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. H- Target group – beneficiaries Error! Bookmark not defined. I- Implementation arrangements Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV.2. PROJECT 2: Groundwater knowledge and protection Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Project title: Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Beneficiary institutions Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Situation Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Logical framework matrix Error! Bookmark not defined. E- Stakeholder Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. F- Target group – beneficiaries Error! Bookmark not defined. G- Implementation arrangements Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV.3. Project 3: Provision of sufficient water of good quality through the Ibër Lepenc Canal Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Project title: Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Beneficiary institutions Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Situation Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Logical framework matrix Error! Bookmark not defined. E- Stakeholder Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. F- Target group – beneficiaries Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV.4. Study of options for providing better water security in case of emergency Error! Bookmark not defined.
A- Project title: Error! Bookmark not defined. B- Beneficiary institutions Error! Bookmark not defined. C- Situation Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. D- Logical framework matrix Error! Bookmark not defined. E- Stakeholder Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. F- Target group – beneficiaries Error! Bookmark not defined.
V. INVESTMENT PRIORITIES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
PART VI ANNEXES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
I. ANNEX 1: INFORMATION SOURCES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
II. ANNEX 2: WEAP ACTIVITIES REPORT ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
III. ANNEX III – DETAIL OF COSTS OF BENEFITS FOR THE 4 PROJECT/MEASURES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
LIST OF FIGURES, MAPS & TABLES
Figure 1: Ibër "River Basin" in Kosovo 16 Figure 2: WEAP graphic interface representing the resource and demand sites 17 Figure 3: Gazivoda reservoir water balance (baseline year 2010) 18 Figure 4: Batllava reservoir water balance (baseline year 2010) 19 Figure 5: Badovc reservoir water balance (baseline year 2010) 19 Figure 6: Gazivoda water balance in 2035 assuming increased demand from all sectors and a dry year condition (under historical meteorological conditions without climate change) 21 Figure 7: Type of losses and illegal connections in Ibër Lepenc canal (Consultant survey August 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 8: Bulk water conveyance and Hydro-electricity of the Gazivoda, its buffer reservoir and the gate of IL canal Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 10: WEAP model modules Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 11: WEAP hydrography and water system architecture of the Ibër Basin (SCE/OIEau 2010)Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 12: WEAP scheme of the Ibër Lepenc canal water conveyance and of Prishtina & Mitrovica regions bulk water supply Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 13: Principle for delineation of Water Bodies Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 14: Criteria for delineation of the Water Bodies in Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 15: Schematic Geological Cross-Section across Central Kosovo (Source ICMM)Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 16: Environmental flow and sectors using water Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 17: Infrastructure to capture water in the Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 18: Schematic representation of the Gazivoda, secondary reservoir, hydropower generation and bulk water use along the IL main canal (source BCEOM - Cowi study 2008 from ILE and consultant)Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 19: WEAP model schematic mapping of the main uses along the IL canal (Source SCE/OIEau) Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 20: Crops with a good potential of development in Kosovo (Source USAID study on Kosovo Agriculture Opportunities Strategy – Feb 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 21: Schematic presentation of the objectives of the program of measure as per ToRError! Bookmark not defined. Figure 22: presentation of the various instruments for measures relevance assessmentError! Bookmark not defined. Figure 23: risk of rupture of conveyance, land slide, solid waste disturbing the flow of water in the IL canal (Consultant’s survey August 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 24: Concept of interconnection between systems in the Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 25: Options for diversifying the sources and routes used for drinking water supplyError! Bookmark not defined. Map 1: Ibër River Basin up to Serbian Border (Source SCE/OIEau 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 2: Hydrological zones and tributaries of the Ibër River Basin up to the Serbian Border.Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 3: Ibër River Basin, the Regional Water companies’ area and Kosovo MunicipalitiesError! Bookmark not defined. Map 4: River basins in Kosovo –and Relief in Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 5: Ibër River Basin inside the Danube River Basin and riparian countries Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 6: Danube River basin – subunits and WISE reporting monitoring point for WFDError! Bookmark not defined. Map 7: Eco-region as per the European Water Framework Directive Error! Bookmark not defined.
Map 8: Delineation of Surface Water Bodies (Source: Water Department and SCE/OIEau consortium 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 9: Simplified hydrogeology in the Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 10: Proposed Ground Water Bodies in the Ibër River Basin in Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 11: Localization of the main reservoirs, rivers and uptake of water for uses Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 12: Land use of the Ibër basin (Corine Land cover) Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 13: Land use map of the Ibër River Basin in Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 14: Hot spots for water quality in Ibër River Basin in Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 15: Simplified Hydrogeology in Ibër Basin, springs and boreholes (source ICMM-WD)Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 16: Hydrometrical network for the Ibër River Basin in Montenegro and KosovoError! Bookmark not defined. Map 17: Rainfall stations of the Institute of Hydrometeorology of Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 18: Description of the precipitation in the Ibër River Basin in Kosovo Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 19: Range of temperature and altitude in Kosovo (Source IKMIK and USAID Kosovo Agricultural Opportunities Strategy) Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 20: Hydrological zones for analysis of the runoff and basin yield in Ibër River Basin in Kosovo and Montenegro Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 21: Extension of the Regional Water Companies (RWC) and Municipalities in Ibër River Basin and in Kosovo. Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 24: Precipitation distribution and location of sites of water storages Error! Bookmark not defined. Map 25: Catchment of a possible reservoir in the Drenas River Basin Versant Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 1: WEAP Results Analysis 22 Table 2: Data collection records Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 3: Tributaries of the Ibër River and surface of their river basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4: List and main characteristics of the Municipalities (Source OSCE Municipalities profile 2007 to 2009)Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 5: Main characteristics of sub-basins in Ibër River Basin which are relevant for Water Body delineationError! Bookmark not defined. Table 6: Table of the Surface Water Bodies Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 7: Characteristics of proposed Ground Water Bodies in the Ibër Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 8: Land use by Corine land cover category in the upper Ibër river basin. Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 9: Polluted soil and point source of industrial pollution (Source KEPA) Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 10: Level of contamination of sediments in the Ibër River in Mitrovica - Source: Ground water pollution in Mitrovica and surroundings Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 11: Chemical analyses in the Ibër River Mitrovica- station Kelmend - from 2003 to 2005 (Source university of Mitrovica) Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 12: Description of the Timeline for scenarios building Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 13: List of the hydrometrical stations in the Ibër River Basin up to the Border with Serbia (Source IHMK 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 14: Availability of the Hydrological regarding the daily measurement of the water level in the rivers of the upper Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 15: Mean temperature in the main towns of the Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 16: Evaporation in several stations in Prishtina (Source 1985 Water Master Plan)Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 17: Connected and non connected population in Ibër River Basin (Source: Report on the performance for 2008 from the water and waste regulatory office, Prishtina and Mitrovica Water Companies Directors)Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 18: Key indicators of the Water supply production for the Prishtina and Mitrovica RWC (Source: the report WYG International on Prishtina regional water supply – 2009) Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 19: Households demand - regional company public networks (set of assumptions 1)Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 20: Irrigation scheme and irrigated area Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 21: Key parameters for bulk water used for irrigation: Total gross water demand for irrigated agriculture in Ibër basin in 2010 (Source SCE/OIEau IL) Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 22: Water demand for industry in 2010 Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 23: Demand parameters and Minimum Biological flow for the baseline scenarios (SCE/OIEau 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 24: First scenarios of population growth Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 25: Second scenarios of population growth Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 26: Possible evolution of the average daily water consumption due to tariff policyError! Bookmark not defined. Table 27: Evolution of non-revenue water level – Scenario A Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 28: Evolution of non-revenue water level – Scenario B Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 29: Domestic water demand under 3 scenarios Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 30: Evolution of the demand from the industry Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 31: Total gross water demand for irrigated agriculture in Ibër basin in 2035 (water saving scenario) Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 32: Water Consumption for Industry Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 33: Impact of different parameters on the Water Demand from Ibër River BasinError! Bookmark not defined. Table 34: Water missing in Gazivoda system – System 1 Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 35: WEAP Results Analysis Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 36: Water Security Criteria used to prioritize the Program of Measures Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 38: Benefits for Protection of drinking water resources Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 40: Cost and benefits for canal protection Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 42: Characteristic of possible water storages in Ibër River basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 1: Land use in the upper Ibër river basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 2: Mean temperature in the main towns of the Ibër River Basin Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 3: Monthly mean evaporation in the Gazivoda Reservoir Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 4: Inter-annual variation of mean annual flow at Ribariç station (Ibër) 1948-1978Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 5: Frequency - debit curve for the annual flow for the period 1948 to 1978 Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 6: Mean monthly flow in the Ribariç and Prelez stations (period 1948 to 1978)Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 7: Monthly flow at Ribariç station for dry, wet and medium year during Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 8: Modelling Spatial Scale and Uncertainty Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 9: Box with the variation of hydrological parameters due to climate change for 2030-2039Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 10: Variations of the water inflow in Gazivoda reservoir (Source: 1985 Water Master Plan – IL Company) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 11: Variations of inflow in the Batllava reservoir (Source 1985 Water Master plan)Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 12: Variations of inflow in the Badovc reservoir (Source 1985 Water Master plan)Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 13: WEAP results inflow and outflow of the Gazivoda reservoir Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 14: Gazivoda Monthly Inflow and Outflow (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 15: Gazivoda Water Balance 2010 – cumulated values (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 16: WEAP results inflows and outflow of Batllava Reservoir for 2010 baseline scenarioError! Bookmark not defined. Graph 17: Batllava Monthly Inflow and Outflow (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 18: Batllava Water Balance 2010 – cumulated values (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined.
Graph 19: WEAP results inflows and outflow of Badovc Reservoir for 2010 baseline scenarioError! Bookmark not defined. Graph 20: Badovc Monthly Inflow and Outflow (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 21: Badovc Water Balance 2010 – cumulated values (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 22: Kuzmin Monthly Inflow and Outflow (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 23: Kuzmin Water Balance 2010 – cumulated values (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 24: Lypjan Monthly Inflow and Outflow (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 25: Lypjan Water Balance 2010 – cumulated values (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 26: Shtime Monthly Inflow and Outflow (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 27: Shtime Water Balance 2010 – cumulated values (mil mc) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 28: Evolution of export of agricultural commodities from Kosovo (Source USAID study on Kosovo Agriculture Opportunities Strategy – Feb 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 29: Kosovo price for agricultural commodities compared to EU FOB Origin Price (Source USAID study on Kosovo Agriculture Opportunities Strategy – Feb 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 30: Comparison between the level of agricultural commodities export in various European countries (Source USAID study on Kosovo Agriculture Opportunities Strategy – Feb 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 31: Box for selection of value for parameters impact by the climate change (World Bank document). Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 32: Water Situation in IL Channel, 2035, dry year period Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 33: Water Situation in IL Channel, 2035, very dry year period Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 34: Unmet demand in Badovc system – System 2 – Population Scenario – 2020Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 35: Unmet demand in Badovc system – System 2 – Population Scenario – 2035Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 36: Unmet demand in Badovc system – System 2 – Dry year Scenario – 2020Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 37: Unmet demand in Badovc system – System 2 – Dry year Scenario – 2035Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 38: Unmet demand in Batllava system – System 2 – Dry year Scenario – 2035Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 39: Unmet demand in Badovc system – System 2 – Very dry year Scenario – 2020Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 40: Unmet demand in Badovc system – System 2 – Very dry year Scenario – 2035Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 41: Unmet demand in Batllava system – System 2 – Very dry year Scenario – 2035Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 42: value of criteria for collection Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 43: value of criteria for protection of drinking water resource Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 46: cost benefit Analysis – Net Present Value for the measure/project 3 improvement of Ibër-Lepenc Canal Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 47: Localisation and type of conveyance system to rehabilitate to save water (WEAP model SCE/OIEau 2010) Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 48: Leakage protection - Total Score for criteria Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 49: Canal Protection - Total score for criteria Error! Bookmark not defined. Graph 51: Total score for criteria equipment for water measurement and regulationError! Bookmark not defined. Graph 52: Cost Benefit Analysis- Measure/Project 4 – Study of Water Security ContingenciesError! Bookmark not defined.
ACRONYMS
CBA Cost Benefit Analysis
EC European Communities
ECLO European Liaison Office in Kosovo
EU European Union
KEPA Kosovo Environment Protection Agency
GIS Geographical Information System
GWB Ground Water Body
ICMM Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals
ICPDR International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River
IHMK Institute of Hydrometeorology of Kosovo
ILC Ibër Lepenc Canal
OIEau Office International de l’Eau
RB River Basin
RBD River Basin District
RDM Robust Decision Making
RWC Regional Water Company
WBo Water Body
WB World Bank
WEAP Water Evaluation and Planning System
WFD Water Framework Directive
Executive Summary
A- Context and Objectives
1. Kosovo is a small and young state that gained an interim UN-administered status in the wake of the Dayton
Peace Accord only in 1999; it declared independence in 2008. Compared to neighbouring countries, it is still lacking
in its basic infrastructure and its administrative and technical skills. In addition, with the onset of the War in
Yugoslavia in 1992 most investment and normal maintenance came to a standstill. Much of the publicly owned
infrastructure fell into disrepair or was vandalized, but private investments led to a construction boom which,
however, is leading to many environmental problems. The government is committed to reconstruction and to the
development of a peaceful state. It also intends to align with EU policies
2. Lying in the southern Balkans, Kosovo is landlocked. While its mountainous western and southern fringes
are plentiful in water, its central/northern high-lying plateau, that covers about half of the country's territory, is short
of water featuring only a few minor rivers and brooks. Most rivers and wells are polluted, or at serious risk. Yet, it is
precisely this area that holds the country's largest population share, including its capital Prishtina, as well as most of
the mining activities, substantial agriculture, and most of its industry. This area also contains the industrial growth
area along the Durrës-Prishtina-Belgrade corridor, now under development. Importantly, the country's two main
(thermal) power plants are also located near Prishtina next to large lignite deposits; the World Bank is assisting with
the development of a privately-financed third, modern facility ("New Kosovo"), decommissioning of the oldest plant
("Kosovo A") and refurbishing of the second oldest ("Kosovo B"). This economic heart of the country depends for its
water mostly on the Ibër-Lepenc canal that conveys water from the large Gazivoda reservoir in the north, built in the
late 1970s. The canal is about 50 km long and has a nominal capacity at its inlet of more than 10m3/sec but with
losses of above 50% its delivery capacity declines along its run. The reservoir lies partly in Serbia, but its dam and
the canal lie inside Kosovo albeit in the region that is dominated by communities of Serbian ethnicity. Two other
much smaller reservoirs east of Prishtina (Batllava and Badovc) have thus far provided water for Prishtina
municipality and other towns and local industry.
3. Groundwater resources have not been researched well in Kosovo. In the alluvial plain of the Sidnica river
affluent of the Ibër River the groundwater is abundant but very vulnerable to local pollution. Still, in many villages on
the central/northern plateau groundwater is used for household consumption.
4. The agricultural sector is in general still poorly organized in this part of Kosovo. Some irrigation
infrastructure is still functioning but on a small scale at around 1000 ha per year. The Ibër-Lepenc Canal Company
offers irrigation contracts to farmers at a low price for the irrigation periods. Most of the irrigated area is devoted to
potato cultivation, which is a tradition in the Sidnica plain. The town centres are provided with piped water, but
connection rates are generally low except in Prishtina, and physical losses are still substantial. Donors, such as the
Swiss cooperation, USAID, KfW, UNDP and the EU are very active in the improvement and expansion of water
supply and drainage services, notably inside the Prishtina area and recent measures taken by the Prishtina
Regional Water Company to reduce losses and improve the bill payment rate proved to be efficient last year.
Sewerage is mostly lacking and only one town has an operational wastewater treatment plant.
5. This study responds to the request by the Government to contribute to the updating of the Water Strategy
and Plan; offer direction for the new sector policy; identify practical, priority investments; and by doing so help
alignment with the EU acquis and its policies. Because of the limited budget, and the numerous on-going donor
activities, care was taken to target the study on a subject that would be strategically significant and where the Bank
would add value. Most donors support studies and investment in water supply and some wastewater management
and drainage, as well as catchment management. Few donor efforts thus far have addressed the more complicated
water resources management issues covering all water uses because of its cross-sectoral nature and longer-term
institutional implications. Central (and northern) Kosovo was selected for the study as it is the area of most concern
because 80% of the economic value is located there, including the capital, whilst it likely will be facing the most
constrained and vulnerable water resources and supply situation over the next decade due to population and
economic pressures. Also, the Bank is supporting there other major activities that would benefit from this study,
notably the "New Kosovo" Lignite Power Plant that will depend on secure 24 hour water supply for cooling.
6. Thus, the study has the specific objectives to: (i) assist the government to improve its river basin planning
and management by providing (for demonstration purposes) a replicable tool/simulation model for integrated river
basin planning and management; and (ii) support the government in its identification of priority measures of
structural and non-structural nature to help strengthen the water resources sector performance. The source(s) for
the financing of the identified projects would need to be identified further by the Government as the World Bank has
not committed to involvement in the sector.
7. The economy and the towns of central Kosovo have an insecure water future. As mentioned, the Ibër-
Lepenc canal is a man-made artificial lifeline for supplying central Kosovo continuously with water. The study has
analyzed three key premises: (i) bulk water supply in central Kosovo may become inadequate to satisfy growing
demand; (ii) climate change is likely to exacerbate the shortfall in supply; and (iii) the available infrastructure to
collect and transport this bulk water is in poor condition and vulnerable due to the absence of maintenance and
modernization over the past two decades. Recently repairs of the major leakages were carried out by the Ibër-
Lepenc Canal Company. The Ibër-Lepenc canal in particular is operational but increasingly vulnerable to acute
disruption by notably landslides, leakages and, with politics not fully settled yet, other kinds of disruption. It may not
be prepared to keep providing reliable and expanding high-quality water service in the longer-run given the pollution
pressures, and growing uncertainty due to variability in demand and climate. The study would then propose realistic
"no-regret" measures specifically geared to increase supply reliability and resilience to the likely demand variability
in the main existing and future demand nodes, notably the "New Kosovo" power plant and the refurbished Kosovo B
plant; the municipal and industrial water supply in and near Prishtina as well as Mitrovice, Vushstrij and several
other towns on the plateau; and irrigation, now still near zero demand but expected to rise soon. The study would
take an integrated approach—treating the plateau as a coherent hydrological unit comprising several water sources
(the Gazivoda and the two other reservoirs, as well as groundwater) and seek ways to reduce sources of security
risks, and enhance the reliability of expanded bulk water supply, at minimum cost.
B- Integrated River Basin Planning and Water Balance
8. For its integrated river basin planning and water balance analysis, the study has utilized the WEAP (Water
Evaluation and Planning System) simulation model of which the software is not proprietary and does not require
sophisticated data collection. The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning is familiar with WEAP. The study
has now provided a database and a baseline for the Ibër catchment and central Kosovo area. The study has also
adopted the experience from an earlier EU-funded study on the Drini river basin; taken together, the two studies
have now developed the models for the largest and most significant river basins in Kosovo. This study
applied a methodology especially for surface water and groundwater aquifer delineation that is compliant with the
EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). While the limited scope of this study obviously cannot provide a full river
basin management plan which meets the detailed requirements of the WFD, it provides a compliant methodology
and framework that can be replicated for more in-depth analysis on these two basins or to cover the other basins.
However, no primary data collection has been carried out, but existing yet very scattered data compiled and
assessed for consistency and reliability.
9. The planning has notably taken into account the environmental flow requirements and the trans-
boundary issues, as the water in the Ibër-Lepenc canal essentially is abstracted from the Ibër river which,
downstream from the reservoir and after its use in Kosovo, returns to Serbia and flows into the Morava and from
there the Danube. Environmental flow requirements have been estimated in a simple fashion and taken "off the
top" when calculating water balances. The Ibër river rises in Montenegro and passes through Serbia, and, beyond
the Gazivoda reservoir and its Ibër-Lepenc canal in Kosovo, returns to Serbia. The issues related to the
transboundary nature have been discussed. The requirements for prior notification of riparian countries on
significant investments on the river are complicated since Serbia and other downstream riparians on the Ibër-
Morava-Danube system do not recognize the Government of Kosovo. Specific legal advice will be needed for any
measure which requires notification. However, precedents exist in the post- Yugoslavia areas where the
International Commission for the Protection of the Danube (and in other but similar cases, the International Sava
Commission), have acted as facilitating intermediaries.
C- Bulk Water Supply Vulnerability and Water Security in Central Kosovo
10. Taking the central Kosovo region as one hydrological and economic unit--the "Ibër basin"—three rivers or
sub-basins can be distinguished, each with its reservoir, which are connected hydrologically and economically. The
main tributaries and reservoirs are illustrated in figure 1. The Ibër-Lepenc canal "sub- basin" draws its water from the
Gazivoda reservoir. The canal runs south from the Gazivoda dam parallel to the Sitnica river, which in turn is a
tributary to the downstream part of the Ibër and carries central Kosovo's polluted return flows back to Serbia. The
canal specifically supplies for the moment water to the hydropower plant (35 MW), to the towns of Mitrovice, Vushtrij,
and some smaller neighbouring towns as well as to the two thermal power plants, the industrial development zone
along the Durrës-Prishtina--Belgrade corridor, and some irrigation. Over the next few years, however, the canal will
also supply bulk water for Prishtina municipality (starting in 2013), the third thermal power plant New Kosovo (after
2014), as well as the expected substantial expansion of irrigated areas. Thus, this sub-basin river encompasses the
main towns and main economic activities of Kosovo.
11. The Liap and Gracaniqa sub-basins feature the Batllava and Badovc reservoirs, respectively, and currently
both supply the Prishtina Regional Water Company with water for the population of Prishtina and smaller
communities in the capital's neighbourhood. This situation is unlikely to change in the future as the maximum supply
capacity of these catchments has been reached and the reservoirs are likely to rather experience capacity reduction
in the future due to expanding, unregulated land use and increasing pollution pressure.
Figure 1: The Ibër "river basin" in Central and North Kosovo
12. The concern on water security in the Ibër basin refers to three dimensions:
• The current capability of the water resource and reservoir infrastructure to provide a
reliable supply of water to meet all demands, under the current conditions (2010) ;
• The capability of the water resource and reservoir infrastructure to provide reliable supply of
water over the next decades, by 2020 and 2035, under dry-year and very dry year conditions
taking into account likely scenarios of climate change but also increases in population,
agriculture and industrial activity; and
• The capability of the physical infrastructure in the form of the reservoirs and the water
conveyance systems to do so in a reliable fashion.
Figure 2: The WEAP graphic interface representing the resource and demand sites as modelled
13. Bulk water security as it is considered in this study, is not limited to the question of absolute water resource
scarcity. Rather, it refers to the overall vulnerability and the (lack of) reliability and robustness of the natural and the
physical water supply systems under different scenarios of simultaneously decreasing supply capacity and growing
demand. Under current annual-average conditions (for the baseline year 2010) the two storage facilities in the basin
Gazivoda and Batllava have sufficient water supply capability to meet demand throughout the year. The WEAP
simulation model was applied to study the discrepancy in the quantities between water supply and demand,
using the resource and demand nodes as described in figure 2. The simulation results are presented in figures 3, 4
and 5, for each of the three reservoirs. The water balance (supply and demand) is presented each time in
accumulative fashion over the year. A (yellow) line denotes a risk indicator: it is the cumulative inflow in a very dry
year, which is taken here at a representative 50% of the baseline year inflow. The Gazivoda reservoir has ample
reserve capacity, however, it should be noted that the water demand as per 2010 is still severely depressed in all
sectors, and will over the next 5-10 years see a marked increase, that at this stage is not possible to define more
precisely. Also, the Ibër-Lepenc canal is for the moment sometimes unable to realize this potential as it is
constrained in its carrying capacity. The Batllava reservoir similarly has still some reserve capacity available;
however, under very dry year condition a clear risk exists that the water level in the reservoir will be falling well
below its normal level (as suggested qualitatively by the yellow line on the figure which represents a 50% lower-
than-average inflow); two dry years in succession would lead to emergency situations. In addition, it is the catchment
that is most vulnerable to pressures due to changes in land use and increasing pollution. The Badovc reservoir
under current conditions does not provide sufficient water resources to meet the demand from 35% of Prishtina city
even under average precipitation conditions (red columns—demand—systematically far exceeding the blue columns
of the inflow).
Figure 3: Gazivoda reservoir water balance (for baseline year 2010)
Figure 4: Batllava reservoir water balance (for baseline year 2010)
Figure 5: Badovc reservoir water balance (for baseline year 2010)
14. Thus, the Ibër basin overall can be expected to have sufficient water availability at most key water demand
nodes over the whole year under current conditions. However, in the near future and under assumptions of
unfavourable climate change and strong increases in urban, industrial and agricultural demand for water, the WEAP
scenario shows that the water resources will not balance the demand over a year. The demand structure may
gradually shift, and the reliability in the medium term of the Batllava and especially local groundwater is likely to
decrease.
15. The Badovc reservoir is under current conditions already in a critical situation and needs to be carefully
reviewed further. Any demand growth directed at Badovc reservoir is likely to shift to the Gazivoda source.
16. The study assessed the structural integrity and constructive quality of the bulk water conveyance systems,
in particular the Ibër-Lepenc canal. This infrastructure needs rehabilitation, as well as protection against accidental
blockages, pollution and other causes of disruption. Water losses are significant in the current conveyance systems,
and some hot spots of water losses have been repaired at comparatively low cost. Additional, major losses can be
repaired similarly; however, additional losses reduction might be costly as it will be necessary to repair the canal
lining over long stretches. In addition, mud slides, debris and, occasionally, animals that end up in the unprotected
Ibër-Lepenc canal, and polluted run-off from the surrounding fields and streets, all imperil both the reliability and the
quality of the bulk water supply service. The bacteriological and chemical pollution and the debris are also
increasingly affecting the water quality proper, which is a growing concern as all three water sources will soon be
used intensively for municipal tap water supply. A separate report1 has assessed dam safety and based on its
recommendations this study does not address this issue.
17. The municipal and key industrial water supply systems are for the moment supplied through individual
piping and canal systems, which are often beyond their economic lifetime, or in dire need of rehabilitation and
modernization. Rehabilitation work has been started. In order to reduce their vulnerability to supply disruption,
additional storage needs to be built and these systems to be better interconnected to bridge critical supply periods.
At the moment water supply to the major towns is vulnerable as the supplies are not diversified. With Prishtina
municipal water supply drawing soon (as per 2014) water from the Ibër-Lepenc canal for the first time, the city will
have taken a step to diversify its current dependence on the Batllava and Badovc reservoirs. Similarly, additional
storage capacity along the Ibër-Lepenc canal is advisable to provide the buffer to secure water supply under
extreme circumstances to the new and larger New Kosovo power plant as well as the refurbished Kosovo B plant.
18. The trend towards increasing pollution of groundwater needs to be reversed. Groundwater is increasingly
polluted. Ninety percent of the town and rural population without access to a piped network depend on shallow wells
or boreholes for drinking and cooking. The pollution of groundwater is growing due to the rapid pace of urbanization
on the land around cities and the emergence of small industrial facilities in the absence of effective pollution
prevention mechanisms. To achieve the objective of safe water supply, piped water supply systems need to be
further expanded to increase the connection rates, and measures need to be taken towards groundwater pollution
control. Such policies should be developed in an integrated water management strategy for the basin, which is to be
in line with the EU WFD.
19. The quality of the return and used waters that are collected in the Sidnica river is very poor. This presents
potentially a threat for human health locally, and may become a source of conflict with the downstream riparian
(Serbia).
1 Kosovo Irrigation Rehabilitation Project - Dam Safety Component, 2004, under EU support, carried out by DHV Consultants. The report
assesses the structural safety of the 5 dams (Gazivoda, Batllava, Badovc, Radoniqi and Prilepnica) and concludes that their relatively recent construction and good building standards have prevented development of major emergencies thus far. However, on all dams safety issues are emerging (piping, bulging, sagging, etc.) and concerns are arising regarding the adequacy of the spillway and emergency procedures. The report accepts that repair is not yet high priority but recommends vigilance and deeper follow-up, at an estimated cost of €1 million).
20. Over the next two decades demand will grow while climate change and variability will likely reduce
precipitation. Thus, shortages may occur in the system. Using the WEAP model, a number of scenarios were
developed for the period up to the year 2035. Each scenario takes progressively more factors into account in order
to test the vulnerability of the system. Since the reservoir systems are not interconnected at the moment, water
needs and availability are calculated for each reservoir separately. Scenario 1 only considers the increase of water
needs for human consumption. Scenario 2 in addition considers growing irrigation needs. The existing irrigation
system (mostly fallen into disrepair) was designed originally for 19,000 hectares, could service 8,000 hectares, but in
2010 only 1000 hectares were actually irrigated. Scenario 2 assumes that in total 10,000 hectares will be irrigated in
the Ibër basin by 2035. Scenario 3 adds demand from industry and mining, as well as the increased consumptive
demand resulting from cooling purposes (of which most is non-consumptive). Scenario 4 looks at how scenario 3 will
cope in a dry year under historical meteorological conditions. Finally, Scenario 5 analyzes the risk stemming from
dry years becoming even drier as a consequence of non-historical climate change. Scenario 4 is illustrated for the
Gazivoda reservoir (fig. 5).
Figure 6: Gazivoda water balance in 2035 assuming increased demand from all sectors and under historical dry year
condition (i.e. under historical meteorological conditions without climate change)
21. Water resource shortages are increasingly likely to occur in future dry years if no adaptive action is taken.
As figure 6 illustrates for the Gazivoda dam, that has the largest reserve capacity by far for bulk water supply for the
moment, shortages in dry years will occur by or around 2035, especially in the months April through August during
the irrigation season. However, for the Badovc and Batllava reservoirs the structural shortages in dry years will likely
start occurring already from before 2010, and from 2020, respectively. It should be noted that these simulations for
the Gazivoda reservoir assume that unmet demand for the Badovc and Batllava reservoirs from the areas south and
east of Prishtina would not be shifted to the Gazivoda/Ibër-Lepenc canal system. Nor do these simulations anticipate
that growing land and pollution pressures on these reservoirs may actually depress their supply capacity. It is likely,
however, that over the next two decades a growing demand from this part of the basin will be effectively shifted to
the Gazivoda/Ibër-Lepenc canal, which would irrevocably lead this system to meet its maximum supply capacity
sometime between 2020 and 2030. Table 1 summarizes the results obtained under WEAP model development.
Table 1: WEAP results analysis indicating risk levels under 5 scenarios
System Scenario By 2020 By 2035
System 1 - Gazivoda System
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Worst Case scenario
System 2 – Batllava System
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Worst Case scenario
System 2 – Badovc System
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Worst Case scenario
System 3 – Groundwater System
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Worst Case scenario
Bulk water supply lower than demand but risk of occasional shortage -- measures to be prepared
Demand exceeds supply – water saving measures essential
Not applicable
Water security assured but limited – initiate implementation of adaptive measures
22. In conclusion, the capacity of the existing water resources, i.e. the reservoirs and groundwater, to satisfy
current demand and the demand in the immediate future (2013-2017) is adequate for two reservoirs and inadequate
for that part of Prishtina city that is supplied by the Badovc reservoir. However, in the short term, the main concern
regarding the vulnerability of the system, and the security of water provision, refers to the poor condition of the
conveyance structures, the absence of buffer capacity to bridge temporary shortage, the lack of interconnectedness
of the different demand zones in the basin, and the lack of a planning mechanism to identify priorities both for
investment and for water allocation to the various users of bulk water conveyed.
D- Priority Measures and Investments
23. In response to this vulnerability, the study has identified structural and non-structural priority
measures and has identified a number of investment and policy concepts, which will require further analysis. The
structural measures in the immediate short term include: (i) reduction of losses in the bulk transmission systems, (ii)
establishment of interconnections for water transfer between the different systems/zones in the Ibër basin, and (iii)
protection of the Ibër-Lepenc canal against blockages, pollution and other types of disruption. The non-structural
measures include: (i) protection measures for catchment areas (policies, monitoring, enforcement, administrative
capacity and staff training, etc.), (ii) enhanced monitoring and data collection in particular for groundwater, and (iii)
enhanced monitoring and data collection for hydrology purposes in general.
24. For the longer run, the creation of additional water supply and storage would need to be examined. (This
could be from an enhanced Gazivoda/Ibër system; construction of a new reservoir on the Lepenc in the south with
conveyance canal to Central Kosovo2; and a conveyance system, possibly involving deep groundwater, from the
west of the country). Replacing the existing open canal for conveying clean water from Gazivoda reservoir by a
pressurised pipe to reduce losses is also a possibility. Reduction of the consumption per capita is to be encouraged.
It should be reminded that it is not sure that irrigation will expand to 10,000 ha and that drip irrigation can reduce the
overall water consumption.
25. Measures have been packaged and prioritized using several criteria. Preliminary economic analysis of
prioritized packages has been carried out. The measures have been considered and assessed using a multi- criteria
approach. Each measure has been analyzed with respect to: stakeholder commitment, environmental impact,
transboundary consequences, economic development impact and immediate employment impacts, technical
complexity, flexibility and readiness. Four priority project packages have been identified. The first package is already
ongoing and is mentioned for completeness. For each package the components have been identified and a cost-
benefit analysis, also based on NPV calculation (Net Present Value) has been carried out. However, the analysis
has suggested that most of these measures can be considered "no regret" measures, as they need to be taken
irrespective of the different development scenarios, and to address situations that will soon take emergency forms
due to the poor condition of the infrastructure and the growing demand against stagnating supply.
2 The Bank has advised the government through this same Advisory Activity that the 1980 designs for the Lepenc reservoirs are not any longer
realistic. Yet, an alternative reservoir site and conveyance system have been identified, however, their cost are beyond the reach of the country at this moment (Kosovo—Towards a Water Strategic Action Plan: Assessment of water demand and supply, and of the feasibility of the South Ibër-Lepenc Scheme, The World Bank, November 2009.
26. A project to improve connectivity for Prishtina and enhance water supply reliability is expected to
start in 2012. A project has been developed by the Prishtina Regional Water Company with KfW funding. This
project would draw part of the water supply of Prishtina from the Ibër-Lepenc canal, thus making the water supply of
Prishtina less vulnerable (more secure). At the same time, this investment will further increase the importance of
securing uninterrupted water supply from the Ibër- Lepenc canal, as well as taking precautionary action to minimize
the opportunities for pollution of the canal water.
27. A project package to secure uninterrupted water supply of good quality from the Ibër- Lepenc canal
(estimated cost up to €31 million). This package includes the following investment measures: (i) repair of the
canal (lining, abutments, foundations, cuttings, culverts, etc.) and protection against renewed physical damage from
landslides, unstable soils, and man-made disruptions, (ii) short-term storage along the canal to bridge peak water
demand and temporary outages for repair purposes, (iii) protection of the canal against recurrent pollution,
accidental pollution and other threats and disruptions, through interventions such as fencing and covers, (iv)
equipment for better management of gates and regulation of water flows, (v) establishment of a stakeholder platform
for a dialogue on allocation rules, (vi) support to the establishment of rules for water allocation and prioritization
between competing demands, and (vii) capacity building for Ibër- Lepenc Canal Water Company for these issues as
well as training on how to deal with emergency situations. The total cost has been estimated at about €31 million.
The benefit-cost ratio is higher than 1.1. The largest cost component is the proposed lining of 25 kilometres of the
canal at an estimated cost of €25 million for a complete renovation which could be considered excessive. However,
this option could still provide benefits in the long run as the amount of water available would be larger. The proposed
length, cost and other specifics will have to be tested and appraised in a feasibility study. With a certain budget
available, a key task for the feasibility study would be to identify the sections that most urgently need lining.
28. A package for pilot groundwater knowledge development and protection (estimated at €1.4 million).
This package includes the following investment measures: (i) description of characteristics and identification of
significant pressures on (pilot) groundwater bodies, (ii) installation of groundwater monitoring networks, and (iii)
support to farmers to establish physical measures to protect drinking water supply. The total investment costs have
been assessed at about €1.4 million, and the benefit-cost ratio to be above 3. The project is a pilot project, which
addresses the key issue of groundwater protection in the Ibër basin. Groundwater protection is particularly important
for the rural population which is not connected to centralized piped water supply.
29. A project package for protection of drinking water reservoirs (estimated at €12 million). This package
would include the following investment measures: (i) preparation of a protection plan for each of the three reservoirs
in line with the EU Drinking Water Directive, (ii) equipment for monitoring of hydrology and water quality, (iii) capacity
building of staff, (iv) sanitation facilities for recreational facilities at the reservoirs, (v) septic tanks and wastewater
and run-off drainage for rural (low-density) residences, farms and businesses not planned to be connected to a
centralized drainage and wastewater system, and, last but not least, (vi) land purchase for headwaters conservation
areas. The total investment costs have been assessed to be approximately €12 million (including land purchases)
and the benefit-cost ratio to be approximately 2.
E- Conclusion
30. The study has documented the importance of investing in water security in central Kosovo and has
identified no-regret priority measures for the short term within a planning horizon of 3-6 years. The study would need
to be complemented by deeper analysis, notably to confirm that the proposed no-regret measures are indeed the
best and most cost-effective options to address the rising lack of supply security. However, the proposed measures
are likely essential to reduce the vulnerability of the economic heart of Kosovo to water shortages in dry years due to
supply interruption and to pollution, and climate change that will substantially deteriorate the water balance, after
2020.