Groundwater (JP)

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 Implemrntation 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.

Working Group leaders and their contact details:

	Useful links
	Contributions - Background documents
	Meetings
	Groundwater Private area [Restricted access]
	Mediterranean Groundwater Report Final version (15 February 2007)
	Latest Mandate of the Second Phase of the Mediterranean Groundwater WG (v. 24/9/07) Specific objectives and workplan of the second phase of the WG
	Mediterranean Groundwater WG Questionnaire Short questionnaire to be filled out by the members of the WG suggesting the topics to be addressed
	General outline of the Mediterranean Groundwater WG Description of the priorities and objectives of the Mediterranean Groundwater WG
	Guidance Documents - CIRCA library Guidance Documents on technical aspects, produced by the Common Implementation Strategy for the EU Water Framework Directive
	Technical Reports on Groundwater - CIRCA library Technical Reports produced by the WG C on Groundwater under the Common Implementation Strategy for the EU Water Framework Directive
	New Groundwater Directive Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration
	Waterbase - Groundwater Waterbase is the generic name given to the EEA's databases on the status and quality of Europe's rivers, lakes, groundwater bodies and transitional, coastal and marine waters, and on the quantity of Europe's water resources. Waterbase contains timely, reliable and policy-relevant data collected from EEA member countries through the Eionet-Water (formerly known as Eurowaternet) process. Eionet-Water selects validated monitoring data from national databases and adds information on the physical characteristics of the water bodies being monitored and on the pressures potentially affecting water quality. The added value of Waterbase is that data collected through the Eionet-Water process are from statistically stratified monitoring stations and groundwater bodies and are comparable at the European level. Waterbase data are primarily used in the production of the EEA's indicator-based factsheets.
	Joint Process - Phase II -2007-2009 Description of the Joint Process phase II, including working groups mandate