1. UNESCO-executed activities in GEF project “Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Baikal Basin Transboundary Ecosystem” (Mongolia and Russian Federation)
Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa
International Hydrological Programme
UNESCO, Paris

2. UNESCO-executed activities
UNESCO is an executing international partner for activities under:
Output 1.3: Assessment of groundwater resources in the Baikal Basin and groundwater-related transboundary issues
Output 1.4: Review and rank upgrade needs for Mongolian municipalities in Selenge River basin, including the identification of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects, focusing on Kharaa River Basin pollution assessment
UNESCO-UNOPS Interagency Agreement was signed and became operational in September 2012.

3. Output 1.3
Assessment of groundwater resources in the Baikal Basin and groundwater-related transboundary issues

4. Groundwater in the Lake Baikal Basin
Groundwater plays a central socio-economic role
Primary source of drinking water
Supplies major cities in the basin
Agriculture and industry
Exploitation mainly from shallow unconfined aquifers, generally supplying high quality water
Vulnerable to pollution (especially shallow groundwater) and over-exploitation
Climate change is expected to further increase the importance
buffer function
IWRM: to recognize the intergrated nature of surface and shallow groundwater circulation
Deep groundwater circulation plays a role in the lake‘s ecology (not a focus in the framework of this project)
TDA/SAP will need to address:
Protection of groundwater sources for potable water
Protection of recharge areas (Karst, main fractured belts along the active faults)
Land use policies in valley floors, tourism development
First lake project in the GEF portfolio adopting a basin approach, fully integrating groundwater considerations

5. Scope of activities under the Output 1.3
Compile existing knowledge, data and information on transboundary groundwater resources in shallow aquifers in the Baikal Basin, with special regard to:
Sustainable, integrated management of groundwater and surface water and environmentally sound water protection policy
Increasing water demand for drinking and other purposes and potential impacts of excessive groundwater exploitation
Transboundary pollution threats to groundwater quality (in close cooperation with Output 1.4).
Advantages of conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water for social and economic development.
Vulnerability of groundwater and groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Influence of the present status of land use and land use planning on groundwater resources quantity and quality.
Potential impact of climate variability and change on different type of aquifers (shallow, karstic, deep) and on frequency and extent of natural disasters (floods, droughts, storms, earthquakes).
Output: Groundwater report as a contribution to the preparation of the Baikal Basin TDA
Identification of groundwater-related issues of transboundary concern Recommendations for management

6. Activities and Progress to date: 2012
IAA signed UNOPS-UNESCO signed in September 2012
Key partners for the groundwater acitivities identified and contacted:
Mongolia: Institute of Geoecology & UNESCO Chair, Ministry of Environment and Green Development, Geological Investigation Centre, Institute of Hydrology and Meteorology
Russian Federation: Irkutsk State University & UNESCO Chair on Water Resources, Geological Institute SB RAS, Baikal Institute of Nature Management SB RAS, Limnological Institute SB RAS, Institute of Water Problems (Moscow)

7. Activities and Progress to date: 2012
Detailed workplan for the implementation of groundwater activitites and TORs for national experts prepared
Scientific-technical coordinator for output 1.3 contracted
Four national experts on hydrogeology nominated and contracted (2 from Russia, 2 from Mongilia)
First workshop organized in Ulan Bator, November 2012
Interim groundwater report submitted 20 January
Comprehensive compilation of existing groundwater-related data and information in the Baikal Basin
Second groundwater team meeting organized, Ulan-Ude, March 2013
Based on the preliminary results, substantial additional inputs were provided by the UNESCO team on groundwater issues,
partly integrated in the final version of TDA doc as well as annexed.

8. Transboundary groundwater monitoring network and database in GIS
Transboundary groundwater monitoring network has not been established yet  no evidence about groundwater quantity and quality flowing across Mongolian – Russian boundary
Together with existing data from surface water transboundary network groundwater data will support calculation of total (surface water and groundwater) transboundary water runoff and potential transboundary groundwater pollution threats
Standardization of monitoring methods and harmonization of sampling frequency in both countries will provide reliable, mutually comparable and consistent groundwater data sets; Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA / QC) procedure will be ordinary part of groundwater monitoring procedure

9. Transboundary groundwater monitoring network and database in GIS (cont
Feedback is an essential future of any monitoring programme; geostatistical methods and relevant models help to adjust monitoring network design, optimize measurements and samplings frequency and number of variables observed
Operation of transboundary groundwater and surface water monitoring networks has to be integrated and coordinated with meteorological, soil and other environmental networks and programmes
Establishment of transboundary groundwater GIS database , sharing of monitoring data and free data exchange between both countries is pointed out

10. Workplan Output 1.3: next steps
The preliminary report was largely focused on data collection and compilation
Finalization and submission of the final groundwater report - end of May 2013
The final report will focus on analysis of the available data, with special regard to transboundary aquifers in the border between Russia and Mongolia

11. Output 1.4
Review and rank upgrade needs for Mongolian municipalities in Selenge River Basin, including the identification of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects, focusing on Kharaa River Basin pollution assessment

12. Scope of activities under Output 1.4
A review and ranking of upgrade needs to improve water and sanitation in Mongolian municipalities in Selenge River basin, including the identification of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects
A case-study on the Kharaa River Basin pollution assessment, including the assessment of pollution hotspots and pollution threats

13. Output 1.4: Water and sanitation
A review and ranking of upgrade needs to improve water and sanitation for Mongolian municipalities in Selenge River Basin, including the identification of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects:
A review of the current situation of water and sanitation in main cities and municipalities;
Evaluation of the capacity and efficiency of existing municipal wastewater treatment and sanitation facilities.
Review and ranking of the upgrade needs for improving municipal wastewater management.
An inventory of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects
Development of strategies for the prevention, control and reduction of pollution from urban areas;

14. Access water and sanitation at the national level
Access to water and sanitation in the Selenge River Basin is high compared to the rest of the country, especially in urban areas.

15. Access to water and sanitation in rural areas: Selenge

16. Water and sanitation: Preliminary findings
Access to water and sanitation is high compared to the rest of the country , especially in urban areas.
Only over 30 percent of the total population is connected to central sewerage systems
Over 100 wastewater treatment plants at the national level, of which about 30 percent is fully operational
The effluent treatment level of wastewater treatment plants is low, especially in winter due to difficult operation conditions of biological treatment processes

17. Output 1.4: Kharaa River Basin
A case-study on the assessment of pollution hotspots and pollution threats in the Kharaa River Basin, with a specific focus on:
Human impacts on water quality in the basin
Major pollution threats to groundwater and surface water quality.
Pollution hotspots, including pollution sources and types and levels of selected main pollutants
Urban wastewater management, including the collection, treatment and disposal of municipal sewage, stormwater, urban runoff and solid waste
Negative impacts of water pollution on the sustainability of water resources in the basin, as well as on human health and ecosystems

18. Scope of activities Water quality assessment in the basin
Identification of major pollution threats to groundwater and surface water quality
Identification and assessment of pollution hotspots, including the identification of point and diffuse pollution sources and the evaluation of types and levels of selected main pollutants and their potential impact on water quality
Evaluation of the present status of urban wastewater and solid waste management in a major city(ies) in the Basin, specifically municipal and industrial wastewater and mining effluents
Evaluation of transboundary pollution transport and pollution risks (type, toxicity, resistance and amount of pollutants) of transboundary water resources

19. Kharaa River Basin pollution assessment: Preliminary findings
The headwaters of the Kharaa River are near the natural background conditions.
The quality of surface waters in the mountainous region of the Kharaa River Basin is good
Low nutrients level
Concentrations of heavy metals below the detection level
The quality of surface waters in the middle and lower reaches of the Kharaa river basin shows a certain level of degradation:
Increased nutrient levels
The total dissolved solids concentrations are as high as mg/L
Chloride concentrations increase to the range of mg/L.
Heavy metal concentrations show increased levels, but most of them being lower or near to the allowed maximum concentration.

20. Kharaa River Basin pollution assessment: Preliminary findings
Livestock from intensive farming sites watering directly at the river bank leading to fecal contamination and direct nutrient inputs to the river water by animal manure.
There are releases of mercury, arsenic, cyanide and zinc by gold mining activities with high impact to ground water quality
Waste-water and sludge from the mining operation of the Boroo gold mine is stored in a reservoir behind a dam

21. Output 1.4: Expected outcomes
Enhance knowledge and information on water pollution from urban areas and industrial operations
Develop and propose policy recommendations for integrated approaches to water, sanitation and wastewater in urban areas with the aim to prevent, control and reduce water pollution from municipalities, industrial areas and mining operations
Develop and propose policy recommendations and approaches to enhance water quality and ecosystems health with the aim to incorporate them as an integral part of existing national water strategies and policies
Increase public awareness of policy-makers, municipal authorities, industrial operators, and local communities on the impact of water pollution on human health and the environment;
Strengthen cooperation between Mongolia and Russia on the management of transboundary water pollution
Strengthen national capacities to protect and enhance water quality through policy advice, priority setting, and awareness raising.

22. National and international partners
Key national partners and national experts identified
Kharaa River Basin pollution assessment
Team of experts/consultants recommended through the National Water Committee and Ministry of Environment and Green Development
Review of water and sanitation in the Selenge River Basin
Experts/consultants recommended by the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development
International partner
Project office of the German-funded MoMo project on “Integrated Water Resources Management for Central Asia”

23. Activities and progress to date: 2012
Detailed workplan for the implementation of activities developed: September 2012
Coordination and consultation meetings held to identify potential national partners: November-December 2012
Ministry of Environment and Green Development
Ministry of Construction and Urban Development
National Water Committee
Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Geo-ecology Institute
Advisor on Ecology and Environmental Policy to the President of Mongolia
Mongolian IHP National Committee for UNESCO-IHP

24. Activities and progress to date: 2013 (as of March)
National consultants contracted
Activities initiated and underway (being carried out)
Outlines of reports developed
Collection of existing data and information
Identification of main issues and problems
Discussion with key stakeholders
Analysis of the data and information
Drafting of reports
Preliminary findings compiled for presentation at the TDA workshop of the project (April 2013)

25. Activities and progress to date: 2013 (as of March)
A scoping meeting organized in March 2013
The meeting was attended by more than 20 participants representing:
National Water Committee
Ministry of Environment and Green Development
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Construction and Green Development
Tuul River Basin Authority
Central Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring
Inspection and Monitoring Authority
Hydro-Eco Complany Ltd.
Mongolia Water Forum
Interim progress reports prepared in March 2013

26. Next steps and main outputs
Preparation of the draft final reports – end of May 2013
A national multi-stakeholder workshop – 04 June
All relevant stakeholders from the relevant sectors will be invited
The main purpose of the workshop is to discuss the findings of the studies with relevent stakeholders, including Ministries, government agencies, local authorities, basin organizations, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the prviate sector
Draft final reports of the two components/studies will be presented and discussed at the workshop
Draft final reports will be revised to incorporate the discussion and comments raised during the workshop
Finalization of the final reports – mid-June

27. Budget

28. Budget Output 1.3 Output 1.4 Total Consultants
Total allocation received to date: 175,000 USD
Output 1.3 – 140,000 USD
Output 1.4 – 35,000 USD
Output 1.3
Output 1.4
Total
Consultants
78,200 (4 national consultants, 1 coordinator)
17,200 (national consultants)
95,400
Travel, including meetings
48,000 (two expert group meetings, participation in SC meeting
14,300 (coordination and scoping meetings)
62,300
Miscellaneous
1,000 (purchase of maps) -
1,000
Total expenditure to date
127,200
31,500
158,700