E4373 V3

REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

AZERBAIJAN AMELIORATION AND WATER FARM

JOİNT STOCK COMPANY

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT

FOR WATER SUPPLY AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM
INVESTMENTS FOR 4 RAYONS
(AGSU, ISMAYILLI, SIYAZAN AND SHABRAN)
WITHIN SECOND NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY AND
SANITATION PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

AGSU RAYON

EPTISA Servicios de Ingenieria, S.L

Hydrometeorology Consulting Company

Baku- November 2010

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABREVIATIONS ..............................................................................................................................................4

EXECUTİVE SUMMARY… …………………………………………………………………………………5

1.0 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………....24
1.1 Context of the EIA ………………………………………………………………………….24
1.2 Purpose of the EIA ………………………………………………………………….............26
1.3 Methodology ……………………………………… ..27
2.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 28
2.1 Policy Framework .28
2.2 Legal Framework ...32
2.3 Administrative Framework 34
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .37
3.1 Problem Statement ..37
3.2 Project Identification ..43
3.3 Map of project area and the location of project infrastructure to be included ............57
3.4 Legal and Institutional Strengthening ..59
4.0 BASELINE DATA .61
4.1 Bio-Physical Description of Project Area .61
4.2 Socio-Economic Description of the Project Area .68
4.3 Projected Changes In Project Area 72
4.4 Data Reliability .72
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .74
5.1 Environmental Issues . 74
5.2 Potential Positive Project Impacts . 75
5.3 Potential Negative Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures ..76
5.4 Data Evaluation .87
6.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 88
6.1 No Project Scenario ...88
6.2 Water Supply System improvement only . .....89
6.3 Water Supply and Waste Water Management System improvement
... 93
7.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...............95
8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...103
8.1 Application of Mitigation Measures 111
8.2 Monitoring .. .121
8.3 Capacity assessment for the Environmental Management of the Project .. 126
LIST OF REFERENCES 126
ANNEXES . 127
ANNEX I. Project Area in Agsu region
ANNEX II Existing Water supply in Agsu region

2
ANNEX III. Existing Sewer System in Agsu region
ANNEX IV Proposed Water supply system options in Agsu region
ANNEX V. Pressure zones
ANNEX VI. Drinking water quality requirementa and standards
ANNEX VII. Water quality analysis results of Agsu
ANNEX VIII . Characteristics of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water..
ANNEX IX Treated waste water and sludge requirements
ANNEX X. Summary report of consultation meetings with key stakeholders
ANNEX XI. Public meeting on discussion of EİA report for Agsu

3
ACRONYMS and ABBREVIATIONS

ADB Asian Development Bank

AZERSU Azersu Joint Stock Company
AZN AZN Azeri New Manats
AWFC Azerbaijan Amelioration and Water Farm Joint Stock Company
FS Feasibility Study
HH Household
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (The World Bank)
IT Information Technology
IDA International Development Association
IDP Institutional Development Plan
masl Meters above sea level
MENR Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
mm Millimeters
MoH Ministry of Health
O&M Operation and Maintenance
P.A. Per Annum
PIU Project Implementation Unit
Project Second National Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Feasibility Study for 16
Rayons in Azerbaijan
SNWSSP Second National Water Supply and Sanitation Project
SSC State Statistics Committee
TOR Terms of References
UN United Nations
VAT Value Added Tax
WB World Bank
WHO World Health Organization
WSS Water supply and sanitation
WW Wastewater
WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant

4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. GENERAL

The Azerbaijan Second National Water Supply and Sanitation (SNWSS2) Project is financed by the
Government of Azerbaijan and World Bank. The employer for the project is Azerbaijan Amelioration and
Water Farm Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC) .

Gauff and Temelsu JV Int. Eng. Ser. Inc. Joint Venture is contracted to prepare Feasibility Studies of Water
Supply and Wastewater Investments in 16 Rayons.
The first phase of the project includes Agsu, Ismayilli, Shabran and Siyezen rayons. This report has been
concentrated on Agsu region water and sanitation investments proposed to be financed under the noted
project..
Eptisa (Spain) in association with Hydrometeorology Consulting Company (Azerbaijan) is contracted to
prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed project to assess the environmental and
social impacts of project and to identify the mitigation measures both during construction and operation. This
EIA study provides recommendations on mitigation measures and proposes an environmental management
plan including mitigation measures and proper monitoring actions to reduce and prevent impacts form the
proposed civil works.
Agsu is located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and the Agsu region of Shirvan plain. The
population of the Agsu rayon, including the urban and rural areas, has been recorded as 70,882 as by the
census made in 2009. The population density is 69 persons per km2.
The general land form of Agsu has evolved from salty sediments, and the area is generally known as steppe.
The soil structure is generally formed from sediments and the region is characterized by relatively slow
infiltration capacity. The natural slope of Agsu area varies from between 1 and 5 meters per km. The land
form is generally even, with shallow riverbeds.
The landscape of the upland area of the rayon consists of foothills and sloping plains and mountains that rise
to a height of 700-1000 meters above sea level. Mountainous areas have been characterized with rivers,
valleys and the landscape of the complex fragmented ravines. The low gray mountains form Shirvan
mountain range from Goychay to Pirsaatchi.
Girdimanchay, Ags chay, Aghdarchay and Nazirchay are the main rivers and creeks laid within the area of
Agsu rayon. Other surface waters laid within the Agsu rayon are Kukesh Qobu and Javanshir Lake on the
west, Upper Shirvan Canal at the south. Agsuchay has originates in the Lahij Mountains. The Ag chay
spreads out widely at the south of Agsu rayon center.
In Agsu rayon center 19.882 people live according to the census result of year 2009. The project service area
for water supply will include the Agsu town and Pirhasanli Village, for sewerage system and wastewater
treatment plant it will include Agsu town and Muradli and Tecile villages (the villages will be connected to
the main trunk only that is sewerage collection system will not be designed for the villages).
The estimated population figures considering the water supply and sewerage collection is 25,000 (covering
almost all population of the project area)for water supply and it will be 24,200 for sewerage and wastewater
treatment on year 2030.
2. EXISTING SITUATION
5
Water Supply System:
Some years ago a well field was constructed 3 km upstream on both riverbanks of Agsu River to feed the 2
main reservoirs which are situated on the upmost level of the town to supply the western network. As the
gravel of the mountainous riverbed is in motion all facilities of the well field has been demolished during the
annual flooding and cannot be used anymore.

Water from the Agsu West reservoirs is distributed by 4 main pipelines (3 x DN219, 1x DN159) supplying
different areas from north to south between 170–135 masl. The village Karakashli (~1600 inhabitants) is also
supplied by this network.

The main pipeline (DN 219, Steel: 0,5 mm) of the eastern distribution network was replaced in 2007/08
within reconstruction of the 2.85 km long Heydar Aliyev Road which is the main street of the eastern
riverside. This new road is in a very good condition. Remaining distribution pipes are from 1970-82 have the
same problems like in western Agsu.
Normally 60 % of Agsu households (incl. Karakashli Village) are supplied by water from Agsu River. Water
losses in the network makes up 50%.

Wastewater System: In 1985 the Rayon Hospital has constructed a sewer of about 1.5 km length (DN219,
ductile iron) to discharge their wastewater to an open drainage ditch (See Photos) in the southern part of the
town. This sewer is crossing private land and has been overbuild in some cases by new houses. 50-70
properties discharge their wastewater by illegal connections to this line. As reported by Agsu Rayon another
sewer was build for sewerage of some industrial enterprises starting at the wine factory in the North and
leading their wastewater to a drainage channel at the western edge of the municipal area.

Most of the wastewater is discharged at the properties in simple pits or - if the standard of living is higher –
in septic tanks. If they are filled up they were emptied by one of the four private operated tank trucks for
sludge disposal. It can be estimated that these trucks discharge the sludge illegally in the surrounding area. If
possible the inhabitants have installed direct pipes to drainage channels or Agsu River to dispose their
wastewater. The city has nearly no rainwater drainage facilities even at the main roads. Due to the loamy
ground significant rainwater values remain on the streets for several days.
During the construction process when replacing of existing asbestos cement requirements by WB ( See
section 8) will be followed according to the environmental management plan.

6
3. PROBLEMS

The situation with water supply in the town has not changed in the last 5-6 years, even worsened The
problem of water supply in the town is among the most important matters. There are frequent interruption of
water supply.
Untreated wastewater discharged to the small canals and wastewater seeping from the septic tanks to ground
result in groundwater contamination, odor and hygienic problems in Agsu rayon center. On the other hand,
ground water resources which are partly used by the consumers in Agsu Rayon center are contaminated with
the wastewater leaking from the septic tanks and reaching to the aquifers. The sewerage system under
construction is not designed well to make house connections efficiently. Also unhealthy situation of the
existing wastewater treatment plant imposes health and safety conditions of the people living around it.

In general existing problems are depletion of existing water supply and sanitation (WSS) assets due to lack
of sustainable investments and insufficient capacities for Operation and Maintenance (O&M), little
appreciation of public infrastructure sector and its organizations due to bad quality and service – consumers
implement their individual solutions without a general concept, limited budgets, low awareness of hygienic
interrelations of water supply, wastewater disposal and livestock farming cause high rates of water borne
diseases and major WSS supply lines and other facilities often affected by landslides and earthquakes.

In particular in the Water Supply system there is lack of mechanism for application of legislation to water
withdrawal from sources, no sound legal protection of future investments, limited number and capacity of
water supply pumps and reservoirs – no extension according to growth of population and industry, damages
caused by great age, low material quality and insufficient installation depth of pipes lead to high losses
within the water distribution network. Interrupted water supply and temporarily empty pipes cause bad water
quality at house connections (bacteria, sediments, rust etc). There are hygienic problems by private water
storage tanks. New water supply lines/areas were implemented on the standards of the old systems i.e.
regular steel pipes and manually operated pumps and valves Manual operation of the water distribution
system – no automation and control. Preference of gravity flow systems and bad reputation of pumps – as
high manual effort and energy cost necessary to operate the existing old pumps.

Wastewater
Wastewater collection, treatment and discharge is considered to be of minor importance compared to water
supply facilities – it is low priority and receives no investment. Damages of existing sewers results in
irregular wastewater flows at the surface . There are too few shafts causing very limited access to existing
sewer network, no equipment for maintenance and repair – no chance for troubleshooting. Sewerage disposal
in unlined pits leads to pollution of ground and surface water – as private wells are also used for water
supply this constitutes a serious health risk. Sludge disposal from pits and septic tanks is done illegally
outside the municipal area

7
Socio-Economic Situation is characterized by the low connection rate to public water supply network –
many people are used to living with little water as they must carry it for a longer distance or buy it from tank
trucks, Toilets mostly outdoor using open pits without flushing – future connection to a new sewer system
will depend on personal interest and require private investments.
Popular cohabitation with livestock within the urban settlement without sufficient disposal of excrements

Institutional Situation is characterized by the low level of support for Local Sukanal (water agency)
Departments by central organizations and institutions, and very limited provision of know how, equipment,
vehicles etc. from central departments, institutional complexity and dependency on central organizations and
institutions inhibits solutions and investments on Rayon level, National Water Supply Tariffs are not cost-
effective to cover necessary investments – for better water quality and 24hour supply the majority of
consumers need to agree to higher rates. The current tariff rates apply to a normative demand which is much
higher than actual. Value and qualification of Rayon Sukanal staff are affected by the need of manual
handling and trouble shooting. They are not in line with future O&M requirements. Scepticism of villages
concerning incorporation by the cities and/or integration by larger WSS organizations – disadvantages due to
limited independence and priority of the city.

There is an immediate need to address these issues through development and implementation of an efficient
and effective WSS system that is affordable to local communities and which meets the needs of the range of
stakeholders that it must serve.

4. Project Description

The Government of Azerbaijan planned the implementation of National Water Supply and Sanitation Project
with the financial assistance of World Bank since 2007. The second phase of the same project has been
approved on date 27 May 2008 as Second National Water Supply and Sanitation Project (SNWSSP). The
implementing agency of this second phase project is Azerbaijan Amelioration and Water Management Open
Stock Company AWMC.
The general objective of this Project is to improve the availability, quality, reliability, and sustainability of
water supply and sanitation (WSS) services in 16 of Azerbaijan's regional (rayon) centers. Better
infrastructure services of the secondary towns and cities shall be implemented to improve living conditions,
reduce poverty and support local economic growth.
Gauff and Temelsu JV consortium is contracted to prepare Feasibility Studies of Water Supply and
Wastewater Investments in 16 Rayons, one of which is Agsu Rayon. The contract for this work entered into
force on 16th March 2010 with a mobilization period: 30 days. Official Project Commencement date is the
5th of April 2010 and scheduled completion date is 5th of April 2011. The project is intended to provide

8
better infrastructure services of the secondary towns and cities in order to improve living conditions, reduce
poverty and support local economic growth.

The Project contains 3 components:

 A1: Rayon Investment component, which will finance priority investments in the WSS sector, such
as the rehabilitation and extension of WSS systems, including facilities for wastewater and septic
sludge treatment in rayon centers across Azerbaijan;
 B1: Institutional Modernization component which will support development and implementation of
an Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for Azersu and its subsidiary companies and State
Amelioration and Water Management Agency (SAWMA), to improve the operational efficiency and
sustainability of WSS services;
 C1: Project Implementation and Management component, which will support project implementation
by financing project management activities including Incremental Operating Costs due to the project,
training, and annual audits of the project and entity accounts and financial statements.

The water quality analysis has been carried out in Agsu at one location of Girdimanchay Gursulu (See Annex
VII). The collected sample fits into the WHO, EU and Azeri drinking water standards except biological and
some physical parameters.

Water supply system of the city shall be reconstructed in order to supply water from Girdimanchay Drains.
The length of main transmission line will be approximately 11.8 km.

The supplied water shall be treated with simple physical treatment and/or disinfection then will be supplied
to the water distribution network. One new water reservoirs with volume of 1500 m 3 have been proposed to
be constructed. The total length of main pipes between the water reservoirs will be approximately 3.3 km.

All of the existing drinking water distribution network shall be reconstructed and extended with high density
polyethylene pipes. The total length of distribution lines will be approximately 84 km.
The sewerage system under the construction is proposed to be used as storm water collection system. A new
sewerage collection system shall be reconstructed and extended corrugated high density poly ethylene pipes.
The length of sewerage network construction will be approximately 79 km.

The collected wastewater shall be treated within a wastewater treatment plant having a capacity of 31,000 PE
on year 2030 and discharged to the one of the drainage collectors.
Expected project benefits in the project area are the prevention of the ground and surface water pollution,
protection of the public health, prevention of wasting of water resources and energy and prevention of the

9
soil pollution and supply of free fertilizers (i.e. sludge of proper quality from the WWTP) to farmers

5. INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS

In Azerbaijan the following organizations are engaged in questions of water resources

management:
 The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources;
 Amelioration and Water Farm JSC
 Azersu JSC
 Ministry of Health with the Center on Epidemiology and Hygiene

Responsibilities of above agencies are described in the Chapter 2 of the main text.

6. EIA PROCESS

Eptisa (Spain) in association with Hydrometeorology Consulting Company (Azerbaijan) is contracted to

prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed project to: (i) assess the environmental
and social impacts of project, (ii) identify the mitigation measures both during construction and post
development and (iii) prepare an environmental management and monitoring plan..
The issues covered by the EIA study are focusing on the most important impacts and especially to raise
concerns of the impacted households . The EIA also identifies which of the project activities has a potential
to interact with the environment in the specific context of the natural, regulatory (i.e. legal) and socio-
economic environments in which these activities will occur.
Scoping was conducted early in the EIA process so that a focus on the priority issues (i.e. those that have the
greatest potential to affect the natural and/or socio-economic environment) could be established for the rest
of the EIA process. Scoping also helped identify gaps in the environmental, socio-economic and engineering
information that need to be addressed so that an informed impact assessment can be completed.

Different categories of issues, as identified below, were considered in the EIA. The potential beneficial and
adverse effects in each category were identified based on literature review, onsite data collection and
surveying, intensive investigations by individual experts through field surveys and site specific
investigations.
The following categories of impacts were considered:
1) Natural plants and their habitat impacts were investigated using available technical reports and
through field survey.
2) Natural animal, birds and their habitat were investigated using available technical reports and
through field survey.
3) Surface and groundwater data were obtained from available reports and were used to map
surface and groundwater existence. Later these data were used to assess the hydrogeology and
surface water catchments.

10
 4) Agricultural impacts were investigated by looking at the agricultural values, gathering crop and
soil types, and through field survey.
5) Air quality impacts were based on generalized regional level data combined with growth
forecasts. In addition, acoustic impacts (noise and vibration) were investigated.
6) Socio-economic impacts (living and employment conditions) were investigated using available
data and the data of the of State Statistical Committee.
7) Municipal services and utilities impacts (water supply, sewerage system, solid waste collection
and disposal, electricity, telecommunication, etc.) were investigated using existing information
and the Region Master Plan. Site visits enhanced these investigations.
8) Health and safety measures have been investigated and identified as being in accordance with
the national requirements and international Safety Guidelines
9) Further impacts and assessments were investigated through field survey and site visits.

In this section, identified components and project-related issues associated with those components are
integrated to identify the extent to which the project may impact environmental components and the
significance of those impacts on national, community and local scales. For assessment of what level of
significance to assign to an environmental component and or the potential impact of a project on an
environmental component an objective methodology is required to permit assessment of the potential
significance of environmental issues.
In the evaluation process a semi-quantitative analysis has been undertaken, to summarize “Valued
environmental components” (VEC’s) according to whether they are “high ”, “medium ” or “low ”. Valued
environmental components that are valued as “high” are those that are broadly important across society.
VEC’s that are ranked as “medium” are those that are important at a community level, but are of limited
significance at a wider level. VEC’s that are ranked as “low ” are significant at a localized level. All these
issues have been taken into consideration during development of mitigation measures and Environment
Management Plans

7. ALTERNATIVES

Following alternatives have been considered during the EIA process:

 No Project Scenario

 Water Supply System improvement only

 Water Supply and Waste Water Management System improvement

The situation in the Feasibility Study document is clearly described according to all the above sceneries. For
each component of the project some alternatives also have been looked through.
For the water supply of Agsu rayon center there are three alternatives. The first to supply from Guzay
Springs and Agsuchay Srpings, the second alternative is to supply from the vicinity of Kulullu villages of
11
Agsu rayon drainage facilities and the third from the Gursulu village of Agsu. Since the first alternative has
been executed by the Agsu Rayon Executing Power it hasn ’t been financially considered within the scope of
this project. However the capacity and structures of this alternative have been taken into consideration during
the determination of water demand projections for the year 2030. The second and third alternatives have 2
main reservoirs, one pressure release chamber in addition to the water reservoirs of the first alternative. In
the second alternative, a pumping stations and 100 m3 balancing reservoir need to be constructed.
Alternative 3 is described in the FS document as being preferred from technical, financial and economical
points of view.
There are no main technical alternatives for reconstruction of water distribution network except the sub-
alternatives like the type of pipe material.
The sewerage collected at a location near to Muradli village presents one technical alternatives in order to
transfer the collected wastewater into the treatment plant.
The wastewater treatment plant option has been evaluated from the point of economy and operability of
process alternatives. The extended aeration process with sludge drying beds is selected. by Gauff and
Temelsu JV.

8. PUBLIC CONSULTATION

This activity is aimed at informing identified stakeholders and other interested parties concerning the project
and gathering perspectives from them. Public consultation presents stakeholders with the opportunity to
voice both their positive opinions and their concerns and to enable these issues to be addressed in the EIA
and incorporated into the project design.
A Scoping Workshop was conducted on 12 June, 2010 and attended by 30 participants representing different
institutions. During that session the findings of previous consultations (by Gaugg-Temelsu) were presented
and additional comments and suggestions were received.
Workshop was organized pn October 22, 2010 iin the meeting venue provided by the Agsu Rayon Executive
Powerş The representative of EPTİSA Rafig Verdiyev provided the general information about the Project
EIA document to participants and answered asked questions. Main discussions where about proposals of
Project Alternatives, Proposal Water sources , Environment Impact Assessment, Scheduled Activities for
Environment Management Plan, Proposed Mitigation Measures.
The Presented findings were been actively discussed. Discussions topics were related to water supply,
location of waste water treatment plant, sewer canals, project schedule and employment of local people in
project construction work.

The environmental consultant of the PIU informed that provided proposals will be considered in the EIA.
Audience was informed that proposals related to above issues has been incorporated into EIA and will be
taken into account by the detailed design of the project.

9. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Measures for mitigating possible negative environmental impacts are directed at minimizing possible
negative environmental and social-economic impacts during the construction and utilization phases of the
12
project. These measures will be carried out by the construction company during the construction phase of the
WSS project and by the local Water Canal Company during utilization phase.
The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlines the management mechanisms (i.e. working
arrangements) for how the environmental and social elements of the project should be managed from
detailed design and construction through operation.
The EMP is aimed at reduction to minimum level of any potentially negative environmental impacts during
construction and operation. It requires that all aspects of the works comply with the relevant legislation and
norms., and that measures to mitigate impacts identified in the EIA are implemented, and that environmental
monitoring and emergency measures are carried out during the construction works on the site . Within the
EMP required environmental controls and monitoring procedures are considered during construction and
after the work is completed. The Contractor is responsible for the implementation of these mitigation
measures and emergency measures during construction.
There are several mechanisms of ensuring delivery during construction of both general and site specific
mitigation developed through in the EIAs. These include that the Contractor will further develop the outline
requirements of the in an EMP by designing individual Management Plans, for, project activities that include
such as oil and fuel storage, waste management, traffic management and pollution prevention.
A tabulated summary of the environmental management is presented below.

There is an initial environmental assessment for the Category A typed project in the prepared project
Feasibility Study Document, where the “Rapid Environmental Assessment Checklist ” was filled for both
sewerage and water supply systems. This checklist summarizes the existing project area in Agsu and
potential environmental impacts, which the project may cause. According to the checklist some issues of
impact can take place in the project implementation. These issues then in the EIA process have been
compared with the “Valued Environmental Components and Potential Negative Effects ” (Chapter 5.1)
and then relevant mitigation measures have been identified accordingly.

10 . APPLICATION OF MITIGATION MEASURES

The potential main impacts and mitigation measures to reduce these impacts at the construction and
operation stages are summarized in the following table. The table includes It is based on recommendations
of the Feasibility Study document, together with additional measures that are considered necessary as a
result of the EIA process. which was added with necessary additional measures in the EIA process and
presented in below table

13
 Potential Main Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring

SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
Constructii Air quality Dust, gases/aerosol Dust prevention by watering and other means; Provision of water:
onn stage associated with Transportation of grainy or dusty materials in the $10,000 Contracto Supervisor/
construction (toxic top-coated trucks; r Amelioration
gasses discharged Watering of dust sources; No cost for other JSC
by construction Transportation of dust producing materials during measures provided they
machineries, wind calm days (not in the windy days); are integrated into
blown construction Avoid making open fires; normal operating
materials etc.) Avoid setting fire on residue grease, isolation procedures
materials, and other substances;
Efficient use of machinery and other technologies;
Application of adequate construction
methodologies and facilities;
Careful implementation of works in vulnerable
areas.

14
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
Waste pollution, Protection of the surroundings of the construction Provision of materials
especially wastes site; and cover to prevent Contracto Supervisor/
caused by Limited works in the vulnerable zones; landslide risks: $10,000 r Amelioration
construction and Identify adequate areas to store residue materials, JSC
domestic activities; and transportation of all construction related Traffic management
Material storage, effluent materials into the predetermined site; signage: $5,000
civil works and Control of erosion process;
other impacts; Provide earth stabilization/green cover over No cost for other
Earth Landfill of wastes vertical points and slopes to minimize land slide measures provided they
and other materials; risks; are integrated into
Impacts of Prevent discharge of excavated material to the normal operating
excavation works; river beds or lakes; procedures
Possibility of Avoid unwanted traffic blockage, collect
erosion; excavated spoil material and discharge
Wastewater. somewhere close to the construction site;
Discharge wastewater flows to the closest sewage
line, installation of toilets and septic tanks.
Topsoil Damage to the Adequate design works and selection of proper Proper storage of toxic
topsoil resulting route to minimize impact on the topsoil; materials/effluents: Contracto Supervisor/
from material Usage of excavated soil material for the $12,500 r Amelioration
storage, excavation agriculture purposes; JSC
works, temporary Cut, store and restore topsoil where possible after Measures against
roads etc. the completion of the construction works; landslides addressed
Loss of topsoil Discharge of materials to the predetermined areas above
during excavation; by secondary routs;
Flushing of topsoil Measures against land slides No cost for other
and soil erosion due Storage of toxic materials and effluents in the safe measures provided they
to polluted water and predetermined areas, its provision with are integrated into
streams; drainage waters, and processing where necessary; normal operating
Standards applied, including soil erosion procedures.
prevention by good soil practice and drainage
control. Good soil conservation measures and
15
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
effective reins to prevent future erosion and soil
loss.
Pollution of surface No cost for identified
and groundwater Avoid discharge of harmful chemical substances measures provided they Contracto Supervisor/
sources due to into sewage lines or ground surface; are integrated into r Amelioration
domestic and Design and operation of natural drainage and normal operating JSC
construction consideration for alternative directions; procedures
effluents, including Discharge wastewater flows to the closest sewage
harmful residues, line, installation of toilets and septic tanks.
leakage of fuel and Required standards applied, including safe
other oil related removal of wastewater during renovation works,
products; use of appropriate equipment by workers and
Blockage of surface ongoing liaison with residents and fencing off
and groundwater contaminated areas.
filtration and Balanced use of water sources to avoid significant
Water creation of stagnant pressure on them in low flow period and also
resources and water eliminate water shortage problems for all users..
waste waters accumulations.
Connected with
project connected
with project
problems of water
scarcity in low
flow periods of the
year and also those
connected with the
increase of water
supply problem for
other users which
use the same
sources

16
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
Constructi Disturbance due to Use of adequate construction materials and No cost for identified
on stage noise generated equipment; measures provided they Contracto Supervisor/
from construction Adherence to predetermined work schedule to are integrated into r Amelioration
works and intensive minimize disturbance and implementation of normal operating JSC
traffic noise generating works during normal work procedures
Noise hours;
Minimum use of noise generating equipment
(example, stone cutters, compressors);
Minimize traffic during dark hours, and use of
silencers.

Disturbance of the Adequate storage, processing or liquidation of No cost for identified

natural habitat due wastes; measures provided they Contracto Supervisor/
to construction Application of relevant construction and seasonal are integrated into r Amelioration
related noise, dust, work methodologies; normal operating JSC
non-seasonal works, Protection of vulnerable areas located close to the procedures
Natural habitat unprocessed construction site.
residues and etc.
Loss of natural
settlement areas due
to construction
works.
Flora and Earthworks, Adequate storage, processing or liquidation of Storage, processing,
fauna operation of wastes; liquidation of wastes Contracto Supervisor/
machines, noise and Protection of vulnerable areas located close to the addressed above r Amelioration
etc.; construction site; JSC
Losses or Application of seasonal work methodologies No cost for other
degradations during where necessary. measures provided they
and after are integrated into
construction works, normal operating
non-seasonal works, procedures.

17
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
change of
ecological situation
etc.

Constructi Impact of works on Careful design and location of works; Restoration/planting of

on stage landscape and Restoration of damaged trees, protection lines and greenery: $50,000 Contracto Supervisor/
disturbance to etc.; r Amelioration
natural sights, Planting of greenery in the construction site, No cost for remaining JSC
Aesthetics and
greenness and trees; careful implementation of works in the work sites, measures provided they
landscape
Noise, dust, residue and management of wastes. are integrated into
and etc. during and normal operating
after construction. procedures.

Damage to Liaise effectively with relevant organizations and

agricultural lands, residents before start of construction, maintain No cost for identified Contracto Supervisor/
including drainage dialogue, develop a grievance procedure, strictly measures provided they r Amelioration
Agriculture
and irrigation control machinery and vehicle access and are integrated into JSC
infrastructure. reinstate all affected areas normal operating
procedures.
Livestock resources Liaise effectively with farmers and residents
damaged by before start of construction, maintain dialogue, No cost for identified Contracto Supervisor/
machinery and develop a grievance procedure, strictly control measures provided they r Amelioration
Livestock
vehicles. machinery and vehicle access and reinstate all are integrated into JSC
affected areas normal operating
procedures.
Health and Health risks from Planning of measures dealing with security and Trainings: $25,000
safety of unprocessed wastes; environmental protection issues; Contracto Supervisor/
residents and Use of harmful Adherence to project standards, good signage, No cost for identified r Amelioration
workers substances (paints ongoing consultation with residents, including measures provided they JSC
with heavy metal, schools. All workers to use appropriate PPE and are integrated into
lead compositions), be trained at project induction. Safety fencing normal operating

18
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
asbestos- cement provided. procedures.
slabs, inflammable Organization and implementation of security and
and toxic materials safety related trainings; Requirements of y WB
etc.). will be followed(Chapter 8) when replacing the Construction of
asbestos-cement pipes. warehouse for temporal
storage of hazardous
Management of materials in accordance with the wastes: $50,000
relevant ecological and sanitary-hygiene norms;
Identification of dangerous sites, proper
storage/liquidation of waste materials.
Damage to areas of There are no areas of historic/cultural value to be No cost for identified
historical and affected by project. But if it appears relevant measures provided they Contracto Supervisor/
Areas of cultural value measures need to be taken are integrated into r Amelioration
historical and located in the Staff awareness; normal operating JSC
cultural value project area Inform adequate organizations in case of procedures
archaeological findings;
Temporary termination of works.

Loss of property, There no need for resettlement. Costs for resettlement (if
land and damage to For areas where lands used for agricultural crop any) to be negotiated by Contracto Supervisor/
Resettlement living areas of production relevant plans need to be prepared, project owner in r Amelioration
Land population which includes provision of replacement lands or accordance with relevant JSC
acquisition compensation for lost access to plots of arable legislation, contractual
land and lost fruit or nut trees. agreement or other
documents.
Operation Risks to human Quality of treated Operation supervision of treatment facilities in No cost for identified
s stage health and water due accordance with the operation guidelines; measures provided they Contracto Supervisor/
(potable environment Quality control of water flows entering the are integrated into r Amelioration
water system; normal operating JSC
systems) Avoid pollution of treated waters with the procedures
wastewater flows;

19
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
Avoid over-chlorination of water flows supplied
to the consumers.
Breakages and There is need to develop scheduled preventative Training cost identified
emergency maintenance below Contracto Supervisor/
situations Training of staff on safety and human security No cost for remaining r Amelioration
issues; measures provided they JSC
Measures to avoid leakage of chlorine gas. are integrated into
normal operating
procedures
Reduction of treated Prevent illegal connections to the system; No cost for remaining
water quantities Proper operation of the system including water measures provided they Contracto Supervisor/
Social-
treatment, pipelines, connection lines and etc. are integrated into r Amelioration
economical
Ensure an affordable tariff structure and proper normal operating JSC
collection of fees. procedure
Quality of Constant monitoring of wastewater flows coming Monitoring of
wastewater and its out of the wastewater treatment plant; downstream Contracto Supervisor/
Operation Risks to human impacts on human Discharge of wastewater into the environment environmental quality: r Amelioration
s stage health and health and only after adequate treatment; $12,500 one time every 2 JSC
(sewage environmental environment Training of operation staff for their qualification years for 20 years
and impacts raising;
wastewate Monitoring of downstream habitats to evaluate the No cost for remaining
r) extent to which they return to their previously measures provided they
unpolluted state. are integrated into
normal operating
procedures
Quality of Adequate processing of sludge; Monitoring of sludge
sediments in the Monitoring of nematodes, coliforms and heavy quality: $10,000/year Contracto Supervisor/
treatment structures metals in the composition of output sludge; Transportation of sludge r Amelioration
(sludge), risks due Transportation of sludge in the closed containers; $10,000/year JSC
to agricultural Training of operation staff for their qualification
consumption of raising. Training cost identified

20
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
these wastes. Training In application of sludge, and monitoring below
of sludge application
Smell generations Planning and management of smell mitigation; Odour masking agents:
in the wastewater Tight shutting of smell producing equipment and $US 5,000/year Contracto Supervisor/
treatment structure; containers. r Amelioration
No cost for remaining JSC
measures provided they
are integrated into
normal operating
procedures
Risks to human Use of authorised sites for non-hazardous waste Training: $25,000 in first
health disposal; support and arrangements for setting year; $5,000/year in each Contracto Supervisor/
facilities for hazardous waste safe storage following year r Amelioration
Safe storage of
JSC
hazardous and
No cost for identified
non-hazardous
measures provided they
wastes
are integrated into
normal operating
procedures
Risks to health of Training of staff on safety and human security
residents and issues; Contracto Supervisor/
workers and to the Training of staff on sanitary and hygiene rules to r Amelioration
environment prevent infections from wastewater discharges JSC
and sludge residues;
Human health Provide staff with adequate protection uniforms
and facilities;
Measures to prevent emergency situations such as
leakage of chlorine gas.
Monitoring of drinking water and wastewater
quality
Note: All mitigation measures identified in this Table should be specified in all contracts for construction and operation of the project, and should also be

21
 ECOLOGICAL ESTIMATED COST Responci Monitoring
SOCIAL OR OF IMPACT bility
POTENTIAL
STAGES ENVIRONMEN IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES MITIGATION
IMPACTS
TAL MEASURES
COMPONENT
including in all manuals or operating procedures that are developed. Based on above measures in total around 200000 USD need to be allocated to implement main
mitigation measures.

22
11. MONITORING
Conducting monitoring is the major strategic tool in environmental management and the extent of project
monitoring will be dependent on the nature, scale and potential impact of the project activities. Monitoring
may require the services of environmental specialists or a company with laboratory and analytical facilities
(for complex environmental problems) or inspection by the local government environmental officers.

The Main elements of the environmental monitoring plan in the construction phase are the dust, noise, solid
waste, waste water and soil monitoring. In the operations utilization phase monitoring of water volume in
water sources and water storages, microbiological and chemical composition of water distributed to people,
comparison to water standards, pollution level of sewage, waste waters after treatment/purification,
depositions settled in water cleaning plants, cleaned/treated sewage in the place where it joins to sewage
collector and soil where depositions generated in water cleaning plants will be used as fertilizers.

Monitoring of all activities during construction period will be under the responsibility of the Contractor,
performance of which will be controlled by the Amelioration JSC or supervisor appointed by JSC. The
Contractor will prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that addresses all aspects of the EMP
identifies above, and will establish a team for the monitoring activities. The Contractor will be responsible
for the compliance of the constructions with the national norms and standards. Monitoring of construction
activities will have to ensure that mitigation measures of construction impacts are being implemented
properly. Contractor’s Environmental Team will be subject to the government inspections from time to time.
An individual auditing company may also inspect the Contractor on a long-term basis, such as every 3
months or 6 months.

Monitoring responsibility of operation activities will be under the operator for the WWTP and under the
local authorities for the network systems. Performance of monitoring activities will be controlled by the
Amelioration JSC or supervisor appointed by JSC. Necessary and planned measurements should be realized
in WWTP in order to certify of fulfillment to discharge criteria. Again WWTP operator will be subject to the
government inspections from time to time.
Regular reports on implementation of monitoring plan will be submitted to Contractor .

A training and equipment package is included in the project. As key agency responsible for implementation
for SNWSSP the Amelioration and Water Farm JSC will need to have adequate capacity for control of
realization of EMP.
Although the Department on Control of Protection and Use of Water Resources have been trained by ADP
Flood mitigation project and other programs, there is still need for required knowledge on Environment
Management issues during the construction and operation.

23
In order to increase capacity of Environmental specialist at PIU and also for local SuKanal relevant training
is planned to be organized within the project. Staff will be trained in Environmental management during the
construction and also in operation phase, in the necessary aspects for effective operation of the water and
sanitation service to minimize impact to the environment. The training requirements and training modules
are currently being developed in discussions between the World Bank and Amelioration JSC and AZERSU.

Amelioration JSC PİU will also need to have relevant trained staff to supervise the construction process and
monitor implementation of EMP.

24
1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Azerbaijan Second National Water Supply and Sanitation (SNWSS2) Project is financed by the
Government of Azerbaijan and World Bank. The employer for the project is Azerbaijan Amelioration and
Water Farm Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC) .

Gauff and Temelsu JV is contracted to prepare Feasibility Studies of Water Supply and Wastewater
Investments in 16 Rayons, of which one is Agsu Rayon. Eptisa (Spain) in association with
Hydrometeorology Consulting Company (Azerbaijan) is contracted to prepare the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) of the proposed project to assess the environmental and social impacts of project and to
identify the mitigation measures both during construction and post development. This EIA study provides
recommendations on mitigation measures and proposes an environmental management and monitoring plan.

1.1 Context of the EIA

This report presents an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project in Agsu The EIA identifies
potential impacts on the natural environment and the social situation in Agsu rayon during construction and
operation of the project. Where potential adverse effects are predicted, mitigation has been developed and its
implementation is presented in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Monitoring
Plan (EMP).

This project has been identified as a Category A project in the World Bank classification for EIA
(OP/BP4.01). This requires an EIA report and an Environmental Management Plan. Moreover, public
consultations are required to discuss the project and the proposed environmental management plan.
A detailed description of the project is presented below in section 3

There are following definitions used in this report:

 Definition of environmental aspects: The International Standard Organisation’s standard for

Environmental Management Systems (EMS), ISO 14001 defines an environmental aspect as: “An
element of a......, product or service that can interact with the environment.”
 Definition of impacts: ISO 14001 defines an environmental impact as: “Any change to the
environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s
activities, products or services.” This definition will be used in the identification of the proposed
project’s environmental impacts. An environmental or socio-economic impact may result from any of
the identified project aspects; that is, activity-receptor interaction. The potential for an environmental
or socio-economic impact exists where an environmental or socio-economic aspect has been
identified; that is, where a project activity has been determined to have the potential to interact with

25
 the biophysical environment or with the socio-economic context of the community.. Impacts can be
either negative or positive. The primary objectives of the impact assessment are to: establish the
significance of identified potential impacts that may occur as a result of a project activity being
undertaken, and differentiate between those impacts that are insignificant (i.e. can be sustained by
natural systems) and those that are significant (i.e. cannot be sustained by natural systems).
Significant potential impacts would require alternative and/or additional mitigation measures above
and beyond those already incorporated in the base design for the project/activity.

Scoping was conducted early in the EIA process so that a focus on the priority issues (i.e. those that have the
greatest potential to affect the natural and/or socio-economic environment) can be established for the rest of
the EIA process. Scoping also helped identify gaps in the environmental, socio-economic and engineering
information that need to be addressed so that an informed impact assessment can be completed.
The potential beneficial and adverse effects were identified based on literature review, onsite data collection
and surveying, intensive investigations by individual experts through field surveys and site specific
investigations.

The following categories of impacts were considered in the EIA:

1. Natural Plant and their habitat impacts were investigated using available technical reports and
through field survey.
2. Natural Animal, birds and their habitat were investigated using available technical reports and
through field survey.
3. Surface and groundwater data were obtained from available reports and were used to map
surface and groundwater existence. Later these data were used to assess the hydrogeology and
surface water catchments.
4. 4)Agricultural impacts were investigated by looking at the agricultural values, gathering crop
and soil types, and through field survey.
5. Air quality impacts were based on generalized regional level data combined with growth
forecasts. In addition, acoustic impacts (noise and vibration) were investigated.
6. Socio-economic impacts (living and employment conditions) were investigated using available
data and the data of the of State Statistical Committee.
7. Municipal services and utilities impacts (water supply, sewerage system, solid waste collection
and disposal, electricity, telecommunication, etc.) were investigated using existing information
and the Region Master Plan. Site visits enhanced these investigations.
8. Health and safety measures have been investigated and identified as being in accordance with
the national requirements and international Safety Guidelines
9. Further impacts and assessments were investigated through field survey and site visits.

26
1.2. Purpose of the EIA

In accordance with the Environmental Assessment requirements of the World Bank and the Environmental
legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, an EIA process is required in support of the proposed project.
The objectives and rationale of the assignment are, in general, clearly stated in the Terms of Reference
(ToR).

The aim of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to ensure that any adverse environmental or
socio-economic impacts arising from proposed project activities in each individual rayon are identified and
where possible eliminated or minimized through early recognition of and response to the issues.

The purpose of the assignment is to help the Client to:

 Ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into the project planning and design
activities
 Ensure that a high standard of environmental performance is planned and achieved for the
project
 Ensure that environmental and socio-economic aspects and impacts are identified, quantified
where appropriate, and assessed and mitigation measures proposed
 Ensure that legal and policy requirements and expectations are addressed
 Consult with all of the project stakeholders and address their concerns; and
 Demonstrate that the project will be implemented with due regard to environmental and social
considerations in mind

The purpose of this EIA study is to identify the direct and indirect impacts that the development of WSS will
have on the natural resources, ecosystem, and the socioeconomic dimensions of the communities and
populations. Accordingly, mitigation measures will be proposed and an
environmental management and monitoring plan will be prepared to address the identified impacts and the
corresponding mitigation measures.
The EIA document is intended to provide the decision makers and international donors with an
understanding of the impacts of developing WSS, in order for them to make an informed decision. The
assessment includes suggested efforts to avoid or minimize the adverse effects and methods to enhance the
positive effects.

27
1.3. Methodology

In the course of the assignment potential impacts of all stages of the project from pre-construction, through
construction and installation to operation in each rayon are evaluated against applicable environmental
standards, regulations and guidelines, the existing environmental conditions, and issues and concerns raised
by all project stakeholders. Evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness, of existing and planned
environmental controls and monitoring and mitigation are considered.

The EIA process constitutes a systematic approach to the evaluation of a project in the specific context of the
natural, regulatory and socioeconomic environments of the project area in which development is proposed.
The assessment process incorporates the following key stages:

Project stakeholder consultation is a vital component of the EIA process. The consultation process is focused
on, seeking comment on key issues and concerns, sourcing accurate information, identifying potential
impacts and offering the opportunity for alternatives or objections to be raised by the potentially affected
parties; non-governmental organizations, members of the public and other stakeholders. Consultation helps
to develop a sense of stakeholder ownership of the project and the realization that their concerns are taken
seriously, that the issues they raise, if relevant, will be addressed in the EIA process. Consultation with all
project stakeholders in 4 rayons started during the Scoping stage and continued throughout the EIA process.
All relevant stakeholders have been identified using the most recent and accurate information available and
the consultation results including:
 a list of stakeholders consulted in each rayon; and
 a summary of the issues and concerns raised.

From the environmental and social point of view the above definition of the environment and potential
project impact is used in the identification of the proposed project ’s environmental, legal and socio-economic
aspects.

28
2.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

2.1 Policy Framework

EIA in Azerbaijan

During its years of independence, Azerbaijan has steadily improved its system of environmental protection. The
policy, legal and institutional framework that it inherited from the former Soviet Union was not designed to
operate within a market economy, and insufficient attention had been given to issues of efficiency and
environmental protection.

Much progress has now been made, particularly in updating the environmental legal framework, although further
improvements are still needed, including in environmental impact assessment. The Ministry of Ecology and
Natural Resources was established in 2000 and other institutional reform is being undertaken.
The ecological strategy of the country is aimed at preservation of natural resources at national, regional and
international spheres; application of scientifically substantiated development principles; and sustainable use of
economic and human resources of the country that would meet interests of existing and future generations
through enhanced coordination of activities in the area of protection of the environment. As a manifestation of
environmental polices in the Republic of Azerbaijan, it should be noted that it is oriented to the development of
a relevant legislative basis in accordance with European standards, improvement of state environmental
management system, and gradual realization of priority projects through broadened ties with international
organizations.

In Azerbaijan, EIA is applied under the State ecological expertise (SEE) procedure. In the EIA process the main
objects are projects of state importance which cover the various spheres of industry and agriculture.
In 1996 the Government of Azerbaijan adopted the procedure of EIA process, which compliancy with systems
used in most countries. The new rules are described in Regulations on carrying out of Environment Impact
Assessment in Azerbaijan Republic (UNDP / State Ecology Committee, 1996). These Regulations state, that
“Activities on assessment of impacts of wastes to environment should begin in the stage of planning of the
project”. The process of Environmental Impacts Assessment is one of means regulating protection of
environment, efficient use if nature and effectiveness of economic development.

This existing normative, legal basis of the Azerbaijan Republic broadly uses the notion of EIA The main aim of
the EIA process is: Recovery of natural systems violated due to previous economic activity; prevention of
degradation of environment; ecological – economical balancing of future economic development; creation of
favorable living conditions for peoples; decrease of level of ecological hazard of envisaged activity. This
document was made up before decisions on fulfillment of any of projects.

29
The EIA document is a document which determines the character of all potential forms and level of danger
of impacts to the environment caused by an economic or other activity that is proposed to be carried out.
The EIA is document evaluates results of fulfillment of the project from ecological, social and economical
view of point.

State Expertise Board of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is authorized state organ
for EIA process.

For concrete projects the EIA process begins from planning and feasibility study and its realization. The
Applicant (the project proponent, nature user) is responsible for content and final version of EIA document
submitted to Ministry of Ecology. The Applicant bear the responsibility for fulfillment of conditions shown
in the given permission and also for carrying out of monitoring of the project. There are 2 steps:

First: The originator (applicant) of the activity submits application to Ministry of Ecology and informs
about major project decisions and possible results of negative Impacts to Environment. Ministry of Ecology
after consideration of the Application informs the Applicant about necessity of carrying out of EIA and scale
of this activity. In rare cases, after consideration of application, the permission for carrying out of work may
be given immediately (Article 2.5).

Second: The documents (on EIA) prepared by the Applicant are considered by the
Group of Experts and Summary is made. The summary also includes proposals and critics of community.
On the basis of the summary, the Ministry of Ecology may give permission for work or refuse to permit to
activity, explaining reasons for rejection. The Ministry of Ecology determines 3 months maximal period for
consideration of EIA documents.

Enforcement and compliance are the responsibility of the general inspection system. EIA process is
described in below figure(See figure 2.1).

30
31
The Republic of Azerbaijan pursuing a policy of integration to the World Community and in recent years
has signed and ratified scores of International and bilateral conventions, treaties and agreements, including
15 Conventions related to environment.
Each law of Republic of Azerbaijan includes a special chapter or article stating that if International
Agreements provide rules which differ from existing relevant rules of Azerbaijan Legislation, the rules of
international documents should prevail.
.
The World Bank Safeguards Policy

The World Bank requires an environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for
Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus improve
decision making (OP 4.01, January 1999). The EA that is required by the Bank is in effect the same
document as the EIA that is required under Azerbaijan legislation.
EA evaluates the potential ecological risks of a project and its impact to the territories covered by the
project; analyzes alternatives of the project; determines ways for development of choice, location, planning,
design and execution of the project, by taking measures on mitigation, compensation and bringing to
minimum of harmful ecological impacts and strengthening its positive impacts to the environment. The Bank
prefers preventive measures, if any, to mitigation or compensation measures.
The EA takes into account the environment (air, water and land); humans health and
safety; social aspects (obligatory resettlement, residents and cultural heritage property); and trans - boundary
and global environmental aspects. At the same time it takes into account all changes taking place in the
project and country; results of ecological studies held in the country, plans of local ecological measures;
common political framework of the country, local legislation and institutional possibilities on ecological and
social aspects; obligations of the country on international Agreements and Treaties concerning the projects
activities.

The Bank doesn't fund the project activities which are contrary to such country's
obligations as it would be determined during the EA.
* Key considerations to be taken into account during the EA process include:

 * Generic initial screening to determine appropriate environmental assessment;

 * Compliance with existing environmental regulations in Azerbaijan;
 * Linkages with socio-economic assessment, or inclusion of socio-economic assessment within the
scope of the EA;
 * Analysis of alternatives;
 * Public participation and consultation with affected people and organizations; and
 * Disclosure of information.
WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010
EIA STUDY 32
The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent
and type of EIA. The Bank classifies the proposed project into one of four categories, depending on the type,
location, sensitivity and scale of the project and the nature and magnitude of its potential environmental
impacts. The four Categories are A, B, C, and Fl.

Whilst the objectives of the project include provision of a safe, reliable, potable water supply and vastly
improved treatment of wastewater, the extent and nature of the works required result in it being classified as
Category A, for which an EIA and EMP are required. This category of project may have significant adverse
environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area
broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works, can cause serious and irrevocable impact upon
the environment or human health. The EIA for a Category A project examines the project ’s potential negative
and positive environmental impacts, compares them with those of feasible alternatives (including the
"without project" scenario), and recommends any measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or
compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance for a Category A project.

2.2 Legal Framework

Environmental protection in Azerbaijan is governed by the Law on Environment Protection (1999). The Law
establishes the main environmental protection principles, and the rights and obligations of the State, public
associations and citizens regarding environmental protection.
It establishes the requirements for the preparation of environmental impact assessments, environmental
quality standards, and requirements for permitting the activities that affect the environment, prevention and
reduction of environmental pollution, environmental monitoring and control, the role of the public and
sanctions imposed on law violators.

Other laws governing specific issues such as sanitary-epidemiological welfare, land reform, energy, health,
water, forests, cadastre and land use, industrial and domestic wastes, ecological safety, water supply and
wastewater, atmospheric protection and specially protected areas have been adopted since 1992.

The questions related to protection of environment and regulation of use of nature are regulated through
the with following Laws of relevant legislation of Azerbaijan Republic: Water Code (1997), Land Code
(1999), Forest Code (1997), On Entrails (1998), On Protection of Flora (1996), On Fauna (1999), On
Obligatory Insurance (2002), On radioactive Wastes (1994), On Industrial and Household wastes (1998),
On Radioactive safety of population (1997), On Sanitary - Epidemiological Safety (1992), On Melioration
and Irrigation (1996), On Water Supply and Waste Water(1999), On Safety of Hydrotechnical Plants (2002),
On State land cadastre, monitoring of lands and structure of earth (1998), On Pesticides and agrochemical
substances (1997), On protection of the Soil fertility (1999), On specially protected nature areas and objects
(2000).

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 33
In addition, a large number (some 75+) of Decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers have been issued to help
interpret the body of environmental legislation and related Presidential Degrees and Orders.

Republican criminal legislation and legislation on administrative faults includes some measures directed to
protection of environment and efficient use of nature.
The relevant legislation in force includes some laws regulating activity of natural persons and legal entities in
the various spheres of use of natural resources (underground resources, water ad land resources, forests,
fishes, etc.).

The International Agreements and Conventions signed by Azerbaijan are an inseparable part of the
legislation system of the country.

Principles of rational water use, its state registration, settlement of water disputes and responsibility for
violation of water legislation are described in the following below legal documents:

 Laws of Azerbaijan Republic on Water Supply and Wastewater (Decree of President of Azerbaijan
Republic dated January 26, 2000);

 Water Code of Azerbaijan Republic (Decree of President of Azerbaijan Republic dated December
26, 1997);

 RESOLUTION No 206 on approval of some rules regarding water legislation of Azerbaijan

Republic (Cabinet of Ministers, October 15, 1998);

 RESOLUTION No 195 on approval of Rules on implementation of state control over consumption

and preservation of water objects (Cabinet of Ministers, September 25, 1998);
 RESOLUTION No 197 on approval of Rules on identification of construction sites of enterprises,
structures, and other objects to be constructed, agreement of its work drawings, its state expertise and
commissioning. (Cabinet of Ministers, September 28, 1998);

 Resolution No 7 on approval of state water registration rules, (Cabinet of Ministers, January 17,
2000).;

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 34
 2.3 Administrative Framework

In Azerbaijan the following organizations are engaged in questions of water resources

management:

 The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources;

 Amelioration and Water Farm JSC
 Ministry of Health with the Center on Epidemiology and Hygiene
 Azersu JSC

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is responsible for safety and protection from pollution of
water resources. The Ministry carries out the state account of water resources and supervises their quality by
carrying out of stationary hydrometric, hydro-geological and hydro-chemical supervision, make water
balances and forecasts of elements of a water regime, estimates reserves of ground waters, prosecutes with
the questions of rational use and reproduction of water resources. Establishes and approves norms of
maximum permissible limits of run-off waters and carry out their control by means of regional offices.

The Expertise Department of the Ministry conducts State ecological examination of new projects on water
distribution, water use, new structures, other works executed in this area and gives its opinion on realization
or non realization of projects and works.
Department of Environmental Policy and Environmental Protection defines the basic
directions of a policy on maintenance of safety and protection of water resources from pollution.

Department of Environmental Protection coordinates activity on monitoring and

implementing of nature protection statutory acts, on conditions of water resources checks a level of
conformity of influence of planned activity to working statutory acts and applies sanctions.

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is the responsible authority for state of environment It
determines whether a project requires no EIA at all or a full EIA or anything in between. The regional
departments of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources receive applications and ensure that adequate
information has been provided.

Amelioration and Water Farm Joint Stock Company is responsible for complex use of water resources,
studies requirements for water resources, develops plans and norms of water use, maintains irrigating
systems, together between various branches of economy, establishes a payment for water use and together
with other departments and the organizations are busy with the questions on management of water resources
of trans-boundary rivers.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 35
 Ministry of Health with the Center on Epidemiology and Hygiene is responsible for drawing up of
standards and realization of monitoring of drinking water quality. In the areas there are corresponding
divisions of the ministry for realization of monitoring, quality assurance of waters, etc.

Azersu Joint Stock Company. Till July 11, 2004 with questions of water supply of the cities Baku and
Sumgait was engaged Absheron Joint-stock Water Society. In July, 2004 service on water supply and run-off
waters of other regions of the country was also transferred to it (earlier the State Committee on Architecture
and Construction was engaged in it) and Joint-stock company Azersu was established. The Basic function of
Azersu is operation and rehabilitation of systems of water supply and sanitation.

Joint-stock company Azersu has established different tariffs for use of water by
populations, by budgetary organizations and in the industry. In connection with economic problems, for the
population lower tariffs are established. The collecting of means makes 80 %. Water-measuring devices are
few. The collected means do not pay expenses.

The administrative structure of water supply and sanitation system comprises four levels, with the Cabinet of
Ministers at the top; AZERSU joint Stock Company; “Joint SuKanal ” Limited Liability Company (LLC)
responsible for water supply and sanitation (WSS) in small towns and rural settlements; and finally local
SuCanals at the bottom which report directly to Joint SuCanal.
AZERSU is a financially independent body which receives no subsidy from senior bodies. Its main revenues
are from water fees it receives from consumers.

The Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) in Azerbaijan carry out projects on

informing the public on existing problems in the water sector, explain legal
aspects of questions on protection of water resources by edition of bulletins and booklets,
speak to the press/media and carry out of training. Since they lack their own resources, NGO ’s carry out
their activities within the framework of projects and
grants. Frequently these projects are directed on increasing of knowledge of the
population.

CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

In Azerbaijan, engineering survey, design and construction standards and regulations are
governed by the State Construction Committee. Rules of conducting supervision and control
procedures by the State Construction Committee (in several areas regarding to safety of
construction by the recently established Ministry of Emergencies) had been approved by the

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 36
Cabinet of Ministers in 2003. Subject to the State Construction Committee regulations all construction
operations are to be carried out with due regard to the environmental requirements. Following the existing
construction rules, construction or renovation works are to be carried out on the basis of the approved project
(design) documents only.

The State Construction Committee issues special licenses to conduct engineering survey and design
operations (no license is required for construction operations).
The project design documents include descriptions of proposed construction and related activities together
with applications for permits from relevant authorities for geological studies of soil characteristics, fire
safety, public health, utilities (gas, water, electricity, telecommunication) and environmental assessment. The
relevant authorities conduct inspections during construction to monitor compliance with the permits, and
may issue significant fines if violations are found.

Land availability

Land acquisition and resettlement that might be required under this project will be governed by a
Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)that has been developed and approved by Amelioration JSC and is
acceptable to the World Bank.

A RPF was developed in 2007 to cover the first Water Supply and Sanitation Project as a whole, as part of
Bank screening procedures. The RPF concludes that there should be no justification for moving PAPs
dwellings or other fixed assets and that the majority of cases will involve land used for arable or livestock
grazing.
The procedure envisioned by the RPF involves the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) determining the legal
status of affected lands and then determining the compensation mechanism, taking into account that users
may not actually have legal tenure or permissions to use the affected land. The final step involves agreement
and payment of compensation to PAPs at the stage of detailed design and before construction commences.
The compensation could take several forms, involving land swap or monetary payment and should be
determined and undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the RPF..

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 37
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.1 Problem Statement

Physical Background of the Rayon Agsu is located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and
the Agsu region of Shirvan plain. The population of the Agsu rayon, including the urban and rural areas, has
been recorded as 70,882 as by the census made in 2009. The population density is 69 persons per km 2.

The general land form of Agsu has evolved from salty sediments, and the area is generally known as steppe.
The soil structure is generally formed from sediments and the region is characterized by relatively slow
infiltration capacity. The natural slope of Agsu area varies from between 1 and 5 meters per km. The land
form is generally even, with shallow riverbeds.

Groundwater is found at varying depth with low mineral content. Following rainfall and overland flow the
fertility of the soil has been increased. Soils in Agsu area that have been formed from the debris cones of the
Great Caucasus rivers are generally in better condition for agricultural production than the lower lying plains
of this region.

The landscape of the upland area of the rayon consists of foothills and sloping plains and mountains that rise
to a height of 700-1000 meters above sea level. Mountainous areas have been characterized with rivers,
valleys and the landscape of the complex fragmented ravines. The low gray mountains form Shirvan
mountain range from Goychay to Pirsaatchi.

Girdiman River, Agsu chay, Aghdarchay and Nazirchay are the main rivers and creeks laid within the area of
Agsu rayon. Other surface waters laid within the Agsu rayon are Kukesh Qobu and Javanshir Lake on the
west, Upper Shirvan Canal at the south. Agsu chay has originates in the Lahij Mountains. The Agsu chay
spreads out widely at the south of Agsu rayon center.

The main water sources for Agsu town are the waters from Girdimancay and Agsucay. Agsucay drainage
water intake was built in 1957-60 and Girdimancay drainage water intake was built in 1970. These facilities
have been almost destroyed by floods.

In 2005-2006 vertical water intake facilities were built on Agsu river, but the current water recourses do not
meet needs. There are no meters at the water intake and distribution points. Untreated water is being supplied
to the network by gravity.

In the proposed system, water will be extracted from Girdimanchay Drains. The length of main transmission
line will be approximately 11.8 km.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 38
The location of Agsu in the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus has a great impact on its climate. Agsu
belongs to semi-desert and dry steppe climate and is peculiar for warm winter and dry warm summer. The
climatologic conditions of Agsu have been evaluated on the base of the observations made between the years
1950 and 2006 at the Agsu Meteorological Station.

Because the Greater Caucasus mountain range prevents cold north air from streaming to the south, Agsu has
as average annual air temperature of 14.1 °C. Annual precipitation is 510 mm. Annual precipitation is not
been distributed equally, however. The maximum precipitation values are recorded in spring and autumn.
However the minimum precipitation falls during the July –August. Precipitation mainly consists of rains, but
in cold winter months snow falls. Snow cover here mainly melts immediately. In some years snow does not
fall.

Analysis of Agsu population growth rates shows fluctuation from the year 1997 to the year 2007. A steady
increase in population has been observed between the years 2001 and 2004. Contrarily a continuous decrease
has been recorded between the years 2005 and 2007. The rapid increase in the urban population growth rate
between the years 2008 and 2009 indicates the inclusion of a village into urban area of Agsu city.

The main economic activities are agriculture, mainly grain, cotton, fruit, vegetable and cattle growing.
Employment of more than 70% of the population of the rayon is related to the cultivation of agricultural
products and cattle-breeding. Cattle-breeding is intensively developing in Agsu rayon. Livestock is bred
both for milk and meat. At present, there are no large public industrial enterprises in Agsu town, only 4
private industrial and 3 agricultural enterprises. Almost 90 % of the employed people work in the public
sector. The average salary in public sector is 162 AZN Manats whereas it is less in private sector at 136 AZN
Manats.

Current Water Supply and Distribution Normally 60 % of Agsu households (incl. Karakashli Village) are
supplied by water from Agsu River, which divides the municipal area into a smaller eastern and a larger
western part. As a result of spring flooding and wet weather (April/May 2010) during the site visits the water
withdrawal on both riverbanks was out of order so that nearly the whole town was temporary supplied by
water tank trucks. The obvious problems with the water generation requires urgently the fast exploitation of
new and sustainable water sources. In conjunction with this 2nd National Water Supply and Sanitation
Project a scheduled project by AZERSU was cancelled to develop a new spring field 25 km upstream near
Guzay Village and construct a new transmission main to Agsu. Some years ago a well field was constructed
3 km upstream on both banks of Agsu River to feed the 2 main reservoirs (500 m3) which are situated in the
uppermost level of the town to supply the western network.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 39
As the gravel of the mountainous riverbed is in motion all facilities of the well field have been demolished
during the annual flooding and cannot be used anymore. Currently the water for the main reservoirs is taken
directly from the river, but due to its high solid content during snowmelt and in rainy periods withdrawal
must be temporarily stopped when too much sediment has accumulated in the reservoirs (Figure 3.1).

Figure 3.1 Agsu water reservoir is full with Sediments

Water from the main reservoirs is distributed by 4 main pipelines (3 x DN219, 1x DN159) supplying
different areas from north to south between 170–135 masl. The village Karakashli (~1600 inhabitants) is also
supplied by this network. The primary and secondary network mostly consists of 25-40 year old steel pipes
(~1970-85, DN100 – DN 219). Some sections of the main pipelines date from the 1960 ’s and are made of
cast iron (DN159). As corrosion, sediments and physical damages are the problems of the steel pipes, the
cast iron pipe connections have lost their tightness causing high losses that have not been quantified. In
general the network is reported to be in bad condition.

Agsu East has an independent water distribution network which is regularly fed by an open channel leading
the water from the river to the network inlet shaft in the upper end of the town. Without any reservoir or

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 40
filtration the river water enters the network for hydrostatic distribution. This system can be only operated as
long as the content of solids in the water is low. Due to a landslide in spring 2010 the channel and inlet shaft
were blocked by clay and must be cleaned. The main pipeline (DN 219, Steel:0,5 mm) of the eastern
distribution network was replaced in 2007/08 within reconstruction of the 2.85 km long road improvement.
This new road is in very good condition. Remaining pipes are from 1960-85 are similar to those in western
Agsu and have the same problems.

By the information given in FS document approximately 400 private consumers and 32 industrial enterprises
are equipped with water meters. Due to the described deficiencies it can be estimated that max. 15 km
(<67%) of the network (22.5 km) is operational and only 50% of the provided water reaches consumers.
There is no supply by the public network during 2 –4 month per year. Private operated tank trucks with high
prices (~1.00 AZM/m3) supply 40% of the population (incl. Navahi Village) and are often the only
possibility to get water.

Pirhansali Village (~1650 inhabitants) at Agsu’s western edge has seen the construction of new houses and
farmyards in recent years and growth will continue in future. This village has its own water supply network
fed by a big water supply channel passing through its area. The water is distributed directly and by gravity.

Clearly, a future water supply concept must consider the demand of the not supplied areas and will require
complete replacement of the existing network. Even the new pipeline (2008) should be replaced as regular
steel and wall thickness are in acceptable for a long term solution. This should be done at the same time as
the construction of a new sewer and rainwater drainage line for the main road.

Wastewater Collection and Treatment Currently there are no public sewerage networks in Agsu. In 1985 the
Rayon Hospital constructed a sewer of about 1.5 km length (DN219, ductile iron) to discharge their
wastewater to an open drainage ditch in the southern part of the town. This sewer crosses private land and
has been built over in some cases by new houses; 50-70 properties discharge their wastewater by illegal
connections to this line. As reported by Agsu Rayon another sewer was built for sewerage of some industrial
enterprises starting at the wine factory in the North and leading their wastewater to a drainage channel at the
western edge of the municipal area.

Most of the wastewater is discharged at the properties in simple pits or - if the standard of living is higher –
in septic tanks. When they are filled up they are emptied by one of the four privately operated tank trucks for
sludge disposal. It can be estimated that these trucks discharge the sludge illegally in the surrounding area. If
possible the inhabitants have installed direct pipes to drainage channels or Agsu River to dispose their
wastewater.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 41
The city has almost no rainwater drainage facilities, even for the main roads. Due to the loamy ground
significant quantities off rainwater remains on the streets for several days. The sanitary conditions in most
areas of the town are insufficient. Water-borne diseases exceed the permissible level. Due to poverty and the
rural character in these quarters the situation is worsened by significant numbers of livestock held on very
small properties in the city area. Cattle and sheep spend their day normally outside the town but return for the
night. Disposal of their dung and urine must be considered in future concepts.

As there is no wastewater treatment most sewerage enters the agricultural drainage system directly or by
ground water. In the 1990’s the Rayon Executive selected an area of 5 ha owned by the government and
licensed it for use as a future wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) site. It is situated 6 km south-west of the
town at 75 m asl elevation, which provides sufficient slope for a free flow of the wastewater from the town
(>135 masl) to the site. The main sewer would pass Muratli Village (~1550 inhabitants) that could be also
connected to the sewer system. The suitability of the ground in the marshland may be limited and must be
proved by a geotechnical report. Treated wastewater can be discharged to one of the main drainage channels
in the vicinity of the WWTP area.

The design of a wastewater management system in Agsu will need to take account of industrial discharge of
water, and in particular the production of fruit juice and wine. There are 3 firms producing fruit juice. The
biggest of them “AZ Granata MMC” has recently been built. The main product is pomegranate juice. The
start of operation is expected in September 2010. Besides fruit juice (10,000 ton/a) this firm will also
produce wine (5,000 ton/a). The envisaged maximum number of employees is 240. The water consumption
is estimated as 134 m³/d.

General
 Depletion of existing WSS assets due to lack of sustainable investments and insufficient capacities for
Operation and Maintenance (O&M)
 Little appreciation of public infrastructure sector and its organizations due to bad quality and service –
consumers implement their individual solutions without a general concept
 Provisional solutions become permanent solutions – mostly in consequence of damages and due to the
limited budgets
 Low awareness of hygienic interrelations of water supply, wastewater disposal.
 Major WSS supply lines and other facilities often affected by landslides, floods and other natural
occurrences.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 42
Water Supply
 Lack of mechanism for application of legislation to water withdrawal from Water Transmission
Pipelines,
 No sound legal protection of future investments
 Limited availability and/or capacity of existing water sources especially during summer

 Well fields and water drainage systems which were implemented in the mountainous river gravel
beds, were often destroyed by flooding

 Low water quality of the wells in Agsu; inefficient well pumps cause high energy costs and therefore
operated only in the morning and evening

 Limited number and capacity of water supply pumps and reservoirs – no extension according to
growth of population and industry
 Damages caused by great age, low material quality and insufficient installation depth of pipes lead to
high losses within the water distribution network
 Interrupted water supply and temporarily empty pipes cause bad water quality at house connections
(bacteria, sediments, rust etc.)
 Hygienic problems by private water storage tanks
 Manual operation of the water distribution system – no automation and control
 Preference of gravity flow systems and bad reputation of pumps – as high manual effort and energy
cost necessary to operate the existing old pumps.

Wastewater
 Wastewater collection, treatment and discharge is considered to be of minor importance compared to
water supply facilities – low priority and nearly no investments since 1985.
 Damages of existing sewers results in wastewater flows at the surface.
 Too few shafts causing very limited access to existing sewer network
 No equipment for maintenance and repair – no chance for troubleshooting
 Sewerage disposal in unlined pits leads to pollution of ground and surface water – as private wells are
also used for water supply this constitutes a serious health risk
 Sludge disposal from pits and septic tanks is done illegally outside the municipal area

Socio-Economic Situation

 Low connection rate (approx. 60%) to public water supply network – many people are used to living
with little water as they must carry it for a longer distance or buy it from tank trucks.
 Low connection (approx. 25%) rate to sewer system.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 43
 Bathrooms not common in the Rayon towns – improvement requires modification or extension of the
houses and will depend on economic possibilities of the owners
 Toilets mostly outdoor using open pits without flushing – future connection to a new sewer system
will depend on personal interest and require private investments
 Popular cohabitation with livestock within the urban settlement without sufficient disposal of
excrements

Legal and Institutional Situation

 Low level of support for Local Sukanal (water agency) Departments by central organizations and
institutions, and very limited provision of know how, equipment, vehicles etc. from central
departments.
 Institutional complexity and dependency on central organizations and institutions inhibits solutions
and investments on Rayon level
 National Water Supply Tariffs are not cost-effective to cover necessary investments – for better water
quality and 24 hour supply the majority of consumers need to agree to higher rates. The current tariff
rates apply to a normative demand which is much higher than actual.
 Value and qualification of Rayon Sukanal staff are affected by the need of manual handling and
trouble shooting. They are not in line with future O&M requirements.
 Skepticism of villages concerning incorporation by the cities and/or integration by larger WSS
organizations – disadvantages due to limited independency and priority of the city.
 The management structure and skills of Sukanals are poorly aligned for operating as a service
industry.
 Weak legal framework for wastewater discharge means that industries do not need to comply with
wastewater discharge requirements

There is an immediate need to address these issues through development and implementation of an efficient
and effective WSS system that is affordable to local communities and which meets the needs of the range of
stakeholders that it must serve.

3.2. Project description

The Government of Azerbaijan planned the implementation of National Water Supply and Sanitation Project
with the financial assistance of World Bank since 2007. The second phase of the same project has been
approved on date 27 May 2008 as Second National Water Supply and Sanitation Project (SNWSSP). The
implementing agency of this second phase project is Azerbaijan Amelioration and Water Farm JSC.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 44
The general objective of this Project is to improve the availability, quality, reliability, and sustainability of
water supply and sanitation (WSS) services in 16 of Azerbaijan's regional (rayon) centers. Better
infrastructure services of the secondary towns and cities shall be implemented to improve living conditions,
reduce poverty and support local economic growth.

The Feasibility Study was conducted by the Agsu water project in 2010. In the project documentation it is
indicated that the primary objective of the project is to improve the health and livelihoods of the urban
communities through the provision of safe, potable quality and adequate water supply and sanitation.

The Project contains 3 components:

 A1: Rayon Investment component, which will finance priority investments in the WSS sector, such as
the rehabilitation and extension of WSS systems, including facilities for wastewater and septic sludge
treatment in rayon centers across Azerbaijan;
 B1: Institutional Modernization component which will support development and implementation of an
Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for Azersu and its subsidiary companies and State Amelioration
and Water Management Agency (SAWMA), to improve the operational efficiency and sustainability
of WSS services;
 C1: Project Implementation and Management component, which will support project implementation
by financing project management activities including Incremental Operating Costs due to the project,
training, and annual audits of the project and entity accounts and financial statements.

The November 2003 Presidential Decree No: 3 requires the Cabinet of Ministers to undertake measures for
elimination of socio economic problems and to apply the norms of the European Social Charter. The
proposed WSS project falls squarely within the scope of the Decree. The national WSS norms state that
water supply to the population shall be 24 hour coverage of potable quality and delivered to the consumer at
the appropriate pressure. These norms accord with the European Social Charter.

The Government’s sector policies, strategy and development are based on a National WSS Strategy (2000),
which recommended the setting up of ‘Autonomous Commercially-Run Utilities, under the Regulatory
Control of Local Government. In secondary towns, these utilities, known as SuKanals (Secondary towns
water supply agency, prefixed by town name to designate the local branch – Agsu SuKanal refers to the
agency in the town of Agsu), were to be transformed into financially self-sufficient institutions eventually be
able to attract the private sector to participate in their operation and management. This was followed by a
Presidential Decree No. 893 of March 2002, which further set out the sector development approach. This
Decree promotes private section participation, an improved tariff system, metering of water supply and
revision of the accounting systems.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 45
As Part of the Second National Water Supply and Sanitation Project (WSS) within the A1 project
component, consulting services are required to study the existing conditions and to identify feasible water
supply and wastewater investments in 16 Rayons, including Agsu. Gauff and Temelsu JV has assessed the
technical feasibility of proposed project measures and financial feasibility for each area based on cost
estimations of proposed measures. In the project documentation it is indicated that the primary objective of
the project is to improve the health and livelihoods of the urban communities through the provision of safe,
potable quality and adequate water supply and sanitation.

The following indicators will be followed:

 Secure supply with potable water meeting World Health Organization (WHO) and/or national quality
standards
 Continuous water supply for 24 hours per day
 Supply of each user with sufficient water for domestic needs
 Water distribution system workable under operational pressures with low leakage rates
 Safe collection and treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater and reduction of aquifer pollution
 Compliance of water supply facilities, sewer system and wastewater treatment plant with international
and/or Azeri standards.
 Affordable water supply and sanitation prices for consumers and within determined service tariffs
 Minimum use of natural resources to keep the impact of WSS measures on the environment at
minimum level during implementation and maintenance.

The secondary objective is to implement an Action Plan that will upgrade and improve the sustainability in
the Rayon centers.

The Project aims to achieve its objectives through:

 Implementation of a new, efficient and appropriately sized water and sanitation infrastructure by
rehabilitation of existing facilities and construction of new ones where this is necessary.
 Determine the operational bottlenecks of the water and sanitation system and develop project
proposals to improve efficiency
 Strengthening of local know how and capacity to deliver and maintain these services
 Developing a sense of local ownership through community participation

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 46
For the water supply of Agsu rayon center there are three alternatives. The first to supply from Guzay
Springs and Agsuchay Springs, the second alternative is to supply from the vicinity of Kulullu villages of
Agsu rayon drainage facilities and the third from the Gursulu village of Agsu.

Since the first alternative has been executed by the Agsu Rayon Executing Power it hasn ’t been financially
considered within the scope of this project. However the capacity and structures of this alternative have been
taken into consideration during the determination of water demand projections for the year 2030.

The second alternative has been selected at project FS document as a main source of water for the project
purposes. Project will go in parallel with first variant and use mentioned source, will supply 50 l/s water
needed for sustainable water provision in the region by 2030.

The designed water demand for Agsu has been determined by the Feasibility Study as 52.2l/s, which
includes 48.1 l/s for domestic purposes of 23100 person(180 l./c/.d), 1.87 l/s for agricultural purposes and
2.23 l/s for industrial / commercial purposes.

During water supply by alternative 3 the average and minimum water flow of Agsuchay and
Girdimanchay rivers should be taken into account for each month to avoid environmental and water supply
problems for other users connected with water shortage in sources because of increased intake by projected
facilities. For example for Girdimanchay river observed minimal monthly water discharge makes up 1440
l/sec(Table 3.1).

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 47
Table 3.1. Monthly average , minimum and maximum flow characteristics of Girdimanchay river at Garanour station

Months I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII An- Max Date Min Date
nual
Average 2,30 2,74 5,17 12,1 13.2 10,5 6,70 4,56 5,60 5,86 4,02 2,80 6.83
Maximum 3,62 4.25 10,3 25,2 27,8 29,4 24,1 10,2 25,0 17,0 10,7 4,56 9,67 201 15.07. 3,25 14.15.
88 01.69
Minimum 1,44 1.67 2,77 4,00 3,40 3,58 1,89 1,65 1,36 1,91 1,82 1,68 3,55 19,4 14.04. 0,90 11-
89 30.12.
71

Even during the low flow periods of summer and winter , when main source of water in the river is ground water the minimal daily flow of river will be
(390 l/s) which is several times higher than the proposed water intake amount.
This option has also lesser negative environmental impact. As in the other option use of ground waters will lead to reduction the ground water level.
The other problem is connected with the quality of mentioned ground waters which need to be in accordance with the international standards.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 48
As indicated in FS document the water quality analysis carried out in Agsu at location of source shows
collected sample fits into the WHO, EU and Azeri drinking water standards.

Figure 3.2. Water source in Agsu

Figure 3.3 Proposed place of location of new WSS facility

49
Figure 3. 4. Place of location of new WSS facility

Water supply system of the city shall be reconstructed in order to supply water from Girdimanchay Drains.
The length of main transmission line will be approximately 11.8 km.
The supplied water shall be treated with simple physical treatment and/or disinfection then will be supplied
to the water distribution network.
One new water reservoirs with volume of 1500 m 3 have been proposed to be constructed. The total length of
main pipes between the water reservoirs will be approximately 3.3 km.
All of the existing drinking water distribution network shall be reconstructed and extended with high density
polyethylene pipes. The total length of distribution lines will be approximately 84 km.
The sewerage system under the construction is proposed to be used as storm water collection system.
A new sewerage collection system shall be reconstructed and extended corrugated high density poly ethylene
pipes. The length of sewerage network construction will be approximately 79 km.
The collected wastewater shall be treated within a wastewater treatment plant having a capacity of 31,000 PE
on year 2030 and discharged to the one of the drainage collectors.
Institutional strengthening for an efficient operation and maintenance shall be implemented.

50
Within the scope of the Project, polyethylene corrugated pipes will be laid to create a wastewater network
and a new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will be constructed . The land belongs to the Municipality.

General characteristics of the WTTP are as below:

 Population Equivalent: 31,000 person (2030)

 Daily Flow: 5,371 m3/d

 Dry Weather Peak Flow: 329 m3/h

 Rainy Weather Peak Flow: 584 m3/h

The extended aeration process with sludge drying beds is selected by the Consultant as project proposal
for the treatment of wastewater of Agsu.

The WWTP will consist of the following main components:

 Inlet pumping station
 Faecal sludge acceptance station
 Fine screen
 Aerated grit and grease removal
 Activated sludge tank
 Final sedimentation tank
 Return and excess sludge pumping station
 Pre- thickener
 Sludge drying bed

In the following the elements of the WWTP are described in detail:

- Inlet Pumping Station

Due to topographic properties, the study area is relative flat, an inlet pumping station has to be erected to
ensure that the water flows through the WWTP by gravity. The inlet sewer ends in the pump sump. The inlet
pumps convey the wastewater to the screen channel which has the highest water level of the WWTP.
For the inlet pumping station centrifugal pumps have been chosen because of their relative little space
demand and robustness. Two duty pumps with capacity of 85 l/s and one standby pump with same capacity
will be installed in the screen building (dry installation). Steering of the pumps will be accomplished by
means of fixed level set points installed in the pump sump. Here the water level will be measured
continuously. In case that the water level is exceeding a first pre-set level the first pump will start operation.
In case the water level is still increasing and reaching the second pre-set level, the second pump will
additionally start operation. The capacity of both pumps is sufficient to cope with the maximum flow led to
the WWTP by the sewerage network during wet weather flow. In case the water led to the WWTP by the
51
sewerage system during wet weather is exceeding the maximum pump capacity, an overflow in the pump
sump will discharge the excess water into a bypass pipe leading to the outlet of the WWTP.

- Faecal Sludge Acceptance Station

Faecal sludge from houses not connected to the new public sewerage system (especially in the first years)
will be brought by suction trucks to the WWTP. The pipe of the truck will be connected to a faecal sludge
acceptance station which consists of a fine screen with 6 mm bar spacing. The screenings will be pressed and
disposed in a container, the sludge flows into a buffer tank. The faecal sludge acceptance station has a
capacity of 100 m³/h. That means that a truck with 10 m³ load can be emptied within approx. 6 minutes.
After the screen the sludge will flow into a buffer tank which offers sufficient space (40 m³) to empty the
tank during 7 h/d at night time by means of submersible feeding pumps (one duty and one standby pump)
with a capacity of 2 l/s each. The sludge will be pumped into the screen channel behind the screen. The
buffer tank which will be built next to the inlet pump sump will be covered with a concrete slab in order to
avoid odor and nuisance. Pipes for ventilation will be led over the roof of the screen building.

- Screen

One compact screen consisting of an automatic screen with integrated washpress and screenings conveyor is
envisaged. For a WWTP of this size two screens are deemed to be uneconomic. For emergency cases a by-
pass channel will be built. The fine screen and the screenings container will be installed in a screen building.
The wastewater will flow through the fine screen with 6 mm bar spacing to withdraw the coarse and fine
materials for saving the following plant components. The clearance of the screen is carried out automatically
in case the water level difference before and behind the screen exceeds a pre-installed value. The screenings
will be washed, pressed and conveyed to a container. The integrated press will reduce the screenings volume
to approximately 50%. The quantity of pressed screenings is approximately 0.8 m³/d. One container of 3 m³
is sufficient for 7.1 days. The containers are located on small lorries by which they can be brought out of the
building. Container trucks can now pick them up for disposal at a landfill.
In case of failure the water level in front of the screens rises up and the wastewater flows in a by-pass
channel where a screen with a bar spacing of 40 mm is installed. The screen is cleaned by hand. For
maintenance purposes the screen channel is equipped with stop logs.

- Aerated Grit and Grease Chamber

For the removal of grit and grease one combined aerated grit and grease chamber will be built. Retention
time at wet weather flow is approx. 10 min. To improve the transportation of grease into the foreseen
chamber and the separation of sand and organic matter the grit chamber is equipped with a coarse bubble
aerating system. This is separated in two sections over the grit chamber length with different air transmission
volumes to avoid disturbances in settling processes in the final part of the grit chamber. The design envisages
an air demand of 0.5 Nm³/m³/h which is deemed to be suitable in order to avoid unintended reduction of

52
BOD5 which is required for denitrification. One blower and one standby aggregate will be installed in the
screen building.
Grease and oil is collected on the surface of the grease chamber that is separated from the grit chamber by
means of vertically mounted stilling rakes. The rakes are fixed at a concrete diving wall that prevents grease
and oil from flowing back into the grit chamber. The floated grease is pushed towards the grease hopper by
means of a scraper that is mounted at the scraper bridge. When the bridge has reached the hopper a penstock
is opening to lead the grease into the hopper. Simultaneously, the grease pump is starting for transporting the
mixture into a grease container located in the screen building.
The grit is removed from the collecting channel at the tank bottom by a suction pump mounted on the bridge.
The sand/water mixture is pumped via a channel located on one side into a pumping pit. From there a
submersible pump transports the sand/water mixture into the grit classifier.
The grit classifier which is located in the screen building will separate sand from water. The dewatered sand
is transported directly into a 1 m³ container. The separated water is brought back into the screens outlet flow
by gravity. The daily quantity of grit amounts to 0.3 m³/d. The grit will be disposed at a landfill.

- Flow Measurement

Inflow will be measured by a Venturi channel which will be located behind the grit and grease chamber. The
measuring device consists of one sensor for the measurement of the water level in combination with a
standard Khafagiventuri form. The documentation of the current flow situation as well as the recording of the
daily water volume is to be provided from the flow measurement. The current flow will also be used for the
control of the proportional return sludge flow. The measurement of inflow reflects the actual hydraulic load
of the activated sludge tanks better than the outflow measurement because of delay-effects.

- Activated Sludge Tank

The activated sludge tanks (AST) are designed for a sludge age of 20.8 days which is necessary for
simultaneous aerobic sludge stabilization (extended aeration) and nitrogen removal , according to
internationally acknowledged German guideline DWA-A-131. A relative small food to mass ratio of 0.05
kgBOD5/kgDS is necessary to be sufficient to meet the required treatment standard. Two circular tanks with
a volume of approx. 4,950 m³ each will be constructed. The total volume amounts to approx. 10,800 m³. The
depth of the tanks will be 5.00 m.
Nitrogen removal is based on aerated (nitrification) and unaerated (denitrification) zones or phases which
change periodically. Circular tanks have been chosen because they offer optimum conditions for intermittent
denitrification which requires completely mixed tanks. Intermittent denitrification which means that
nitrification and denitrification phases alternate in time in one reactor has been chosen because control and
steering of this process is not complicate and also offers big operational flexibility. The duration of the
different phases will be determined by measuring the break in the redox potential.
The tanks will be equipped with fine bubble panel aerators which allow for a good oxygen transfer capacity
and therefore provide an advantageous efficiency. The oxygen concentration will be measured and controlled
in each tank. A free oxygen concentration of 2 mg/l will be maintained. Oxygen input into the wastewater
53
will be steered by the flexible capacity of the blowers equipped with frequency converters. The blowers will
be accommodated in an adjacent blower station.
During unaerated phases the sludge has to be prevented from settling on the tank bottom by stirring devices.
Due to the little occupancy rate of the aerators (typical for plants with extended aeration) the stirring devices
will also stay in operation during aerated phases. Each tank will be equipped with 2 submersible mixers with
diameter 2.50 m.
The mixed liquor suspended solids value (MLSS) which can be maintained by the return sludge ratio of 0.75
amounts to 3.44 gDS/l. The daily excess sludge produced amounts to approximately 142 m³/d at the start of
operation in 2013 and 200 m³/d at the end of operation in 2030.
Equal inflow to each tank is accomplished by a distribution chamber with overflow weirs. In case of
emergency shut down inflow can be closed by a gate valve. The water level of each tank is determined by the
water level in the final sedimentation tank. Also the outlet pipe has to be closed by a gate valve in emergency
case.

- Blower Station

Three duty blowers with a suction volume (under operational conditions) of approx. 1,500 m³/h each and one
standby blower with same capacity have been chosen. All blowers will be connected to one air pipe which
branches in the further course to the activated sludge tanks. Two of the blowers will be equipped with
frequency converters with a range of 36-100%. This allows for a stepless range of the aeration of 1:8.3. The
minimum range acc. DWA-A-131 is 1:7.
Total suction air capacity (under operational conditions) amounts to approx. 4,500 m³/h which is approx.
3,760 Nm³/h. All aggregates will be installed in the blower station adjacent to the activated sludge tanks. The
peak oxygen demand of wastewater is approx. 225 kgO2/h.

- Final Sedimentation Tank (FST)

One tank with an internal diameter of 24.00 m and a depth of 4.45 m will be built with a total volume of
approx. 2,000 m³. Two tanks are not deemed to be economical for a WWTP of this size. Also the diameters
of 2 tanks would be smaller than 20 m which is the limit for horizontal flow. The tanks would have to be to
designed for vertical flow which requires much deeper tanks. Also breakdown of a scraper bridge is a rather
seldom event.
The task of the FST is the proper separation of the purified wastewater from the activated sludge. The sludge,
under the influence of gravity, will settle on the bottom of the FST from where it will be pushed into the
centre of the tank by a rotating rake in preparation for the sludge removal. This sludge will then, to a large
extent, conveyed back into the biological stage, whereby ultimately the desired concentration of biomass in
the biological process will be achieved.
Inflow of water into FST is provided via a culvert into the feed well. In order to achieve an uniform
discharge and loading of the final sedimentation tank, an even distribution of the sludge-water mixture
through the central structure will be ensured by Stengel-type inlets installed here.

54
A one sided rake is designed for the purpose of clearing the settled activated sludge on the tank floor. The
anticipated floor inclination of the final sedimentation tank is 1:15 which will facilitate the sludge removal
by the bottom rake. The clearing bridge is mounted on the middle plate and running on the side wall of the
final sedimentation tank. The rake is designed in such a way to provide a sufficient removal volume in the
sludge hopper to avoid insufficient oxygen supply to the activated sludge or even sludge bulking.
The scum that occurs within the final sedimentation tank is to be withdrawn by a skim channel. A
submersible pump, installed within the skim channel in a small pit conveys the scum via a collecting pressure
pipe into the return and excess sludge. pump station. Here it will be mixed intensively with the return and
surplus sludge.
The effluent water withdrawal from the final sedimentation tank will take place via a spillway which can be
overflowed from both sides, with a submersed baffle wall in front of it. The runoff from the effluent water
channel is led to the outlet of the WWTP.

- Return Sludge Pump Station

The task of the return sludge pumping station is the back pumping of the biological sludge from the final
sedimentation tanks to the activated sludge tanks in order to maintain the mixed liquor suspended solids
concentration in the activated as constant as possible. Two duty and one standby submersible centrifugal
sludge pumps will be installed. Each of the pumps will have a delivery of maximal 85 l/s. By means of
frequency converters a constant return sludge ratio of 0.75 will be ensured. The required flow rate is
provided by the inlet flow measuring device in combination with the return sludge measurement by an MID-
device installed in the sludge inlet pipe. The return sludge will be pumped into the distribution chamber prior
to the activated sludge tanks. There the return sludge and the incoming wastewater will be mixed intensively.

- Excess Sludge Pump Station

Excess sludge will be sucked from the return sludge pump sump and pumped to the gravity pre-thickener.
The amount of sludge which will be withdrawn from the system will be determined by the operation time of
the pump. The MLSS value in the aeration tanks will be measured in fixed intervals. The pumps will start
operation in case the MLSS concentration in the aeration tanks is higher than the given value or will be shut
down in case of a lower MLSS concentration. One duty and one standby submersible excess sludge pumps
will be installed with a capacity of 8 l/s each.

- Gravity Pre-Thickener

One thickener with a volume of 173 m³ is envisaged.

The pre-thickener is used to reduce the water content of the withdrawn excess sludge from the activated
sludge tanks. This will considerably reduce the hydraulic load of the following sludge drying beds. The
thickener consists mainly of a cylindrical part with a bottom inclination of 1:10 and a small hopper. The
sludge is settling down and brought into the hopper by means of a sludge scraper.
The removal of supernatant from the thickener takes place by means of a one-sided overflow weir. The
supernatant flows by gravity to the channel upstream of the distribution chamber of the activated sludge

55
tanks. To avoid clogging the pipes are rinseable. The feeding of surplus sludge to the thickener is carried out
by the excess sludge pumps (described above) centrally into the consolidation zone. The retention time in the
consolidation zone is approx. 36 h.. The sludge withdrawal from the thickener will be provided by means of
a sludge pumping pit attached to the thickener from which the sludge is pumped to the sludge drying beds by
one duty and one standby pump with 10 l/s capacity each.

- Sludge Drying Bed

For dewatering and drying the sludge will be pumped to a sludge drying bed. With a chosen dry solids load
of 120 kgDS/m² the dry solids content will reach approx. 40 %. The total area which will be divided in 4
units amounts to 4,880 m². The usable height is 1.80 m. The bottom will be used as a filter. The top layer
which serves as a wearing surface will be 20 cm sand which has to be renewed from time to time. The filter
below the top layer consists of three layers of sand-gravel mixture with grain size 0-12 mm, gravel 18-25
mm and coarse gravel up to 60 mm grin size in which a drainage pipe is laid. Below the filter a clay layer of
35 cm with permeability of kf < 10^-8 m/s has to be placed for protection of groundwater from
contamination. The clay layer is not necessary in case the permeability of the existing soil (minimum 35 cm)
is already below 10^-8 m/s. The supernatant which is in the order of less than 1 l/s flows back to the inlet
pumping station by gravity. The dried sludge will be removed by a tractor or a wheel loader. For this reason
tracks of concrete will be envisaged in the sludge drying beds.

- Administration Building incl. Laboratory and Workshop

An administration and maintenance building will be built in the site of the WWTP. This building will include
all facilities required for properly operating the plant. For this reason it is located in an appropriate and
central place, with view and easy access to all treatment units. On the other hand there is enough distance to
possible odour sources like sludge treatment The building will include offices, laboratory, control room,
workshop, stores, showers and sanitary facilities, dressing rooms, kitchen, and meeting room. The building
will be alimented with electricity and potable water.

- Power Supply and Emergency Power Supply

The required electrical power has been calculated as 187 kW. The detailed calculation is presented in the
annex. For case of power failure a diesel generator set will be installed which will cover the emergency
power supply of 104 kW. The generator set will be accommodated in a separate small building with
dimensions like a garage.

FS Consultant proposes to use the numbers for non-sensitive areas which means that the WWTPs will be
designed also for elimination of carbonaceous matter.
Elimination of phosphorus by chemical precipitation with ferric or aluminium salts isn ’t envisioned .
The reasons are as follows:

56
 • The limited budget, investments on the water sector are deemed to have a greater benefit for the
population than establishing a very sophisticated wastewater treatment
• The elimination of P requires higher skills from the personnel operating the plant
• The possibility to use the effluent in the future for irrigation purposes

This process will allow to provide needed quality of treated waters with possibility of further their use for
irrigation and also use of sludge in agriculture.

Therefore project FS Document proposes the effluent limit values as presented in the table below(Table
3.2):

Table 3.2. Effluent Standards proposed for Design

 Parameter
Non-Sensitive Area
(Unit)
 BOD5  Mg/  25
l
 COD  Mg/  125
l
 TSS  Mg/  35
l
 N,tot  Mg/  --
l
 P,tot  Mg/  --
l

The requirements for sludge treatment proposed by the Consultant are stabilization of sludge and dry solids
content of approx. 20% - 25%. which can be achieved by sludge drying beds.

By year 2030 main indicator will be 34,000 PE.

Mainly planned in the project the extended aeration system is feasible from economic and exploutation point
of view and is characterised with low probability of accidents as in this variant heated septic reservoir and
utilization of qas isn’t required

The proposed plant site is approximately 6 km south west part of the town, near Muradlı village and
Kurdemir Road. The land has an area of 5 ha and belongs to the Government.

Treated wastewater will be discharged to the drainage trench near the plant.
57
According to Item 3.7, 3rd Article, Azerbaijan Republic Cabinet of Ministers Decision about Sanitary Rules,
Hygiene and Environmental Specifications Based Cities and Other Cities and Other Populated Areas
Treatment, Temporary Domestic Waste Storage, Regular Removal and Neutralization Guidelines dated 21
April 2005 No. 74, the disposal of WTTP sludge in landfills is prohibited because it has reuse value.
Therefore WTTP sludge will be stored within the Plant and will be used in agricultural activities during the
season. The use of the sludge in this way requires that the sludge must meet sludge content environmental
control standards presently effective in Azerbaijan.

According to health statistics of Agsu Rayon between 2000 and 2009, most seen water source disease is viral
hepatitis. Its occurrence is app. 2.7 in a year. Salmonellas, dysentery and acute intestinal infections follow
viral hepatitis with 1.7, 1.4 and 1.2 occurrences in a year respectively. Water source diseases are thought to
be decreased in time with the upgrade of infrastructure facilities in the rayon.

Expected project benefits in the project area:

 Prevention of the ground and surface water pollution
 Protection of the public health
 Prevention of wasting of water resources and energy
 Prevention of the soil pollution and supply of free fertilizers (i.e. sludge of proper quality from the
WWTP) to farmers

3.3 Map of project area and the location of project infrastructure to be included.
Agsu is located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and the Agsu region of Shirvan plain. It is
bordered with Shemakha(North- East) , Kurdamir(South- West), Hajigabul(South-East) and Ismayilli(west)
of Azerbaijan. (See Figure 3.5).

58
Figure 3.5. Map of location of Agsu region

59
Below is given division of the rayon territory to different areas depending on land use and type of
economical activity(Figure 3.6).

Figure 3.6. Land use, and economic areas in Agsu region

Map of location of existing and proposed in the FS document infrastructure are given in the ANNEXES I-IV

3.4. Legal and Institutional Strengthening

Existing Organization in Agsu: Services related to sewerage system and storm water are under the
responsibility of Local Birleshmish Su Kanal Authority. Three management and administration staff
including one manager, 4 accounting staff, 8 technical staff responsible for water supply systems and 5
technical staffs responsible for sewerage systems has been employed by Local Birleshmish Su Kanal
Authority.

60
The project Feasibility Study underlines the importance of strengthening the Institutional Structure.The main
proposal for the organization is to separate Agsu Su Kanal Department from the central organizations like
AZERSU and Birleshmish Su Kanal in order to have an efficient and operational management structure.
Existing organizational structure of the Agsu Su Kanal Department is proposed to be increased. Besides
some small modifications within the organization structure have been proposed to be realized in order to
improve the Agsu Su Kanal Department. As a must, the constructed wastewater treatment plant will require a
few skilled staff, like plant director, engineer/chemist and a technician, and ordinary workers. The technician
and workers for the wastewater treatment plant could be selected and trained from the existing staff of the
Agsu Su Kanal Department. Besides that a part time Information Technologies Specialist (IT Specialist) is
proposed to assist to the Agsu Su Kanal Department Head. IT specialist will assist to the installation and
development of information technologies within the organization(See Figure 3.7 for the extended units of the
Organizational Structure of the Agsu Su Kanal Department)

FIGURE 3.7. PROPOSED ORGANIZATION DIAGRAM OF AGSU SU KANAL DEPARMENT(FS)

Aghsu
Su Kanal Dept. Information
Head Technologies
Specialist

Deputy
Head

Operation
Customer
Economist Safety & Accounting Personnel
Relations
Inspector Maintenance Department Department
Department
Department

Drinking
Sewerage Pumping Wastewater
Water Units kept
Network Stations Treatment Plant
Network
O&M O&M O&M Units Proposed to be
O&M
Services Services Services Extended
Services

61
4. BASIC INFORMATION

4.1. Bio-physical description of project area.

Relief and geological structure

Agsu region is situated on the south slope of Great Caucasus mountains of the same natural region. The area
of the region have complex relief condition. Mountainous relief forms are superior. There are also flat and
foothills here. Absolute altitude changes between 150-2000 m.
Flat part of the area is on Shirvan flat on the south of the region.
The north part (mountanious) of the region is on Great Caucasus tectonic ascend zone, south part is on Kur
inter mountain deviation zone.
Agsu region is situated on magnitude 8 seismic zone. Geological structure of the area is complex. There are
two geological Age of Mammals and Age of Reptiles rocks from three that are mentioned in Azerbaijan. On
mountanious zone Age of Reptiles rocks are spreaded more widely. The highest part of the region is covered
with Chalk aged rocks, but middle mountainous part is covered with Palaeogene and Neogene rocks. Forth
age rocks of Age of Mammals spreaded in Shirvan flat.
The whole area of Agsu region is covered with sedimentary rocks.
The region is not wealthy with minerals. There are clay and sand resources. Forest resources are of local
importance.

Climate

According to the climate condition the area of Agsu region can be divided into three parts. Semi-desert and
dry climate type is superior on the flat side of the region, soft warm climate type is superior on dry field,
foothills and low mountainous relief forms and cold warm climate type is superior on the north side where
mountain relief forms are widely spreaded (as per Keppens’ classification).
Semi-desert and dry field climate type is typical for the flat area. Annual rainfall quantity is 300-350 mm.
The most part of them fall in the cold period (October-March). The summer is warm and winter is moderate.
The avreage annual temperature of the weather is 14ºC.
]In the region area there are two subtypes of moderate warm climate type:
1) Moderate warm climate in whcih the summer is dry;
2) Moderate warm climate in which the rainfalls distribute equally in all seasons.
The first subtype is more widely spreaded and typical to the foothills and low mountainous zone of the rgion.
Here the winter is moderate, summer is moderate-warm, dry and autumn is much rainy.
The second subtype is observed on the middle mountainous part (on 1000-1500 m). This climate type differs
with its soft winter and moderate warm summer. Humidity coefficient is equal to 1.
Rainfalls of cold climate type are observed on the areas where they fall equally in all seasons and sub-type is
higher than 1500 m. This climate sub-type is extremely humid. Humidity coefficient is 1.2-1.5. Its winter is

62
cold, snowy, long and summer is short and cool. Temperatures above 10 ºC varied only between 400-
1500ºC.
Table 4.1 describes average monthly and annual amounts of the main climate elements of Agsu region and
on Pic. 4.1 wind flower is given. The climate information is given according to the Agsu meteorological
station. As it seems from Pic. 4.1 the north-west winds are superior in the region.

63
 Table 4.1. Average monthly and annual amounts of the main climate elements of the Agsu meteorological station

№ Name of element I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Annual

Weather temperature, C0
1.9 3.4 6.3 12.0 18.6 23.2 26.4 26.6 21.6 15.8 9.2 4.7 14.1
a) average
1
b) absolute maximum 19 23 30 34 35 40 42 43 38 31 26 21 43

v) absolute minimum -17 -11 -6 -3 4 6 11 13 5 -1 -8 -12 -17

2 Rainfalls, mm 38 46 57 55 50 45 20 19 40 59 45 36 510

3 Wind speed, m/s 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.1 1.6 1.6 2.3

4 Absolute humidity of weather, mb 6.1 6.4 7.5 10.5 14.1 15.7 17.6 17.2 15.8 13.1 9.5 7.1 11.7

5 Relative humidity of weather, % 81 80 80 72 67 55 52 50 62 74 81 81 70

6 Humidity deficit, mb 1.7 1.8 2.1 4.6 8.2 14.8 19.2 19.5 11.4 5.1 2.5 1.6 7.7

7 Evaporation over water, mm 25 29 35 69 113 188 228 240 148 78 40 30 1223

64
 Picture 4.1. Wind flower (Gabala)

Soil types
In Agsu region grey, light and dark brown, mountain grey-brown, brown mountain forest, alluvial meadow-
forest, brown mountain forest widely spreaded.
The height zoning is clearly seem in the distribution of these soil types over area.
Information on the main soil types distributed in the region area is given in the Table 4.2.

Table 4.2. Distributed soil types in Agsu region

№ Soil types Bonitet marks Area, ha
1 Brown mountain-forest 87 5670
2 Mountain-forest 87 2970
3 Meadow brown 85 3240
4 Grey 71 34020
5 Light chestnut 53 9270
6 Chestnut (simple) 80 13770
7 Chestnut (irrigated) 77 5940
8 Alluvial-meadow 69 45180
9 Gravels of river beds 10 900
Total 69 120960

One part of soils changed into agro-irrigation landscapes. Mainly dry-farming is developed.

65
Ecosystems

Natural landscape types

In Agsu region three main landscape types are (ecosystem type) distributed:
1) Semi-desert ecosystem;
2) Mountain field ecosystem;
3) Mountain forest ecosystem.
These landscape types situated according to vertical zonal rule.

Vegetative cover

The main part of semi-desert ecosystem plants are consisted of diferent types of wormwood, ethyl alocohol
ephemmeroids etc. Depending on the soil-ecological condition of the area in vegetation period wormwood
and ethyl alocohol ephemmeroids together cover the soil surface from 25-30% up to 70%.
Field plants are on the low mountanious zone of the region. There are oats, thyme and shrubs. One
part of these fields arose as the result of destruction of forests. Lone trees are alive witnesses of past forests.
Natural grass cover of main fields cover over 70-80% of sand surface. Most of fields replaced with dry sown
area and garden.
Forest plants are on middle mountainous zone. The upper part of forests arose in cold climate and
lower part in moderate hot climate condition. That is why on upper borders of forests beech, hornbeam and
on lower border dry firm oak and other trees grow. Forests on 1000-1600 m height create whole zone.

.The animal world

Semi-desert and dry field animals –in semi-desert and dry fields from preyers wolf, fox, jackal occur
especially, close to sheep-pen and villages, also on open semi-deserts. Grey, chestnut and red coloured small
fox (Vulpes Alpheraklyi) feeding with insect and rodents occur in all places of these lansdcape types
nevertheless they much suffer from hunters.
In semi-desert and dry fields from rodents badger, spotted or polecat (Vormela Sarmatica) and weasel occur.
9 types of preyers widely spreaded in this zone. Field mouse (Microtus Socialis), Red tail mouse (Meriones
crythrourusi), Bogdanov field mouse, Williams arab rabbit, small arab rabbit, grey mountain mouse
(Cricetulus Migratorius), house and forest mouses, sand mouse, rabbit are typical rodents of zone. In semi-
deserts and sand fields from insecta feedings lop-eared hedgehog, long-tailed white-toothed, stink badger
(Pachyure etrusca) considering as the smallest mammallia are also spreaded.
Here from birds stone bird(Ocnanthe isabelino, nest in sand mouse hollows), crested lark (Alanda ciristata),
grey lark, field lark, black eagle, red duck, simple dove, etc. can be shown.

66
Typical animals of dry fields are wolf, fox, jackal, rabbit, etc. Because of fox and jackal being mainly rodent
feeder, they usually inhabit far away from settlements. Grey, chestnut and red coloured small fox (Vulpes
Alpheraklyi) feeding with insect and rodents are widely spreaded.
Field mouse (Microtus Socialis), Red tail mouse (Meriones crythrourusi), Bogdanov field mouse, Williams
arab rabbit, small arab rabbit, grey mountain mouse (Cricetulus Migratorius), house and forest mouses, sand
mouse, rabbit are typical rodents of semi-desert and dry fields.
In dry fields from birds stone bird (Ocnanthe isabelino, nest in sand mouse hollows), crested lark (Alanda
ciristata), grey lark, field lark, red duck, simple dove, etc. can be shown.
The mountain forest zone seriously differs from other landscape-ecological systems. One of the rare animal
of this place is forest cat. Here badger and yelow squirrel are rarely mentioned. Here, some types of mouses
(forest mousesrı, bush mouse, Caucasus mouse), shrew and other rodents are widely spreaded.
Mountain forests are dwelling place for black woodpecker, three types of many-coloured woodpecker, snow
bird, colourful nightingale, siskin, red throat. There are also water sparrow, long-tailed tomtit (in winter
months), grey eagleowl in this belt.
From reptiles snake, rock lizard, grass-snake are mentioned in this belt.
Mountain forests are also rich with insects (dark blue proserus insect, blue alpine insect), forest bee and
snails.

Anthropogenic transformation of natural landscape

In Agsu region all of widely spreaded three main landscape types subjected to anthropogenic impact.
All of the forests arose on as the result of destruction of old oak tree forests. And now the anthropogenic
degree of these fields is 80%. In fields mainly dry plant is developed and grape, potatoe, grain are cultivated.
One part of dry zones is under orchards (pomegranate).
In XX century 50% of Agsu forests destructed. At present forests are under recovery. But the development of
cattle-breeding in forest zone delay this process.
As the result of occupation of Garabakh zone main parts of summer pastures of Azerbaijan lost. That is why
summer pastures of Big Caucasus and Agsu region subject to strong anthropogenic impact. Sharp increase of
cattle number decrease the thickness of natural grass cover of alpine and sub-alpine meadows and accelerate
erosion process.

Underground and surface waters

Surface waters
Main rivers of Agsu region are Girdimanchay, Agsuchay and Nazirchay.
Analuze of quality of water of rivers shows that iy meets required international standards for drinking
water(Annex VII)
Main morphometric and flow characteristics of these rivers have been given on Table 4.3 and food sources
on Table 4.4.
Table 4.3. Average long-term and extremal water use of rivers
67
 Annual Maximum Minimum
Water
flow water water Average height
N River post catchment
norm, discharge, discharge, of basin, m
area, km2
m3/s m3/s m3/s
I Agsu
1. Agsu-Agsu 1.48 162 0.048 367 1030
II Girdimanchay
Girdimanchay-
2. Gandab 4.21 42.4 0.39 326 1870
3. Girdimanchay-Nohur 6.50 201 0.90 352 1820

Table 4.4. Food sources of the rivers

N River station Snow waters, % Rain waters, % Ground waters, %

I Agsu
1. Agsu-Agsu 28 32 40
II Girdimanchay
Girdimanchay-
2. Gandab 25 35 40
Girdimanchay-
3. Garanohur 23 38 39

Agsuchay begins from Sari-Bulag mountain (2268 m) on 2100 m height. Its length is 89 km, basin area is
572 km2, average height is 666 m.

In the basin forest occupies 130 km2 area. Average river inclination is 24.7 ‰, density of river network is
0.46km/km2. It is tumultuous in spring and high water flood river in autumn. Agsu is connected with
Girdimanchay with artificial river-bed and by this way they flow into Kura.
In the chemical content of Agsuchay water sulphate anion and calcium cation are superior. Mineralization
degree changes between 700-950 mg/l.
Water resources of Agsuchay are used in irrigation of Shirvan flat and river area and in water supply of Agsu
town.

In 1960 in the Agsuchay basin aside of river-bed Javanshir water reservoir constructed. Its full size is 4.5 mln
m3, beneficial size is 4.1 mln m3, water glass size is 0.7 km2.
Girdimanchay begins from south slope of Babadag on 2900 m height. It is tumultuous in spring and high
water flood river in autumn. Very often stream is observed in the river. In water structure of the river the
sulphate and hydrocarbonate anions quantity is approximately equal (140-450 mg/l). Its cause the flow of
mineral spring into the river. River water is used in irrigation.
From Agsu region Upper Shirvan channel passes.

Underground waters

68
Therea are little underground waters in Agsu. Only on mountainous side of the region there is suitable
condition for formation of underground waters.
Based on formation condition of underground waters the are of the region can be divided into three zone:
 North zone;
 Central zone;
 South zone.

Fold mountain zone occupy small place of the region (north). Spring flow here is 5-10 l/s, but sometimes
20-30 l/s. These waters are little mineralized, fresh and according to chemical content hydrocarbonated-
calcium.

Underground waters are very little in the middle zone. These waters are local and form on river valleys.
South zone mainly occupy Shirvan flat. In these zone where Kura-Aras lowland is, gorund waters are close
to the surface (up to 10 m) and characterized with high mineralization degree.

By the information of Ministry of Ecology this area is characterized by development of fresh groundwater
confined to loose deposits of river valleys and dislocations. These waters are hydrocarbon waters with
mineralization of less than 1 mg/l

4.2. Social-economic character of Project area

Economical-geographical position

Agsu region is one of the four administrative regions (Agsu, Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Gobustan) of Mountainous
Shirvan economical-geographical region. The area of Agsu region is 1015 km2 and population is 70 000.
Economical-geographical position of the Agsu region is very suitable. The passing of transport and
communication lines from the territories of this region going from Baku to Georgia and west and north-west
of Azerbaijan, also, as Absheron economical region the closeness of Azerbaijan to the highly developed
industrial centre play an important role in developing of economy and territorial forming of Mountanious
Shirvan ecnomic region and Agsu region. The transport network of the region is mainly represented by
automobile transport.

Population

Agsu town is the second big town of Mountanoius Shirvan economic region.
Increase dynamics of population number in the region is given on Table 4.5.

69
Table 4.5. Increase dynamics of population number in Agsu region (thousand persons)

1st of January situation

Area
1990 1995 2000 2005 2009
Republic of Azerbaijan 7131.9 7643.5 8032.8 8447.3 8896.9
City population 3847.3 4005.6 4116.4 4477.6 4818.3
Village population 3284.6 3637.9 3916.4 3969.7 4078.6
Mountanoius Shirvan
212.6 240.0 252.10 266.7 280.5
economic region – total
City population 58.0 66.6 70.1 80.3 88.2
Village population 154.6 173.4 182.0 186.4 192.3
Agsu region 54.6 60.2 63.1 66.8 70.0
City population 14.5 16.0 16.5 17.9 19.5
Village population 40.1 44.2 46.6 48.9 50.5

As it seems from Table 4.5 most of people live in villages and urbanization level is 28%.
Average population density is 69 person per km2.
In the region in 90th of last century if the natality per 1000 person was 20.5 person, now this indicator is 9.6
person. At the recent years decrease on rate of growth of region population is connected with existed
demographic situation in the Republic. In 2008 sharp increase of town population is connected with
reference of neighbour villages to the Agsu town.
One part of the region immigrated to the CIS countries. Displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh are also
inhabited in the region. Displaced persons having limited economic means and facing with unemployment
are on the most protection required population level.

Economic-social situation

The economy of Agsu region is mainly connected with agriculture. Main economy areas are cattle-breeding,
grain-growing, fruit-growing (pomegranate) and tobacco-growing. Here also wheat, grape, potatoe,
sunflower and maize are cultivated. Approximately 70% of the population work in agriculture.
In Agsu region approximately 90% (2802 persons) of employed persons work in governmental sector. At
present not any big governmental isntitution work. There are only 4 private industrial and 3 agricultural
institutions. Average monthly salary of persons work in private and state sector is AZN 162 and AZN 136.
The social-economic indicators of the region are given in Table 4.6.

Table 4.6. The social-economic indicators of Agsu region.

70
 Number of doctors, person
70 Number of infant schools 8
Number of doctors per 10000 10.0 Number of children there, 380
persons person

Number of average medical 332 89

Number of children against 100
workers, person
places in infant schools
Number of average medical 47.6 Internal general education
workers per 10000 persons schools 70

Number of hospitals 6 Number of pupils there, person 10259

Number of hospital beds 310

In territorial division of labour of Azerbaijan in Agsu region together with agriculture, based on local raw
material resources historically food industrial spheres, hardware production, etc. spheres have been
specialized.

At recent times wheat planting is considerable increased (Table 4.7). Throughout Agsu region production of
plant-growing crops and productivity on agriclutural spheres are given in Table 4.8 and 4.9.

Table 4.7. Sowing areas over Agsu region, ha

№ Sowing areas 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1 Sowing areas of
686 786 832 861 1288 1970 2593
orchards
2 Sowing areas of grain
21996 21932 25515 25666 25669 27541 30901
and grain beans
3 Wheat sowing area 16820 16265 18145 17835 17420 18900 20650
4 Barley sowing area 5167 5662 7362 7815 8231 8620 10174
5 Maize sowing area for
1 1 14
grain
6 Sowing area of cotton 1520 501 1200 1837 1213 721 539
7 Sowing area of
71 76 66 59 85 125
sunflower for grain
8 Potato sowing area 15 34 54 61 61 66 99
9 Vegetable sowing area 384 258 275 283 291 318 528
10 Sowing area of
foodstuff melon 955 380 393 400 403 481 947
plantation
11 Orchard sowing area 686 786 832 861 1288 1970 2593
12 Vineyard sowing area 402 158 183 547 436 645 645

Table 4.8. Production of plant-growing crops throughout Agsu region, ton

71
 № Production field 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
1 Production of grain
45744 61630 72959 73847 74414 80045 89816
and grain beans
2 Wheat production 34900 46078 52663 51985 50867 55116 60260
3 Barley production 10834 15545 20287 21841 23523 24902 29429
4 Maize production for
3 1 40
grain
5 Cotton production 804 1443 2176 2186 1580 1032 641
6 Beet-sugar
1100 7895 110
production
7 Sunflower production
43 46 39 35 50 70
for grain
8 Potato production 69 145 255 281 285 311 478
9 Vegetable production 2322 1420 1567 1610 1661 1819 3175
10 Production of
foodstuff melon 5888 3100 3208 3266 3291 3932 5939
plantation
11 Fruit production 4275 4641 4805 4928 4984 5053 5079
12 Grape production 1612 1039 1039 1106 1139 1146 1190

Table 4.9. Productivity on agricultural fields in Agsu region, cent/ha

№ Productivity 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1 Grain productivity 20.8 28.1 28.6 28.8 29.0 29.1 29.1
2 Wheat productivity 20.7 28.3 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.2 29.2
3 Barley productivity 21 27.5 27.6 27.9 28.6 28.9 28.9
4 Maize productivity
30.0 14.0 28.2
for grain
5 Cotton productivity 5.3 28.8 18.1 11.9 13 14.3 12.1
6 Beet-sugar
314 166 65
productivity
7 Sunflower
productivity for 6.1 6.1 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.6
grain
8 Potato productivity 46 43 47 46 47 47 49
9 Vegetable
61 55 57 57 57 57 60
productivity
10 Productivity of
foodstuff melon 62 82 82 82 82 82 63
plantation
11 Fruit productivity 65 65.4 65 64.2 48 60.2 60.3
12 Grape productivity 16.5 8.4 5.2 5.2 2.4 5.3 3.3

One of the specialized fields of the region is cattle-breeding farm. In flat areas milk-beef cattle
breeding, in footland and mountainous areas sheep-breeding is developed (Table 4.10).

Table 4.10. Number of cattle in Agsu region (thousan head)

72
 Cattle-breeding
2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
fields
Cow and bufallo 16817 17448 17627 17731 17877 17967 18368
Sheep and goat 123337 132007 137746 140720 144227 146787 149535

Information about cattle products producing in the region is given in the Table 4.11.

Table 4.11 Animal produce production throughout Agsu region

№ Production fields 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1 Meat production, ton
1338 2079 1853 2172 2181 2192 2208
(undercut)
2 Milk production, ton 15115 19467 21948 22724 23261 23302 23347
3 Egg production,
3601 3488 4387 6065 6231 6308 6391
thousand
4 Wool production, ton 237 225 198 267 270 274 276

There is tourism-recreation potentiality in Agsu region. Here mountain tourism and ecotourism can be
developed.

4.3. Significant changes in Project area

In Agsu region reestablishment of Water Supply and Sewerage systems take into account the following
construction works:
1. For Water Supply system;
 Construction of reservoirs;
 Lay on water supply lines.
2 For Sewerage System
 Construction of sewage cleaning structures
 Installation of lines (main waterway) removing sewage
Main construction work related to water and sewage system is described above.
In recent times hydrogeological water investigation works it was confirmed sufficient amount of required
water resources in Girdimanchay and Agsuchay river basins
This will lead improved water and sanitation in the nregion.
There will also be negative impact because of reestablishment of Water Supply and Sewerage systems, the
works connected with their installation will impact on people.
Thertefore relevant mitigations are to be preparede and implemented during the constraction process and
afterwords.
4.4. Information reliability
There are three main sources of used information in preparing of report:
1. Existing web-sites, questionnaire, scientific literature;
2. Visual field investigation;
3. Experts’ investigation objects and knowledges on environment and generalization skills.

73
Information on physical-geographical condition, geological structure, soil cover, ecosystems, vegetative and
animal worlds of the region have been taken from appropriate monographs and “Atlas of Azerbaijan ”.
Main sources of nformation on climate, surface and ground waters of the territory have been taken from
different questionnaires of National Hydrometeorology and Department of Monitoring of Environment of the
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and they are the results of monitorings conducted on last years.
General information on social-economic situation of the region have been taken from relative monographs
and web-site of State Statistics Committee.
Information on Water Supply and Sewerage System structures (reservoirs, pump stations, water cleaning
structure, water supply lines, etc.) that will be constructed and renewed in the territory have been taken from
TES reports implemented by Tamalsu organization, also as the result of Eptisa and Hydrometeorological
Consulting organizations experts’ visual field review.
Field reviews of potential construction places realized in June, 2010.
Experts of the organizations preparing the reports before implemented scientific-investigation works and
realized projects in diferent regions of Azerbaijan, also in Agsu region. In preparation of reports, gathering,
processing, analyzing and generalization of information they used their knowledge and skills.
The quality and exactness of information used in preparation of report can be considered as satisfactory. As
it is noted, information have been taken mainly from web-sites of State authorities (National
Hidrometeorology Department, State Statistic Committee, etc.) and questionnaires.
Regarding lack of information it can be noted that there is not enough information only on animal world of
the territory where Water Cleaning Structure will be constructed.

74
5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

5.1 Environmental Issues

The boundaries of the EIA study are defined in two ways:
 The boundaries of the project service area are defined by the boundaries of Agsu city and nearby
villages in Agsu Rayon.
 The boundaries of the specific facilities to be established through the project are defined by the
facilities themselves and the area of potential impact adjacent to them. The area of potential impact
differs for different potential impacts (e.g. the area of potential impact associated with visual impacts
is greater than the area of potential impact associated with land use disturbance), and these will be
defined in the EIA study in association with the nature of the potential impacts themselves.

The EIA study reflects project boundaries according to each of these considerations.
As described above the Project documentation has identified the following environment-related problems
associated with existing WSS systems in Agsu region:
 The untreated waste waters are liable to pollute groundwater and, in wet periods, surface water.
 Land and atmosphere air pollution by the effect of untreated waters discharged to open areas, posing
a health threat on the local population.
 Leakages from old WS facilities (including water losses as a result of accidental breakage of old
pipelines) and also inefficiency of water use lead to drinking water shortage by volume and time
scales.
 Discharge of untreated industrial wastes (including medical) represents an immediate public health
risk.
 Little effort is made to reduce, reuse or recycle waste waters discharged to the sewage collector..
 Absence of water meters lead to inefficient use of drinking water, including its use for irrigation and
other purposes

The proposed project is intended to address these problems. Therefore, the primary environmental
improvements associated with the proposed project will be the creation of an environmentally sound WSS
system that eliminates these problems to the extent feasible. The major environmental risks associated with
project implementation are as follows:
 Proposed facilities are not in fact designed or constructed properly, either because sites are not
sufficiently investigated to ensure that appropriate designs are undertaken, or because of inadequate
design and/or construction supervision.
 Proposed facilities are not operated properly, either because management or operational staff are
inadequately trained or because inadequate financial resources are available to maintain the water
management system following the investment.

The environmental consequence of these risks is the same: the proposed WSS facilities do not prevent
negative environmental impacts associated with inadequate WSS to the extent that is intended.

75
5.2. Potential Positive Project Impacts

The primary objective of the project is to improve the health and livelihoods of the urban communities
through the provision of safe, potable quality and adequate water supply and sanitation.

Based on the feasibility study document the following indicators will be followed:

Secure supply with potable water meeting World Health Organization (WHO) and/or national quality
standards
 Continuous water supply for 24 hours per day
 Supply of each user with sufficient water for domestic needs
 Water distribution system workable under operation pressures with low leakage rates
 Safe collection and treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater and reduction of aquifer
pollution
 Compliance of water supply facilities, sewer system and wastewater treatment plant based on
international and/or Azeri standards(Annex 6).
 Affordable Water Supply and Sanitation Prices for consumers and within determined service tariffs
 Minimum use of natural resources to keep the impact of WSS measures on the environment at
minimum level during implementation and maintenance

Implementation of an Action Plan that will upgrade and improve the sustainability in the Rayon centers
through application of a new, efficient and appropriately sized water and sanitation infrastructure,
strengthening of local know how and capacity to deliver and maintain water supply and sanitation services,
developing a sense of local ownership through community participation

In general expected project benefits in the project area are :

 Prevention of the Ground and Surface Water Pollution

 Protection of the Public Health
 Prevention of Wasting of Water Resources and Energy
 Prevention of the Soil Pollution and Supply of Free Fertilizers to Farmers

Water supply system of the city shall be reconstructed in order to supply water from Girdimanchay Drains.
The length of main transmission line will be approximately 11.8 km.
All of the existing drinking water distribution network shall be reconstructed and extended with high density
polyethylene pipes. The total length of distribution lines will be approximately 84 km.
A new sewerage collection system shall be reconstructed and extended corrugated high density poly ethylene
pipes. The length of sewerage network construction will be approximately 79 km.
The collected wastewater shall be treated within a wastewater treatment plant having a capacity of 31,000 PE
on year 2030 and discharged to the one of the drainage collectors.
Institutional strengthening for an efficient operation and maintenance shall be implemented.
Within the scope of the Project, polyethylene corrugated pipes will be laid to create a wastewater network
and a new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will be constructed below the town center. The extended
aeration process with sludge drying beds is selected as project proposal for the treatment of wastewater of
Agsu.
Treated wastewater will be discharged to the Agricay. Daily, 1,500 kg sludge will be produced in the
WWTP and dried in drying beds.
Water source diseases are thought to be decreased in time with the upgrade of infrastructure facilities in the
rayon.
76
5.3 Potential Negative Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures

In this section, negative environmental impacts are identified, and the significance of hose impacts is
assessed.
An objective methodology is therefore required to permit assessment of the potential significance of
environmental issues.

The Feasibility Study Consultant carried out the initial environmental assessment for the Category A type
project. In the following the initial environmental assessment has been carried out in order to evaluate the
effects of the proposed solution. In this part first, the “Rapid Environmental Assessment Checklist ” was
filled for both sewerage and water supply systems. This checklist summarizes existing project area in Agsu
and potential environmental impacts, which projects may cause. The checklist can be seen in the following
table(Table 5.1).

Table 5.1. Rapid Environmental Assessment Checklist

QUESTIONS Yes No Notes

A. Project site
Project area...
Densely populated? X
Involved in development projects? X
Close to temporary reserves or
X
including?
Cultural heritage X
Protection zone X
Swamp area X
Estuary X
Buffer zone of protected area X
Special zone to protect biodiversities X
Bay X
B. Potential Environmental Impacts
Will this project cause impacts...?
Damage to historical/cultural There are no cultural facilities and
monuments /areas? archeological monuments in the direct
project zone. If any historical-cultural
areas are to be recorded in the project
zone in the future, proper measures are
to be taken in accordance with
X
Environmental Management Plan
(EMP).
These measures should ensure
protection of historical archaeological
excavations and cultural heritage of
national and international value.
Constraint to other enterprises and X It is expected that project related
access to buildings; noise, bad smell impacts during the construction works
related disturbance to neighbouring will be temporary, short-term and
77
areas and flow of rodents, insects etc.? insignificant. The contractor should
consider and take adequate measures to
build temporary alternative roads,
passages and relevant infrastructure to
ensure access of people, reduce
distribution of noise, bad odour and
reach of wastewater to other sites.
resettlement or necessary relocation of The project doesn’t include relocation of
local people local people. It is also unlikely to result
in loss of real estate, income sources
and settlement areas. In case of
temporary or permanent withdrawal of
X
land owned by people during
construction of water pipes or sewage
lines, the losses will be compensated in
accordance with relevant legislation of
Azerbaijan republic.
damage to quality of downstream water Currently there is no adequate source
in case of discharge of improperly for discharge of treated wastewater.
treated or untreated wastewater? Wastewater flows are usually
discharged into open areas without any
treatment which cause pollution of
surface and ground water sources.
It is believed that in the future the
treated wastewater will be discharged
into dry river bed or reused for
irrigation purposes. If reused for
irrigation, then in the periods out of
irrigation season treated wastewater
might cause damage to environment and
X
health of people. Therefore, level of
treatment shall be adjusted depending
on the conditions of reuse and
discharge.
The wastewater flows will be treated to
comply with the Surface Water
Protection requirements of BOD205-
3mg/l. So, 24 hour aeration process is
envisaged with the application of full
biological treatment. Wastewater flows
treated up to BOD20= 20mg/l will
undergo full retreatment in the natural
pools.
Flooding of private properties with X Project includes construction of
untreated wastewater wastewater treatment works somewhere
outside the urban area. The structures
will comply with the modern
technological standards and the process
of construction will be supervised by
the technical expertise. The operation
and maintenance of the structure will be
carried out by the qualified operator
adhering to relevant technological
schemes, design parameters and
normative acts. The situations causing
flooding the neighbouring settlements
78
 and private property, other than natural
disasters and technical breakages are
unlikely.
Environmental pollution due to Sludge produced by wastewater
improper sludge operation or discharge treatment will be processed properly.
of industrial wastewater into public Sludge processing shall ensure full
sewage system? liquidation of its pollutant and harmful
compositions.
If sludge will be used for agricultural
purposes, the proper processing will be
included in the wastewater treatment
process and respond to relevant
sanitary-hygiene norms.
X If sludge will not be used in agriculture,
it will be processed accordingly, stored
in sludge fields and buried in the areas
agreed with Rayon Executive Power
and sanitary center.
The body responsible for the
maintenance of the treatment plant and
sanitary-hygiene department will
control discharge of inadmissible
harmful substances, wastes and
materials into the sewage collector.
Noise and vibration due to explosions Construction works will be carried out
and other construction works? in accordance with bidding process. It
will be implemented with due
compliance with specifications,
ecological and sanitary norms and
X regulations. The quality and scope of
works will be supervised by PIU and
selected consultants. The constructor
will take necessary measures in due
time, with a view not to exceed
allowable level of noise and vibration.
Discharge of toxic substance into Inadequacy of contractor’s project
sewage system which may damage the related activities may cause damage to
system and harm workers health? environment, staff health, and health
security of local people, including
discharge of toxic chemical substances
to sewage collectors which may lead to
X bad consequences. The organization of
works in accordance with the best
practices and implementation of
trainings for the local staff are the key
components to eliminate or mitigate
adverse environmental impacts and risk
to human health.
Buffer zone to mitigate noise or other X Presently there are no protection
potential damages to surrounding lines/buffer zones around existing
locations and supply structures with sewage structures and pumping stations.
protection zones? The planned new structures or
rehabilitation of existing ones will
require allocation of sanitary protection
zone as indicated in the sanitary-
hygiene norms. The planting of trees to
79
 provide a fence around these zones and
implementation of other adequate
arrangements will contribute mitigation
of noise, vibration and other potential
impacts.
Conflicts between construction staff Social studies implemented in the
from other areas and local workers? project zone show the sufficiency of
local labor force with different
disciplines. One of the project outcomes
is the creation of new temporary and
X permanent employments. Thus, local
expertise must be favoured in the
process of employment. Any conflicts
resulted on any grounds will be
resolved under procedures of
Management of Social Impacts.
Traffic closures and temporary It is expected that construction of water
flooding of roads due to earth supply and sanitation system implies
excavation works and during rainfall enormous earth excavation works. The
seasons? contractor will plan the work phases,
X provide temporary roads for local
population, protect surrounding areas
from flooding due to excavation works
and take proper actions to handle
excavated material.
Noise and dust caused by construction Noise and dust caused by construction
works? works will be mitigated by the
application of best ecological practices.
These measures may include
implementation of works during
ordinary working hours and application
of noise silencers. Noise production rate
cannot exceed 65 dB in the daytime and
X 45 dB in the dark hours in accordance
with Azerbaijani standards and norms.
The dust distribution must be eliminated
by minimum application of machines
and mechanisms producing disturbing
noise, watering of the construction site,
provision of coatings over dusty
materials and temporary fences and
other methods.
Traffic constraints due to Construction works must be organized
transportation of construction materials in such a way that they don’t cause
and wastes? constraints to normal traffic and extra
noise.
In order to avoid pollution of central
X
urban areas excavated materials will be
transported through alternative
secondary roads rather than main
highways. (to be agreed with rayon
SRP).
Excavation of temporary silt? X One of the environmental impacts is the
silt and other earth materials generated
due to construction works.
Such materials will be handled in
80
 accordance with the EMP, surrounded
to ensure flow to other areas, covered
(if necessary) and discharge to areas as
agreed with the Rayon Executive
Power.
Health risks due to flooding and Treatment structures will be operated in
groundwater pollution due to sewage compliance with the relevant guidelines
line deterioration? and standard documents. These
structures will be provided with
emergency outlets in cases of breakages
and other damages. Emergency outlets
X
will be used with the prior awareness of
the adequate local bodies.
The emergency plan of the operator of
the treatment structure will include
early warning of unexpected emergency
situations.
Damage to water quality due to bad The plant should include internal
sludge treatment or discharge of laboratory to ensure operation of
wastewater without treatment? treatment structures in compliance with
the relevant ecological and sanitary
norms and adherence to permissible
X pollution level of the treated water
content.
The operation of these structures will
also be followed by the local sanitary
agencies and MENR regional
departments.
Pollution of surface and groundwater Negligence of control of sludge
sources due to sludge accumulations? accumulation in ecologically vulnerable
areas can increase risk of pollution of
X
surface and groundwater sources. The
contractor will apply best practices to
mitigate such risks.
Risks to health of operation staff Wastewater operation staff should
resulting from toxic gases, harmful follow adequate technological
substances, including pathogens in the instructions and sanitary norms in daily
wastewater and sludge residues? working hours and be provided with
X relevant safety uniforms and facilities.
The security experts of wastewater
treatment plant are responsible for safe
working conditions and training of
operation staff on security issues.
Conflicts of raw water supply with the The supply of water will surely affect
consumers of other surface and the capacity of the supply source but
groundwater sources? X have no conflicting factor with other
water consumers.

Supply of unreliable raw water X Water sources meeting potable water

(including extra pathogens and mineral norms and having required flow rates
compositions)? approved by the government, including
necessary technical, economical,
financial, and ecological requirements
are seen as reliable alternative sources.
The project excludes investigation of
sources irrelevant to the above
81
 indicators.
Delivery of irrelevant water flows into The development of operation
the distribution system? department must ensure adherence to
the wastewater treatment operation
X procedures and exclude any delivery of
irrelevant and inadequate to water
standards water flows into the
distribution system.
Irrelevant protection of intake A sanitary-protection zone is envisaged
structures or wells resulting in for water supply source to be selected
pollution of water supply? through comparison of different
alternatives meeting technical,
ecological, financial and ecological
X
conditions and adequate structures to be
built on this source. This zone will
ensure any discharge of wastes or
substances and illegal access to the
selected water supply facilities.
Oversupply of groundwater flows The project studies will prioritize water
resulting in soil salinization and ground sources with sufficient flow capacity
setting? and adequate quality (rivers, main water
X pipelines etc.), including artesian wells.
The risk of soil salinization or ground
settling will be determined by adequate
geological investigations.
Overgrowth of water-plants in the Growth of water plants on the walls and
X
water reservoir? bed of water reservoirs is unlikely.
Production of wastewater flows which Improvement of water supply will
surpass design capacity of domestic certainly increase production of
sewage system? domestic wastewater flows in the
project towns. However, project
X activities include construction of
adequate sanitation system and
wastewater treatment structures which
will prevent environmental pollution
with additional wastewater flows.
Risks resulting from inadequate design The chlorine to be applied in the
of structures envisaged for purchase, primary production structures and water
storage and application of chlorine and reservoirs and transportation, storage
other toxic chemicals? and application of reagents to be used
for water cleaning purposes and
laboratory analyses will be carried out
in accordance with the ‘National
X
Strategy on the Management of
Hazardous Substances and Wastes of
the Republic of Azerbaijan’, including
inventory of these substances. The
given provision excludes any adverse
impact of these substances on adequate
staff and local population.
Health risks due to application of X Chlorine and other reagents to be used
chlorine and other substances to for disinfection of potable water is
disinfect water? unlikely to cause any health risks
because the staff working with such
substances will have necessary
knowledge of behaviour with such
82
 substances and follow adequate
guidelines and instructions.
Risks of inadequate water supply and The project envisages full replacement
disproportionate chlorination in the of pipes, structures and other facilities
distribution system due to bad of water supply and sanitation system of
operation and maintenance (siltation of the project area and their maintenance
filters)? in accordance with the best practices
and laboratory analyses of potable water
supplied to urban population. The
X application of new operation model to
the water supply facilities will cause
operational and service improvement of
this sector. In line with above notes it is
not likely that the level of chlorine in
the water flows supplied to local
population will increase permissible
levels.
Delivery of water to corroded Modern and more reliable construction
distribution network due to negligence materials (polymer pipes etc.) will be
of proper proportionate application of used in the reconstruction of the water
X
chemical substances? supply and sanitation system which will
ensure proper operation of distribution
system and its corrosion resistance.
Unexpected leakage of gas chlorine? Transportation, storage and application
of any chemical substances to be used
for disinfection of potable water will be
X carried out in accordance with the
adequate guidelines. The adherence to
such guidelines will prevent any
leakages.
Oversupply of water to the downstream According to the current studies
consumers? existing water sources used for water
supply are irrelevant, with negligence
for physical-chemical treatment which
X causes health risks. The improvement
of water supply and sanitation system
will cause no risk for downstream
consumers.

In addition to the findings in above table for comparison also a semi-quantitative analysis has been
undertaken to further evaluate potential environmental impacts., and Accordingly, “Valued environmental
components” (VEC’s) are determined and ranked according to whether they are “high ”, “medium ” or “low ” (
Table 5.2). Each of the environmental components identified in the Table has been identified during the
consultations or as a result of technical analysis. Valued environmental components that are valued as
“high” are those that are broadly important across society. VEC ’s that are ranked as “medium ” are those that
are important at a community level, but are of limited significance at a wider level. VEC ’s that are ranked as
“low” are significant at a localised level1

1
The identification and priority assigned to a VEC has been informed by the public consultations that took
place in June 2010.
83
The table evaluates the significance of potential impacts with respect to each VEC. The “significance of
potential environmental effects” is ranked based on the intrinsic potential of the identified potential effects to
impact the VEC’s. As identified in the Table, the potential significance of possible project effects is ranked
as “high” for most of the VEC’s that are highly valued. However, the significance of project impacts on land
use is considered to be “medium” since the amount of land in question is limited, some future land uses
would be enhanced (and development costs lowered) by facility development and specific alternate land
uses have not been proposed.
The significance of potential project effects on VEC ’s ranked as “medium ” varies. In some cases, potential
project effects are ranked as “high” and in other cases as “medium ”. This recognises that the project may
have effects ranked as “high” or “medium” even though these effects may be on VEC ’s that are not
themselves ranked as “high”; these effects will be important to address to ensure that the project does not
disadvantage the communities in which facilities are located. The project has only “low ” potential with
respect to the location of reservoirs and treatment plant facilities to impact property values, however, since
Agsu community is located in a distance from the proposed site.
VEC’s ranked as “low” are those that are relevant at the scale of individual property owners and users of the
land on which proposed facilities are proposed to be located. Notwithstanding that they are considered as
“low” from the perspective of society as a whole, they may be of the highest importance to the individuals
and their families who depend on the proposed site locations for their livelihood. Potential project impacts
on VEC’s at this level are “high”, since the project has potential to seriously disrupt both the livelihoods of
those who use the land as well as the amenity values they associate with the land.
Table 5.2 also identifies the availability of mitigation measures. As indicated in the table, mitigation
measures are available to address all potential negative effects identified during the period of the preparation
of this document.

Mitigation measures may be at the level of facility siting, design, construction and operation, and may
include physical, financial, institutional or other measures. An environmental monitoring plan will ensure
that all measures are appropriately undertaken and that required environmental standards are maintained.
This will document the nature and frequency of the monitoring required. For the WWTP site, environmental
monitoring will include a schedule for regular monitoring for key indicators of contamination.

84
 Table 5.2 :Valued Environmental Components and Potential Negative Effects
VALUED ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS SIGNIFICANCE OF POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS AVAILABILITY OF
Priority Environmental Component Potential Negative Project Effects Potential Significance of Effect* MITIGATION MEASURES
Construction Phase Phase
High Ground and surface water Pollution of ground and surface water High Measures available
Land Use Long term reduction of choices for land development at Medium Measures available
the area
Natural habitat Disturbance of the natural habitat due to construction Medium Measures available
related noise, dust, non-seasonal works, unprocessed
residues and etc. Low Measures not avaiilable
Loss of natural areas due to construction works.
Flora and fauna Earthworks, operation of machines, noise and etc.; Medium Measures available
Losses or degradations during and after construction
works, non-seasonal works, change of ecological
situation etc.
Drinking water quality Pollution of drinking water sources High Measures available

Cultural heritage Loss of cultural heritage Medium Measures available

Public health Injury from use of harmful substances in construction High Measures available
(paints with heavy metal, lead compositions), asbestos-
cement slabs, inflammable and toxic materials etc.)
Air quality Dust, gases/aerosol associated with construction (toxic Medium Measures available
gasses discharged by construction machineries, wind
blown construction materials etc.)
Soil Contamination of soil from land disposal of construction Low Landfill for disposal of wastes
wastes is not available
Traffic/construction vehicle Increased level of truck/construction vehicle traffic in Medium Measures available
impacts communities
Odour, dust and noise impacts Odour, dust and noise impact at staff and off-site receptors Medium Measures available
from construction activities
Medium Environmental pollution form Environmental pollution due to improper sludge operation Low Measures available
WWTP or discharge of industrial wastewater into public sewage
system
Socio-economic stability Inability of local communities to pay for services High Measures available
WSS SHABRAN JULY 2010
EIA SCOPING STUDY 85
VALUED ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS SIGNIFICANCE OF POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS AVAILABILITY OF
Priority Environmental Component Potential Negative Project Effects Potential Significance of Effect* MITIGATION MEASURES
Public health Health risks from unprocessed wastes; High Measures available
Use of harmful substances by users of the WSS system
(paints with heavy metal, lead compositions, toxic
materials etc.)
Soil Contamination of soil from land disposal of sludge; High Measures available
Possibility of erosion related to wastewater discharge;
Flooding of sewage system Production of wastewater flows which surpass design High Measures available, except that
capacity of domestic sewage system as a result of increase landfill for disposal of wastes is
of water supply not available
Odour impacts from wastewater Odour impacts on nearby properties High Measures available
treatment plant site activities
Reduction of land in productive Reduced land availability for grazing and crops Medium Measures available
agricultural use
Limitations on future Reduction of development options (reservoirs, WWTP High Measures available
development area)
Limitations on future Reduction of development options (reservoirs, WWTP High Measures available
development area)
Environmental pollution from Soil, air and/or water pollution from improper storage of Medium Measures available
WWTP construction construction materials
Operational Phase
High Socio-economic stability Inability of community to pay for facilities High Measures available
Reduction in property values Low Measures available
Public health Health risks from sludge disposed as waste High Landfill to protect public
health from health risks related
to waste not available
Soil Contamination of soil from land disposal of sludge High Landfill to protect soil quality
from contamination related to
waste not available
Possibility of soil erosion related to wastewater Medium Measures available
discharge;
Flooding of sewage system Production of wastewater flows which surpass design High Measures available, except that
capacity of domestic sewage system as a result of increase landfill for disposal of wastes is
of water supply not available

WSS SHABRAN JULY 2010

EIA SCOPING STUDY 86
VALUED ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS SIGNIFICANCE OF POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS AVAILABILITY OF
Priority Environmental Component Potential Negative Project Effects Potential Significance of Effect* MITIGATION MEASURES
Odour impacts from wastewater Odour impacts on nearby properties High Measures available
treatment plant site activities
Reduction of land in productive Reduced land availability for grazing and crops Medium Measures available
agricultural use
Reduction in local property Loss of investment value by residents Low Measures available
values.
Medium Limitations on future Reduction of development options (reservoirs, WWTP High Measures available
development area)
Visual impact Unsightliness of treatment facilities Low/medium Measures available
Employment/livelihood Loss of traditional employment/livelihood High Measures available
Low Amenity value Loss of amenity value adjacent to treatment facilities Low Measures available

WSS SHABRAN JULY 2010

EIA SCOPING STUDY 87
Check points, terms of selection of samples of waste water and main indicators of its content are defined in
each specific case at designing and they are specified at operation of irrigation systems in agreement with
local control bodies.
Analysis of content of sludge of waste water is conducted before use of it . Background content of heavy
metals in soil isn’t high and sludge meets demands for irrigation use on fields.
During the treatment process environmental quality standards should be followed. Treated waste waters
can be used for irrigation or discharged to Main Shirvan Collector by local drainage canal. The Main Shirvan
collector has capacity is 18 m3 /s in Zardob(Before Agsu) and exceeds 32m 3 /s near Agsu.. Increase of
water discharges before and after Agsu occurs because of salty waters coming from irrigation fields and also
other waters entering from surrounding territory. Its capacity is 18 m3 /s in Zardob(Before Agsu) and
exceeds 32m3 /s near Agsu. Sometimes high amount of pesticides enter into collector.
Chemical composition of water is heavy salts of sulphate- nitrogen - magnesium. Average salinity of
collector waters makes up 6q/l. BOD, ammonium , and other chemicals exceed allowed concentrations.
If treated waste water s won’t impact negatively to the flora and fauna of collector. As collector is heavily
polluted discharge of treated waters may improve slowly its environmental condition.

5.4 Data Evaluation

The information basis for the EIA was differs according to the specific assessments that have been required.
In first turn archive materials have been used to get basic information about physical- geographic conditions
of Agsu region, environmental situation, water resources , their use and protections and etc.
The project feasibility document provided the main information about existing situation and proposed project
activities.
Documentary information has been supported by a series of field trips. have been organized. During the
trips, based on the existing information provided by the relevant organizations, visual monitoring and
opinions of stakeholders additional information about the existing water and sanitation situations, project
needs and its positive and negative impacts was gathered about the existing water and sanitation situations,
project needs and its positive and negative impacts This is based on the existing information provided by the
relevant organizations, visual monitoring and opinions of stakeholders.
Results of discussions with the stakeholders are described ion the Annex IX
During the development of EIA report FS report materials on project activities, its impacts and proposed
environment management procedures have been checked with the national and international standards.
Main data gaps were connected with the lack of long term water resources and waste water quality and
quantity information, water use by different sectors, waste discharges by different economic sectors, and
pollution of water resources , ground waters and soil by waste waters etc.
In spite of this information used can be considered sufficient for the EIA development.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 88
6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT

Project sites are required for the water reservoirs, pipelines , pumping stations and waste water treatment
facilities. Project sites for reservoirs are primarily determined as a function of least cost associated with
construction, provision of necessary portion of area with required amount of water by gravity. Analysis has
been undertaken to identify the least cost location for each element of construction work. In addition, the
locations proposed for reservoirs and WWTP are municipally-owned lands. Discussions have been held with
local communities to determine specific locations within the community where pipelines for WS and sewage
system can most appropriately be located from the community perspective. The location of the facilities has
been pre-determined based on an extensive analysis of some alternative locations.

Using this information a number of options were identified and the concepts reviewed and discussed with the
PIU and the Team. The options were agreed on and will be submitted to detailed technical and financial
analysis as the basis for determining the least cost option.

At meetings with Rayon staff, gravity systems for water supply were consistently promoted as the preferred
method of supply. The reason given was the simplicity of operation and the additional operating costs from
pumped sources. Alternatives such as groundwater, bore fields were not seen to be viable and made data
collection for non gravity options more
difficult.

Within the scope of the project polyethylene based corrugated pipes will be laid in wastewater network and a
new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will be constructed approximately 2 km away from the town
center
In formation on reservoirs and other infrastructure is provided below at water supply and waste water
system improvement sections and their locations are illustrated in the relevant annexes to this report(Annexes
I-V)
The following alternatives have been considered during the EIA process:
(i) No Project Scenario
(ii) Water Supply System improvement only
(iii) Water Supply and Waste Water Management System improvement

6.1. No project Scenario

No project scenario would see continuation of an inefficient and unreliable, water supply system, which has
limited coverage, delivers low pressure supply and has water shortages. With regard to the wastewater
system, the situation will be worsened by the discharge of raw wastewater into the soil, groundwater and
eventually the river network, due to the lack of a WWTP. The socially and environmentally damaging
WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010
EIA STUDY 89
situation in the rayon will be further exacerbated, the risks of flooding of the streets and houses will be
raised. Pollution of soils, air quality (bad odor), damage to the flora and fauna will occur, surface and
groundwater will be seriously impacted. This situation is very undesirable, especially with the ongoing high
growth rate of the population and development of new business enterprises in the region (Table 6.1).
Table 6.1. Population Growth Rates

Agsu Population Values in Future

Year Water Supplied Wastewater Treatment
(Pirhasanlı Included) Sewerage Served (Muradlı and Tecile
Included)
2009 23.130 20.899 20.899
2015 22,800 22.100 22.100
2020 23,800 23.100 23.100
2025 24,500 23.800 23.800
2030 25,000 24.200 24.200

Source: the Feasibility Study of Agsu WSS Project, 2010

With the population growth rate shown above, water demand, and consequently waste water production will
considerably increase over the years.

6.2. Water Supply System Improvement Scenario

According to the Feasibility Study, the average daily water consumption is estimated as 52.2 l/s for the
design purpose. This estimate includes water use by households, entities, stock feeding, industry etc. The
current water losses in the system will be eliminated in the improved water supply system. The following
water supply options have been analyzed:
Alternative 1: Water supply from Guzay Springs and Agsuchay River Springs:
Guzay springs have been considered water supply source for Agsu Rayon center. These springs have been
originated at the right river bank of Agsuchay which is located at the intersection of sandstone rocky area
with the river at the North of Agsu city center. The distance of this water supply source is approximately 22
km to the town center.
The status, efficiency, quality and intake abilities of this water supply source have been investigated in the
FS Document. It was discovered that at the location of Guzay springs three different water intake spots have
a distance in between 150-200 m to each other and with a safe capacity of 40-50 l/s at dry seasons.
Since the water demand of the Agsu town center will be approximately 75 l/s in year 2030, the other water
supply alternatives have been elaborated within the vicinity of Agsu town. Consequently in addition to
Guzay springs three more springs located at the left river bank of Agsuchay have been decided to be used as
water supply source.
WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010
EIA STUDY 90
However a project supported by the Azerbaijan Government executed by Agsu Rayon Executive Governor
intents to supply totally 30 l/s water to the Agsu town. The supplied water will be given to three water
reservoirs which will be constructed within the scope of project.
In order to supply water requirement of Agsu Town in year 2030 with adequate amount of water it has been
intended to supply an additional amount 50 l/s water within the scope SNWSSP. Therefore the Girdimanchay
and Kulullu water resource have been elaborated as a water resource. Besides that the water reservoirs that
will be proposed within the scope of SNWSSP is considered to be additional water supply reservoirs to the
project executed by Agsu Rayon Executive Governor.

Alternative 2: Water supply from Kulullu Drainage:

Kulullu drainage area is near to the Kulullu village which is located at the water basin of Girdimanchay at an
elevation of 176 m. Presently Kurdemir town’s water has been supplied from that water source. As result of
the site investigations the FS document shows that 50 l/s of water could be safely supplied from this water
source. The water in that area could be conveyed with a pressurized pipe line to the Agsu town. The supplied
water will be diverted to a 100 m 3 water reservoir of a pumping station. The pump located in that station
having capacity of 90 kW will elevate the water to another 100 m 3 water reservoir which has a max water
elevation of 289 m. The length of this pressurized pipe will be 8.700 with a diameter of 315 mm. After that,
water will be transferred by gravity to the Water Reservoir 2 with a pipe having Ø355 mm diameter and
8.600 m length.
Water Reservoir 2 will be constructed within the scope of SNWSSP. The Water Reservoir 2 will feed the
Water Reservoir 1 and 3 as well as pressure zone 1 of the water distribution network. A separate pipeline
outgoing from Water Reservoir 2 will feed the Pirhasanli Village. At the location of Water Reservoir 1 there
will be two equal sized water reservoirs with size of 1000 m 3. The construction of water reservoir 3 is also
out of the scope of SNWSSP

Alternative 3: Girdimanchay Water Supply System at Gursulu Village: This water supply area is located at
the upstream part of the Girdimanchay according to the Kulullu water source. The height of this site is
almost 310 m. The site investigations undertaken in the FS document have shown that 50 l/s of water could
be safely supplied from this water source. The water should be accumulated by an intake structure. The
collected water can be diverted to Water Reservoir 2. The pipe having diameter of Ø355 mm will transfer the
water by gravity at a distance of 11775 m. There will be a pressure release chamber with a volume of 50 m 3
at an elevation of 255 m. The same distribution and feeding system exists for this alternative as in the second
alternative.

Since third alternative is economically the most appropriate on the water supply source, water quality
analysis has been carried out for that source in the FS Document. According to the results the water quality
parameters generally complies with Azeri standards and EU and WHO quality criteria. (See Annex VII).

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 91
According to the results this water falls into Category A according to the EU Council Directive 75/440/EEC.
However, physical and microbiological parameters are a bit higher than expected. Even in that condition this
water source could be used as a drinking water with simple physical treatment and disinfection, e.g. rapid
filtration and disinfection.

Alternative 3 is described in the FS document as being preferred from technical, financial and economical
points of view. This selection is predicated on the assumption that:

 By construction of structurally sound main water supply trunk the water can be supplied in a sustainable
manner with good operating condition and a regular annual maintenance program.
 Water quality from the Girdimanchay Water Supply System at Gursulu Village meets EU, Azeri and WHO
water quality standards.
 The operating and construction costs of the Kulullu source is not an economical solution for Agsu town
compared to water obtained from Girdimanchay Water Supply System at Gursulu Village.

During water supply by Alternative 1 and Alternative 3 the average and minimum water flow of Agsuchay
and Girdimanchay rivers should be taken into account for each month to avoid environmental and water
supply problems for other users connected with water shortage in sources because of increased intake by
projected facilities. For example for Agsuchay river observed minimal monthly water discharge makes up
560 l/sec and for Girdimanchay 1440l/sec.

But if we look at daily minimal water discharges based on Table 4.1 we can see that these values are more
lower, making up 50 l/sec for Agsuchay and 390 l/sec for Girdimanchay river. This shows that there won ’t
be significant negative impact to flora and fauna of river by the use of water for water supply in the future.
For the selected option there also some other requirements.
Main environmental impact of the construction and operation work envisioned in the project are described in
Chapter 5 and list of potential negative impact is given in the Table 5.1
The widening of the access road through the uplands is relatively straightforward for most of its length, as it
is flanked by disturbed ground with sparse vegetation. The work in the wooded habitat and vegetation will
create some environmental problems including damage to topsoil and to tree roots; and erosion may result.
Full adherence to good site practice should be ensured, as well as storage and handling of fuels and oils to
avoid contamination.
There will be temporary disturbance during construction of the reservoir and intake infrastructure, as well
for the areas along the pipeline routes to the reservoirs but this is not expected to be significant .

Within the water supply system improvement also is considered some options for alternative water
distribution infrastructure

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 92
Agsu town is divided into three pressure zones. But, different from other towns, pressure zones do not only
depend on elevation and topography. Since a 500 m 3 reservoir will be constructed to the north side of the
town near the left bank of Agsu creek to 202 m elevation, south side of the left bank is established as a
pressure zone. Right bank of the Agsu creek is established as a pressure zone up to 185 m elevation. Upper
elevations of the town are selected as another pressure zone.

1- Pressure Zone-1 (145 m - 185 m)

2- Pressure Zone-2 (160 m – 210 m)

3- Pressure Zone-3 (150 m – 170 m)

These zones are not ordered according to their elevations as discussed above. Also as can be seen above,
upper and lower elevations of these zones splice on each other because they are adjusted also in such a way
that they supply water to their zones consistently to their volumes.

As a result of these facts described above, no other variants are developed for water distribution. Because of
this reason, economical analyses for variants are not carried out. Since the existing distribution is in a very
bad situation, partial rehabilitation of the network cannot be considered as an alternative to this project.

The proposed water distribution system of Agsu is supplied from the reservoirs by only gravity which means
that the required pressure in the network will be obtained by difference of elevations without water extraction
directly from force mains. Network is divided into pressure zones in order to satisfy pressure constraints. The
first pressure zone supply water to elevations between 145 and 185 m; its projected population is 9.542 ca
(2030), and area of the zone is 328,9 ha. Second pressure zone supplies water to elevations between 160 and
210 m, has a projected population of 9.832 ca (2030) and area of 320,8 ha. Third zone is in between 150 and
170 m. Area of this zone is 117,0 ha and its population is 3.727 ca.

In the distribution system four reservoirs are planned for supplying water to three pressure zones. Two of
these reservoirs belongs to the first zone. One of these reservoirs is in use and supplies water to city. Volume
of this reservoir is 1000 m 3 and maximum water elevation is 212,5 m. This existing reservoir will be
rehabilitated by AZERSU. Near this existing reservoir, a new one is planned to be constructed. This reservoir
will also have 1000 m3 volume and 212,5 m maximum water elevation. Outlet pipes of both reservoirs are at
208,67 m. Reservoir of the second zone has 1500 m 3 volume with 235 m maximum water elevation and
230.67 m outlet pipe elevation. Third reservoir is planned to be constructed by AZERSU left bank of the
Agsu creek as discussed before. Volume of this reservoir is 500 m 3 with maximum water elevation of 204,50
and 200,72 m outlet pipe elevation. Volumes of these reservoirs are calculated according to the design
criteria considering the fire demands.

It should be noted that during the construction of reservoirs relevant environmental requirements need to be
followed. Though there is no sensitive natural zones at the places to be used for their construction, but
process of construction n should be carried according to environmental management plant with due attention
on impact to soil, water resources and other spheres.
WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010
EIA STUDY 93
Solid waste like asphalt cover, rocks, concrete, gravel, metals etc. may be generated during drilling and
putting or replacement of pipes. During this process it will be necessary to remove of asphalt surface and
importation of suitable materials (sand and others) as well as backfilling using suitable excavated material.
During repair of paved roads and walkways and asphalt surfaces relevant rules should be followed..

No sewage system improvement option

As in the no project scenario, the situation will continue to worsen from social – economic and
environmental point of view if there will be no waste water management system improvement. In addition to
the no project scenario as by the information of FS document water demand per person will increase
significantly due to limited supply of water by existing system. form the near future (2015) and stay constant
until 2030. After the supply of reliable and persistent drinking water to the towns within the scope of the
SNWSSP, both the water consumption and wastewater generation are estimated to increase substantially.
The domestic wastewater flow rates were determined in FS document by estimating the wastewater
generation rate as 90 % of the supplied water excluding losses and the specific wastewater generation per
capita as 176 l/ca*day.
Without a collection system and a wastewater treatment plant, the wastewater is mostly disposed either in
ditches along the roads or in pits within the properties which causes public health problems, pollution of the
aquifers by drainage from these pits and discharge of untreated wastewater to creeks. Consequently, the
construction of a sewer system and a wastewater treatment plant for Agsu is one of the most important and
urgent issues for the Republic of Azerbaijan.

6. 3. Water Supply and Waste Water system improvement

Different options for the improvement of the water supply system have been considered above. Project
related environmental impact for the construction and operation phases are described in Chapter 5, and list of
potential negative impact is given in the Table 5.1
. In Agsu, the population of Muradlı and Tekle Villages are also taken into account for the design of the last
600 meters of the main sewer pipeline and the wastewater treatment plant only as a fixed flow entering the
system.
Primarily, the situation of the existing sewerage system was evaluated in the FS Document for future use in
order to decide weather complete/partial renewal or rehabilitation is necessary. Then, the system is formed
either including the existing system or with a completely new system. The design of the wastewater
collection system is accomplished according to the design criteria given in FS document. According to the
topographical conditions, the primary aim is to establish a gravity system without pumping stations.
However, if the depth of the wastewater collection system exceeds the practical and economical maximum
level, which is also given in the design criteria, pumping stations has to be used.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 94
Option 1: Rehabilitation and use of the existing waste water pipelines and wastewater treatment
lagoon.
In Agsu Town there is no sewerage system. The only sewer line is the line of the hospital which was
constructed in 1984. This line does not have the properties to convey the whole wastewater of the upper
basin. The AZ Granata MMC is also constructing a Ø 400 pipeline passing from the west of the town,
outside the residential area. Therefore, these two pipelines cannot be used in the planned sewerage system.
Because there is no sewerage system, there is also no wastewater treatment facility.

Option 2: Construction of new sewage system and waste water treatment plant.
Construction of a new sewage system and waste water treatment plant can be designed in Agsu to take
advantage of gravity flow. On this basis, no pumps will be needed which will minimize potential water spills
and the use of hazardous materials (e.g. lubricating oil) associated with pump operation.. The selection of
the location of the waste water treatment plant takes into consideration distance from the city and Muradli
village (more than 0.5 km in South- West) in addition to gravity flow requirements and environmental and
socio-economic factors such as environmentally sensitive lands and proximity to residents..

Taking into account the above difficulties for rehabilitation of the existing waste water system, “Option 2:
Construction of new sewage system and waste water treatment plant ” is preferred from an environmental
perspective The new WWTP will be located in South- West from Agsu city and Muradli village (more than
0.5km)
The new WWTP will be provided with modern equipment which will ensure treatment of the waste waters in
accordance with international standards (EU Directive 91/271/EEC requirements are given in Annex VI,
VIII). The extended aeration system does not envisage use of heated septic reservoir and gas and, as such,
will contribute to improved safety of operation.
Treated waste waters may be suitable for use in irrigation may be discharged to Main Shirvan Collector
by local drainage canal. The Collector currently is highly polluted. Chemical composition of water is heavy
salts of sulphate- nitrogen - magnesium. Average salinity of collector waters makes up 6q/l. BOD,
ammonium , and other chemicals exceed allowed concentrations. The discharge of treated wastewater into
the collector would improve water quality in the collector, at least in terms of dilution of pollutants although
not in terms of total pollutant loading to the environment from the collector. However, wastewater
discharges will have a dramatically reduced pollutant loading to the environment as compared to the current
situation where wastewaters are discharged to the environment without treatment. .

The sludge generated in the WWTW will be disposed of in accordance with the EU Directive, see Annex VI,
VIII for the monitoring standards and requirements. Wastewater treatment plant sludge will be suitable for
use in agriculture

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 95
7. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

This activity is aimed at informing of identified stakeholders and other interested parties of proposed project
components, presents stakeholders with the opportunity to voice both their positive opinions and their
concerns and to enable these issues to be addressed in the EIA and incorporated into the project design. This
includes stakeholder consultation and technical analyses.

Stakeholder Consultations Stakeholder issues relevant to the EIA have been identified through a consultative
process.. Stakeholder consultations have therefore been integral to the design of the EIA, and the issues
identified through these consultations have been an important input into the identification of issues to be
addressed by the EIA. All stakeholder consultations have been undertaken in Arzeri. Where non-Azeri
consultants have participated in consultations, their comments have been translated into Azeri in order to
allow all discussions to be undertaken in Azeri.

Not all stakeholders have been involved in the consultations associated with project preparation.
Accordingly, additional stakeholder consultations have been undertaken during this scoping phase for the
specific purpose of identifying and clarifying issues, and particularly issues concerning those:
 Who live near sites that are proposed for new WSS facilities
 Who have specialist technical or scientific knowledge relevant to the proposed WSS system
 Whose work is relevant to the proposed WSS system.

Section 4 presents details of the consultation process.

Technical Analysis While the issues identified by stakeholders are key to the overall presentation of issues
in this document, they are limited to the extent that the knowledge of stakeholders concerning the new WSS
system is limited. Thus, during the consultation process it has been clear that the ability of stakeholders to
identify issues has, to a degree, been limited by their knowledge of modern WSS systems. Technical
analysis has therefore been undertaken to determine whether there might be issues additional to those
identified by stakeholders that should be addressed by the EIA, even though they might not have been
identified by stakeholders, or may not have been prioritized by stakeholders. Technical analysis
complements the stakeholder consultations.
Table 1 identifies the stakeholders with whom consultations have been undertaken. As indicated in the
Table, stakeholders fall into two categories:
 Public stakeholders. These stakeholders are members of the public in general on whom the project
may be anticipated to have an impact. At the broadest level, these stakeholders include all members
of the public that will be served by the project, and who will benefit from it. However, some public
stakeholders may be more greatly impacted by the project because they live in proximity to proposed
project facilities. These stakeholders may be expected to identify a range of issues that is different to
those that would be identified to other public stakeholders.
 Special interest stakeholders. These stakeholders have interests in the project because they have
either specialist knowledge relevant to the project or because their work in some way is relevant to,
or is impacted by, the project. These stakeholders may identify issues relevant to the EIA as a result
of either their work or their knowledge.

In this project, stakeholders are those affected by the proposed WSS facilities, and those who have the ability
to influence, positively or negatively, the course and outcome of the project. The range of stakeholders
relevant to this document is reflected in Table 1.
The list of all stakeholders that have been consulted is provided in Annex A.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 96
Table 1 identifies the consultation mechanisms selected to identify issues associated with the various
stakeholders, and also identifies the status of the consultations.

Technical meetings and interviews with staff from different local government units have been undertaken on
an on-going basis. During the meetings, discussions were held on technical and managerial levels and an
accurate picture about the current WSS system was developed, together with common understandings of
options and issues associated with potential future actions. A clear picture was made about the rating of
water management skills and the rate of satisfaction of the public about WSS services. The wishes and
concerns of the residents were also raised during the meetings. In most cases and after the meeting a field
visit was made to water intake facilities, pipelines locations, pumping stations, reservoirs and sewage
facilities and information was obtained about the problems of each site.

Consultation and planning workshops were undertaken during the preparation of this document. As
identified in Table 7.1, these included consultation with municipal and village councils, and with government
agencies.

WSS ISMAYILLI JULY 2010

EIA STUDY 97
Table 7.1
Stakeholders and Consultation Mechanism

STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATION MECHANISM STATUS OF CONSULTATION

Public Stakeholders
Affected People Interviews with affected people Interviews have been
conducted as part of EIA
study in communities where
new water intake facilities,
pipelines, pumping stations,
reservoirs and treatment
facilities will be located
Wider Community Information to be supplied to the Meetings have been
media and the general public to conducted with the
be invited to submit comments. representatives of local radio
and newspapers during which
they received needed
information, which was later
spread by them in their news
canals, including newspapers
and radios
Community Leaders Interviews of directly affected Workshops held; interview
communities; meetings with conducted in communities
community leaders where new reservoirs and
treatment facilities will be
located; meetings held with
community leaders
Special Interest Stakeholders
Non-Governmental Round Table meeting Round Table meeting and
Organisations Scoping Workshop Scoping Workshop held
Municipalities and Technical meetings, Consultation Consultation and planning
Village Councils and Planning Workshops workshops held
Media Media relations strategy required Representatives of media
have been involved into EIA
process. They participated in
discussions, public meeting
and spread obtained materials
through their publication in
local newspaper and also via
local radio
Academics and Round Table meeting, Scoping Meeting and Scoping
Researchers Workshop Workshop held
Government Consultation and Planning Consultation and Planning
Ministries/Agencies Workshops Workshops held; Round
Round Table Meeting Table Meeting held
Private sector Meetings with representatives of Meetings with
relevant sectors/companies representatives of relevant
sectors/companies held

International Consultation and Consultation and Round

Organisations/Donors Round Table meeting Table Meeting held

98 / 152
A Scoping Workshop was conducted on 12 June, 2010 and attended by 30 participants representing different
institutions. During that session the findings of previous consultations (by Gaugg-Temelsu) were presented
and additional comments and suggestions were received.

The following areas of Agsu city and nearby communities (Qaraqacli, , Pirhasanli, Navahi, Ulguclu,
Dashdamirbayli villages) adjacent to the proposed facilities have been identified to be affected by project.
The communities to be directly affected by the project activities are listed in Table 7.2.

Table7. 2 Communities Adjacent to the Proposed Project Facilities: Agsu Rayon

Community Location Population

Qaraqacli village Adjacent to the proposed reservoirs 1000
and Water supply pipes
Agsu city Adjacent to a proposed water supply 21400
and sanitation system
Pirhasanli village Adjacent to a proposed water supply 1640
pipes
Navahi village Adjacent to a proposed water supply 100
pipes
Ulgucli Adjacent to a proposed water supply 600
pipes
Dashdamirbayli Adjacent to a proposed water supply
pipes

All interviews were conducted in 14 June 2005 in Agsu city and the nearby communities adjacent to the
proposed facilities.

During the selection of the population sample for interview purposes, consideration was given to the
economic situation of the family, and to the distance to the facilities to be constructed. The objectives of the
surveys were to:
 Share information about the project and the proposed construction work.
 Identify important interests and concerns at the local level.
 Identify potentially affected individuals, groups and publics.
 Identify community concerns about the construction work.
 Understand the values about the environment held by individuals/groups that might be affected by
the project.

Meetings with municipality members in these communities were also carried out, as possible, to understand
concerns and issues that they may have.

a. Principal Issues

The principal concerns raised during the consultation process were:

 Potential for odor, insects, dust and noise impacts from site activities;
 Compensation measures to be taken by the Authorities for temporary loss of land in productive use;
 Reduction in local property values;
 Impacts on ground and surface water;
99 / 152
  Limitations for expansion of villages in the future; and
 Aesthetic distortion (e.g. visual impacts).

These issues were highlighted by most of the people interviewed.

Other issues that were highlighted during the consultations include:
 Training and public awareness;
 Financial sustainability;
 Detection and control of hazardous waste waters;
 Waste water collection, treatment, utilization or discharge to the sea;
 Health and safety;
 Social and economic impacts; and
 Compensation of directly affected communities through the project itself by incentives.

As indicated above, the project team has considered the issues that have been raised during the consultations
and has assessed the identified issues in the context of the overall scope of the proposed project. The purpose
of this assessment has been to determine whether there are additional issues that should be considered by the
EIA even though they may not have been specifically identified by stakeholders during the consultations. As
a result of this assessment, it has been concluded that in addition to the potential impacts identified through
the consultations, the EIA study should also address review of the potential positive and negative impacts
associated with the proposed project on:
 Land use;
 Cultural heritage;
 Traffic
 Public health;
 Local employment; and
 General issues associated with sitting of treatment plant

The stakeholders support the proposed WSS project. The issues raised by the stakeholders are reasonable
concerns that should be addressed by the EIA study, and the recommendations of the EIA study should be
integrated into the design of project implementation. However, as identified above, stakeholder knowledge
of potential positive and negative impacts associated with the project is incomplete and issues additional to
those identified by the stakeholders should be considered by the EIA.

Stakeholder Meeting in Agsu Rayon

The meeting in Agsu took place on June 11 2010 and was chaired by Mr. Igbal Mikayilov, Deputy on
socio-economic problems of the head of district execute authority, Head of Rayon Commission on WSS
project implementation. The agenda of the meeting included brief welcoming speech by the Head of the
Commission (Mr. Igbal Mikayilov) and Representative of PCU (Mr. Panah Abdullayev). They informed
attendants about the aim and importance of the realization of the project. In his opening speech, Mr.
Mikayilov informed attendants that this project shouldn ’t have significant negative environmental impacts,
but that it is directed at improvement of the environment in the rayon.

100 / 152
Figure 7.1. Presenting of WSS project during public consultation meeting in Agsu

Then Rafig Verdiyev, representative of Eptisa, and Prof. Farda Imanov, Representative of Hydrometeorology
Consulting Company, informed participants about the aim of the Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment process and issues to be discussed in this regard during the project implementation. Participants
then requested to participate actively in discussions and identify their suggestions to be included into list of
issues of environmental and social concern and taken into consideration and included, as appropriate, in the
Environment Management Plans to minimize negative project impacts.

Participants expressed their full support for this project.

The first question was when the project will start and end. It was noted that project will be implemented
during 18 months and the tender is expected to start by the end of 2010.

Mr. Alihuseyn Mayilov informed that drinking and irrigiaton water in Agsu is provided by waters taken from
Agsu and Girdimanchay rivers. He expressed that if the proposed spring waters (which now flow into Agsu
river) will be taken for drinking water supply then in summer months when Agsu river is almost dry there
will be a water scarcity problem and in low flow periods this will create a problem for water supply in other
villages. He recommended the construction of small reservoir to regulate the flow near the Mugan bridge
over Agsu river at some distance from river and which would be designed to have enough capacity to supply
water for mentioned villages as well. He was informed that this issue will be taken into consideration in the
project design

Mr. Khanlar Huseynov informed that in 1990’s money was allocated for construction of Agsu sewage
system. It was agreed and some 4ha land was allocated for a treatment plant near Muradli village below
Shirvan canal. He asked if that idea will be used now. He also proposed to discharge treated waste waters to
collector not to Agsu river, because the river is used for drinking purposes.

101 / 152
Figure 7.2. Discussions during public consultation meeting in Agsu

The response was yes, sewage water will be treated there and from there discharged to small salty water
collector and then into Shirvan collector. It will not be discharged into Agsu river. Jamil Huseynov
informed that residential areas of left side of the river also will be connected to central sewage system
located at right side.

Another issue of discussion was about rehabilitation of treatment of waste waters of the city Hospital. Mr.
Javadov Javan informed that the hospital does not have the required amount of money to rehabilitate its
sewage system. Sewage waters enter into a city gutter passing through residential area and some families
water their garden with that water. It was noted that there is no need for rehabilitation of the hospital sewage
system as the hospital and other enterprises, including the winery, will be connected to the new sewage
system.

Mr. Sardar Bayramov informed participants that streets are narrow for construction of sewage system .This
work should be carried out carefully. He also said that first treatment facility should be constructed to allow
entering sewage waters to be treated before their discharging.

Javan Javadov also told that project should consider expenses for connecting of water and sewage system to
individual households as people themselves can’t afford it.

Jamaladdin Zeynalov said that if we don ’t replace all pipelines then a high pressure will destroy them.
Response was that all distribution pipelines will be replaced with new one.

102 / 152
Javan Javadov also informed that in Vidiadi and Nizami streets Qaraqacli village ’s water pipelines are under
constructed buildings. He asked how they will be replaced. The response was that they won ’t be replaced;
instead new pipelines will be constructed and placed under the streets.

Mr. Sardar Bayramov asked if other residential areas will also be connected to the WSS system. The
response was that in addition to Agsu city Qaraqacli (around 1000 residents), Pirhasanli (around 1200
residents), Navahi (around 100 residents), Ulguclu (around 600 residents), and Dashdamirbayli villages will
also be connected to WSS system.
As result areas of Agsu city and near located communities adjacent to the proposed facilities have been
identified to be affected by project. Representatives of the population of these communities have been
interviewed.

As result areas of Agsu city and near located communities adjacent to the proposed facilities have been
identified to be affected by project. Representatives of the population of these communities have been
interviewed.

The list of participants of public consultation meeting on Agsu rayon WSS project, hold on June 11 2010 is
given in ANNEX X.

7.2 Presentation of the Draft EIA Report

Information on public discussion of the draft EIA report for Aghsu and WSS projects was held on October
22, 2010.. This meeting was advertised 15 day before this date and most of stakeholders have been contacted
by the local executive authorities regarding the participation of the event. Further details of the meeting are
provided in Annex XI.

The recommendations of the draft EIA were presented to the meeting. There were no negative responses to
the draft report, or its recommendations. However, participants did raise issues that were raised in the earlier
consultations in June 2010 and which have been addressed in the EIA report. This points to the need for a
proper monitoring of the mitigation measures set out in this document in order ensure that mitigation
measures are appropriately implemented.

103 / 152
8. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

From the above description of environmental impacts the list of key aspects associated with the Project
activities is identified and described in Table 8-1 below.

Table 8-1 Environmental Aspects

Project Component Environmental Aspects

Construction Temporary removal of habitat for sewer pipeline construction
Renovation and construction of existing steel water delivery mains
Potential polluted run-off and spillage of untreated wastewater during
sewer renovation
Pedestrian, vehicle and community safety
Procurement and delivery of construction materials
Use, maintenance and repair of equipment and machinery
Air and noise pollution from preparation of construction Materials such as
bitumen, asphalt and concrete.
Extraction/purchase of sands and gravels for earthworks
Construction yard for equipment and machinery
Waste and hazardous materials management
Construction of new reservoirs for water supply
Service disruption (electricity, telecoms, water)
Disruption to irrigation and drainage infrastructure
Soil management issues during pipe laying
Construction of new WWTP works on a new site
Operation Operation of the water and wastewater networks
Sludge disposal
Community safety
Induced development
Air and noise quality
Use of maintenance machinery and equipment
Storm water management
Wastewater discharge
Accidental (Non- Spills and leaks
Routine) Events Inappropriate waste or sludge disposal
Sewer flushing due to blockage

These aspects and proposed mitigation measures are discussed below.

Geology and soils

Construction phase

104 / 152
Hazardous material
Spills of fuel, oil and other liquids have the potential to cause contamination of soil and groundwater. The
Contractor shall implement measures to contain such spills and avoid contamination as much as possible.
However, it is possible that some contamination may occur and the Contractor will be required to implement
remediation measures in accordance with project and national requirements.

Soil erosion
The area is susceptible to surface erosion, especially after heavy rain, therefore efforts will be made to
reduce the potential for soil erosion during construction activities. Temporary berms will be constructed
where necessary to control any run-off to prevents rills or gulleys forming or soil wash out to surface water
features. Correct ground works and compaction will be specified in the contract documentation to prevent
soil erosion.

Waste management
Inert, solid waste (metals, asphalt chunks, rocks, concrete, gravel, sand and etc.) will be generated during
drilling well and pipeline installation operations. The replacement and installation of water distribution pipes
in the town will include removal of asphalt surface and importation of suitable padding and backfill (eg sand)
as well as backfilling using suitable excavated material. Repair of paved roads and walkways and asphalt
surfaces will also be required.

Solid wastes generated in construction sites and during the construction of pipelines and sewer drains will be
transported by the construction contractor. Transportation and disposal of such waste will be agreed with the
local executive authority and regional department of MENR, as necessary.

The construction works will generate hazardous waste, such as used oils, solvents and other construction
waste, which will be required to be disposed of. However, there is no licensed hazardous waste disposal
facility in the region (and in fact this is a problem nationally) and therefore it will be necessary to arrange an
appropriate containment or disposal place in agreement with MENR and the regional officials. The EMP
allows for the cost of this item and it can be managed by the municipality, as per the agreement with
Amelioration JSC.

Parts of the existing water supply and sanitation network may have been constructed using asbestos
containing material (ACM), which will require careful handling during its removal. Measures compliant to
good health and safety practice will need to be employed, including appropriate PPE for workers, dampening
down of any material that may be abraded or otherwise generate potentially inhalable dust particles and
appropriate containment prior to its storage at an approved/agreed secure facility.

105 / 152
A construction yard needs to be created, for laydown of plant and material, maintenance of machinery and
prefabrication of infrastructure components. All construction sites will be managed as follows:

 Boundaries of construction sites will be marked beforehand and signs will be erected warning people
not to enter or dump garbage;
 Metal wastes will be collected and taken to metal processing companies;
 Construction debris (sand, soil, rocks) will be re-used as an additional material for filling deep
trenches when needed and where suitable. If not needed, they will be taken to city dumping-grounds,
as agreed with local environmental/planning authorities;
 Removed asphalt debris will be taken to bitumen factories for recycling, egg at the asphalt plant
 Speed limits will be set for all trucks operating within the town; this will be important for those
transporting waste.

Operational phase
No adverse effects are anticipated as a result of normal operations, as the wastewater will be treated to EU
standards prior to its discharge, which is a distinct improvement from the current situation, which sees no
functioning wastewater treatment. Discussions are ongoing regarding the treatment of the final effluent, as
under the Soviet system, chlorination of effluent (for disinfection) was the norm. However, disinfection is
not the norm in Europe and in fact the addition of chlorine is a biological hazard to the aquatic ecosystems to
which the effluent will be discharged. It would be preferable to use ultraviolet (UV) radiation or rely on
natural exposure to UV to reduce bacteria loadings in the final effluent. The recommendation to use UV has
been made strongly in this EIA and also in discussions with Amelioration JSC, who are very supportive of
this approach and the intention is to implement this.

Air quality
Construction phase
It will be the responsibility of the construction management to schedule construction activities and to apply
best practices for dust control, to minimize occurrences of excessive dust concentrations in sensitive
neighboring areas and at the worksite. It will be the responsibility of the construction management to apply
best practices for reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, wherever feasible. Aspects such as a
reduction of idle driving, selection of new equipment where possible and maintenance of all machinery and
engines should be encouraged.
Operational phase
Adverse air quality effects are not predicted during operation, due to the nature of the project. All machinery
will either be new and/or will be maintained according to the manufacturer ’s service programme.
Furthermore, significant noxious odors are only typically generated from a WWTP in the vicinity of
pumping operations, where an aerosol effect is produced or when sewage has gone septic due to operational
106 / 152
problems. All the main potential locations where noxious odour could be generated will be housed and
ventilated. In addition, there are no sensitive receptors nearby to the operating facility, which is located at the
edge of town well away from residential areas.

Noise
Construction phase
The nature and extent of the works, particularly those involving replacement of the water distribution system
will result in noise and disturbance to local residents. Amelioration JSC will ensure that the contractor
minimizes disruption and noise, by inter alia, liaising with residents. It must also be noted that the residents
are supportive of the project, as it will result in provision of a reliable, constant water supply and will
therefore generally be tolerant of disruption to some extent.
According to the Azerbaijan standards allowable noise level should be 65 dBA in daytime; and 45 dBA at
night-time, which is close to the international standards.
Mitigation
There are three ways to reduce noise emissions: mitigation at the source, mitigation along the path and
mitigation at the receptor. The following examples of construction noise mitigation methods could be
considered during planning of the works and are expected to be a source of guidance to the contractors. In
many cases, the magnitude of the dB reduction can first be ascertained when construction work has begun
and measurements can be made.
Source controls
In general, source controls are the most effective method of mitigating noise. The impact of a noise
source is reduced before it emits offensive noise levels.
Operational phase
Negligible operational noise is anticipated, as the pumping stations will be housed within buildings and the
new WWTP is situated far away from residential housing in a fenced compound and is designed to emit
limited noise.

Ecology and protected areas

Construction phase
The main potential effects on ecology are associated with water intake; the associated access road upgrade;
construction of the new pipeline route water supply to the town; construction of the new reservoirs
themselves; and construction of the interceptor and new WWTP

The off take and reservoir construction work will have to be carefully designed during the detailed design
phase to avoid damage to the riparian habitat.

107 / 152
The widening of the access road may affect habitats associated, however nothing particularly rare or unusual
is anticipated due to the disturbed nature of the general location, which was until recent years well populated
and farmed by some crops.
The work will need to be undertaken carefully, with good planning (in the detailed design stage) to conserve
topsoil; reduce encroachment and damage to features such as tree roots; avoid water pollution; avoid erosion
and soil or material run-off; and ensure good reinstatement. Full adherence to good site practice should be
ensured, as well as storage and handling of fuels and oils to avoid contamination.

Protected areas
There are no protected areas potentially affected by the project, although to the north- east of Agsu rayon
Pirqulu State reserve exists (see Figure 8.1).

Figure 8.1. Protected area map

Operational phase
The receiving watercourses and ground waters currently adversely affected by polluting untreated
wastewaters will be expected to improve considerably and can be expected to see improvements as nutrient
and bacteria levels significantly reduce.

108 / 152
Surface and ground water
Construction phase
Many of the risks to surface and groundwater are similar to those already covered under the soils section
above and are therefore not repeated here. Due to the nature of the works there is the potential for spillage of
wastewater to ground or watercourse, which is generally poorly treated or untreated and could also lead to
the spread of disease to workers or local residents.
In addition, the wastewater from existing pipelines and sumps will require to be purged. Likely options are to
either empty the wastewater into temporary excavated pits and then remove the material by suction into
septic tanks on sewer trucks or continue to use soakaways until connections to the sewer area made.

Mitigation
Fuel and oil storage
Fuel and oil storage tanks will not be located within 50m of any watercourse, well or dry river bed. Certain
plant and equipment may be required to be maintained in a position closer than 50m from the water course
(and are not able to be relocated just for refuelling) and therefore special measures will be implemented to
avoid spillage of fuels and oils, such as deployment of spill-retaining materials, mobile drip trays and the like
ad specific training given to operators in this regard.
Areas for road tanker parking and delivery shall be hard surfaced (concrete) and drained to an interceptor.
Discharge of rainwater and waste from these areas will be via a treatment system designed to meet the water
discharge standards.
At each site where diesel is delivered and stored, spillage equipment shall be installed to contain any spillage
during loading. Specific drainage requirements, which include oil interceptors, will be put in place at
facilities where diesel is stored and used.

All fuel storage areas will be securely fenced and locked to prevent unauthorized access. Only Refuelling
Operators will be allowed to dispense fuel as set out below. All fuel storage areas will be equipped with an
adequate supply of spill containment materials.
Exceptions to the above are to be made for smaller fuel equipment. Generators will be self-bunded and will
have an integral fuel tank. Refuelling will be undertaken as per the procedures below.
Refuelling will be carried out by the nominated Refuelling Operators who will be specifically trained in the
relevant procedures. Upon arriving at the refuelling areas, the Refuelling Operators will dispense the
required fuel.

Drip Trays
The use of integral drip trays for generators, tanks and other fixed plant will be will be encouraged
throughout the project.

109 / 152
Individual drip trays will be necessary for temporary secondary containment of materials.
Storage and Use of Chemicals
All chemicals will be stored in designated, locked storage areas, taking care to ensure segregation of
potentially reactive substance (e.g. flammables should not be stored with toxic substances). These areas will
have an enclosed drainage system/bund to avoid contamination. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be
provided for all substances and used in project health and safety assessments.
Efforts will be made to avoid and minimise the use of hazardous chemicals during construction where
possible.
Operational phase
The average flow rate in Baku 1 and Baku 2 canals is 4000l/s. With water intake to be 64.6 l/s, no adverse
impact is envisaged on the operation of the canals, other users and the original water source (Shollar
springs).

An improved situation in the receiving watercourses and adjacent wetlands currently adversely affected by
polluting untreated wastewaters is expected.

Groundwater impacts
The water resources in the project area include groundwater, which can be expected to benefit from the
reduction in discharge of untreated wastewater.

SOCIAL – CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

Construction phase

The main effects on the local community during construction are associated with the considerable disruption
that the works will have within the town through excavation of defunct infrastructure and installation of new
water mains and sewer pipes in the roads and connection of water supply pipes and water meters to
individual properties. The proximity of the works to residents also raises the issue of health and safety, as
well as traffic disruption and interference with access to houses, work places and public buildings such as
hospitals and schools.

There may be land acquisition issues associated with construction of the service reservoirs and the
connecting pipelines, as the infrastructure may cross parcels of privately owned land. Potential land issues
may arise due to permanent restrictions on land use above any buried pipeline or due to temporary
occupation of land during construction. These aspects will all be considered during the detailed design and
the contractor will be made fully aware of the RPF and RAP policies. The RAP will be developed by
Amelioration JSC once the details of the resettlement aspects are known.

110 / 152
Mitigation
Safety at the work site, both for workers and residents has been discussed at length with Amelioration JSC,
who will ensure that contractors develop and implement safe working practices. The construction contractor
will train its personnel on safety, environment and quality control, as well as implementation of all the safety
rules. Works will be guided by existing laws, sanitary rules and Amelioration JSC work manuals.

The following measures will be taken to protect the health of personnel working in polluted areas:

 Health and safety training will be conducted as part of project induction for all workers;
 All personnel will be supplied with special coveralls and the minimum PPE;
 Personnel working in excavation of polluted soils and collection, loading, transportation and disposal
of sewage waters will be supplied with protective safety glasses, gloves, long rubber boots and dust
masks;
 Mobile shower cabins will be set up for personnel;
 Personnel will pass regular medical check-ups.
 Use of asbestos and other dangerous substances is not planned.

As referenced earlier, impacts on people and their economic activity, public transport and agricultural
activities during construction phase are possible. Construction sites will be divided into sections, works will
be planned according to a schedule prepared beforehand and people and organizations will be notified ahead
of time. Borders of construction sites will be marked, safety boards will be placed, signs regulating
movement of pedestrians and traffic will be erected.

Furthermore, discussions have been held with Amelioration JSC regarding the need to keep residents
informed of planned activities, but also to be receptive to their requirements. Thus contractors will be
required to develop a traffic management plan in consultation with Amelioration JSC and the municipality
and to discuss this at a public meeting prior to start of the works. This should ensure that disruption of
residents is minimized and works are co-ordinated to limit impeded access.

Work with asbestos

The International Labor Organization (ILO) established an Asbestos Convention (C162) in 1986 to promote
national laws and regulations for the “prevention and control of, and protection of workers against, health
hazards due to occupational exposure to asbestos. The convention outlines aspects of best practice: Scope
and Definitions, General Principles, Protective and Preventive Measures, Surveillance of the Working
Environment, and Workers’ Health. Some of the ILO asbestos convention requirements:

111 / 152
  Work clothing to be provided by employers;
 Double changing rooms and wash facilities to prevent dust from going home on street clothes;
 Training of workers about the health hazards to themselves and their families;
 Periodic medical examinations of workers,
 Periodic air monitoring of the work environment, with records retained for 30 years;
 Development of a work plan prior to demolition work, to protect workers and provide for proper
waste disposal; and
 Protection from “retaliatory and disciplinary measures ” of workers who remove themselves from
work that they are justified in believing presents a serious danger to health.

8.1 Implementation of Mitigation Measures

This section of the report further elaborates on the mitigation measures to address the potential negative
environmental impacts. The impacts, proposed measures and institutional responsibilities are summarized
and tabulated in the environmental management plan (EMP) in Table8.2. It outlines the management
mechanisms (i.e. working arrangements) for how the environmental and social elements of the project will
be managed from detailed design and construction through operation.
The EMP contains environmental requirements which are required for the successful implementation of
mitigation measures, environmental monitoring, emergency measures and environmental auditing to be
carried out during the construction works on the site. The implementation of mitigation measures and
emergency measures shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor will ensure compliance
with all environmental legislation, regulations and conventions. The responsibility for environmental
monitoring lies with the Amelioration JSC and the World Bank.

112 / 152
 Table 8.4 Potential Main Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring

ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
Constructi Dust, gases/aerosol Dust prevention by watering and other Provision of water:
on associated with means; $10,000 Contractor Supervisor/
construction (toxic gasses Transportation of grainy or dusty materials Amelioration JSC
discharged by in the top-coated trucks; No cost for other measures
construction machineries, Watering of dust sources; provided they are
wind blown construction Transportation of dust producing materials integrated into normal
materials etc.) during calm days (not in the windy days); operating procedures
Avoid making open fires;
Air quality
Avoid setting fire on residue grease,
isolation materials, and other substances;
Efficient use of machinery and other
technologies;
Application of adequate construction
methodologies and facilities;
Careful implementation of works in
vulnerable areas.
Earth Waste pollution, Protection of the surroundings of the Provision of materials and
especially wastes caused construction site; cover to prevent landslide Contractor Supervisor/
by construction and Limited works in the vulnerable zones; risks: $10,000 Amelioration JSC
domestic activities; Identify adequate areas to store residue
Material storage, civil materials, and transportation of all Traffic management
works and other impacts; construction related effluent materials into signage: $5,000
Landfill of wastes and the predetermined site;
other materials; Control of erosion process; No cost for other measures
Impacts of excavation Provide earth stabilization/green cover over provided they are
works; vertical points and slopes to minimize land integrated into normal
Possibility of erosion; slide risks; operating procedures

113 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
Wastewater. Prevent discharge of excavated material to
the river beds or lakes;
Avoid unwanted traffic blockage, collect
excavated spoil material and discharge
somewhere close to the construction site;
Discharge wastewater flows to the closest
sewage line, installation of toilets and
septic tanks.
Topsoil Damage to the topsoil Adequate design works and selection of Proper storage of toxic
resulting from material proper route to minimize impact on the materials/effluents: Contractor Supervisor/
storage, excavation topsoil; $12,500 Amelioration JSC
works, temporary roads Usage of excavated soil material for the
etc. agriculture purposes; Measures against
Loss of topsoil during Cut, store and restore topsoil where landslides addressed above
excavation; possible after the completion of the
Flushing of topsoil and construction works; No cost for other measures
soil erosion due to Discharge of materials to the provided they are
polluted water streams; predetermined areas by secondary routs; integrated into normal
Measures against land slides operating procedures.
Storage of toxic materials and effluents in
the safe and predetermined areas, its
provision with drainage waters, and
processing where necessary;
Standards applied, including soil erosion
prevention by good soil practice and
drainage control. Good soil conservation
measures and effective reins to prevent
future erosion and soil loss.

114 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
Pollution of surface and No cost for identified
groundwater sources due Avoid discharge of harmful chemical measures provided they are Contractor Supervisor/
to domestic and substances into sewage lines or ground integrated into normal Amelioration JSC
construction effluents, surface; operating procedures
including harmful Design and operation of natural drainage
residues, leakage of fuel and consideration for alternative directions;
and other oil related Discharge wastewater flows to the closest
products; sewage line, installation of toilets and
Blockage of surface and septic tanks.
Water groundwater filtration Required standards applied, including safe
resources and creation of stagnant removal of wastewater during renovation
and waste water accumulations. works, use of appropriate equipment by
waters Connected with project workers and ongoing liaison with residents
connected with project and fencing off contaminated areas.
problems of water
scarcity in low flow Balanced use of water sources to avoid
periods of the year and significant pressure on them in low flow
also those connected with period and also eliminate water shortage
the increase of water problems for all users.
supply problem for other
users which use the same
sources
Constructi Noise Disturbance due to noise Use of adequate construction materials and No cost for identified
on generated from equipment; measures provided they are Contractor Supervisor/
construction works and Adherence to predetermined work schedule integrated into normal Amelioration JSC
intensive traffic to minimize disturbance and operating procedures
implementation of noise generating works
during normal work hours;
Minimum use of noise generating
equipment (example, stone cutters,
compressors);
Minimize traffic during dark hours, and use

115 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
of silencers.

Disturbance of the Adequate storage, processing or liquidation No cost for identified

natural habitat due to of wastes; measures provided they are Contractor Supervisor/
construction related Application of relevant construction and integrated into normal Amelioration JSC
noise, dust, non-seasonal seasonal work methodologies; operating procedures
Natural
works, unprocessed Protection of vulnerable areas located close
habitat
residues and etc. to the construction site.
Loss of natural settlement
areas due to construction
works.
Earthworks, operation of Adequate storage, processing or liquidation Storage, processing,
machines, noise and etc.; of wastes; liquidation of wastes Contractor Supervisor/
Losses or degradations Protection of vulnerable areas located close addressed above Amelioration JSC
during and after to the construction site;
Flora and
construction works, non- Application of seasonal work No cost for other measures
fauna
seasonal works, change methodologies where necessary. provided they are
of ecological situation integrated into normal
etc. operating procedures.

Constructi Impact of works on Careful design and location of works; Restoration/planting of

on landscape and Restoration of damaged trees, protection greenery: $50,000 Contractor Supervisor/
disturbance to natural lines and etc.; Amelioration JSC
Aesthetics sights, greenness and Planting of greenery in the construction No cost for remaining
and trees; site, careful implementation of works in the measures provided they are
landscape Noise, dust, residue and work sites, and management of wastes. integrated into normal
etc. during and after operating procedures.
construction.

Agriculture Damage to agricultural Liaise effectively with relevant

lands, including drainage organizations and residents before start of No cost for identified Contractor Supervisor/
and irrigation construction, maintain dialogue, develop a measures provided they are Amelioration JSC

116 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
infrastructure. grievance procedure, strictly control integrated into normal
machinery and vehicle access and reinstate operating procedures.
all affected areas
Livestock resources Liaise effectively with farmers and
damaged by machinery residents before start of construction, No cost for identified Contractor Supervisor/
and vehicles. maintain dialogue, develop a grievance measures provided they are Amelioration JSC
Livestock
procedure, strictly control machinery and integrated into normal
vehicle access and reinstate all affected operating procedures.
areas
Health risks from Planning of measures dealing with security Trainings: $25,000
unprocessed wastes; and environmental protection issues; Contractor Supervisor/
Use of harmful Adherence to project standards, good No cost for identified Amelioration JSC
substances (paints with signage, ongoing consultation with measures provided they are
heavy metal, lead residents, including schools. All workers to integrated into normal
Health and compositions), asbestos- use appropriate PPE and be trained at operating procedures.
safety of cement slabs, project induction. Safety fencing provided.
residents inflammable and toxic Organization and implementation of
and workers materials etc.). security and safety related trainings; Construction of warehouse
Management of materials in accordance for temporal stirage of
with the relevant ecological and sanitary- hazardpus wastes: $50,000
hygiene norms;
Identification of dangerous sites, proper
storage/liquidation of waste materials.
Damage to areas of There are no areas of historic/cultural value No cost for identified
Areas of historical and cultural to be affected by project. But if it appears measures provided they are Contractor Supervisor/
historical value located in the relevant measures need to be takenş integrated into normal Amelioration JSC
and project area Staff awareness; operating procedures
cultural Inform adequate organizations in case of
value archeological findings;
Temporary termination of works.

Resettleme Loss of property, land There no need for resettlement. Costs for resettlement (if

117 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
and damage to living For areas where lands used for agricultural any) to be negotiated by Contractor Supervisor/
areas of population crop production relevant plans need to be project owner in Amelioration JSC
nt
prepared, which includes provision of accordance with relevant
Land
replacement lands or compensation for lost legislation, contractual
acquisition
access to plots of arable land and lost fruit agreement or other
or nut trees. documents.
Quality of treated water Operation supervision of treatment No cost for identified
facilities in due accordance with the measures provided they are Contractor Supervisor/
operation guidelines; integrated into normal Amelioration JSC
Quality control of water flows entering the operating procedures
system;
Risks to Avoid pollution of treated waters with the
human wastewater flows;
health and Avoid over-chlorination of water flows
Operatio environme supplied to the consumers.
ns nt Breakages and There is need to develop scheduled Training cost identified
(potable emergency situations preventative maintenance below Contractor Supervisor/
water Training of staff on safety and human No cost for remaining Amelioration JSC
systems) security issues; measures provided they are
Measures to avoid leakage of chlorine gas. integrated into normal
operating procedures
Reduction of treated Prevent illegal connections to the system; No cost for remaining
water quantities Proper operation of the system including measures provided they are Contractor Supervisor/
Social- water treatment, pipelines, connection lines integrated into normal Amelioration JSC
economical and etc. operating procedure
Ensure an affordable tariff structure and
proper collection of fees.
Quality of wastewater Constant monitoring of wastewater flows Monitoring of downstream
and its impacts on human coming out of the wastewater treatment environmental quality: Contractor Supervisor/
Operatio Risks to health and environment plant; $12,500 one time every 2 Amelioration JSC
ns human Discharge of wastewater into the years for 20 years
(sewage health and environment only after adequate treatment;

118 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
Training of operation staff for their No cost for remaining
qualification raising; measures provided they are
Monitoring of downstream habitats to integrated into normal
evaluate the extent to which they return to operating procedures
their previously unpolluted state.
Quality of sediments in Adequate processing of sludge; Monitoring of sludge
the treatment structures Monitoring of nematodes, coliforms and quality: $10,000/year Contractor Supervisor/
(sludge), risks due to heavy metals in the composition of output Transportation of sludge Amelioration JSC
agricultural consumption sludge; $10,000/year
of these wastes. Transportation of sludge in the closed
and environme
containers; Training cost identified
wastewat ntal
Training of operation staff for their below
er) impacts
qualification raising.
Training In application of sludge, and
monitoring of sludge application
Smell generations in the Planning and management of smell Odour masking agents:
wastewater treatment mitigation; $US 5,000/year Contractor Supervisor/
structure; Tight shutting of smell producing Amelioration JSC
equipment and containers. No cost for remaining
measures provided they are
integrated into normal
operating procedures
Operation Risks to human health Use of authorized sites for non-hazardous Training: $25,000 in first
s Safe storage waste disposal; support and arrangements year; $5,000/year in each Contractor Supervisor/
(potable of for setting facilities for hazardous waste following year Amelioration JSC
water, hazardous safe storage
sewage and non- No cost for identified
and hazardous measures provided they are
wastewate wastes integrated into normal
r) operating procedures
Human Risks to health of Training of staff on safety and human
health residents and workers security issues; Contractor Supervisor/

119 / 152
 Environ- Estimated Cost Of Responsibilit Monitoring
ment Or Impact Mitigation y
Stage Potential Impacts Impact Mitigation Measures
Social Measures
Component
and to the environment Training of staff on sanitary and hygiene Amelioration JSC
rules to prevent infections from wastewater
discharges and sludge residues;
Provide staff with adequate protection
uniforms and facilities;
Measures to prevent emergency situations
such as leakage of chlorine gas.
Monitoring of drinking water and
wastewater quality
Note: All mitigation measures identified in this Table should be specified in all bidding documents (Bill of Quantities) and contracts for construction and
operation of the project, and should also be including in all manuals or operating procedures that are developed. Based on above measures in total around
200000 USD need to be allocated to implement main mitigation measures.

120 / 152
The Contractor will be contractually required to conform to the requirements specified in the EIA and EMP
and will be accountable to Amelioration JSC, as the client, through its Project Implementation Unit (PIU). It
is recommended (as agreed with Amelioration JSC) that the project environmental and social safeguard
objectives will be achieved if the construction supervision consultant has an environmental expertise and
carries out environmental supervision as part of the overall project supervision.. The precise details have not
yet been determined, but the consultant will advise and support the PIU in implementation of the EIA
standards during construction and into operation. Furthermore, local Bank staff will work with the consultant
and the PIU during development of the environmental plans.

There are several mechanisms of ensuring delivery during construction of both general and site specific
mitigation developed in EIAs. One mechanism favored for the project involves requiring the Contractor to
further develop the outline requirements in an EMP by designing individual Management Plans, such as oil
and fuel storage, waste management, traffic management and pollution prevention.

This approach for each individual scheme will benefit from oversight by the PIU to form a set of
environmental requirements applicable to the project as a whole, which will ensure compliance of the work
to both national and Bank standards. Such measures will be mandated in the bidding and contract documents,
so that an overall good standard of work is achieved. This approach also has benefits of institutional capacity
training, as the knowledge and capability of Amelioration JSC will be extended to effective environmental
management and as each scheme comes on stream the PIU will benefit from knowledge gained on previous
schemes. Main elements of the Specific Management Plans are given in able 8.3

Table 8.3 List of Specific Management Plans

Specific Outline of Content

Management Plan
Waste Management Measures to reduce, handle, separate, store and dispose waste from operations
and work sites. Requirements for monitoring, recording, inspection and
reporting. Instructions for the storage and handling of various types of
hazardous materials.
Waste Water Measures to control, collect, treat or reuse wastewater from various sources to
Management avoid pollution.
Air Quality Control Measures to reduce and control air emission from various sources.
Requirements for monitoring, recording, inspection and reporting.
Dust Control Measures to reduce and control dust emissions from roads, work sites and
construction activities. Requirements for monitoring, recording, inspection and
reporting.

121 / 152
 Specific Outline of Content
Management Plan
Noise and Vibration Measures to reduce and control noise and vibrations generated by plant at all
Control work sites and from transport activities. Requirements for monitoring,
recording, inspection and reporting.
Traffic Management Procedures for minimising disruption to traffic and access, especially for public
buildings such as hospitals and schools.
Emergency Response Procedures for response to a range of incidents and emergencies. Requirements
for monitoring, recording, inspection and reporting.
Archaeology and Measures to reduce adverse impacts on cultural heritage during construction. If
Cultural Heritage any late finds are made measures must be taken to ensure ‘conservation ’ in
accordance with legislation.
Oil and fuel storage Specification for storage of all oils and fuels (secondary containment etc) and
and refuelling procedures for refuelling vehicles, plant and equipment so as to ensure
environmental protection.
Site Inspection Procedures for site inspection and reporting including notification of non-
compliance
Handling of Procedures for handling of complaints including response to complainer and
Complaints and reporting.
Grievances
Environmental - Project Induction
Training - Toolbox talks
Training requirements and procedures including target groups, contents of
training sessions and verification.
Storage and use of Registration, logging of material safety data sheets and risk assessment of
hazardous products & materials and chemicals being used in the project. Documentation
substances requirements.
Reinstatement Plan Plan for topsoil management and removal of all equipment and materials from
temporary work sites and reinstatement of areas to a standard at least as good as
the pre-construction condition.

8.2. Monitoring
Conducting monitoring is the major strategic tool in environmental management and the extent of project
monitoring will be dependent on the nature, scale and potential impact of the project activities. Monitoring
may require the services of environmental specialists or a company with laboratory and analytical facilities
(for complex environmental problems) or inspection by the local government environmental officers.
Main elements of the environmental monitoring plan are the following:
In construction phase:

 Dust monitoring;
 Noise monitoring;
 Solid wastes monitoring;
 Waste waters monitoring;

122 / 152
  Soil monitoring.

In utilization phase:
 Monitoring of water volume in water sources and water storages;
 Monitoring of microbiological and chemical composition of water distributed to people, comparison
to water standards;
 Monitoring of pollution level of sewage;
 Monitoring of waste waters after purification;
 Monitoring of depositions settled in water cleaning plants;
 Monitoring of cleaned sewage in the place where it joins to sewage collector;
 Monitoring of soil where depositions generated in water cleaning plants will be used as fertilizers.

Monitoring of all activities during the construction period will be under the responsibility of the Contractor,
whose environmental performance will be controlled by the Amelioration JSC (PIU and Environmental
Specialist) and supervision consultant appointed by PIU. The Contractor will prepare Specific Management
Plans (see Table 8.3 above)_ addressing all aspects of the EMP, and will establish a team for the monitoring
activities(Table 8.3).

The Contractor will be responsible for the compliance of the constructions with the national norms and
standards. Monitoring of construction activities will have to ensure that mitigation measures of construction
impacts are being implemented properly. The Contractor ’s Environmental Team will be subject to the
government inspections(MENR, MoH) from time to time. The PIU may involve an individual auditing
company to conduct additional environmental monitoring of the Contractor ’s performance. The construction
supervision consultant should have an environmental expert who will provide environmental monitoring of
construction work and report to PIU. Based on the inputs from supervision consultant and auditing company
the PIU should handle raised environmental issues and regularly report to the World Bank as part of overall
project progress reporting

The Environmental Monitoring Plan (see Table 8.4 below) has been prepared based on the initial monitoring
plan developed as part of the Feasibility Study.

123 / 152
 Table 8.4. Environmental Monitoring Plan

Frequency of Cost
Item Element Location Type of monitoring Purpose of monitoring
monitoring
Construction During periodic site 2500 USD
repair works visits to be carried on
To ensure adherence to
daily basis by
In the Visual monitoring environmental protection
contractor and by
Dust construction requirements
monitor appointed in
sites
the contract
Relevance to standards 2500 USD
Project site and surrounding area Each month
and rules
Visual monitoring 2500 USD
Wastewater flows In the To ensure adherence to
During monthly site
generated in the construction environmental protection
visits
construction sites sites requirements
2500 USD
In the To ensure adherence to
Collection of solid During periodic site
construction Visual monitoring environmental protection
wastes visits
sites requirements

To ensure adherence to 2500 USD

Utilization of Abandoned During periodic site
Visual monitoring environmental protection
solid wastes areas visits
requirements
Use of dangerous In the Visual monitoring and study of Each month To ensure adherence to 2500 USD
materials h (paints construction documentation environmental protection
with heavy sites with right requirements
metals, lead documentation
compositions,
asbestos-cement
slabs, pipes,
inflammable and
toxic substances
etc.)

124 / 152
 In the 2500 USD
Protective To ensure adherence to
construction
measures in the Visual monitoring Each month environmental protection
sites with right
construction site and safety requirements
documentation
In the To ensure adherence to 2500 USD
Protection of
construction Visual monitoring Each month environmental protection
nature
sites requirements
Earth restoration In the To ensure adherence to 2500 USD
At completion of
after excavation construction Visual monitoring environmental protection
construction works
works sites requirements
2500 USD
Noise &
Project To ensure adherence to
vibrations During periodic site
area/close to Portative noise metering device environmental protection
resulting from visits, on daily basis
settlements requirements
equipment work

Traffic 2500 USD

operation
/movement In the visual monitoring of machinery and To ensure adherence to
During periodic site
construction b) trucks carrying construction environmental protection
visits
sites materials requirements

In the 1000 USD

During periodic site To ensure adherence to
Reduced access construction visual monitoring
visits on daily basis requirements
sites
Vehicle and 2500 USD
pedestrian safety In the
On daily basis during To ensure adherence to
when there is no construction visual monitoring by supervisor
nonworking hours requirements
construction sites
activity
Operation Utilization of Abandoned Visual Periodic visits To ensure adherence to 1000 USD
solid wastes areas environmental protection
requirements

125 / 152
 Inlet to 6000 USD Each
Quality of treated Measuring (pH, turbidity, In accordance with the Relevance to standards
treatment year
potable water suspended solids, bacteria) schedule and norms
structure
Measuring (physical-chemical and 6000 USD
Adequacy of Outlet to
bacteriological, including heavy In accordance with the Relevance to potable
treated potable treatment
metals and pesticides on permanent schedule water standards
water to standards structure
basis)
Outlet to 6000 USD each
Quality of treated Measuring (physical-chemical and In accordance with the Relevance to standards
treatment year
wastewater bacteriological analyses) schedule and norms
structure
Water quality 6000 USD
(visual, water At up and downstream points of To ensure adherence to
smell, water discharge and water Each month environmental protection
bacteriological, discharge areas (basins) requirements
chemical)
Monitoring of
nemotodes, Relevance to FAO
Quality of sludge coliforms and Physical, chemical and After sludge requirements for
6000 USD
(sediments) heavy metals of bacteriological analyses processing neutralization or reuse for
sludge agricultural purposes
composition

126 / 152
8.3. Capacity Assessment for the Envioronmental Management of the Project

There is a Department on Control of Protection and Use of Water Resources in the Amelioration JSC,
consisting of 5 staff trained under several international initiatives and programs (e.g. ADB Flood Mitigation
Project). The main functions of this department include also control of compliance with water quality and
quantity requirements during the abstraction and use of water resources for different purposes.. The PIU for
this project has a full-time Environmental Specialist who has obtained significant experience under the
Irrigation and Drainage Project financed by the World Bank. In order to further strengthen the capacity of the
PIU and the Amelioration JSC (including its local departments), the project will provide resources for
specifically targeted training sessions to cover aspects of environmental management for both construction
and operational phases of water projects. Also, the project will involve international consultancy services to
supervise the construction works, which will include environmental supervision expertise.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1. Verdiyev R. H. Water resources of the East Caucasus rivers, under the climate changes. Baku
2002, Elm, p. 224.
2. Potable water. Hygienic requirements to quality of water of the centralized systems of potable
water supply. Sanitary- drinking norms. M. 1996- p.111.
3. Rustamov S.G., Kashkay R.M. Water resources of the rivers Azerbaijan SSR, Baku, Elm 1989,
p. 180.
4. Project of UNDP/SİDA: Reducing trans-boundary degradation of the Kura-Aras river basin.
Institutional aspects of water sector of South Caucasus countries, Tbilisi 2005.
5. Project of UNDP/SİDA: Reducing trans-boundary degradation of the Kura-Aras River Basin.
An estimation of Legislative needs for reducing of degradation of the Kura-Aras River Basin,
Tbilisi 2005.
6. Farda İmanov, Rafig Verdiyev. Protection of the small rivers of flowing into the Caspian Sea with
participation of public, Baku 2006, 108 p , Adilogli editorial office.
7. Gauff and Temelsu JV Int. Eng. Ser. Inc. Joint Venture. Feasibility Studies of Water Supply and
Wastewater Investments in 16 Rayons. Agsu. August 2010, Baku, Azerbaijan
8. www.eco.gov.az
9. www.worldbank.org
10. www.azersu.az
11. www.ec.europa.eu

127 / 152
ANNEXES: ANNEX I. Project Area in Agsu region

128 / 152
ANNEX II Existing Water supply In Agsu region

129 / 152
ANNEX III. Existing Sewer Syastem inAgsu region

130 / 152
ANNEX IV Proposed Water sypply system options in Agsu region

131 / 152
132 / 152
ANNEX V. Pressure zones

133 / 152
ANNEX VI. DRINKING WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

Drinking water treatment requirements should determined according to the quality of raw water from the
different sources.
EU Council Directive 75/440/EEC describes the quality required for surface water which is intended for the
abstraction of drinking water in the EU Member States:

The surface water is divided into 3 categories (A1, A2, A3) according to limiting values:
Category A1: Simple physical treatment and disinfection, e. g. rapid filtration and disinfection
Category A2: Normal physical treatment, chemical treatment and disinfection, e. g. pre-chlorination,
coagulation, flocculation, decantation, filtration, disinfection (final chlorination)
Category A3: Intensive physical and chemical treatment, extended treatment and disinfection, e. g.
chlorination to break-point, coagulation, flocculation, decantation, filtration, adsorption (activated carbon),
disinfection (ozone, final chlorination)

In the summary project FS document proposes to consider the values according to EU Directive
75/440/EEC as criterion for this Project. It has to be emphasized that treated water quality must meet the
limiting values set in “EU Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the Quality of Water
Intended for Human Consumption”. Parametric values are divided in
A) Microbiological Parameters

B) Chemical Parameters

C) Indicator Parameters

The parameters and the limiting values are listed in Annex I to Council Directive 98/83/EC.

Relevant water qualiity standards in Azerbaijan are given in below Table.

Table A. Water qiality standards in Azerbaijan

INDICATOR Standards

pH 6,0-9,0
Turbidity 1.5 mg/l
Microorganism (Colonies are formed in 1 ml test water) <100

Coliform bacteria (coliform index), intestinal bacteria formed in 1 litre of test <3
water
Nitrates (N03) 45 mg/l

Nitrites (N02) 3 mg/l

Chlorides 350 mg/l

Phosphates 1.0 mg/l

Sulfates (S04) 500 mg/l

Total hardness 7 mmol/1

Remained chlorine 0.3-0.5

Al 0.5 mg/l

134 / 152
As 0.05 mg/l

Fe 0. 3 mg/l

Ni 0.1 mg/l

Cr (Cr6+) 0.05 mg/l

Cu (Cr2+) 1 mg/l

Zn 5 mg/l

Cd 0.001 mg/l

Pb 0.03 mg/l

Hg 0.0005 mg/l

135 / 152
ANNEX VII. WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS RESULTS OF AGSU

TEST RESULTS

Organoleptic parameters

Taste
Odour Suspended
qualitativ Turbidity
qualitative Sediment
e
Dilution
Lab N Sample ID TON NTU mg/l
number
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay 1 1 148 98
MDL ND ND 1 1
RSD(%) ND ND 5 5
no no no
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) abnormal abnormal abnormal ND
change change change
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 ND ND ND ND
US EPA 3 3 4 ND
ГОСТ 2874-82 2 2 ND 1.5
TON- threshold odor number
MDL- Method Detection Limit
RSD(%)- Reliative Standard Deviation in % of measured value
EU98- Drinking water quality standards- Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intented for
human consumption. Adopted on 3 November 1998
WHO- World Helthy Organization
USEPA- United States Environmental Pollution Agency
GOST- Formet Soviet Union Standardization Agency
ND- not determined

136 / 152
Sensoric & Physical-chemical parameters

Redox- pH Dissolved
Water Conductivity, Total
Color Potential, value, Oxygen, Hardness Bromine
temperature* 25°C Alkalinity
25°C 25°C O2
Lab N Project ID °C mg/l Pt/Co uS/cm mV mg/l mgCaCO3/l mgCaCO3/l mg/l
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay 20 <5 657 198 7.72 9.26 260 130 <0.02
MDL ND 5 10 10 ND ND 10 10 0.05
RSD(%) ND ND 5.0 5.0 ND ND 5.0 5.0 5.0
no
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) ND abnormal 2500 ND 6.5÷9.5 ND ND ND ND
change
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 ND ND 2500 ND 6.5÷8.5 ND ND ND ND
US EPA ND 15 ND ND 6.5÷8.5 ND ND ND ND
ГОСТ 2874-82 ND 20 ND ND 6.0÷9.0 ND 7 mol/m3 ND ND
*Measured during sampling; ND- not determined

137 / 152
Anions

Chloride, Sulphate, Bicarbonate Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Cyanides,

Cl SO4 HCO3 NO2 NO3 F CN-
Lab N Project ID mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay 23 180 159 0.0012 2.8 0.3 0.004
MDL 0.5 0.5 10 0.002 0.1 0.02 0.002
RSD (%) 5.0 5.0 5.0 2.0 2.0 5.0 5.0
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) 250 250 ND 0.5 50 1.5 0.05
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 250 500 ND ND 50 1.5 0.07
US EPA 250 250 ND 1 10 4.0 0.2
ГОСТ 2874-82 350 500 ND ND 45 0.7 ND

138 / 152
Cations

Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium. Ammonium, Boron,

Na K Ca Mg NH4 B
Lab N Project ID mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay 39.4 3.61 61 24 0.03 0.26
MDL 0.001 0.01 0.01 0.001 0.02 0.2
RSD(%) 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.7 5.0 5.0
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) 200 ND ND ND 0.5 1.0
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 200 ND ND ND ND ND
US EPA 200 ND ND ND ND ND
GOST ND ND ND ND ND ND

139 / 152
Radionuclides

Total
Radium Radium
Lead 210 Tritium indicative
226 228
dose
Lab N Project ID Bq/l Bq/l Bq/l Bq/l mSv/year
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay <0.41 <0.29 <2.7 <1 0.1
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) ND ND ND 100 0.1
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 ND ND ND ND ND
US EPA 180 ND ND ND
ГОСТ 2874-82 ND ND ND ND ND

140 / 152
Heavy metals

Iron,
Aluminium, Arsenic, Chromium Nickel, Selenium, Mercury, Antimony, Fe Manganese, Copper, Cadmium, Lead,
Al As Cr Ni Se Hg Sb (total Mn (total) Cu Cd Pb
)
Lab N Project ID ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l ug/l
Agsu,
11679 29.5 0.23 0.077 0.73 1.50 <0.2 0.19 3850 174 0.42 <0.01 <0.01
Girdimanchay
MDL 0.3 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.5 0.2 0.01 0.3 0.3 0.03 0.01 0.01
RSD(%) 6.0 2.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 <5.0 5.0 1.2 2.5 4.0 <5.0 5.0
EU98 (Council
200 10 50 20 10 1 5 200 50 2000 5 10
Directive 98/83/EC)
WHO's drinking water
200 10 50 20 10 1 5 300 500 2000 3 10
standards 1993
US EPA 50 10 100 100 50 2 6 300 50 1300 5 15
ГОСТ 2874-82 500 50 500 100 10 1 ND 300 100 1000 1 30

141 / 152
Total Organics characterization

Total organic Permanganate

carbon (TOC) index, O2
Lab N Project ID mg/l mg/l
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay 11 0.9
MDL 0.3 0.4
RSD(%) 5.0 5
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) ND 5
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 ND ND
US EPA ND ND
ГОСТ 2874-82 ND ND

142 / 152
Microbiology characterization

Colony Colony
Escheria Coliform Pseudomonas Clostridium
Enterococci count @ count @
coli pathogens aeruginosa perfringens
22° 36°C
Lab N Project ID c/100 ml c/100 ml c/100 ml c/100 ml c/100 ml c/1 ml c/1 ml
11679 Agsu, Girdimanchay 14 40 6 0 0 1500 1000
MDL 1 1 1 1 1 2 2
RSD NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
EU98 (Council Directive 98/83/EC) 0/250 ml 0/100 ml 0/250 ml 0/250 ml 0/100 100/ml 20/ml
WHO's drinking water standards 1993 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
ГОСТ 2874-82 0 3 ND ND ND 100 ND
Not found- Non detected bacterias during test; NA- Not Applicable

143 / 152
CONCLUSIONS
As results of fulfilled study program, following conclusions about water quality could be derived for studied
samples:

Organoleptic parameters: Whenever concentration of turbidity and suspended solids

have been considered the sample doesn’t comply with USSR
ГОСТ 2874-82 drinking water quality standards and EPA
criteria.
Sensoric & Physical-chemical Sample complies with both USSR ГОСТ 2874-82 drinking
parameters: water quality standards as well as EU, WHO and EPA criteria.
Anions and Cations content: Sample comply of both USSR ГОСТ 2874-82 drinking water
quality standards as well as EU, WHO criteria. But only
nitrate content in all 3 samples were above US EPA criteria.
Radionuclides: Sample comply of both USSR ГОСТ 2874-82 drinking water
quality standards as well as EU, WHO and EPA criteria.
Heavy metals: Whenever iron and manganese concentrations considered the
sample doesn’t comply with both USSR ГОСТ 2874-82
drinking water quality standards as well as EU, WHO and
EPA criteria.
Total organics: Sample comply of both USSR ГОСТ 2874-82 drinking water
quality standards as well as EU, WHO and EPA criteria.
Microbiology communities: Whenever high concentrations of microbiological parameters
considered the sample doesn’t comply with both USSR ГОСТ
2874-82 drinking water quality standards as well as EU, WHO
and EPA criteria.
Hazardous organics: These tests were not applied for this sample, because absence
of oil hydrocarbons or pesticide pollution and plactic pipes are
not using in current system.

144 / 152
ANNEX VIII . Characteristics of Surface Water Intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water

Parameters Unit A1 A2 A3
pH 6.5 – 8.5 5.5 – 9.0 5.5 – 9.0
Coloration (after simple filtration) mg/l Pt scale 20 100 200
Total suspended solids (SS) mg/l 25 (G)
Temperature °C 25 25 25
Conductivity at 20 °C μs/cm-1 1000 (G) 1000 (G) 1000 (G)
Dilution factor 3 (G) 20 (G) 20 (G)
Odour at 25 °C
Nitrates (NO3) mg/l 50 50 50
Fluorides (F) mg/l 1.5
Dissiolved Iron (Fe) mg/l 0.3 2
Manganese (Mn) mg/l 0.05 (G) 0.1 (G) 1 (G)
Copper (Cu) mg/l 0.05 0.05 (G)
Zinc (Zn) mg/l 3 5 5
Boron (B) mg/l 1 (G) 1 (G) 1 (G)
Arsenic (As) mg/l 0.05 0.05 0.1
Cadmium (Cd) mg/l 0.005 0.005 0.005
Total Chromium (Cr) mg/l 0.05 0.05 0.05
Lead (Pb) mg/l 0.05 0.05 0.05
Selenium (Se) mg/l 0.01 0.01 0.01
Mercury (Hg) mg/l 0.001 0.001 0.001
Barium (Ba) mg/l 0.1 0.1 0.1
Cyanide mg/l 0.05 0.05 0.05
Sulphates (SO4) mg/l 250 250 250
Chlorides (Cl) mg/l 200 (G) 200 (G) 200 (G)
Surfactants (reacting with methyl blue) mg/l 0.2 (G) 0.2 (G) 0.4(G)
(laurylsulphate)
Phosphates (P2O5) mg/l 0.4 (G) 0.7 (G) 0.7(G)
Phenoles (C6 H5OH) mg/l 0.001 0.005 0.1
Dissolved or Emulsified Hydrocarbons mg/l 0.05 0.2 1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons mg/l 0.0002 0.0002 0.001
Pesticides mg/l 0.001 0.0025 0.005
> 50 (G) > 30 (G)

Dissolced Oxiygen Satuaration Rate % O2 > 70 (G)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) mg/l O2 < 3 (G) < 5 (G) < 7 (G)
Nitroogen (N) by Kjeldahl Method 1 (G) 2 (G) 3 (G)
(Except NO3) mg/l
Ammonia (NH4) mg/l 0.05 (G) 1.5 4
Substances Extrahable with Chloroform mg/l SEC 0.1 (G) 0.2 (G) 0.5 (G)
Total Coliforms at 37 °C /100 ml 50 (G) 5000 (G) 50000(G)
Faecal Coliforms /100 ml 20 (G) 2000 (G) 20000(G)
Faecal Streptococci /100 ml 20 (G) 1000 (G) 10000(G)
Not present Not present
Salmonella
in 1000 ml in 1000 ml
Note: values marked with “G” shall be respected as guidelines.
Depending on the category the following standard methods of treatment for transforming surface water into
drinking water are defined:

145 / 152
ANNEX IX TREATED WASTE WATER AND SLUDGE REQUIREMENTS

In the proposed FS document it is shown that WWTP should meet the requirements of international
standards. As it states the amounts of 50 g BOD5/cap/d, 100 g COD/cap/d , 10.5 g N/cap/d and 70 g/cap/d
total suspended substances seems to be consistent with acting standards and those used in other European
countries like Germany, Turkey etc.

As there is no legislation in Azerbaijan defining the limit effluent values of WWTPs to use international
standards for this purposes. The standard for wastewater treatment in the European Union is presented in the
Urban Wastewater Directive 91/271/EEC issued on May 21 1991. The EU-Standard differentiates between
sensitive and non-sensitive receiving water bodies.

Table 6.2 . Effluent Standards acc. EU-Directive 91/271/EEC

Parameter (Unit) Sensitive Area Non-Sensitive Area

 BOD5  mg/l  25  25
 COD  mg/l  125  125
 TSS  mg/l  35  35
 N,tot  mg/l  15  --
 P,tot  mg/l  2  --

The requirements for N and P refer to annual mean values and a minimum wastewater temperature of 12° C.

According to the Azerbaijan rules, discharge of wastewaters into water bodies is allowed only after obtaining
a permit for "special water-use". The degree to which discharged wastewaters have to be treated (purified) is
determined by the Maximum Allowable Discharge (MAD) norms for polluting substances. These norms are
normally imposed in order to gradually improve surface water quality and meet the sanitary-hygienic
requirements in proximity to water-intake structures.

Application of certain methods of use of waste water on irrigated fields depend on preliminary preparation,
with consideration of natural conditions and type of cultivated crops.
Assessment of waste water quality and its sludge, applied for irrigation and fertilization is conducted in
complex way according to agrochemical and sanitary-hygienic and veterinary-sanitary indications.
Regulation of indicators of quality of watering water and its sludge is made with consideration of soil-
climatic, hydro-geological conditions of territory of specific object, biological specific features of cultivated
crops and technology of irrigation. Chemical composition of waste water, used for irrigation is assessed on
the basis of activity of hydrogen ion (pH), composition of amount of dissolved salts, availability of main
biogenic elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), micro-elements and organic substances.
Requirements for quality of wastewater and its sludge
Quality of waste water and its sludge, used for irrigation is regulated by chemical, bacteriological and
parasitological indications.
Admissible concentration of heavy metals in waste water is established depending on irrigation norm, and it
is defined in each specific case in accordance with acting requirements to waste water quality and its sludge,
used for irrigation and fertilization.
Waste water, containing microelements, including heavy metals in quantities not exceeding MAC for
economy-potable water use, may be used for irrigation without restrictions.
Possibility of use of treated industrial and mixed waste water in at irrigated fields is settled in each specific
case by bodies and institutions of state sanitary-epidemiology and veterinary services on base of results of

146 / 152
 special researches, directed for learning of degree and character of impact of waste water on soil, cultivated
crops, live-stock and cattle breeding production.

Requirements concerning sludge from wastewater, applied for fertilization

Use of sludge of waste water for fertilization may be admitted after its sterilization by one of methods in
accordance with acting Sanitary rules of installation and operation of agricultural fields of irrigation.
Before use of sludge at lots for fertilization, agrochemical examination of soil on following parameters is to
be conducted: pH, composition of active forms of phosphorus, potassium, heavy metals-lead, cadmium,
chromium, copper, nickel, mercury, zinc. Examination is made on base of methods, accepted at agrochemical
service.
As a rule, content of heavy metals in sludge of waste water from enterprises, reprocessing agricultural
production is lower, however, nutritive substances are higher, than in sludge from city treatment facilities.
With the aim to exclude hazard of pollution of soil, production and environment by heavy metals sludge of
waste water purposed for fertilization are to be obligatorily analyzed for checking of heavy metals: lead,
cadmium, chrome, copper, nickel, mercury, and zinc.
Application of sludge of industrial –domestic waste water, containing heavy metals and composts from them
is prohibited, if introduction of these fertilizers will increase level of pollution of soils up to values 0,7-0,8
MACs
Quality control of waste water and its sludge, which are applied for irrigation and fertilization
Production laboratory control on envisaging of sanitation rules and standards at operation of at irrigated
fields includes:
• control of effectiveness of operation of plants on preliminary preparation of waste water and
its sludge before introduction at agricultural fields;
• quality control of underground and surface water, which are in the area of impact at
agricultural fields
quality control of soil

ANNEX X. .The List Of Participants Of Public Consultation Meeting On Agsu Rayon WSS Project

Name Work place Connection

1 Igbal Mikayilov Deputy on socio-economic problems of the head of district

5-35-92
execute authority, Head of Rayon Commission on WSS 050 328-04-49
project implementation
2 Xanlar Huseynov Head of the department of architecture and 5-54-23
construction of the head of district execute authority 050 641-65-66
3 Cavan Cavadov Representative on Agsu region of the head 5-22-54
of district authority 050 778-79-44
4 Agil Niftaliyev Chairman of the Agsu municipality 5-50-04
050 518-01-01
5 Alihuseyn Mayilov Head of the office of systems of watering region 5-53-67
050 413-14-15
6 Munis Mammadov Region head of the land department 5-50-68
050 399-82-07
7 Camil Huseynov Region water head of the canal office 5-28-40
050 319-31-41
8 Vahid Hasanov Agsu head of net region 5-51-19
050 250-68-77
9 Ingilab Mirzaliyev Region gas head of the exploitation office 5-50-42

147 / 152
 Name Work place Connection

050 404-77-73
10 Agamurad Muradxanov The 12th way head of the exploitation office 5-25-60
050 214-47-46
11 Aydin Calilov Region head of the telecommunication joint 5-50-99
050 223-79-21
12 Sardar Bayramov Head of the housing-operational district 5-23-27
050 325-10-14
13 Mirali Nagiyev Region head of the statistics office 5-51-76
050 235-04-94
14 Rovsan Mutallimov Pirhasanli village fulfilment administrative agent 5-62-88
on territory circle 050 421-91-09
15 Shahlar Xasayev Vice-president of the Pirhasanli municipality 050 344-11-67

16 Seyidaga Gulumov Society of red half-moon Agsu chairman of the District

050 393-49-49
Department
17 Yalcin Panahov Editor of the Agsu newspaper 070 324-15-05

18 Camaladdin Zeynalov Labour veteran 051 833-11-22

19 Murvat Qarayev DIIXIHC Agsu chairman of the District 5-25-64

Committee 050 556-32-57
20 Shahrabanu Malikov Agsu head physician of the Distrist Central 5-51-25
Hospital 050 335-09-70
21 Tahir Xasi Head of the District Education Department 5-50-20

22 Radim Muslumov Region head of the finance office 5-50-22

23 Adil Karimov Head deputy of the District Education Department 5-50-20

24 Arif Karimov City director of the 2th school 5-24-64

25 Cabrayil Badalov Region director of the system of library centralized 5-39-74

26 Fatulla Seyidaliyev Head of the Agsu branch of the Kapital Bank 5-50-50

27 Akif Qadirov Region head of the department on distribution of electricity5-51-20

28 Mahir Karimov Head of the office of fire safety 5-30-31

29 Ahsan Abishov KHVTIC Agsu chairman of the District 5-51-46

Committee
30 Ali Huseynov YAP Agsu chairman of the organization of region 5-50-08

Annex XI. Public meeting on discussion of EİA report

148 / 152
 22 October 2010

Workshop was organized pn October 22, 2010 iin the meeting venue provided by the Agsu Rayon Executive
Powerş The representative of EPTİSA Rafig Verdiyev provided the general information about the Project
EIA document to participants and answered asked questions. Main discussions where about proposals of
Project Alternatives, Proposal Water sources , Environment Impact Assessment, Scheduled Activities for
Environment Management Plan, Proposed Mitigation Measures.
The Presentation followed up with interesting discussions. Discussions were mainly about water supply,
location of waste water treatment plant, sewer canals, project schedule and employment of local people in
project construction work. Some people asked about length of construction works and potential its impacts/
The environmental consultant of the EIA informed that provided proposals will be considered in the EIA.
The essential questions and proposals during the presentation:

Comment Response
1 Alihuseyn Mayılov
Project is aimed at Drinking water supply, but not
In order to provide good water management for
irrigation. There will be constructed reservoirs to
different purposes, and mainly to keep some
provide sustainable drinking water to the
water in Agsu river during summer I suggest to
population. The proposed by the project source of
construct reservoir near Agsu river close to the
water will be Girdımanchay river and there won’t be
Mugan bridge
any impact to Agsuchay river water regime
2 Gamaladdin Zeynalov: Project will consruct new water distribution system.
Will the project replace all the water supply Problems of high and low preasure will be solved by
pipelines? preasure zones
If not, then high preasure may destroy them.

3 Xanlar Huseynov: Treated waste waters will be discharged to collector

It would be better to discharge treated waste or used for irrigation. It will meet required standards
waters into collector , not into Agsu river
because river is used as drinking water source

4 Sardar Bayramov When putting or replacing of water and waste water

pipes and arrangement of infrastructure, all
Will during the construction process the roads
environment related considerations will be followed
recovered back and how soon it will take place?
according to EMP, including covering of roads after
installation of pipes.
5 Javan Javadov: Water pipes are under the They won’t be used in project and new pipelines
newly constructed bildings in Nizami street of will be construicted in streets instead
Qaraqajlı village.

149 / 152
150 / 152