Water for people.pdf - WHO Thailand Digital Repository

4 7 8 / P I L O T C A S E S T U D I E S : A F O C U S O N R E A L - W O R L D E X A M P L E SLake Titicaca Basin, Bolivia and PeruAchievementsWater resources assessment in the TDPS systemIn the mid-1950s many initiatives were taken at different levels to makeuse of the waters of Lake Titicaca, one example being the proposal forbringing irrigation water to the arid zone of Chile. These initiativesinvolved the extraction of given flows from the lake, but without anyevaluation study of the real hydrological potential. Out of concern forpossible negative impacts, the Bolivian and Peruvian governments tookthe first steps to establish the foundation of a binational managementsystem, signing an agreement to study the issue.Binational Master PlanThe subsequent result of this investigation was the formulation of aBinational Master Plan to provide the guidelines and framework forthe future development of the system. One of the conclusions of thisstudy estimates that as little as 20 m 3 /s of water could be extractedfrom the basin for economically productive uses, a much lower volumethan proposed in the original. In this way, a possible ecologicaldisaster similar to that of the Aral Sea in the former Soviet Union wasaverted, and the groundwork was laid for a harmonious andtechnically effective binational model of administration.Within the framework of the Master Plan, the followingdocuments were developed:■ a development strategy for irrigation and drainage;■ a strategy for hydraulic regulation of the system;■ an environmental survey and analysis; and■ a conservation plan.Hydraulic regulation worksTaking into account the fragility of the system with regard to floodprotection and prevention, a series of flow regulation works havebeen defined at basin level and in the system in general, for anamount of US$38 million. In 2001 the first dam was finished, closeto the international bridge over the Desaguadero River. The mainobjective of the dam is to prevent, or at least protect, thesurrounding area from floods, according to a rational and plannedhandling of the lake level when it rises above 3,810 m.a.s.l. Otherbenefits of this dam include protection of the vast fish populationsand aquatic vegetation, provision of 50,000 hectares of secureirrigation to Peru and 15,000 hectares yearly to Bolivia up to amaximum potential of 35,000 hectares, and flood protection for6,000 to 10,000 hectares on both sides of the lake.The ALT modelOne of the most successful aspects of ALT is its very smoothoperation. As indicated earlier, the process of creating theBinational Authority has gone through four stages: conducting anevaluation of resources, designing a legal framework, building amanagement model and implementing a master plan. These stagesrepresent a scale model that can be replicated nationally as a guidein the process of regulating hydrological resources.ConclusionsProblems in the TDPS system are mainly of a structural nature. Localpoverty undermines every effort to prioritize solutions to problems,thus causing a negative feedback loop. Figure 21.3 represents thecause-effect relationships of the main problems.There is an urgent need to intensify the fight against povertyand to drastically improve the health system in the region. Greatbenefits could be achieved through the provision of better servicesfor waste disposal and treatment, the promotion of environmentaleducation and the continuation of the water regulation worksalready in progress. Most importantly, however, there needs to befar greater investment in public health services in order to ensure abetter quality of life for the population.Other possible means of development include increasing theirrigated surface area of the basin. Much of the agriculture is currentlynot irrigated. This is due in part to the land fragmentation caused bytraditional property rights. The result is a decrease in productivity,which helps to perpetuate the region’s poverty. Developing theirrigation potential would require a more detailed evaluation of waterreserves and development of the country’s extensive natural gasreserves for cheap energy to power the scheme. One possible way toimplement more efficient agricultural technologies is through theestablishment of legislation that would promote associations ofproducers managing land surfaces of a more adequate size.Although there is a legislative body in place and many effortshave been made to develop the area, more can be done to ensurethe birth of a more equitable way of life for the inhabitants of theLake Titicaca basin.