Visegrad Fund
This page is dedicated to the "Knowledge transfer on aquatic ecosystem accidental pollution within the climate change to Georgia" project, which is supported by the Visegrad Fund. (https://www.visegradfund.org/)
Knowledge transfer on aquatic ecosystem accidental pollution within the climate change to Georgia
Short description of the project:
The main purpose of the project is to contribute to promoting the Visegrad regional cooperation in pollution accidents in transboundary surface water bodies and knowledge transfer to Georgia conditions, where majority of the surface water bodies are transboundary ones. The following activities are planned: Analysis of the previous pollution accidents in Georgia and Case studies from the Visegrad Region (River Slana SVK, River Tisza HU, River Becva CZ and Odra PL); Development of the Manual for action of the National Environmental Agency and Environmental Inspection in case of the pollution accident in surface water bodies in Georgia, taking into account the effect of the climate change (low flow and high water temperature on ecosystems; Training workshop on surface water pollution issues for the water quality experts and decision makers in Georgia. focused on an integrated approach to act during the pollution accidents (including sampling execise); Study visit of NEA experts in Slovakia transboundary surface water bodies, where in the field activities will be presented and consultation with the State Administration representatives.
Lists project partners
Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences: www.uh.sav.sk
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute: https://www.chmi.cz/
Polish Commitee for Global Water Partnership: https://gwppl.org
Global Water Partnership Hungary Foundation: www.gwpmo.hu
LEPL National Environmental Agency: https://nea.gov.ge
Deliverables
1. Online kick-off meeting (12th March 2024)
This was the first Kick-off project meeting, involving all project partners. It was held by Teams from the project coordinator office in Bratislava. The project partners discussed objectives, deliverables, reporting and plan of activities (time frame). Specifically, they agreed on the structure of the Analysis of the previous pollution accidents and four Case studies from VF4 countries as the one of the main activity.
A presentation containing the project's objectives and activities is available here:
2. Analysis of the previous pollution accidents in Georgia and Case studies from the Visegrad Region
Analysis of the previous pollution accidents in surface waters from the point sources of was developed, where both causes and sources of pollution were described. This part was followed by the evaluation of the damages on the aquatic ecosystems and measures taken to prevent future accidents. Important part was description of the "natural" surface water system to distinguish between the real pollution and impact of the climate change. Furthermore, Gap analysis was included (V4 legislation and technical norms and Georgian situation). Four Case studies from the Visegrad Region (River Slana SVK, River Tisza HU, River Becva CZ and Odra PL) were structured in the way to give transparent view on the activities done by the responsible bodies in each V4 Region to cope with the pollution accidents. The case studies were also described the different sources of pollution which caused the damages on the surface water bodies and highlights the shortcomings from the processes during and after pollution accidents done by the authorities. The analysis and four case studies will be used potentially in the next project proposal related to the Manual for action of the National Environmental Agency and Environmental Inspection in case of the pollution accident in surface water bodies in Georgia.
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3. Training workshop on surface water pollution issues for the water quality experts, inspectors and decision makers in Georgia (8-10th October, 2024)
The Training workshop on surface water pollution issues for the water quality experts, inspectors and decision makers in Georgia delivered the best knowledge and experience from V4 countries to cope with the pollution accidents in surface water bodies. These methods are based on the principles defined in the EU Directives as Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (WFD) and Directive 2004/35/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (ELD). The workshop will raise awareness of participants on the activities related to before, during and after pollution accidents and communication issues among the competent authorities. The workshop was last 3 days (2 theoretical and 1 field exercise in transboundary surface water body, with surface water and waste water sampling). Each day was dedicated to specific topics related to the pollution accident for different pollutants (dangerous substances).
Presentations from Training Workshop are available here:
4. Study visit of NEA´s expert, Bratislava, SK (10-17th, November, 2024)
Study visit was concentrated on the pollution accidents in Slovakia on the transboundary rivers. Participants visited the Institutions related to the water quality management and monitoring. There will be five days organized by the IH SAS experts and also by the experts from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, Water Research Institute and Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. One day was dedicated to the field visit on the transboundary river, as example what measures were taken after pollution accident.
5. Final Project Meeting, Bratislava, SK (29th January, 2025)
This was Final project meeting, involving all project partners. The project partners discussed deliverables, and comments to them and preparation of the Final Report was delivered.
A new joint project proposal is being prepared "Extended knowledge transfer on aquatic ecosystem accidental pollution within the climate change to Georgia." The main goal of proposal will be Development of the Manual to create the Program of pollution reduction from hazardous substances in Georgia.
As part of the new project, we would focus on Methodology for action of the National Environmental Agency and Environmental Inspection in case of the pollution accident in surface water bodies in Georgia, taking into account the effect of the climate change (low flow and high water temperature on ecosystems) and results from the ongoing project; Development of the Manual to create the Program of pollution reduction from hazardous substances in Georgia.
