1. Development of partnership on groundwater issues between the countries (EU and non) EU of the Mediterranean region Development of partnership on groundwater issues between the countries (EU and non) EU of the Mediterranean region GW5: The MED-EUWI Groundwater Working Group Brussels, October 2005 Brussels, October 2005

2. CIS MED JOINT PROCESS GW5: MED-EUWI Groundwater WG WFD CIS WG C (Groundwater) GW1: Monitoring GW2: Protected areas GW3: Direct/indirect Inputs GW4: Status and Trends MED EUWI / WFD Joint Process Water Scarcity WG Rural Development/ Agriculture WG GW5: The MED-EUWI Groundwater WG

3. FINAL OUTPUT MEDITERRANEAN DOCUMENT ON GROUNDWATER: MEDITERRANEAN DOCUMENT ON GROUNDWATER: Technical specifications and specific recommendations on issues relating to groundwater resources management in the Mediterranean region, based on the WFD approach and the regional conditions. Technical specifications and specific recommendations on issues relating to groundwater resources management in the Mediterranean region, based on the WFD approach and the regional conditions.

4. PRIORITY ISSUES – CHAPTERS OF THE MED DOCUMENT Over exploitation of groundwater resources Deterioration in groundwater quality (Saline water intrusion, chemical GW pollution, protected areas) Groundwater monitoring and data management International cooperation Institutional aspects

5. PROGRESS Identification of the main “contributors” for each chapter of the final report (Mediterranean Document on Groundwater) Drafting of the first elements of the final report Development and operation of electronic page and forum (hosted by EMWIS): http://www.emwis.org/GroundWaterHome.htm http://www.emwis.org/GroundWaterHome.htm

6. WAY FORWARD Drafting of the different chapters of the Med document on GW (final report by June 2006) First draft report until November 2005 to be presented in the EU-MED WDs Forum (Rome, 24-25/11/05) Meetings / workshops for discussions between the WG members and GW experts

7. Groundwater resources in the Mediterranean region (% of the total renewable resources)

8. GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION Groundwater resources represent more than 21% of the total renewable resources in Mediterranean countries, with very wide variations from one to another country Almost 10% of groundwater resources in Mediterranean countries come from non renewable resources

9. GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION Aquifers over-exploitation is considerable in many Mediterranean countries Coastal aquifers suffer from over-exploitation due to the concentration of agriculture and tourism in coastal areas Coastal groundwater has been reduced to below sea level by excessive pumping in many parts of the region

10. Areas of groundwater overexploitation and salinisation

11. GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION Agriculture is by far the most important groundwater use activity in the Mediterranean region Agriculture withdrawals represent 58% of total groundwater withdrawals in the Mediterranean countries Agricultural activities not only threaten the availability (quantity) but also the quality of groundwater due to the extensive use of fertilisers, pesticides and release of olive-oil-mill wastes

12. Sectorial Water Demand distribution in Mediterranean countries (%)

13. GROUNDWATER MONITORING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Current situation: Groundwater monitoring has become a standard practice only in certain parts of the region. In many parts of the region, no significant and systematic groundwater monitoring going on or only project-wise or problem-driven. Until recently many monitoring networks in the region were developed for the assessment only of the groundwater quantitative status (water level). Groundwater quality management became an issue only recently. There is a lack of standard groundwater monitoring procedures and thus datasets from different part of the region, in many cases, can not be compared.

14. GROUNDWATER MONITORING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Current situation: Current situation: The situation is rather different in the north Mediterranean countries (EU Member States), where groundwater management comes under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which requires the formal implementation of long-term monitoring activities. Groundwater monitoring strategies are under revision or amendment, in order to be in line with the requirements of the WFD. The situation is rather different in the north Mediterranean countries (EU Member States), where groundwater management comes under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which requires the formal implementation of long-term monitoring activities. Groundwater monitoring strategies are under revision or amendment, in order to be in line with the requirements of the WFD.

15. GROUNDWATER MONITORING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Existing data are not sufficient or reliable enough to plan regional actions for the sustainable use of groundwater. The lack of sufficient and reliable data causes a considerable risk of deterioration of the groundwater status, both quantity and quality, without sufficient warning. Existing data are not sufficient or reliable enough to plan regional actions for the sustainable use of groundwater. The lack of sufficient and reliable data causes a considerable risk of deterioration of the groundwater status, both quantity and quality, without sufficient warning.

16. GROUNDWATER MONITORING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Transboundary aquifers: Although there are some good examples of ongoing programmes on transboundary water cooperation in the region, such activities are scarce and lack coordination. Harmonisation of network design, measurement frequency, standards, quality control and data storage and processing will be needed for setting up efficient transboundary groundwater monitoring.

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION http://www.emwis.org/GroundWaterHome.htm