On 8 July, the EU4Environment - Water Resources and Environmental Data programme hosted a Regional Workshop on Quantitative Water Management Planning. Organised by the International Office for Water, the online event brought together 166 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. This workshop highlighted the importance of integrating quantitative water management into River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) across the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries.

The rising costs of climate extremes and the urgent need for adaptation

The workshop opened with remarks from Lukas Repa of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment. He highlighted Europe's increasing risk of megadroughts and extreme floods. Repa noted that these events currently cause €9 billion of damage annually from droughts and €7.8 billion from floods, the latter affecting more than 170,000 people each year (EU and UK estimates for 2020). Without adaptation and with a projected warming of +3°C by 2100, these costs are expected to increase exponentially. Lukas Repa then recalled the existing EU strategies and guidelines to help countries adapt.

Quantitative water management planning at local level: Guidance Document to be published soon

The workshop continued with a presentation of the French experience in implementing quantitative management. This was complemented by a detailed presentation of the "Guide on Quantitative Water Management Planning at Local Level", specifically tailored for the Eastern Partnership countries (to be published soon). The guide provides a comprehensive five-step approach to developing and implementing effective quantitative water management plans.

Developing a Quantitative Management Plan in Armenia's Kasakh Sub-basin

A practical case study presented a pilot quantitative water management plan in the Kasakh river sub-basin in Armenia (located in the Hrazdan basin). This demonstrated the application of the principles of the guide in a drought-affected basin in the Eastern Partnership region with limited data on actual water withdrawals.

Alexander Arakelyan, a hydrologist, explained the methodology used by the Armenian experts. They first identified critical nodal points in the basin to better assess the situation in the sub-basin. Water use per nodal point was estimated, environmental flows (minimum flow required for ecosystem health) were calculated, and water balances (total water available for distribution and use) were determined. The Kasakh Quantitative Management Plan then set thresholds for vigilance, alert, reinforced alert, and crisis levels to improve equitable water resource management.

Exchange of experiences between EaP countries  

In the final part of the workshop, representatives from the EaP countries shared their perspectives and strategies on quantitative water management, highlighting the diversity of challenges and approaches within the region. 

 Presentations (click on the presentation to download the PDF)

EU Policies for Floods, Droughts & Water Scarcity - Lukas Repa - 08072024
Quantitative Water Management Planning in the context of River Basin Management Plans - Margot Clarys - 08072024 - EU4ENV
Water Allocation in Transboundary Basins: tools, approaches & lessons learned under the Water Convention - Alexander Belokurov - 08072024
French Experience - Guillaume Poincheval - Pierre Henry de Villeneuve - 08072024 - EU4ENV
Presentation of the QWMP Guide - Xavier Goossens - 08072024 - EU4ENV
Armenian experience Kazakh - Alexander Arakelyan - 08072024 -EU4ENV
Contextualizing Quantitative Water Mangement in Armenia - Lilit Abrhamyan - 08072024
Contextualizing Quantitative Water Management in Azerbaijan - Rafig Veridyev - 08072024

Agenda

As a follow-up to the National Policy Dialogue on Water in Ukraine (19-20 June), an online meeting between Ukraine and Armenia on the transposition and implementation of Directive 2020/2184/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption (Drinking Water Directive, DWD) was held on 3 July.

The main points of discussion were the development of the DWD roadmap, similarities and differences between the Directive and the national legislation (SanPIN), exemptions from the provisions of the Directive taking into account military actions, the risk-based approach and links between monitoring under the DWD and the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC.

The meeting was attended by Ms Nune Bakunts, Deputy Secretary General of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of Armenia, Mr Oleksandr Shkin, Deputy Head of UkrvodokanalEkologiya, representatives of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

The online bilateral meeting and the DWD Roadmap for Armenia were developed under the EU4Environment - Water Resources and Environmental Data programme and facilitated by UNECE.

The 11th meeting of the Roundtable on Financing Water took place on 30-31 May and focused on the EU's Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Held in Brussels, Belgium, the event highlighted the needs and opportunities for accelerating investment in water-related sectors in line with the priorities of the EaP countries.

Key highlights:

The opening session provided an overview of the achievements and remaining financing challenges in the region, emphasising environmental and climate resilience and the promotion of fair and inclusive societies. The Eastern Partnership Economic and Investment Plan aims to mobilise €17 billion by 2027, and the EU's Global Gateway Initiative targets up to €300 billion to address global challenges, including water management.

Throughout the sessions, discussions focused on improving investment decisions for the implementation of EU water legislation, the enabling environment for water security investments and the use of economic instruments such as taxes and tariffs. Innovative approaches to mobilising finance for sustainable water management and addressing the challenges of river basin management planning were highlighted. The potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) as cost-effective alternatives to traditional infrastructure was also explored, underlining the importance of new knowledge and financing approaches.

The Roundtable underlined the importance of innovative solutions, sound policy frameworks and strategic investments to improve water management and security in the Eastern Partnership countries.

For more information and to download the discussion highlights:  https://www.oecd.org/en/events/2024/05/eleventh-meeting-of-the-roundtable-on-financing-Water.html

The EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data programme recently organized a comprehensive training on surface water data analysis, aligned with the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The training sessions, held in Vienna, Austria, were conducted by the Austrian Environment Agency on 21-22 May for Armenian and Georgian professionals and on 28-29 May 2024 for Moldovan and Ukrainian professionals 

The training aimed to equip participants with robust data analysis skills necessary for effective water resource management and compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).  

Participants gained insights into the relevance of the EU directive for water quality and environmental monitoring. The training covered key parameters, methods, and sampling techniques used in water quality assessment within the WFD framework.  

Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, participants developed proficiency in various data analysis techniques, statistical tools, and software applications used for evaluating and interpreting water quality data.  

The training enhanced participants' skills in identifying trends, anomalies, and compliance with WFD standards through data analysis. Participants also improved their ability to communicate data analysis results effectively using data visualization techniques. 

As we bid farewell to 2023, a year of transformative progress, we express our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and stakeholders in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgian, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

In our pursuit of sustainable water management and environmental data excellence, 2023 marked significant milestones. From initiating and further developing River Basin Management Plans (RBMP), to using satellite data for environmental monitoring in Eastern Partner countries to pioneering wastewater-based epidemiology - each step was a testament to our shared commitment.

In 2024 our journey towards a more resilient and vibrant European continent continues, underlining the importance of nature-inspired resource management.

We wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year filled with sustainable solutions and harmonious coexistence with nature.