Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System Project

Abstract*

The long-term objective of the process started through the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System Project is the sustainable management and use of the Guarani Aquifer System. This System is situated in the eastern and south central areas of South America, and underlies parts of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This project is a first step toward achieving the long-term objective. The project aims... Show More

Development Objective

Sustainable use and management of the Guarani Aquifer System in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay for current and future generations, supported by the joint development and implementation of an adequate, functioning aquifer management framework, based on sustainable technical, scientific, institutional, legal, financial, political, and environmental grounds.

Key Details

Project Details

Project ID
P068121
Status
Closed
Team Leader
Douglas C. Olson
Borrower 2
N/A

Country
Latin America and Caribbean
Disclosure Date
March 23, 2001
Approval Date
(as of board presentation)
June 13, 2002
Effective Date
February 26, 2003

Total Project Cost 1
US$ 26.76 million
Implementing Agency
N/A
Region
Latin America and Caribbean
Fiscal Year 3
2002

Commitment Amount
US$ 13.40 million
Environmental Category
B
Last Update Date
January 15, 2013
Closing Date
January 31, 2009

Last Stage Reached
BANK APPROVED

Notes
1. Total project cost includes funding from World Bank and non-bank sources in US$ millions. Active and Closed projects show current commitments. Proposed (pipeline) and dropped projects show the forecast amount. The commitment amount for projects in the pipeline is indicative and may be modified during the project preparation.
2. Borrower refers to the Borrower of a Loan or Recipient of a Grant.
3. ”Fiscal Year” is the fiscal year in which the project was approved (or dropped if the status is dropped). The World Bank's fiscal year is from July 1 - June 30. For example, a fiscal year of 1996 corresponds to July 1, 1995 - June 30, 1996.

Sectors

Themes

FY17 - Environment and Natural Resource Management

FY17 - Climate change17%
- FY17 - Mitigation17%
FY17 - Environmental policies and institutions33%
FY17 - Water Resource Management33%
- FY17 - Water Institutions, Policies and Reform33%

FY17 - Social Development and Protection

FY17 - Social Inclusion17%
- FY17 - Participation and Civic Engagement17%

Project Map

Interactive Map

Finances

Financing Plan (US$ Millions)

Financier	Commitments
Local Beneficiaries	1.26
Global Environment Facility (GEF)	13.40
Borrower/Recipient	12.10

Total Project Financing (US$ Millions)

Product Line	IBRD/IDA
IBRD Commitment	N/A
IDA Commitment	N/A
IBRD + IDA Commitment	N/A

Lending Instrument
Grant Amount	13.40
Total Project Cost**	26.76

Summary Status of World Bank Financing (US$ Millions) as of March 31, 2025

No data available.

Detailed Financial Activity as of March 31, 2025

No data available.

Footnotes

Ratings

IMPLEMENTATION RATINGS

Name	Review	Date
Procurement	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Overall Safeguards Rating	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Counterpart Funding	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Overall Implementation Progress (IP)	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Summary Global Objective Rating	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Financial Management	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Monitoring and Evaluation	Satisfactory	2008-12-17
Project Management	Satisfactory	2008-12-17

COMPLETION RATINGS

INDICATOR	IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETION & RESULTS REPORT: 07-30-2009
Outcomes	Substantial
Risk to Development Outcome	Negligible
Bank Performance	Substantial
Borrower Performance	Substantial
Government Performance	Highly Satisfactory
Implementing Agency	Substantial

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION RATINGS

INDICATOR	ICR REVIEW: 05-24-2010	PROJECT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORT:
Outcome Rating	Moderately Satisfactory	N/a
Risk To Development Outcome	Moderate	N/a
Bank Performance	Satisfactory	N/a
Borrower Performance	Satisfactory	N/a
Government Performance	Satisfactory	N/a
Implementing Agency	Satisfactory	N/a
Icr Quality	Satisfactory	N/a
M&e Quality	Substantial	N/a

Results Framework

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE INDICATORS

INDICATOR		BASELINE	CURRENT	TARGET

INTERMEDIATE RESULTS INDICATORS

INDICATOR		BASELINE	CURRENT	TARGET

Well inventory carried out in all four countries Value ----------- 7733 2000
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
At least 70% of all wells assessed in terms fo use and water availability, quantity and quality Value ----- 733 1400
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
A preliminary conceptual model is available Value ------ Conceputal model completed and discussed with prof Conceptual model prepared
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
Geological and hydrological maps of priority areas Value ----- Thematic maps for the four priority areas prepared Maps for priority areas prepared
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
Water quality assessed and pollution patterns distinguised Value 346 wells assessed evaluated 338
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
Isotope studies carried out Value ----- 608 250
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
water uses assessed Value The general use determined but did not quantify w Level of total and economic extraction determined
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 30, 2009
Comment

Maps showing present development and abstraction, uses, geographic distribution, productivity	Value	--------------	Map of land use change; 3 maps for the pilot regio	Descriptive maps developed
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Development of regional technical rules and legal instruments developed to control well design, construction....	Value	----------	6 manual developed	5 manuals developed
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Assessment of aquifer vulnerability and associated risks	Value	Not available	A regional and 4 additional for pilot regions that	Regonal map that shows vulnerable areas developed
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Permanent monitoring network selected	Value	Not applicable	180 wells selected for the monitoring network	184 wells selected for the monitoring network
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

monitoring network and equipment Value Not applicable. No equipment was installed Monitoring network and equipment adequately mainta
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Establishment of regional information and documentation system	Value	Not available	Hydrology Data Base and Guarani aqufier base map d	Web page developed and provides relevant informati
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Establishment of Guaran Aquifer Information System	Value	Not available	Guarani Aquifer Information System (SISAG) establi	Establishment of SISAG with 5 nodes
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Workshops on sustainable technical, scientific, legal, institutional, political and diplomatic agreements	Value	NA	9 Workshops and 4 additional meetings were conduct	8 workshops and 4 local meetings
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Technical consensus proposal for a Legal Framework to manage the GAS	Value		The countries agreed on institutional, financing a	Existence of an agreement
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Multi-country agreement on an institutional, financial, and technical framework to jointly manage the Guarani Aquifer System existsand is under implementation	Value		The 4 countries agreed on an institutional, financ	Multi-country agreement on an institutional, finan
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Number of staff benefiting from twinning (staff exchange) arrangements	Value		44 staff from the 4 countries benefited from combi	Technical Assistance on demand, technical exchange
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

# of events held to benefits organizations active in groundwater field	Value		13 events -- seminars, meetings, workshops # held	At least 8 events # seminars, meetings, workshops
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Preparation of TDA Value TDA prepared, approved by Steering Committee and w TDA documentation produced and disseminated
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
Formulation of Communication plan Value Public Communication plan prepared for implemented Regional Public Communication and Participation Pl
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Provision of information through the Guarani Aquifer Geographic Information System	Value		The Guarani Aquifer Geographic Information System	Information and document dissemination is continuo
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Establishment of Guarani Citizens' Fund	Value		Guarani Citizens' Fund established. 24 subprojects	Guarani Citizens' Fund established with US$ 240,00
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Coummunity-level activities carried out by CSOs to enhance public participation, communication and education	Value		2,300,000 people reached directly by CSO financed	Coummunity-level activities carried out by CSOs to
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Information dissemination campaigns in each country carried out at local level	Value		One regional TV spot and 4 campaigns (1 per pilot	Information dissemination campaigns in each countr
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Scoping study carried out, with emphasis on indigenous peoples' rights to water and natural resources	Value		Study completed; 2 in Brazil and one each in Argen	Scoping study carried out, with emphasis on indige
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Dissemination of relevant project documentation	Value		Only 1 document translated and disseminated throug	Relevant project documentation has been translated
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Project monitoring and evaluation system	Value		An M&E system established and 16 periodic reports	Project monitoring and evaluation system is implem
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Technical discussions, consultations and project progress information and feedback	Value		13 workshops and technical meetings conducted	At least bi-annual workshops (by country) held for
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Preparation of progress reports Value 71 reports prepared and disseminated to appropriat Progress reports, together with project result and
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Project/country stakeholders participation in relevant international events	Value		Relevant staff participated in at least 8 events;	Project/country stakeholders participate in at lea
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Project webpage Value A total of 634,397 visits hosted by the web page Project webpage well maintained
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Socio-economic participatory stakeholder assessments	Value		A total of 4 socio-economic assessments carried ou	Socio-economic participatory stakeholder assessmen
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Raising of local awareness Value 162,000 people in Concordia/Salto and 147,000 in R In Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana, local aware
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Conduct scientific studies -- geological, hydrogeological, and hydrogeochemical	Value		Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana a total of 4 Hy	Scientific studies executed and geological, hydrog
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Data bases on wells, water uses, and aquifer parameters are available via SISAG and local information networks	Value		In both Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana hydrolo	In Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana, data bases
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Availability of specific subregional digital hydrogeological models	Value		For both Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana 2 Hydr	Specific subregional digital hydrogeological model
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

For Concordia/Salto and Rivera/SantanaLocal elaboration of aquifer management plan,	Value		Local management plans elaborated that included ar	Local aquifer management plan elaborated, includin
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Development of transboundary management framework \	Value		Specific transboundary management issues identifie	Specific transboundary management framework develo
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Documentation of experiences in Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana	Value		Several documentations available including lessons	Institutional, legal, managerial, social, and envi
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Itapua, Paraguay, enhancing geohydrological knowledge	Value		A complete analysis of the Characterstics of the A	Geohydrological knowledge of area increased, esp.
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Socio-economic assessment (Itapua) Value 2 socio-economic assessments conducted. Water usag Socio-economic assessment, including water usage a
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment
Public information campaign (Itapua) Value In Itapua an estimated 66,000 people reached throu Public information campaign carried out
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Elaboration of management priority actions and localities	Value		Local Strategic Action Plan developed	Management needs identified and proposal, includin
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Participatory social assessment (Riberao Preto)	Value		A total of 5 studies in social assessment and soci	Participatory social assessment, consultations and
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Technical assistance for local aquifer management planning (Ribeirao Preto)	Value		A total of 22 events, missions, and visits were co	Technical assistance for local aquifer management
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Elaboration of local aquifer management plan Value Local Strategic Action Plan developed Local aquifer management plan elaborated
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Updating of geothermal data and pertinent information and developement of new thematic maps	Value		Geothermal data and relevant information updated a	Geothermal data and pertinent information updated
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Analyses of feasibility of possible future geothermal activities	Value		Task force established; Analyses of socio-economic	Analyses of socio-economic, financial, and environ
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Identification of possible pilot projects	Value		Possible pilot projects identified (drying wood an	Conceptual identification of possible pilot projec
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Project well managed Value Through several layers of management (from local t Project well managed and objective reached
Date April 16, 2003 January 23, 2009 January 31, 2009
Comment

Pollution risk diminshed or controlled	Value	Huge potential pollution risk due to treatment of	In general pollution risk was found out to be mini	Pollution risks diminished or controlled
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Inter-country groundwater conflicts diminished	Value	Multi-country inter-ministerial forum established.	i) the inter-ministerial group established as a pe	Risk of inter-country groundwater conflicts dimini
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Overdraft risks diminished or stablized	Value	Not applicable.	In general no overdarft risk. At specific localit	Overdraft risks diminished or stabilized.
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Reduction of cost of mitigation and stablization	Value	Not applicable since there were no stablization an	Project is preventive. In general the resource is	Future mitigation and stablization costs reduced
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Well inventory carried out in all four countries	Value	-----------	7733	2000
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

At least 70% of all wells assessed in terms fo use and water availability, quantity and quality	Value	-----	733	1400
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

A preliminary conceptual model is available	Value	------	Conceputal model completed and discussed with prof	Conceptual model prepared
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Water quality assessed and pollution patterns distinguised	Value		346 wells assessed evaluated	338
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Isotope studies carried out	Value	-----	608	250
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

water uses assessed	Value		The general use determined but did not quantify w	Level of total and economic extraction determined
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 30, 2009
	Comment

monitoring network and equipment	Value	Not applicable.	No equipment was installed	Monitoring network and equipment adequately mainta
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Preparation of TDA	Value		TDA prepared, approved by Steering Committee and w	TDA documentation produced and disseminated
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Formulation of Communication plan	Value		Public Communication plan prepared for implemented	Regional Public Communication and Participation Pl
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Preparation of progress reports	Value		71 reports prepared and disseminated to appropriat	Progress reports, together with project result and
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Project webpage	Value		A total of 634,397 visits hosted by the web page	Project webpage well maintained
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Raising of local awareness	Value		162,000 people in Concordia/Salto and 147,000 in R	In Concordia/Salto and Rivera/Santana, local aware
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Socio-economic assessment (Itapua)	Value		2 socio-economic assessments conducted. Water usag	Socio-economic assessment, including water usage a
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Public information campaign (Itapua)	Value		In Itapua an estimated 66,000 people reached throu	Public information campaign carried out
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment

Project well managed	Value		Through several layers of management (from local t	Project well managed and objective reached
	Date	April 16, 2003	January 23, 2009	January 31, 2009
	Comment