Joint actions for more efficient management of common groundwater resources (WaterAct)

Title	Joint actions for more efficient management of common groundwater resources
Abbreviation	WaterAct
Project number	Est-Lat 155
Programme	Interreg Estonia – Latvia 2014-2020

Project partners

Hydrogeology Division (Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre) (Latvia) (lead partner)
Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Estonia (Estonia)
Geological Survey of Estonia (Estonia)
Institute of Ecology (Tallinn University) (Estonia)
Nature Protection Department (Nature Conservation Agency) (Latvia)
Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences (University of Latvia) (Latvia)
Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
Estonian Environment Agency (Estonia)

To to promote sustainable management of shared groundwater resources in a transboundary area.

experience exchange between project partners and improvement of the knowledge base by analyzing the requirements of the EU water policy and the experience of other EU Member States (including attendance of international conferences);
development of tools for management needs and training (using R programming language);
assessment of the status of transboundary groundwater bodies using harmonized principles and tools developed within the project;
development of transboundary groundwater monitoring strategy for the Gauja-Koiva and Salaca-Salatsi river basins;
spring monitoring optimization and catchment modeling;
development of guide for habitat experts for identification and assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems (including field approbation of guide);
implementation of public spring monitoring and creation of an online platform (including organization of social campaigns for public involvement).

overall capacity building through the exchange of knowledge and good management practices between project partners and experts from other EU countries;
assessment of shared groundwater resources in the Gauja-Koiva and Salaca-Salatsi river basins to improve long-term groundwater management and ensure implementation of binding EU directives;
dissemination and information activities to raise awareness among the public and responsible organizations about the protection of groundwater and associated ecosystems;

Total budget of the project: 411 764.76 EUR

ERAF co-financing: 350 000.00 EUR

VPR budget: 35 294.34 EUR

ERAF co-financing : 30 000.18 EUR

01.06.2020. - 31.05.2022.

Maija Rieksta, project manager
Ph.: +371 26099521
e-mail: maija.rieksta@vidzeme.lv