The Management Office of Easen Environment and Shanxi Urban and Rural Water Source Protection and Environmental Improvement Demonstration Project signed a consulting service contract in April 2023 regarding the Shanxi Urban and Rural Water Source Protection and Environmental Improvement Demonstration Project.
The Asian Development Bank approved a loan of $100 million to the government of the People's Republic of China on December 31, 2017, to fund the urban and rural water conservancy and environmental demonstration project in Shanxi Province. The project will be implemented by the Shanxi Provincial Government through the Jinzhong City Government and the Zuoquan County Government. Through the implementation of the project, (i) the operation of Shixia Reservoir and the improvement of its watershed vegetation, (ii) the restoration of Qingzhang River and Binhe Road, (iii) inclusive water supply and wastewater collection services, and (iv) institutional capacity has been strengthened, thereby improving the living and environmental conditions of urban and rural residents in Zuoquan County.
Consulting service content:
1) Analyzing the current situation and development goals of urban-rural water supply integration from four levels: national, provincial, Shanxi, and Zuoquan
2) Evaluate the current performance of the entire service area and develop a business improvement plan to improve and coordinate service standards;
3) Review the financial management status of the water company, including organizational structure, human resources, and control systems; And propose suggestions for improving financial management in response to existing problems;
4) Design and operate an organizational structure for water supply utilities, and determine employee responsibilities for key positions;
5) Review and upgrade billing and revenue collection systems;
6) Establish financial forecasts for water supply facilities;
7) Assist in developing capital investment plans that are linked to current performance and take into account changes in future demand;
8) Assist in developing asset management plans;
9) Provide suggestions for the management information system of the water company;
10) Develop a water demand management framework; And assist designated institutions in developing comprehensive water resource demand management plans for each water sector: agriculture; Commercial, domestic, and industrial; and
11) Provide technical advice to designated institutions on the implementation of water resource management activities, including industry water efficiency plans; Repair and maintain agricultural storage and transportation infrastructure; Development and distribution of information, education, and communication materials; Monitoring and reducing non renewable water usage in water supply facilities;
12) Assist water supply companies in enhancing their ability to manage and operate large-scale water supply systems in a technically and financially sustainable manner
13) Upgrade and improve water safety plans to identify potential risks of low drinking water quality and assist in implementing risk control and mitigation measures
14) Evaluate and draft a comprehensive non revenue water management plan
15) Conduct a survey on water price willingness to assist the government in formulating appropriate water prices and water price adjustment mechanisms
16) Determine detailed capacity development requirements for sustainable water supply infrastructure services and governance, organize and provide training on operation and maintenance, water supply management planning, water supply safety, water resource protection, and water conservation, and propose a training plan list
17) Organize seminars and domestic inspections to learn from the experience of other projects and improve the management level of the organization;
18) The research needs to meet the relevant requirements of the PAM for this Asian Development Bank project.