GRANDENews Letter

Volume3, No.2, March 2015

Message From Project Leader
Prof. Hitoshi TANAKA

Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Japan
Since we launched GRANDE project with UMSA in Bolivia in2010, five years have already passed with great successincluding numerous research results from five sub researchgroups. Time really flies! I still clearly remember the occasion
when I visited Bolivia for the first time in 2009. Although I
suffered from serious high‐altitude sickness throughout mystay in Bolivia, I was highly confident great researchoutcomes to contribute to future water resources planning in
Bolivia, and now the project is going to be terminated withextreme success as I have expected six years ago.
It is highly symbolic connotation that three Bolivian students
are graduating from Tohoku University, and also one from
Fukushima University after their hard working here in Japan.
Because the issues induced by climate change are of course
long term phenomena, the five‐year project is not sufficient
to solve whole of the matters related to water resources in
Bolivia. Hence, besides research activities in each sub group,
we emphasized higher education in Japanese universities toBolivian younger people. In total two Ph.D. students alongwith six M.Sc. students have been educated in Japan.
Although GRANDE is going to terminate soon in March, I
strongly believe that these human resources educated inJapan will definitely contribute to future planning of water
resources in Bolivia.

Photo: Prof. Hitoshi Tanaka,Tohoku University, Japan

Finally I, as a project leader of GRANDE, would like to gratefully acknowledge both Japanese and Bolivian
colleagues, who has made great effort to make this project so fruitful and successful. In addition I would
like to extend my appreciation to JST and JICA for their consistent support during these five years.

Photo: JCC conference on August 14, 2014

1

GRANDE News Letter, Vol.3, No.2, March 2015

At the end of the GRANDE ProjectProf. Angel Aliaga Rivera
And
Prof. Andres Calizaya Terceros

Instituto de Hidráulica e Hidrología, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, Bolivia
At the end of the GRANDE Project, based on the Final
Evaluation Report, we want to point the following:
The Project related to the issue of water resources
evaluation under climate change scenarios in a Metropolitanarea between the cities El Alto and La Paz, has not onlyenabled the development of a scientific study of thecomplexity of this problem, but also to allow, based on theconformation of the GRANDE Platform, a strategic
partnership between an Academic Institution like the UMSA(San Andres University) and a Government Institution like
MMAyA (Ministry of Environment and Water) has
established to share a mutually benefits. In this order, theMMAyA can expect the UMSA capabilities to solve theproblems related to the water resources evaluation and, theUMSA can open a new research topics about the water
resources related problems.
Regarding to the scientific way, the GRANDE Project has set
up the Bolivian working team in to a five components related
to Glaciology, Run‐off, Erosion and Sedimentation, Water
quality and water resources management.
The knowledge of useful tools, techniques andmethodologies, current and consistent with contemporary
development of science and technology has been transferredfrom our Japanese counterpart to the Bolivian team.
Training and education of our young human resources in
specialized water resources scientific problem have been
done; as well as managing the techniques and methodologies
to study and solve them.
Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to Prof. Hitoshi
Tanaka, Project Leader for the wise leadership of theGRANDE Project; to the Academic Japanese Project Team in
facing the challenge of driving an adequate management ofwater resources; to the funders and sponsors of the GRANDE
project (SATREPS, JST and JICA); to the UMSA Authorities andto the Bolivian GRANDE Project team for the work done andgoals achieved.
The science and engineering of water resources continue in
its evolution, and in the future we hope that new initiatives
and new research projects will allow to work together again.
Thank you very much to all of you.

2

Photo: Prof. Angel Aliaga Rivera,
Higher San Andres University, Bolivia

Photo: Prof. Andres Calizaya Terceros,
Higher San Andres University, Bolivia

GRANDE News Letter, Vol.3, No.2, March 2015

Activity Report
GRANDE Data Catalogue
GRANDE project published data catalog version 1 in July,
2014. This catalog illustrates study area, andmeteorological, hydrological and water quality datameasured in GRANDE project. These data were very
valuable to understand climate change effect in Andean
mountains as well as model development for water
resources management. In addition, we are discussing
more useful ways to use data with Bolivian government
and water‐related company. Version 2 are also going tobe published in February, 2015.
Photo: GRANDE data catalogue

GRANDE Water Resources Platform
On October 27, 2014, UMSA and MMAyA signed anagreement on establishment of GRANDE Water
Resources Platform. This platform provides opportunity
to share scientific knowledge of climate change impact
and discuss adaptation of water resources management
among university, government, water‐related company
and development aid agency.
On December 1, second meeting of GRANDE platform
was held at IIS‐UMSA and members were MMAyA,UMSA, Tohoku University, SENAMHI, EPSAS, Municipal
Government of La Paz, El Alto Municipal Government,JICA, World Bank and the Inter‐American Development
Bank attend meeting. Platform is planning to apply
outcome of GRANDE in water management.

Photo: Platform meeting on December 1, 2014

Water Management Seminar
GRANDE project held training program of watermanagement from December 6th to 12th, 2014 atTohoku University, Japan. The training is designed forBolivian policy maker to learn adaptation of watermanagement to climate and social change. Six policy
makers participated from ministry of environment,
public company of water supply and sanitation, and San
Andres University.
Seminar consisted of lectures and field studies. In day 1
to 3, Prof. Tanaka, Project leader of GRANDE, showed
impact of climate change on water resourcesmanagement. Mr. Miyazaki of the Japan international
Cooperation Agency gave a lecture on integrated water
resources management in developing country. Prof.
Okumura and Mr. Gustavo also gave a lecture of water
management system which is one of the main outcome3

Photo: Lecture of integrate water resourcesmanagement by Mr. Miyazaki, JICA

GRANDE News Letter, Vol.3, No.2, March 2015of GRANDE. During lecture, they had to opportunity todiscussion about adaptation of water management toclimate change, actively.
In day 4, participants visited Tohoku University’s
Kawatabi field seminar center to learn sewage
treatment with artificial wetland. Dr. Nakano made alecture in the field. This system is suitable fordeveloping countries because of their low operationaland maintenance coast.
In day 5, participants visited Sichigasyuku Dam andNanbuyama water treatment plant in Miyagi prefecture.
In this area, meltwater from snow is one of the main
water resources. They learned Japan’s currently
reservoir operation and drinking water supply andasked many questions to local experts.

Photo: participants with Prof. Okumura

Photo: Lecture of sewage treatment withartificial wetland by Dr. Nakano

Photo: Operation space at Sichigashuku dam

Photo: Nanbuyama water treatment plant

Photo: Tasting drinking water produced byNanbuyama water treatment plant

GRANDE Students
Gustavo AYALA TICONA, Master course student, Tohoku University
My name is Gustavo Ayala Ticona. I am master's student at Tohoku University in Sendai. I am from Bolivia.
Within the GRANDE project my research is focused on the analysis of water management for the cities of El4

GRANDE News Letter, Vol.3, No.2, March 2015

Alto and La Paz in my country. Regarding my studies, I
am in the final steps of the Masters course. I consider allthings I learned here until now invaluable and I would
like to thank JST/JICA‐SATREPS for giving me theopportunity to make my studies at Tohoku University,
similarly, thanks to Japanese professors specially to myadvisor Prof. Makoto Okumura and Dr. Yoshihiro Asaoka
who share their knowledge and experience with me toimprove day by day my research during the mastercourse.
Regarding the area of water resources management in
the cities of La Paz and El Alto, strategies for joint
planning between the company in charge of watersupplied systems in the two cities (EPSAS) are handled
and the ministry of environment (MMAyA). Several
initiatives have been defined on the inclusion of newwater sources. In the case of my research interest has
been focused on offering an additional alternative
related to the improvement in the conditions ofdistribution current system, it means, reducing water
losses (leakage) in the system through a simulation
model of losses in distribution networks. These systems
are characterized by a significant loss due to material
conditions, topography and policy maintenance andoperation of the networks. The results of modelinglosses are intended to raise awareness about theconditions that will be generated in the future due toincreased demand and reduced water supply in thesesystems, in this sense, the spatial distribution of loss isimportant in the process of socialization of the problem
addressed to the population and water company.
Furthermore, the results of estimated future loss
scenarios are helpful in the water balance issues,
something that can be implemented as an useful tool in
the planning and operation between distribution
systems, in order to more efficient management in thenext years.

Photo Presentation in the fourth Asian seminar inregional science, Seoul, Korea

Photo: Mr. Gustavo Ayala Ticona

Figure: Estimation of water loss estimation in
the drinking water supply network

Photo: Discussion with Prof. Okumura

5

GRANDE News Letter, Vol.3, No.2, March 2015

Publication ListJournal2014.04-2015.03• Hokuto TAKEMURA and Tsuyoshi KINOUCHI, 2015: Quantification of wetlands distribution and form in
the highland Andes and its hydrological effects, Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Der. B1(Hydraulic Engineering), Vol.71 (in print).
• Evelin HUMEREZ and Makoto UMEDA, 2015: Seasonal and spatial variation of stream water quality in
the Royal Range of Andes, Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. B1 (Hydraulic Engineering),Vol.71 (in print).
• Kazuki YOSHIZAWA, Yoshihiro ASAOKA, Pablo FUCHS and So KAZAMA, 2014: Future projection of glaciervariation of the tropical Huayna Potosi West glacier with mass balance and melt model, Journal of Japan
Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. G (Environmental Research), Vol.70, No.5, pp. I_219‐I_225.
• Evelin HUMEREZ and Makoto UMEDA, 2014 : Macrophyte biomass, nutrients and primary production ofa tropical glacier river in the Andes, Jjournal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. G (EnvironmentalResearch), Vol.70, No.5, pp. I_227‐I_233.
• V. Moya Quiroga, A. Mano, Y. Asaoka, K. Udo, S. Kure, J. Mendoza, 2014: Estimation of Glacier Melt
Water Contribution for Human Consumption in the Royal Andes Considering Temperature
Measurement Errors, Open Journal of Modern Hydrology, Vol.4, No.2, pp.I_27‐43
doi:10.4236/ojmh.2014.42003.

Conference Proceedings• Gustavo AYALA T., Makoto OKUMURA, Jinyoung KIM: Water Demand and Supply Balance by Using
Urban Spatial Development Model and System Dynamics, Tottori, Japan, June November 11, 2014.
• TSUYOSHI KINOUCHI, JAVIER MENDOZA, JOSÉ LUNA: Modeling hydrological impact of glacier retreat inBolivian Andes under changing climate, Proceedings of the 19th IAHR‐APD Congress 2014, Hanoi,Vietnam , September 24, 2014.
• V. MOYA QUIROGA, A. MANO, Y. ASAOKA, K. UDO, S. KURE, J. MENDOZA: RAINFALL SNOWFALL
ESTIMATION CONSIDERING TEMPERATURE UNCERTAINTIES: THE ANDEAN BASINS CONDORIRI AND
HUAYNA WEST, 19th IAHR‐APD Congress 2014, Hanoi, Vietnam , September 24, 2014.
• V. MOYA QUIROGA, A. MANO, Y. ASAOKA, K. UDO, S. KURE, J. MENDOZA: ENERGY MASS BALANCE AND
EQUILIBRIUM LINE ALTITUDE IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE ROYAL ANDES: THE HUAYNA POTOSI WESTGLACIER, 19th IAHR‐APD Congress 2014, Hanoi, Vietnam , September 24, 2014.
• MAKOTO UMEDA & KEISUKE TANI: ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY INFLUENCE BY A FUTURE CLIMATECHANGE IN A RESERVOIR LOCATED IN THE BOLIVIAN ANDES, 19th IAHR‐APD Congress 2014, Hanoi,Vietnam , September 24, 2014.
• EVELIN HUMEREZ & MAKOTO UMEDA: INFLUENCE OF NUTRIENTS IN WATER AND SEDIMENTS ON
MACROPHYTE GROWTH IN A GLACIER RIVER IN THE BOLIVIAN ANDES, 19th IAHR‐APD Congress 2014,Hanoi, Vietnam , September 23, 2014.
• FABIANA MERCADO, NAOYA IMAIZUMI AND SEIKI KAWAGOE: EVALUATION ON HIGHT MOUNTAINVEGETATION UNDER THE GLACIER AREA, TUNI RESERVOIR IN BOLIVIA, 19th IAHR‐APD Congress 2014,Hanoi, Vietnam , September 23, 2014.
• Evelin HUMEREZ, Makoto Umeda y Francisco Bellot A.: VARIACIONES ESPACIALES Y TEMPORALES DE LACALIDAD DEL AGUA Y LA VEGETACIÓN ACUÁTICA EN EL RÍO CONDORIRI EN LOS ANDES, XXVI Congreso
Latinoamericano de Hidráulica, Santiago, Chile, August 29, 2014.
• Gabriela Sossa Ledezma, Hitoshi Tanaka: EVALUACIÓN DE LA TASA DE DEPOSICIÓN DE SEDIMENTO,XXVI Congreso Latinoamericano de Hidráulica, Santiago, Chile, August 29, 2014.
• Kazuki Yoshizawa, Yoshihiro Asaoka and Pablo Fuchs: EVALUATION OF ANNUAL VARIATION IN SURFACE
AREA AND MELTWATER OF TROPICAL GLACIERS IN BOLIVIA FOR THE NEXT THREE DECADES, XXVI
Congreso Latinoamericano de Hidráulica, Santiago, Chile, August 29, 2014.

6

GRANDE News Letter, Vol.3, No.2, March 2015

May, 2010

July, 2012

June, 2013

June, 2014

Photo: Change in Condoriri glacier front

Photo: Closing Ceremony on February 26 at UMSA

Copyright & Contact
Department of Civil engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
6-6-06 Aoba Aramaki, Sendai JAPAN 980-8579
http://grande.civil.tohoku.ac.jp/index_e.html
newsletter@grande.civil.tohoku.ac.jp544