Observatory Water & Soil - Water part (OWS-W)

The topics addressed by the water group within the Observatory Water & Soil are water quality and water shortage. The overriding policy for the observatory is the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) but water management in general at regional level is addressed.

The Water Framework Directive addresses many issues of various aspects regarding water quality and quantity, some are:

• Longterm protection of the water in Europe
• Obtain and remain good water quality, as well as prevent degradation
• Secured access to water (right amount, right place and at right time)
• Relevant water fees
• Spatial reporting
• Water management by river basin - the natural geographical and hydrological unit
• Transnational reporting and management plans

The Observatory addresses the WFD as a key policy covering a broad range of implications, where information derived from Earth observation satellites can contribute to a high extent, providing spatial information on environmental pressure and state, which can be translated to pollution risks and environmental indicators required from decision makers.

For questions or comments, please contact the OWS-W task manager Ulrihca Malmberg at ulrihca.malmberg@lm.se.