Consultant: Water Supply/System Management Expert

BACKGROUND
UN-HABITAT has been actively assisting Kosovo institutions in the field of governance, spatial planning and municipal administration since 1999. Since 2005, the “Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme” MuSPP supports secondary cities of Kosovo and smaller municipalities in drafting and implementing Municipal and Urban Development Plans (MDPs/UDPs). The MuSPP teams, composed of MuSPP field staff and municipal counterparts, are currently engaged in 12 municipalities across Kosovo.

The municipality of Hani i Elezit has in addition provided a financial contribution as a direct support for the ongoing activities of the Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme in this municipality. For more details on MuSPP 3 and general information on UN-HABITAT in Kosovo refer to the website http://www.unhabitat-kosovo.org

As per the Law on Kosovo Waters (no.2004/24) and other legislation in force (reviewed in the working document prepared), MDP and UDP and the Municipal Statute, the water supply (potable and for other household needs) is one of the basic services the municipality of Hani Elezit has to provide for its residents. The town of Hani i Elezit has installed a water supply system from a natural water source, which was constructed after 1999. This project envisaged the supply of a maximum of 12 l/sec potable water for citizens. This water supply system was the first of its kind in the area, mainly used by the residents of Hani i Elezit for household purposes. As a result of some technical defects and mismanagement or failure to manage the system, a serious pollution of the water supply system occurred in 2006. This was shown in the analyses and results made by the Regional Institute for Public Health in Ferizaj.

A water supply system that takes surface water (river) was constructed in 1960’ies for use by Sharrcem and other industries in this municipality. But due to the quick urbanization of this part and due to a lack of an alternative water supply system for residents, many households made illegal connections to the system, a practice which after some time became common. With the construction of the new water supply system after 1999, the majority of residents made alternative connections to both systems. As such, two water supply systems were functioning to service residents in Hani i Elezit. Meanwhile the old system was not maintained properly and stream water entered the pipes without being treated since the treatment facilities were out of function. Based on these facts it is concluded that the source of the pollution of the water supply system in Hani i Elezit was the physical mixture of the two water supply systems.

A reconstruction project of the old water system was implemented in 2010. It is planned that Hani i Elezit will have additional 16 l/sec amount of water from this project. The water will be properly treated and through a reservoir of 250 m2 and water pipes of 1700 m will be distributed to households. Asbestos water pipes that distributed fresh water were replaced recently during the town road pavement. Finally the pipes from the old system were out of use.

Despite all what has been done for the water supply in Hani i Elezit and surrounding neighborhoods, there is a lack of water during summer times (even projected water amount is estimated to be more than enough for the number of households) and serious water pollution. As described above, the system is done piece by piece and sometimes there are partial interventions in it. The major problem considered is the water misuse and loss as well as the water pollution as a result of non-management of this system.

Recently, in May 2011 the municipality has established the local public company for managing the water system. While both the Municipal and Urban Development Plan, approved by the municipality of Hani Elezit in September 2011, have already addressed the problems and issues with water supply in the urban zone of Hani i Elezit and its surrounding neighborhoods, the drafting of a feasibility study for managing and regulating the water supply service is anticipated to be now one necessary step toward the improvement of the situation in HiE.

The study, which is the subject of these terms of reference, is intended to address the matters noted in the previous paragraphs. The outputs of the study will serve as an input for drafting the project document as well as for future interventions in this field.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
UN-Habitat is soliciting applications from qualified water supply consultants with urban water supply institutional capacity strengthening experience. The aim is to make a comprehensive prefeasibility study which will assess what has been done so far in terms of interventions, projects and proposals with the view on giving a clear picture of water supply condition and finally giving a clear proposals and way forward in solving this issue in Hani Elezit.

DELIVERABLES
During the assignment, the consultant will deliver the following:
1. Report findings including identification of major gaps in the initial provided information with
conclusions and recommendations;
2. Presentation and report from the workshop presentations & conclusions;
3. Presentations of findings, comments and recommendations for the way forward including the textual and graphical part with all necessary information and an initial cost estimate
4. Final consolidated report which
a. clearly outlines the issues and problems;
b. includes the recommendations on how best to address/mitigate the issues/problems i.e. water losses, pollution and efficient rational use of water by the public.
c. includes the recommendations an efficient management approach of the water system i.e. institutional issues in the regional context and legislation.
d. in close coordination with UN-Habitat develops clearly/identifies projects in line with the above recommendations (points b and c above).

All the above recommendations and projects proposed should be accompanied with a
phasing approach and cost implication.

Note: All research materials, mapping and drawings; cost estimate; etc are to be included as attachments and annexes. 1 hard copy + 3 DVDs.

For more information, kindly see attached.