Co-managing Floods and Droughts through Innovative Underground Storage:

Cases from India and Vietnam

Paul PavelicInternational Water Management Institute (IWMI), Lao PDR

ASIA Focus - Natural Alternatives to Water Storage

SIWI World Water Week

Stockholm, 28 August 2018

MONRE UNIT 704

UTFI in Concept

Currently

Wet Season

UTFI

Wet Season

UTFI

Dry Season

Green shaded areas highlight where the scope for UTFI is promising. These areas account for 50% of the global population and 40% of the

crop area.Areas where research has taken place are highlighted by the

diamonds ( ) above.

UTFI CONCEPT AND BROADSCALE PROSPECTSGlobal Prospects

Source: IWMI

UTFI IMPLEMENTATION IN THE GANGES BASIN, INDIA

BEFORE AFTER

Community pond converted for UTFI in Jiwai Jadid village. The village is periodically flooded and groundwater levels have been falling, which impact on domestic water supplies and agricultural livelihoods.

Objectives``

1) Develop a sound evidence-

based case for UTFI at pilot scale

2) Facilitate opportunities for

scaling up in prospective parts of

the Ganges

Interdisciplinary Approach

Research – mapping, hydrologic/

hydraulic modelling, pilot testing

(technical, social/gender,

economic, institutional,

environmental analysis)

Engagement – workshops, open

days, dialogue, trainings

PILOT SITE

www.iwmi.org

Water for a food-secure world

2015 2016 2017 Season

Recharge

Season-

60

1000

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7000

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ul-1

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Rec

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(m3/d

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Silt fluxes and removal efficiencies at the pond-base and in the filters are being determined.

Water quality data collected at 10 stations. Risks have not increased due to UTFI.

0

500

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0 4 8 12 16

Dis

char

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Return Period (years)

Baseline 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

152

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158

Grou

ndwa

ter el

evati

on (m

)

Baseline 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

RETURN PERIOD FLOW

GW LEVELS

FLOOD INUNDATION

Potential to scale up to basin scale established through hydro-economic modelling

Scientific Knowledge

Volumes of excess flow stored in aquifer are high (40-70 x 103 m3 per year)

VILLAGE LEVEL

DISTRICT LEVEL

STATE LEVEL

NATIONAL LEVEL

Consultation with villagers

Meeting CDO, Rampur

DIP Doc.

MWR site visit

• Acceptance of UTFI by the local community, especially women

• Site maintenance formalized through MGNREGA with community participation

• Support from the highest level decision makers in Rampur district

• Site being formally handed over to district government

• Uptake by UP Govt by inclusion of UTFI in District Irrigation Plan PMKSY (Prime Ministers Irrigation Program) for two districts

• Growing support from Ministry of Water Resources

Engagement & Impact

Further Information:http://utfi.iwmi.org/

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Smallholder farmers in the Central Highlands face seasonal groundwater shortfalls, exacerbated by drought

Image credit: IWMI

The Central Highlands is Vietnam’s foremost coffee production region

Source: CHYN, (2015)

Piloting MAR in Vietnam to Increase Resilience of Smallholder Farmers

Central Highlands

Dak Lak

Coffee production has boomed, and robusta coffee is one of VNs largest

export commodities

GW use has boomed, and deep well drilling is common due to seasonal

depletion of shallow basaltic aquifers

Coffee Production GW for Irrigation Patterns of Water Scarcity

Source: USDA data

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Aims and Approach

WS1

WS2

WS3WS4

MAR sitesMAR reference sites

Raingauge sites

Aims``

• Develop robust proof of concept for

implementing MAR

• Explore trade-offs and outlook for

broader adoption

Approach``

• Setup trials at multiple sites

• Use simple methods that may be

replicated by farmers

Measurements

• Water volumes stored & recovered

• Groundwater level response

• Water quality

• Frequency of site maintenance

• Cost-benefits

• Community perceptions

Concept

M5 Site

MAR & Control Sites

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Some Initial Results

Cumulative Recharge Volumes

Traditional Irrigation:

· 190 extra trees can be irrigated (theoretically)

Improved Irrigation:

· 450 extra trees can be irrigated (theoretically)

Water Availability – M4 Site

www.iwmi.org

Water for a food-secure world

Key Messages Overall

1. New solutions developed and tested that convert water-related disasters/hazards into opportunities to enhance livelihood opportunities;

2. Strengthening links between natural infrastructure (aquifers) with private or community infrastructure (ponds/canals) helps build climate resilience;

3. UTFI piloting in India has successfully influenced policy with plans for next-level scaling;

4. MAR piloting in Vietnam is less advanced, and is being fine-tuned further; and

5. Policy makers should consider UTFI/MAR in relation to relevant development challenges (SDGs, CCA etc).

Photo credit: HNRS