BACKGROUND
	PROJECT OBJECTIVES
	CURRENT STATUS

This project was completed 30 May 2003. The study was conducted over an 18 month period and involved a strong team effort between international and local sub-contractors and consultants. The DAI feasibility study report was submitted to MoWEP in September 2002 and provided initial justification for a US$47 million sovereign guaranteed loan to implement DESWAT. DAI’s intensive investigation into the feasibility of DESWAT concluded that the flood early warning concept is technically feasible and economically justified, just as it is in many other countries. The report underscored the challenges for the Romanian Government to insure an operational DESWAT. To be successful DESWAT must promote, support and strengthen Romanian water management institutions and technical specialists tasked with operating and maintaining the technology. Flood early warning specialist training and technical transfer are at the core of the successful implementation of this large public investment.

In addition to the study, DAI designed and implemented a small scale field test of the automated stream gauge technology and associated telemetry. The test was located in a remote location in the Northern Romanian Carpathian Mountains and operated by the Romanian National Water Company together with INGHA. The test provides MoWEP with an opportunity to ‘test drive’ the automated stream gauge technology and associated telemetry. The field test help to foster improved understanding with respects to financing, management, and technical training implications. The field test also provides an opportunity for MoWEP technical specialists to develop experience confidence regarding installing and sustaining the operations for this public fund investment. Integration of GIS technologies to better ‘valuate’ community risk to floods was also introduced as a technique to improve public participation and transparency regarding the implementation of DESWAT. The field test serves as a ‘baton’ in which the project can be passed on to the next phase of implementation.