Narrative Description of the Project:

The global objective of this Project is to support the prevention, control and reduction of adverse trans-boundary pollution impact caused by the quality of the four rivers (Kura River, Pripyat River, Severskv-Donetz River, Tobol River) selected for the Project. The Project is to contribute to the development of effective Guidelines for the monitoring and assessment of the trans-boundary waters. The results will be used to recommend modifications to the Guidelines. The Project will adhere to the provisions of the Convention and apply to the principles in the final adopted version of the EU Council Directive establishing a Framework for Community Action in the field of Water Policy. In particular, monitoring and assessment pursues a) quantitative coverage, i.e volume, level and flow rate; b) ecological and chemical status of the river or surface water. Tasks undertaken in the Project should be designed, as far as resources allow, to be sustainable and to apply river basin management principles.

Description of Actual Services Provided by Your Staff:

The Kura transboundary river is among those selected as subjects for a pilot evaluation of the Guidelines for which a Core Group has been set up to manage the evaluation:

• To demonstrate experience of developing monitoring systems in highly resource-constrained environments and of innovative approaches both in terms of methodology and financing
• To demonstrate the application of the Guidelines developed by the Task Force
• To promote and assist in the upgrading of the monitoring, services in the involved Countries in accordance with the Guidelines
• To train managerial and technical staff on modem systems for the monitoring and assessment of water quality