13 February 2006
by neno kukuric

In the light of the anticipated Roundtable on Groundwater in SEE in 2007, I would like to suggest some steps (to be taken in the meantime) in order to ensure the success of the Roundtable.

Unlike terrestrial surface water, groundwater is invisible and therefore much less in the focus of politicians, NGO's and even water specialists. Groundwater is also difficult to measure; consequently, we know much less about groundwater than about rivers and lakes. That is especially true for karst aquifers, usually developed in very  "case-specific" hydrogeological conditions.

There are very few international agreements made exclusively or primarily to regulate use and protection of transboundary groundwaters. The UN International Low Commission is very active in preparing a treaty to fill this gap (see more on www.isarm.net (under Initiative/Legal). In meantime, the implementation of EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) throughout the Europe generates experience that might be useful for the Balkan countries as well. Sometimes, additional incentives (outside the formal WFD-implementation and running parallel with it) are required to boost WFD-implementation (see an example on such project on www.cwmi.info).

IGRAC would like to take an initiative to establish a transboundary karst water network in the region. The initiative will build up on the results of ISARM/INWEB inventory of transboundary aquifers in the region and will primarily gather the karst groundwater specialists from the regional and national institutions. The main task of the network is to provide an impulse to cooperation on this very important topic for SEE.

The network working groups will make a brief assessment of the current situation regarding information on karst aquifers (its actuality, quality and availability), monitoring networks and the research potential.

Subsequently, the specialist will identify priorities and develop preliminary action plans. The proposed actions will be introduced to water authorities and NGO's in order to initiate a broad discussion and generate consensus on proposed actions. Finally, the plans will be worked out and carried out for the proposals that are acceptable for all involved parties. A close involvement of international organisation such as UN and GEF will be required to encourage this process.

As an international groundwater centre, IGRAC has already been involved in various transboundary groundwater projects such as SADC Transboundary Groundwaters , Transboundary Groundwater Atlas of Americas, Iullemeden, etc. IGRAC is also developing a special on-line service dedicated to dissemination of information and knowledge of transboundary aquifers (see on www.igrac.nl under Global Overview).

Some valuable preliminary analysis on current state of karst groundwaters in the region is already available (e.g. for B&H, T. Kupusovic) and will be used as an input material for the network working groups.

Reactions are very much welcome.