UNEP GEMS Programme for Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment THE GEMS/Water PROGRAMME National Water Research Institute (NWRI) at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters Burlington, Ontario GEMS/Water UNEP

The GEMS/Water Programme provides authoritative, scientifically- sound information on the state and trends of global inland water quality required as a basis for the sustainable management of the world’s freshwater to support global environmental assessments and decision-making processes. Vision

Mandate  Established in 1978 at NWRI  Chapter 18 – Freshwater  Chapter 40 - Info for Decision-Making  UNEP DEWA Water Policy  still the only global water quality monitoring agency.

 Develops and maintains a global freshwater quality information system with a series of global and national partners. Develops and maintains a global freshwater quality information system with a series of global and national partners.  Provides information on global freshwater quality through the internet and via CD ROM to support global and regional environmental assessment and reporting processes in the United Nations system and other international agencies, such as the World Bank.  Works with partners to facilitate the formulation and implementation of programmes to build capacity of developing countries for the acquisition and management of water quality information. GEMS/Water Mission

Who uses GEMS/Water?  UNEP & UN system WRI/World Bank  governments  universities Capacity/training QA/QC Resource materials Data & information.

Number of Countries Active Countries New, Enrolled, Re-Activated Countries New & Negotiating Countries Dormant Countries Year Global Scope

REGION AFRA AMRA EMRA EURA SEAA WPRA TOTAL DATA POINTS 12, ,852 61, , , ,514 1,773,399  35 new countries by 2008  priorities: Pan-Africa, Mekong, CAS, SIDs. Global Participation

 Rivers Lakes & Reservoirs Groundwater  Baseline Impact Trend Flux Global Distribution

Note: Information includes surface and groundwater combined. Reported numbers represent number of data points in the GEMS/Water Archive. AFRA AMRA EMRA EURA SEAA WPRA Total StationMajor Ions MetalsNutrientsOrganic Contaminants Physical/ Chemical Micro- Biology Date Range Parameter Classification

 Data received in various formats Paper Files received on diskette and not formatted Files attached or embedded in  Review of data and metadata Corresponding stations comparison New parameter codes or change in analytical procedures Identification of outlying values  Prepared and loaded into GLOWDAT – archive GEMS/Water database Main system editing filters to identify suspect data Feedback loop with data originators  Download country data to GEMS/Water working files. On-going edit and database update activity Receiving Data From Countries

Database Activity GEMS/Water database is currently undergoing a rigorous review to increase it’s quality:  Data download by country and by station  Each parameter is plotted and a regression analysis is performed  All significant deviations and outliers are identified and results are reviewed  Feedback to data originator

Database Activity 2σ σ y=0 σ 2σ Ravi River, Pakistan Station

2σ σ y=0 σ 2σ Database Activity Kalri Lake, Pakistan Station

Purpose of Review  to identify significant deviations and outliers in the database.  to increase the reliability of the database that is used by UN agencies for water quality assessments.  to increase communication with GEMS/Water participating countries.  to increase the overall validity of the GEMS/Water database.

 UNEP Vital Water Graphic: An Overview of the State of the World’s Fresh and Marine Waters.  United Nations Statistics Division Compendium of Environment Statistics and Indicators  World Water Assessment Programme  Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) – Stockholm Convention  World Lake Vision – International Lakes Environment Committee  Dialogue on Water and Climate Synthesis Freshwater Assessments

Shaded blue area on graph represents desired level of BOD for Class C Drinking Water - 3 mg/L or less. BOD Krishna Watershed, India Freshwater Assessments

QA/QC Programme Development Analytical Methods Dictionary Quality Assurance Manual Interlaboratory Studies Assessment Programme QA LOOP

The QA “loop” will improve water quality data:  Known analytical methods are used (from AMD),  QC procedures consistent between laboratories (as describe in the QMS),  Lab audits will lead to improved analytical results.  Interlab studies monitor laboratory performance, Outcomes and Benefits

Provision of Expertise  Water quality monitoring program design  Integrated water resources management [IWRM]  Field sampling protocols  Interpretation and assessment  Training

Total Number of Hits to the GEMS/Water Web Site Countries 119,496 (29%) Educational 35,075 (8%) Frequently Requested Items on the GEMS/Water Web Site ,024 68,457 26,063 6,874 4,478 2,958 2,840 Digital Atlas GEMS/Water Introduction Triennial Report Summaries Publications Global Water Review GEMS/Water List of Partners GEMS/Water List of Products Other 20,567 (5%) Non-Profit Org. 9,494 (2%) US Government 3,968 (1%) Commercial 77,947 (18%) Numerical Addresses 111,547 (26%) Network 48,722 (11%) Web Site Activities

Database Access & Data Distribution  Web access to data products  Map based selection criteria  Interactive query and analysis  Graph and table generation  Digital download capability

Focus on Africa  Vulnerability of Water Resources to Environmental Change in Africa Dec 2003 Pan-African Water Conference.

 Increase the distribution and representativeness of monitoring sites  Expansion of water quality parameters to reflect current emerging issues  Reduce lag-time of data submission  Africa – Vulnerability of water resources  Contribution to Global Environment Outlook 4  Expansion of Digital Atlas of Global Water Quality GEMS/Water Activities

 Participation in the United Nations Freshwater Programme  Local comparisons with similar aquatic systems in other countries  GEMS/Water Operational Guide and Analytical Methods Dictionary  National laboratories participation in an international QA/QC programme  Capacity building through training GEMS/Water Country Benefits