Problems and solutions for water user associations in the Gediz basin example

ABSTRACTPh.D. THESISPROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS INTHE GEDİZ BASIN EXAMPLESultan KIYMAZDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES AND IRRIGATIONINSTITUTE OF NATUREL AND APPLIED SCIENCESUNIVERSITY OF ÇUKUROVASupervisor : Prof. Dr. Bülent ÖZEKİCİYear : 2006, Page : 211Jury : Prof. Dr. Bülent ÖZEKİCİProf. Dr. Rıza KANBERProf. Dr. Oğuz YURDAGULProf. Dr. Selim KAPURProf. Dr. Sermet ÖNDERThis study was carried out in the Water User Associations in İzmir and Manisa provinces,located in the Gediz Basin. In the study, physical, economical and institutional indicators werecompared before and after the transfer to Water User Associations (WUAs). Technical, legal,economical, training, social and environmental problems of Water User Associations were examinedand practicable suggestions were recommended. Furthermore, the groundwater level of the MenemenPlain was compared before the transfer and after the transfer to Water User Associations.Results, revealed that the operation of irrigation schemes transferred to water userassociations reduced the operational expenditures, and increased collection of the water fees. Thenumber of the operation and maintenance personnel of İzmir and Manisa DSİ (The State HydraulicsWorks) were decreased by 57% and 65%, respectively. This value reduced the financial burden of theDSI on the worry the number of the personnel of WUAs increased. The Water User Associations havegained very good experience and improved irrigation systems. According to the results of thequestionnaire, Water User Associations were not sufficient in operation and maintenance of theirrigation schemes due to various problems, including machinery insufficiency, and lack of technicalpersonnel and etc. In this regard, the operation principles of the water user association, insufficiencyof legal and institutional and other problems should be examined with various studies and in the scopeof the study results national water policies should be regulated.Keywords: Gediz Basin-Turkey, irrigation schemes, participatory irrigation management, irrigationmanagement transfer, performance assessment, performance indicators, problems of water userassociationII