Establishment of O&M system
An irrigation system of this size and complexity has to be managed by competent and professional personnel. This management will assure fair water allocation throughout the system. During the implementation phase the appropriate organisational
structure will be put in place by the Implementation Unit.
The distribution of responsibilities covers essentially two components: The Water Operation Centre managing the weir at Bulungapoort, the reservoir and the outflow into the main canal. Its Operation and Maintenance (O&M) staff will manage
the main canals, secondary canals, pumping stations and night storage reservoirs. The Water User Groups (WUG) and irrigation associations each responsible for the water management in their respective areas.
Training
The scarcity of water necessitates that a good field efficiency is realised by the WUG and the scheme will have to provide training during the starting years of the project in order that the farmers can indeed manage with their allotted flow.
The project will ensure that adequate training will be given to irrigation staff as well as to WUGs To assure proper maintenance yearly "walk through" by project staff and farmers within the WUG will be organised prior to water release
for the next season. Secondly, "walk through" of project staff and WUG representatives along the main and secondary canals and structures should assure that LUSIP also follows proper maintenance procedures.
Principles of operation & maintenance
O&M of on-farm irrigation system
The WUGs will be responsible to operate and maintain their on-farm irrigation system.
Service fees
The water at the end of the main canal, or at a contour canal, will be much more expensive than water delivered close to the reservoir or directly by gravity from the main canal. However, an average service fee will be charged over the whole
project area. This average fee is the total cost of operation and maintenance divided by the total water delivered.
No payment – no water
Payment of water will be by volume used by each WUG. Each outlet should be equipped with a discharge meter. Billing should be done monthly and a strict policy of "no payment - no water" should be introduced. The payment of service fees
is for the delivery of water not for the water itself. |
