Within IWAS, specific solutions to particular water-related problems in five regions around the world under the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) are developed.

The activities of the subproject “IWAS Việt Nam” are run in two consecutive steps. During the first phase (IWAS I), a sustainable water management concept was developed for an exemplary district of Hanoi. The concept comprises an integrated guideline for the development of the whole water resources of the study area: surface water, rainwater, sewage, drinking water, and groundwater. The purpose is to examine, give instructions and make a conceptual design in order to create an urban water landscape with a clear connection between the underlying structures of topography, hydrology and soils as the major structuring foundation of urban form, including the use of catchments as the basis for physical planning and regulation.

But beyond natural and demographic challenges, the Vietnamese water management sector is confronted also with significant deficiencies in capacities development and this is the main motivation for the second phase of the project (IWAS II). This concerns especially issues such as security of water supply and disposal, definition of and compliance to reliable quality standards, construction and maintenance of suitable networks and facilities, creation of a long-term financial base for covering the operation costs and investments, as well as issues related to education and general qualification. During the second phase (IWAS II), a water-related development centre will be thus established for the development of local capacities in water sector and for further dissemination and implementation of research outcomes.

Project Outcomes
IWAS Vietnam I: Handbook on Integrated Water Resources Management in Việt Nam, including elements for sustainable resources conservations such as rainwater management, domestic sewage management and managed groundwater recharge.

IWAS Vietnam II: Series of advanced training measures in several provinces in Vietnam addressing relevant target groups from the Vietnamese water sector (water service operators, local authorities, academic staff, governmental representatives).