Modified methodological framework for sustainability evaluation of existing hydraulic structures in Romania: The case study of Cincis Dam, Hunedoara

Abstract

This study presents the development of a framework to evaluate the sustainability of existing dams and dikes infrastructures, after several years of being in operation. The proposed framework starts from the coherent and internationally recognized sustainability method of International Hydropower Association (IHA), which is defined for structures in design phase, and adapts it for existing in-operation infrastructures. As such, it highlights the opportunities for improvement and the development of a sustainability evaluation framework that is easy to understand. The framework can be used mainly by Romanian water boards, which are certifying in-operation structures, and can be equally used to check the sustainability of the infrastructures by its owners and stakeholders.

As an example the proposed adapted framework is applied on the Cincis dam of Hunedoara County. The dam is checked for certification in accordance to Romanian standards and sustainability results based on the adapted protocol, showing that the dam performs well from sustainable point of view. The proposed protocol is valuable because it gives Romanian Waters more insights, than just the certification from structural point of view. Moreover, this proposed modified framework holds the potential to actively facilitate the fulfilment of the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) committed to by Romania under the ambit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.