Mediterranean Groundwater Working Group

 

The Mediterranean Groundwater WG (MED-EUWI Working Group on Groundwater) was set up in September 2004, as a thematic group of the Mediterranean Joint Process between the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED-EUWI). In parallel, it was directly linked to the EU Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). 

 

The objective of the Mediterranean Groundwater WG is to exchange experiences, share common challenges and develop synergies between EU and non EU countries of the Mediterranean region, aiming at the adoption of a common vision on groundwater resources management, based on the Water Framework Directive (WFD) approaches and objectives and the regional conditions.

 

During its first phase (2004-2006), a report (Mediterranean Groundwater Report) has been prepared by the members of the WG. Among other issues, this report includes:

• description and analysis of the role and importance of the groundwater resources for the Mediterranean region,

• an identification of the most significant problems, pressing needs and challenges for the region regarding groundwater resources management,

• specific recommendations, based on the WFD approach and the experiences of the EU and non-EU countries of the region,

• approaches and aspects of the WFD which need specific attention and proper adaptation in the Mediterranean context.

 

The Mediterranean Groundwater WG, during the second phase (2007-2009) of the Mediterranean Joint Process, will be engaged mainly in the development and/or promotion of common approach methodologies and techniques for optimal groundwater exploitation and pollution control in the Mediterranean, based on the experiences of the EU and non-EU countries of the region, existing best practices and the regional conditions.

PRODIM – Proactive Management of Water Systems to face drought and water scarcity in islands and coastal areas of the Mediterranean

The Malta Resources Authority is participating in PRODIM, a transnational co-operation project financed under the EU Programme – Interreg III B Archimed.  The partners in the project include the National Technical University of Athens, the University of Thessaly, the Cyprus Meteorological Service, the University of Catania, the Hydrographic Regionl Office in Sicily, the Regional Agency for Environment Protection of Basilicata  and the Prefectures of Cyclades and Laconia.. 

The overall objective of the PRODIM project is to develop a comprehensive pro-active management plan to combat drought and water scarcity in drought-prone areas of the Mediterranean region with particular reference to the islands and coastal areas. 

Additional details are available from www.project-prodim.eu

WATER-MAP – Development and utilisation of vulnerability maps for the monitoring and management of groundwater resources in the Archimed area

The Malta Resources Authority is participating in WATER-MAP, a transnational co-operation project financed under the EU Programme – Interreg III B Archimed.  The partners in the project include Regional Development Agency and the Environmental Centre of Western Macedonia, the University of Thessalonika, the Development Agency of Larnaca, the Liri-Garigliano and Volturno River Basin Authority and the Italian National Research Centre.  The project also includes two non-EU partners – the Palestinian Water Development Organisation and the Akdeniz University of Antalya.

The overall objective of the PRODIM project is the application of the DRASTIC method in the Archimed area in order to produce vulnerability maps related to groundwater pollution, and the utilisation of these maps in a spatial model for the monitoring and management of groundwater resources.