WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B1 Water in Emergencies Session 11B Context Specific Scenarios (2 of 4) Urban Environments

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B2 Water in Urban Emergencies Exercise: Identify the particular challenges for water responses in urban emergencies S House / OXFAM-GB

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B3 Challenges: Systems often more complex Higher technical skill required for large treatment works & distribution networks Power supplies required for operation – at risk in conflict situations High population densities in poorly serviced areas = increased risk of spread of cholera Risk contamination – sewerage systems, pit latrines, industrial Higher use of dangerous chemicals – gaseous chlorine etc Access problems, sniper fire Water in Urban Emergencies S Field / OXFAM-GB

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B4 Water in Urban Emergencies Positive aspects: Women more empowered - leadership positions Easier access to skilled personnel Easier access to spare parts Formal education & literacy levels generally higher A range of formal and informal water suppliers / entrepreneurs

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B5 Monrovia, Liberia Large population increases - migration from conflict in rural areas Severe overload of pre-conflict water system Poor maintenance of old system Limited availability of electricity High density - latrines & populations Weak sense of community, diverse populations – harder to get people to follow project rules Theft of pump parts and water Capacity of government and water authorities weakened by the war Women in urban areas, more likely to be leaders Security jacket, fixed by water committee to prevent theft, Chicken Soup Factory, Monrovia, Liberia S House / ACF

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B6 Beirut, Lebanon, 1989 & 1990 Areas of the city - dependent on other areas because of complex pumping and distribution networks Different areas controlled by groups on different sides of the conflict Some wells too close to the front line to be used Large back up generator - purchased in one side and taken to other by ICRC – complex negotiations ICRC (1994) ‘Water and war; Symposium on water in armed conflicts, Montreaux, 21-23, Nov

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B7 Kathmandu, Nepal Area prone to earthquakes Based in valley with few entrance routes A major earthquake poses severe risk: –Dense population –Multi-storey buildings –Access ways in and out may all become damaged –Need for strategic emergency sources S house / OXFAM-GB

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B8 Priorities for Urban Water in Emergencies Assessment of existing water system: Identify previous water system operators and managers Establish how the system works, what are the problems ? Immediate emergency supply: Minimum water to population, through tankering or other means Water can be disinfected at local level – in storage tanks If point sources drilled – must be medium to deep boreholes & well sealed for some depth

WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies W W11B9 Repair Previous Water Supply System Priority order for repair: Intakes Pumps and trunk mains Local distribution pipes Repair breakages, flush pipes, disinfect Storage reservoirs Water treatment Priority & on-going: Reduce contamination Monitoring – leakage, water quality Refs: Reed, B (2005) ‘Rehabilitating Water Treatment Works After an Emergency’, WHO Technical Notes for Emergencies, No 6 Kayaga, S (1995) ‘Rehabilitating Small-Scale Piped Water Distribution Systems’, WHO Technical Notes for Emergencies, No 4 S House / WaterAid