Two weeks ago the discussion on water in the post-2015 development agenda was held in Tbilisi. The Round Table was organized by "Global Water Partnership - Georgia" (the Head - George Dzamukashvili). The meeting was attended by Peep Mardiste, UNECE representative (Environmental Affairs Officer, Environmental Division), and George Tsagarishvili, Parliament Member, and representatives of the Ministry of Environment Protection, Ministry of Health and local NGOs as well.
The meeting was very timely: due to climate change the situation with water resources in the Globe might change greatly. In some places there will be a lot of water, in other ones - a little. At the same time the World will face with deficit of drinking water, and drinking water price may be equal to oil price. Simultaneously a great risks are being arisen. Moreover: Georgia, rich in water resources, has problems with their ecological use and monitoring system.
National Vision is needed
Taking into consideration the abovementioned prospects, both social and political risks are arisen. It is impossible that the transnational companies will control the world water resources. If comparing to oil controlled by private sector, the policy on water resources use may be made by those who has "access to pipe". Maybe it is needed to introduce regulation item at the international convention level that the state must manage water resources all the time? The water tap should not be in the bad arm.
Peep Mardiste answered:
This idea is very good. But the problem is that we may not oblige the states to follow this. We may only recommend. But only the government of each country decides. There is the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management. It serves to ensure ecological use of water resources, construction of hydropower stations etc. So, you plan to build a whole number of hydropower stations. And you have to think about observance of rules. When using water resources the appropriate allocation has decisive importance: how many water is needed for drinking, how many - for irrigation and reservoirs etc. If not, you have problems. If there isn't proper allocation some part of the system will have shortage of water. Moreover inappropriate allocation of water might affect the water quality. Therefore thinking about national planning is needed. As I understood you haven't it.
Just the State should control water resources!
Allocation of water resources depends on the purpose of people who deals with this. The state will be oriented on well-being of the people (normal situation!), but a business player - on its own business-interest. History has proved many times: human factor dependency is unreliable thing. Is needed a coin tossing game? It is more reasonable to develop a concept in order only the State will deal with water resources management.
Nino Chkhobadze (Co-chairperson, NGO Greens of Georgia - Friends of the Earth):
In any normal state the state itself is responsible for water resources management. What was in 2008 - isn't acceptable when water supply of Tbilisi and suburbs was entrusted to the private company. In 2001 at the meeting devoted to water resources management, England and France strongly recommended that this sphere should not be entrusted to private companies. All who did that, had received absolutely unacceptable results: the price sharply increased. Moreover it resulted in problems in social sphere: immediate water supply cutoff if payment delay. Whereas the EU Water Directive defines "Water is the gift of God but not only commercial product".
/Question/ There is idea to commit forests to private ownership. This provokes gloomy thinking. Because if there is no forest then no water. Can new government adopt this idea?
Of course, water resources management problem is connected with forestry management problem. If we ignore this problem, the hydropower engineering will be very problematic. Even at the international conference in Rio it was noted that transfer of nature resources management into the ownership is security threat for the state. Nature protection is first of all an economical benefit.
/Question/And what about water quality? At this moment it is a combination of unsolved problems...
This problem relates to deterioration of sewerage system that affects drinking water quality. Another problem is wastewater. And the large trouble in this sphere for last ten years - pipes above-ground along the bank. Of course it is easy in engineering terms: no need to dig a ground etc. But it is a catastrophe in terms of ecology. Go to any region and you will get evidence. Look at the owners of restaurants: what they are doing near the river. There are no normal sewerage system anywhere. Ads a result - all the wastes come to the river. And groundwater also is polluted. The water supply system has been improved in many cities. However these systems should be not only rehabilitated but also improved considerably.
Business should be free but not unbridled
George Tsagareishvili (member of Parliament), answering questions, said:
All the resources are scarce resources including water. We have a lot of water. Delusion is the thought that it will be all the time. Further the value of water will increase more and more it is a strategic resource. Therefore wasteful use of water resources can be considered as a crime. Saving them is a direct obligation of the state. Only the state should develop a strategy on ecological use, and creating and monitoring of appropriate infrastructure. And of course the state should define a water price.
The problem is that our country hadn't the national policy on water resources. The law was adopted in 1995 and currently it doesn't work in practice. There is only its name. During reforming the Ministry of Environment we developed transitional rules, having obligated the government to develop new water law. Actually all things should be rewritten. This law will be finalized up to autumn.
Special problem is related to abolition of the law on water resources use permission in 2005. As a result - full defeat in the environment sphere. Of course a business should be free but not unbridled. As to "Georgian Water and Power" Company, nobody should be discharged or something should be taken away. It is necessary to revise agreements in order they are more correct, and consider people interests and environment issues.
Don't "play with water"
Why international conventions can not regulate water resources management like human rights? In connection with possible future drinking water deficit this problem is urgent. Importantly to develop such convention.
It is a fact that the world business see water as commercial product only, but not as a gift of God. That is Georgia is a country that has no problem with water. But because it is a small and weak country, valuable water can be very expensive. In any case, it is not allowed to"play with water". This game is very dangerous.
(Journalist: Medeya Gogsadze)