Project cofinanced by European Regional Development Fund Project cofinancé par le Fonds européen de développement régional 1G-MED08-515 Sustainable Water Management through Common Responsibility enhancement in Mediterranean River Basins SWOT ANALYSIS on WATER MANAGEMENT in ANTHEMOUNTAS PILOT RIVER BASIN February 2011
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TABLE OF CONTESTS Introduction 4 1. SWOT Methodology 5 1.1 Inputs 5 1.2 Developing Strategy with the Help of a SWOT Analysis 6 2. SWOT Matrix 7 3. Conclusions 9 3
Introduction The present report was drafted in the framework of the 1G-MED08-515 WATERinCORE project for the Sustainable Water Management through Common Responsibility enhancement in Mediterranean River Basins. The WATERinCORE project is implemented under the transnational programme of European territorial cooperation MED (http://www.programmemed.eu), Priority Axe 2: Environmental protection and promotion of a sustainable territorial development, Objective 2.1: Protection and enhancement of natural resources and cultural heritage. The project aims at the design, application and dissemination of a methodological frame for the integration of Local Agenda 21 principles in Water Resources Management in Mediterranean River Basins. It focuses on the identification of the water management practices and policies as well as of the actual state of Local Agenda application in the participants regions. Considering these and additionally the specific characteristics of the regions a public participation process will be designed and implemented at selected pilot river basins/sub basins in each region in order to motivate and actively involve the local key actors/stakeholders in the development and application of local actions in water management. By this way the provision of tools for a better integration of activities in the fields of both sustainable water management and Local Agenda 21 will be achieved and the confrontation of the different problems and threats on water resources in a cross-sectorial, territorial as well as dialogue oriented approach will be accomplished. Within the framework of the 3rd component of the project Water Management in the participants regions-pilot River basin a common list of WM indicators was formed. The Water Management List of indices used for the creation of the common database on water management (phase 3.3). Based on a specific SWOT methodology, the data provided by the compiled list of indicators for the basin (deliverable of phase 3.4), an overall brainstorming about the situation of water management issues for the basin, the strong and weak points presented in the chapters of water management analysis (phase 3.1) and the European and national legal framework, established a SWOT Matrix, in order to identify the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats in the study area (phase 3.4). The evaluation of the data for the indicators, the implementation of a SWOT analysis per pilot basin and the conclusions derived from the SWOT matrix will finally develop a Strategic Water Management Plan for each pilot basin of the participant regions (phase 3.4). 4
1. SWOT Methodology The acronym SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Strengths and weaknesses can be regarded as internal factors whereas opportunities and threats stand for external factors. The SWOT analysis gives the possibility to develop a strategy which can help to tackle the weaknesses and threats. EUROPE Internal factors inside environment (in the basin) Basin COUNTRY/ REGION External factors outside environment (factors exists inside the country/region and EUROPE) 1.1 Inputs The Internal Analysis of strengths and weaknesses focuses on internal factors that give certain advantages and disadvantages of the water management in the basin. Internal factors in a spatial point of view will be identified by the existing information about the river basin utilizing: a. the data provided by the compiled list of indicators for the basin (deliverable of phase 3.4), e.g. water quality, quantity, % Population served by W.W.T.P. cost recovery etc. b. an overall brainstorming about the situation of water management issues for the basin (e.g. water pricing, administration, education and awareness, infrastructures etch. ) The External Analysis examines opportunities and threats that exist in the outside environment. Both opportunities and threats exist independently of the basin. The way to differentiate between a strength or weakness from an opportunity or threat is to ask: Would this issue exist if the river did not exist? If the answer is yes, it should be considered external to the basin. In our case as outside environment has to be considered the country/region and EUROPE. External factors could be identified utilizing: c. The water management analysis (deliverable phase 3.1) for example strong and weak points presented in the chapters of the different sectors (chapter 11 to 25) could be opportunities and threats respectively if they considered as external factors for the pilot basin. d. The European and national legal framework (directives, regulations and Laws), co-financing tools (European and national programmes), national 5
strategic frameworks, developmental plans, water management plans etch. could be also considered as opportunities for the SWOT Analysis. 1.2 Developing Strategy with the Help of a SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis can be used to develop the Water Management Strategy for the basin that is a deliverable of phase 3.4, project s component 3. The basic idea is to combine strengths and weaknesses on one side and on the other side opportunities and threats. Combining Strengths with Opportunities produce elements of the strategy that could be implement/applied in the short term. On the other hand combining Opportunities with Weakness produce elements of the strategy that could be implement/applied in the medium term. In the same way, we can combine threats with strengths and weakness to produce more elements of the strategy. Opportunities: Threats: Strengths: Growth-accelerating policies Strategy elements for the short term Stabilization policies Strategy elements for the medium term Weakness: Structural policies Strategy elements for the medium term Preventive policies Strategy elements for the long term Thus, a strategy could be developed for the water management in the pilot basin. A point that has to be considered is that a strategy based on strength and on opportunities can be realized quickly. On the other hand, a strategy which tries to counter weaknesses and threats takes more time to work out. Yet, this can also be considered a chance to combine the strategies because the strategies tend to be mutually supportive. 6
2. SWOT Matrix Based upon the methodology presented in paragraph 1 the following SWOT analysis was concluded for the Water management of Anthemountas pilot basin. STRENGTHS Good quality of groundwater Register of protected areas (abstraction areas indented for human consumption) Stabilization of water table form 2005 onwards Identification of flooding Risks (sediment discharge, water discharge measures low incidence of flooding and decreased erosion rate) Works to upgrade water supply and wastewater treatment works in order to minimize and eliminate losses (WWPT expansion, water pipes, networks ect) 100% of the population is served by water supply network 65% of the population is served by W.W.T.P. Existence of intense geothermal fields (low enthalpy) Existence of the Water Consultation Committee Anthemountas River Basin Protocol and Management Plan OPPORTUNITIES Water Framework Directive (W.F.D.) Water Management Authority responsible for the protection and management of water (Water Directorate of Region of Central Macedonia) Social Consultation actions for Water management Monitoring of surface and groundwater Environmental Quality Standards (E.Q.S.) for concentrations of certain pollutants and priority substances in surface waters (JMD-08/12/2010) Legal Framework oblige users to have permits and use hydrometers to boreholes (Law 3199/2005, JMD43304/2003) Soil Thematic Strategy (puts forward measures to protect soil and to preserve its capacity to perform its functions and thus contributes to the water resources management) Legal Framework for Floods (Flood Directive 2007/60/EC Joint Ministerial Dicision-21/07/2010) Technology and research Development on water management Structural funds to upgrade expand and build new works related with water management. Kallikratis" plan for local government, a new administrative architecture for local authorities leading to elimination of fragmentations between authorities. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) associated with good practice for the maintenance of biodiversity, landscape, soil protection and water resources. Specific measures include: Recovery of local varieties with lower water consumption. Adaptation measures to climate change. Improving irrigation efficiency. Ensure compliance with Water Framework Directive. Avoid use changes and increase agriculture in protected areas. 7
WEAKNESS Overexploitation of water resources Lack of responsibility for water saving Water resources are characterized stressed based on WEI (abstractions puts pressure on water resources)- Overexploitation of groundwater Lack of common water pricing policy within the basin In many cases low cost recovery rates (under 100%) Research and monitoring water resources data (surface and groundwater, quantitative and qualitative) is characterized largely by fragmentation, lack of time series data and moderate level of reliability because of lack of certified authorities Fragmentation of competent water authorities Lack of mountainous hydronomy and construction works, limited exploitation of drainage and rainwater Lack of flood maps and plans Increased urbanization trends causing urban sealing Lack of irrigation networks and uncontrolled abstractions of water for irrigation through private boreholes High consumption of water for irrigation needs Existence of illegal boreholes without hydrometers for irrigation needs Insufficient data for industrial treated wastewater 35% of the population is not served by W.W.T.P (settlements under 10.000 inhabitants) Insufficient wastewater treatment Non reuse of treated wastewaters Limited exploitation of geothermal fields THREATS The uneven distribution of precipitation in space and time, leading to temporal variability in available water resources due to climate change Inability to control authorization conditions of competent authorities Lack of financial resources investments in infrastructure due to economic crisis (wastewater treatment plants, pipelines etc) Limited exploitation of geothermal water for energy and industry because of institutional framework inapplicability and bureaucratic problems and delays Non application of Spatial or Urban Planning to prevent urbanization and non characterization of land cover Ineffective control of water operation works by competent authorities Delay of WFD application in Greece Failure of farmers to apply CAP 8
3. Conclusions Based on the SWOT analysis and the methodology presented in paragraph 1.2 the basic elements of a Water management Strategy for Anthemountas basin can be produced, combining Opportunities with Strengths and Weakness and Threats with Strengths and Weakness. Growth-accelerating policies: Use strengths to exploit opportunities (implemented/applied in short term) Participation of Local and Regional Authorities (Water management Authorities) to ensure shared responsibility for the implementation of water conservation policies and measures, based on WFD, to safeguard good quality of water resources Establishment of special protection zones, based on the register of protected areas intended for human consumption Expansion and upgrade W.W.T.P. Structural policies Overcome weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities (implemented/applied in medium term) Elimination of fragmentation of competent authorities by the application of Kallicratis programme Develop capacity of involving stakeholders so they can participate in planning and implementation of water management Increase water availability with hydronomy works Reduce urban sealing taking into consideration measures of Soil Thematic Strategy Formation of flood maps and plans based on provision of the Flood Directive Control and authorization of boreholes to prevent overexploitation of water resources and illegal pumping Agricultural restructuring aiming at modernization of Agricultural Exploitation and efficient water use Increase cost recovery rates taking into consideration the environmental cost Use of technology for the collection and monitoring of water resources data Stabilization policies Use strengths to avoid threats (implemented/applied in medium term) Safeguard the stabilization of water table in order to prevent variability of water resources due to climate change Safeguard the implementation of commitments under the Anthemountas River Basin Protocol and continuation of the measures proposed in the Management Plan 9
Preventive policies Reduce weakness to avoid threats (implemented/applied in long term) Application of Spatial and Urban Planning to decrease urbanization trends and consequently to avoid urban sealing Increase exploitation of geothermal fields for energy and industrial use Reuse of the treated wastewaters Reduce overexploitation to minimize variability in available water resources The above Policies will be considered and further enriched during the development of a concrete deliverable of the Water Management Strategy for Anthemountas basin. The Strategy will be put in the core of a Public Participation Procedure that will be developed during the next period in the frame of project s component 5 in order the thoughts and proposals of local stakeholders to be included in the final action plan for the protection and improvement of water resources in the basin. 10