Sana'a Basin Water Management Project

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This first phase of the Sana'a Basin Water Management Project will assist the Government in containing the depletion of groundwater in the Sana'a Basin aquifer, a timing which will allow for the conversion of the Basin's economy into less water-intensive activities, while favorable socioeconomic conditions will be encouraged through community participation. The first component seeks to achieve water savings, and conservation in agriculture, by increasing irrigation uses through physical interventions in upgrading piped delivery systems, converting open channels to piped delivery systems, and introducing pressurized irrigation, promoting community participation. The second component will accelerate groundwater recharge, through small conventional dams, sub-surface dams, and other structures. Given the flaws of the Water Law, the third component will help develop a regulatory framework, to subsequently apply regulatory procedures for water rights management, and, the National Water Resources Authority will assume the responsibility for basin-wide water resources investigation, regulation, and monitoring. Moreover, a basin hydro-geological and water resources investigation, and monitoring will aim at analyzing project impacts on dam, and wadi structures regarding aquifer recharge, and groundwater levels, including as well, surveys, laboratory testing, and satellite imagery/aerial photography to quantify impacts on crops and irrigated areas. The fourth, fifth and sixth components, will promote public awareness campaigns, environmental management, and mitigation plans, and, support project management activities, respectively.