March 22 is International Day of Water Resources Protection

Georgia: By the decision of the UN General Assembly, since 1993 March 22, International Day of Water Resources Protection is celebrated. Establishing and celebrating World Water Day aims to remind the world community of preserving and protecting water resources. 

2024 is the theme for World Water Day, Water for Peace, which means we must unite to protect and preserve our most precious resource.

In the wake of global warming and climate change, rational management and water resource use is a pressing challenge.

Specialists of the National Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture took water samples from the Aragvi River as part of the World Water Day celebration.

Physical-chemical parameters were determined on-site in the samples taken, and organic and inorganic pollutants and heavy metals will be tested in the agency’s atmospheric air, water, and soil analysis laboratory, which is equipped with high-tech analytical tools and fully meets modern requirements. 

The laboratory is accredited according to international ISO17025 standards.

It should be noted that, recently, significant steps have been taken by the National Environment Agency to improve water quality monitoring. The monitoring network has expanded, and the number of defining parameters has increased.

Also, a law on Water Resources Management in Georgia has been developed, which will enter into force by 2026 and will promote water facilities, including the protection of Georgia’s Black Sea and rational use of water resources, taking into account the interests of present and future generations and the principles of sustainable development.

Within the framework of the Georgia-European Union Association Agreement, improving water resources monitoring is the most crucial prerequisite for implementing the obligations of the European Union Water Framework Directive and implementing principles of integrated water resources management.