Provision of life-saving WASH services in Northern Syria and Yemen – Public Comments Invited

July 21, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada must determine whether the proposed Provision of life-saving WASH services, located in Northern Syria and Yemen, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Global Affairs Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by August 21, 2025 to:

Environment Specialists 

Global Affairs Canada 

200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau (QC) J8X 4B7

Email:?CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The 24-month project "Provision of life-saving WASH services in Northern Syria and Yemen" aims to deliver a multifaceted WASH intervention to address the most urgent needs in both countries, affected by protracted humanitarian crises, including mass displacement and deteriorating public basic services particularly affecting women, children and vulnerable groups. To meet the critical WASH needs and reduce health risks for vulnerable women, men, boys and girls, Acted will improve access to safe water and inclusive gender-sensitive WASH services through the rehabilitation or upgrade of WASH infrastructure in health facilities, water supply assets, and sanitation infrastructure at community level, whilst at the household level emergency water trucking services will be provided.

To achieve the project's goals, a number of physical activities will be implemented:

• Installation of solar energy system for the Mountain Upper Water Station in Andan, Aleppo, Syria;
• Installation of solar energy system for Byanon Water Station, Aleppo, Syria;
• Installation of solar energy system for Upper Shghur Water Station, Idlib, Syria;
• Installation of new pumping lines and water networks in Al Hould, Al Dhalee, Yemen;
• Installation of new pumping lines and water networks in Wadi Hashaw Water Project and Al Alsofi Water Project, Saadah, Yemen;
• Installation of new pumping lines and water networks in Hisn Banny Saed and Salil Al Shal Water Project, Al Jawf, Yemen.
• Installation of new pumping lines and water networks for rainwater harvesting system, and rehabilitation of water dam wall works in Borat and Qusabah villages, Al Dhalee, Yemen.
• Installation of new pumping lines and water networks in Gashal Al Bara and Jaw An Nassem water assets, Marib, and Qatabalah City Asset, Al Dhalee, Yemen;
• Expansion of the old sewage network in the Al-Himiyah area;
• Establishment of a new main sewer line in Qabtan Eljabal, Aleppo, Syria;
• Establishment of a new sewage network in the Al-Qarniyah area, Syria;
• Expansion of existing sewage network, Idlib, Syria

Where erosion control measures are inadequate, rehabilitation activities associated with the project have the potential to result in land degradation and associated loss of soil fertility and increased sedimentation in nearby water bodies. To address this potential impact, the proposed project incorporates measures for ensuring erosion control, such as vegetative barriers, erosion control blankets, and proper site grading, into planned rehabilitation activities. For instance, the areas designated for solar energy installation are all rocky, clay, sandy, bare surfaces without any vegetation.

 

Description of the physical activities: water infrastructure

• Rehabilitation of the water station buildings: wrought iron doors and windows will be repaired, and the floor of pumping rooms will be cast with plain concrete. Cement-based materials will be used during the restoration process.
• Connection and installation of existing backup horizontal pumps in the station, using galvanized iron pipes for the connection.
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines will be used for the water networks and fully buried underground. These pipes are deliberately routed away from the road to minimize risks of damage and ensure long-term sustainability. The project will prioritize the use of such pipelines, especially in soil-based terrain areas
• Where pipelines can't be buried (such as in mountainous areas), they will be made of galvanized iron and installed on the surface and secured by using concrete support. Those pipes will be purposefully installed away from the road to prevent damage caused by road movements. They can only be installed near roads when no other alternative path is available (crossing for example). In such cases pipelines are securely supported or buried underground.
• Installation of solar energy systems to operate the water stations. Solar panels will be installed on wrought iron mounting bases. Copper electrical cables will be used, along with electronic devices to operate the necessary equipment (including inverters). A lightning-resistant grounding system will be installed. Existing solar panels will be reused through reinstallation and supplemented with new panels. Cement-based materials will be used for the construction of the foundations. Additionally, fencing will be installed to secure the solar systems.
• Providing and installing the mechanical and electrical equipment for the water stations. Submersible pumps will be installed inside the wells. Three-core electrical copper cables (3 x 95 mm² x 100m) will be connected to the wells. All equipment placed within the well will be fully insulated and specially designed for underwater use.
• Providing and installing the water sterilization system for the water station. The sterilization system consists of a high-pressure electric pulse pump operating at 220 volts, in addition to PVC pipes designated for transporting the disinfectant solution. Sealed barrels will also be provided to contain the disinfectant solution, ensuring it remains securely closed.
• Rehabilitation of the ground water tank. Wrought iron will be used to repair the doors and openings. Old valves will be replaced with new ones specifically designed for drinking water use. Old and damaged plasters will be changed and epoxy paint, suitable for drinking water, will be used for the interior walls of the water tanks. For tower water tanks, the structures' foundations will be reinforced with cement.
• Rehabilitation and expansion of water dam walls. Impurity free and non-permeable stone will be used for the walls and will be filled with crushed stone and plain concrete in order to ensure long term sustainability of the works.
• The solar water desalination plan will comprise a high-pressure pump (stainless steel), pre-treatment modules (such as sand filter), activated carbon filter, R.O unit and UV unit for disinfection, in order to ensure the quality of the drinking water.
• Installation of Chlorine dosing unit. Dosing pump with no-return PVC valves and stock tank for concentrated calcium hypochlorite solution will be installed and safety equipment and tools provided.

 

Description of the physical activities: wastewater infrastructure

• Main outfall line maintenance. Polyethylene corrugated pipes will be installed and manholes will be constructed. Cement-based materials will be used for the construction of the manholes
• Implementation of cleaning works and removal of blockages in sewage pipes. Blockages in the sewage network will be removed using a sewage vacuum and jetting vehicle
• Cleaning sewage manholes/chambers in the village. Manholes will be cleaned and cleared, and waste materials will be removed and disposed of properly.
• Installation of manhole covers. Covers will be installed to seal open manholes.
• Repair damaged manholes in the village. Walls, floors, and concrete covers of the damaged manholes will be reconstructed. Cement-based materials will be used for the construction of the manholes.