Water quality monitoring reveals the health of rivers, lakes, coasts and groundwater. It comprises repeated (with defined parameters and frequency) analysis of water quality, through sampling at field sites, analysis in the laboratory, and data interpretation. The EU Water Framework Directive relies firstly on ecological monitoring investigating the actual status of indicator species in each local water body (biological and hydromorphological monitoring).The results of water monitoring are incorporated into River Basin Management Plans to inform on the current status of all surface and groundwater (intact or deteriorated) and on the effect of measures implemented for its rehabilitation.
In Georgia, the approaches of water monitoring follow basic principles and were not further developed since EUWI+ ended. In the Enguri and Rioni River Basin Districts, water monitoring data are largely missing, except for basic physico-chemistry. Additional surveys and trainings are planned.
The EU4Environment Water and Data programme supports additional capacity building in water monitoring for coastal, transitional waters, surface waters, and groundwater. Monitoring designs of the new Enguri and Rioni River Basin Districts will be established and existing and recently introduced monitoring designs of other River Basin Districts are checked, reviewed, and further improved to comply with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.
