Participatory Water Monitoring Cajamarca, Peru David Atkins CommDev Workshop 5 December 2006

Yanacocha Gold Mine, Peru  1993: Mine begins operation  2000: Mercury spill in Choropampa  2001: CAO begins Mesa de Dialogo; water main concern  2002: Mesa commissions independent, participatory study  2003: Mesa presents study results  Recommends participatory monitoring  : Mesa implements participatory monitoring

Community Water Monitoring, Cajamarca -Perú Mesa de Dialogo Participatory Monitoring Design 1. Participation Design workshop Community observers Technical Commission 2. Data quality control Duplicate samples 3. Public database/reports Web, Mesa office 4. Interpretation Mesa technical staff Technical commission 5. Recommendations 6. Communication City and villages

Participation in monitoring programs is important, but… Creating credible data interpretation and presenting findings is challenging

Creating credibility What questions need to be answered? For user groups For user groups Is the water safe for agriculture Is the water safe for agriculture Are potable water supplies safe Are potable water supplies safe For general public For general public Is the environment polluted Is the environment polluted Who interprets the data? Requires champion within company Requires champion within company Requires high level of technical capacity Requires high level of technical capacity Requires standing in community Requires standing in community Create credibility with community Create credibility with community Generate trust of company Generate trust of company

Evaluating conditions and risk What standards should be used? Companies often say they comply with international standards but application is typically not clear Companies often say they comply with international standards but application is typically not clear National standards may not be protective National standards may not be protective Actual use can be different than designated use Actual use can be different than designated use Ex: people drink from irrigation canals Ex: people drink from irrigation canals How is risk evaluated? Compare results to numerical guidelines and report exceedences Compare results to numerical guidelines and report exceedences Interpret exceedences and evaluate risk Interpret exceedences and evaluate risk

Presenting results and recommendations How does the company react when: Interpretation doesn’t agree with company view? Interpretation doesn’t agree with company view? Results indicate a significant risk? Results indicate a significant risk? How does civil society react when: Interpretation doesn’t agree with general perceptions? Interpretation doesn’t agree with general perceptions? Results indicate a significant risk? Results indicate a significant risk? How are recommendations addressed? What actions should be taken when risks are identified that are not the direct responsibility of the company? Poor sanitation Poor sanitation Lack of potable water Lack of potable water