Skip navigation

0Meta Navigation

× Close search

Navigation

Home
Resources

Building Confidence: Water Projects

14 November 2013
  • View from Nikosi pumping station (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • View from Nikosi pumping station (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • Installation of the steel water pipes by the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia in July-August 2011. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • From the intake in Mukhauri, located north of the village of Znauri on the Proni River, a permanent flow of drinking water is now running through a nine-km long pipe, into the water reservoir in the village of Znauri (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • Bear tracks in the empty Zonkari dam. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • Views of the Zonkari dam (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • Water outlet at Zonkari dam. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • The dam is earth-filled with a waterproof clay core in the centre. The dam stands at 71 metres high and 900 metres wide. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • This is the view from the crest of the dam. It is located in mountainous areas, where long and cold winters make rehabilitation work difficult. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • From each of the two pipes a set of smaller pipes are affixed, on which gate valves are welded. Water for irrigation flows through the pipes seen here. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • View from the Zonkari dam (OSCE/Emmanuel Anquetil)
    Photo details
  • The dam has a bottom outlet, a 450m long tunnel with a diameter of five meters. This tunnel was built as a bypass of the river during the construction of the dam. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • This small building located downstream from the dam and close to the service outlet, was rehabilitated and provided with electricity to be used by technicians. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • Within three months the left wing was entirely rebuilt. This also required building a concrete monolith to cement the pipes and valves, to prevent them from vibration that can happen in case of a powerful water discharge. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • In March 2013 the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions visited the site of the drinking water project. The European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus (EUSR), Ambassador Philippe Lefort (left); and Ambassador Andrii Deshchytsia, Special Representative of the Ukrainian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Conflicts (centre) are seen on this picture. (OSCE)
    Photo details
  • Seen here are (from right to left) Ambassador Andrii Deshchytsia, Special Representative of the Ukrainian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Conflicts, Ambassador Murphy, Special Representative of the Irish OSCE CiO for the South Caucasus, and his advisor James C. O'Shea, in front of the tent where the IPRM meetings take place. (OSCE)
    Photo details
In the wake of the August 2008 conflict in Georgia, the Geneva International Discussions were established.

The OSCE, together with the EU and the UN, has been co-chairing the discussions, and has placed a special focus on addressing water and gas issues affecting local communities. In 2010-2011 the OSCE began implementing practical projects, funded by the EU, on both sides of the administrative boundary line: a dam safety project in Zonkari, a drinking water project in Znauri and an irrigation project in Nikosi.

As a result of these projects, potable water has been supplied for consumption and irrigation purposes, and heavy infrastructure was refurbished. These projects have paved the way for confidence-building between local communities.

Water problems remain a source of tension in the areas affected by the August 2008 conflict. The positive dynamics created by the water projects give hope that follow-up activities will be carried out; preparation for them is already underway. Despite political disagreements, these practical activities are set to continue, to the benefit of all communities on both sides of the administrative boundary line, bringing people closer together, building confidence and trust.