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
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
25-J
ul-1
5
03-O
ct-1
5
12-D
ec-1
5
20-F
eb-1
6
30-A
pr-1
6
09-J
ul-1
6
17-S
ep-1
6
26-N
ov-
16
04-F
eb-1
7
15-A
pr-1
7
24-J
un-1
7
02-S
ep-1
7
11-N
ov-
17
Rec
har
ge r
ate
(m3/d
ay)
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
1000
1500
2000
2500
0 4 8 12 16
Dis
char
ge (m
3/s)
Return Period (years)
Baseline 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
152
153
154
155
156
157
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