European Water Policy: Challenges for Hydrogeologists

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21 November, 2013 to 22 November, 2013
Brussels, Belgium

The DEMEAU WA1 project partners AMPHOS21 and Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin were requested to present their work at the Hydrogeology workshop organized by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) in Brussels. The aim of the workshop was to highlight those areas where hydrogeologists are playing an important role in the implementation of the European water policy

About 60% of all drinking water in Europe comes from groundwater. Considering the vital importance of ensuring the quality and the sustainable exploration of the European groundwater bodies, the European Federation of Geologists organised on 22 and 23 November 2013 a Hydrogeology workshop with the theme ‘European water policy: challenges for hydrogeologists’.

The workshop was attended by nearly 80 participants from 18 different countries including several representatives of the European Commission. This fact demonstrates the increasing interest of experts and policy makers in groundwater issues, in phase with the launch of the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020.

The audience was composed of professionals active in all aspects of groundwater reaching from research to water management. The presence of professionals from different professional activity and countries provided thus an excellent basis for stimulating debates and experience exchanges setting the ground for future collaborations.

The aim of the workshop was to highlight those areas where hydrogeologists are playing an important role in the implementation of the European water policy. The first section provided an introduction to current water policy, including presentations from all relevant EU water policy areas. This could be realised thanks to the support to EFG received by the European Commission and their broad representation by the participation as speakers and chairmen from DG Enterprise and Industry, DG Environment, DG Research and Innovation and of the European Environment Agency. This first section was followed by four technical sections on land use and ecological status; chemical status and pollution; water efficiency and vulnerability, with presentations from experts from EFG’s panel on hydrogeology and from the supporting organisations.

The workshop ended with a Final Declaration prepared by the EFG Panel of Experts on Hydrogeology. Stressing the importance of bringing groundwater to light in our everyday lives through education and training at all societal levels from secondary school education to continuing professional training, the European Federation of Geologists hopes that in the future groundwater issues will attract more attention within Horizon 2020 calls for proposals and other policy areas such as environment and development.

Visit the website to find the presentations that were held during the workshop.

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Sites and Institutions: 

KWB – Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin
AMPHOS 21 Consulting S.L.

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