This slide show supports the 2nd webinar dedicated to learning about transboundary water negotiations. In the previous webinar (Sept 2021), the 1st round of negotiations ended with informal agreements on how to take the next steps. In the 2nd Round (to be conducted in the webinar (on the 29th Oct), the Parties will meet for the second time to continue with their negotiations. 5 years on, the demand and needs have increased and the urgency for reaching more formal agreemment is more urgent. Watch the seminar for the negotiations. This ppt illustrates the previous conditions and the new conditions, 5 years on.

1. • This ‘game’ based simulation of 2nd
Round of negotiations over a
transboundary river-aquifer is a
‘learning tool’ to better understand
the issues that arise when such
negotiations are carried out by
interested Sharing Countries.
• The negotiations are conducted by
two-person teams, one representing
“HillI’stan’ and the “Valli’stan”.
• They will conduct the 2nd Round of
negotiations on how to work
towards an Agreement to cooperate
over their shared resources
This power point can be downloaded from https://www.practicalhydrogeology.co.uk/

2. Summary of the 1st Round of negotiations
In 2005, the Parties voluntarily came to the negotiating table. With a
neutral facilitator, they put forward their positions on their water
needs from the transboundary system - an inter connected river-
aquifer.
They stated their preference for the way ahead - one Party proposed
an MoU, the other Party preferred a more formal treaty form of
agreement.
Both Parties stated that basic data and information about the river-
aquifer needed to be updated, before further steps could be taken.
However no formal document was signed or agreed, though they
agreed to meet again.

3. Transboundary issues – 2nd Round
The 2nd Round of negotiations is taking place 5 years after the last one.
• Hilli’stand - increasing water shortages – many private wells in the
wealthier districts – the permit applications is seriously lagging behind;
relevant Ministry lacks staff & resources. Suggestion that farmers reduce
well pumping, met with a serious threat of community rebellion; political
representatives promised to resist control pumping. As main food supply
area, difficult to reduce water use.
• In Valli’stan, demand for increased cotton irrigation meant more river
water diverted; some well drilling has started. Private sector financing is
creating political difficulties; Ministry facing with criticism.
• Modelling and data analysis has been somewhat updated – through a
University post graduate study, with limited new data, but by re processing
the past information.

4. Paleozoic Shale – bedrock,
very low hydraulic
conductivity
Mesozoic sandstone
sequence – main aquifer
Overlying Recent sequence
– sands, loams, clays -
aquifer
Area of main rainfall /
recharge
Area of sporadic
rainfall / recharge
Regional groundwater
flows
Localised groundwater
flows
Groundwater flow
directions deteremined
from modelling
Wells draw from the
localised flows
Wetlands fed from
regional flows
Valli’stan Hilli’stan
A new post graduate study has re confirmed
the overall concepts of the hydrology & the
hydrogeology, they remain valid. The data from
the new well (drilled in the territory of
Valli’stan) has helped to better calibrate the
trends in water levels. The river flows data has
also been re confirmed using some remotely
accessed data – at present (2010) there is no
signal in these river flows records of climate
change.

5. /
Hilli Mountainous
& forested region
Upper Onyxan
river
Hilli river
Hilli Ville Capital
city
Agric area with
many informal wells
Scale 50 100
km km
International border
Northern
Gorge Hills
Optional dam site
Large irrigation
area (cotton)
Irrigation
expansion area
Lower Oxynan
river
Wetlands &
game reserves
Hilli’stan
Valli’stan
Data from new
private drilled well

6. Hilli’stan
Optional dam site
Hilli Ville Capital city
Agric area with many
informal wells
Requirements:
• New well fields for
municipal needs
• Option dam for power
generation
In 2010, the 50 MCM/y demand has become more critical –
private wells have been drilled in the wealthier areas; in the
agriculture production region, well production continues and is
subject to intense political pressure not to reduce abstractions for
essential national food supply.
The IFI loan financing requires transboundary issues to be suitably
addressed.

7. Large irrigation area
(cotton)
Irrigation expansion
area
Wetlands &
game reserves
Valli’stan
Requirements:
Additional water for new cotton
fields
Optional sources – regulated
flows in river or new wellfield or
conjunctive use
Data from new
private drilled well
Some of the demand of the 35 MCM/y has been taken by new river
diversions, carried out via the Ministry due to political pressure. Some
private wells have also been drilled – but the permit applications are
lagging behind.
Internal financial interests have made it increasingly important to
address the reliability of water in the transboundary rivers. A
regulating dam on the river would make water resources more
reliable – but the best site is in the territory of Hilli’stan.