tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64064637314868917392024-03-13T09:36:29.631+01:00WateregioWateregio platform communication EU projects EU funding water management performance regions networkWateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-31670408450103259062011-04-20T11:12:00.002+02:002011-04-20T11:19:30.916+02:00CoR Opinion on “The Role of Regional and Local Authorities in Promoting Sustainable Water Management” in the ENVE Commission on 5th May<div align="justify">The draft opinion titled <strong>“The Role of Regional and Local Authorities in Promoting Sustainable Water Management”</strong>, presented by the rapporteur <strong>Mr. Nichi Vendo</strong>la, the <strong>President of the Puglia Region</strong>, will be discussed for the second time at the <strong>8th meeting of the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) on Thursday, 5th May 2011</strong>.<br /><br />The draft opinion was presented and discussed for the first time in the ENVE Commission on 14th February 2011. After the presentation it was opened for comments and amendments, which will be under discussion on 5th May 2011. Document’s final adoption is foreseen for 30th June-1st July on the CoR plenary session.<br /><br />More information: <a href="https://toad.cor.europa.eu/CORAgendas.aspx?body=ENVE-V">https://toad.cor.europa.eu/CORAgendas.aspx?body=ENVE-V</a> </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-11600043902016476672011-04-08T19:05:00.001+02:002011-04-08T19:09:42.962+02:00U@MARENOSTRUM - eParticipation Results<div align="justify">The online discussion between citizens and public authorities of the participating regions was initiated with the launch of the platforms. The Greek platform hosted by IonR was launched on January 2010, while the Spanish platform hosted by the Valencia Region on April 2010. </div><br /><div align="justify">With the end of the project in March 2011 the <strong>U@MARENOSTRUM</strong> final eParticipation results are encouraging and indicate that: </div><br /><div align="justify">On both platforms <strong>1883 registered users</strong> have participated in the Forum with 1313 posted arguments, on 120 environmental topics connected to 21 Public Consultations regarding water protection and management in the Mediterranean. </div><br /><div align="justify">For both regions most popular tool is the Forum. The most popular Forum topic in the Greek platform was “The most important predator in danger ...” (“Ο σπουδαιότερος θηρευτής κινδυνεύει...”) with 4785 visits. The most popular Forum topic in the Spanish platform was “Overfishing, an issue of concern in the Mediterranean” (“Sobrepesca, un tema de preocupación en el Mediterráneo”) with 1336 visits. </div><br /><div align="justify">Moreover, registered users participated in the platform with 228 markers overall on the interactive maps, 1005 electronic signatures overall on the 3 ePetitions hosted on the platforms, 619 answers overall in 6 online surveys, while 22 Electronic Letters have been sent to Officials of IonR by citizen-users (no electronic letters were sent to Officials of the Valencia Region by citizen-users). </div><br /><div align="justify">The online petition tool and the survey tool are the second and third favourite tools, while the interactive map tool is the fourth most well-liked. Less popular tool is the Letters to Officials. To view the <strong>U@MARENOSTRUM platforms</strong> click on the links bellow: </div><br /><div align="justify">1. For Greece: <a href="http://uatmarenostrumionianislands.gr/">http://uatmarenostrumionianislands.gr/</a> </div><br /><div align="justify">2. For Spain: <a href="http://marenostrum.gva.es/">http://marenostrum.gva.es/</a> </div><br /><div align="justify">For further information regarding the project and its activities please visit the informational website of the project at: <a href="http://www.uatmarenostrum.eu/">www.uatmarenostrum.eu</a>. </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-53358038228548683392011-04-08T17:52:00.002+02:002011-04-08T18:00:05.739+02:00U@MARENOSTRUM - Project’s Final Results<div align="justify">The Consortium of the <strong>U@MARENOSTRUM</strong> project is announcing the end of the project.</div><br /><div align="justify">The project was specifically designed in the guidelines of the <strong>eParticipation Call for Proposals 2008</strong> and was co-funded by the European Commission. The project was developed between 1st of January 2009- 31st of March 2011 by cooperation of the following entities: : GFI Benelux, Gov2u (Greece), The Region of Ionian Islands (Greece), Hellenic Centre for Marine Research– Greece, Foundation Comunidad Valenciana-Región Europea (Spain), and Directorate General for Modernization of Valencia (Spain).</div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>U@MARENOSTRUM</strong> aimed to facilitate the development of an online dialogue between citizens and official representatives of the participating regions on issues regarding water protection and management in the Mediterranean. Participating regions in the project were the Ionian Islands Region (Greece), and the Valencia Region (Spain).</div><br /><div align="justify">The main objective of <strong>U@MARENOSTRUM</strong> was to contribute in the enhancement of citizens’ engagement with the political process via their active participation in the decision-making in local, regional, national and European level. Simultaneously it intended to foster environmental democracy via public participation utilizing state-of-the-art ICT tools. The project involved two collaborative platforms one for each participating region, through which citizen-users were able to express their views and concerns regarding environmental issues that deal with the maritime environment in the Mediterranean and to discuss with other citizen-users and their official representatives on these issues.</div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>U@MARENOSTRUM</strong> combined unique ICT tools such as forum, GIS map, electronic letters, ePetitions and eSurveys, for citizens to be able to voice their opinion regarding water issues in their region. These tools offer the possibility for users to discuss with other citizens as well as their representatives from the participating regions on issues that affect citizens’ everyday life and are related to water.</div><br /><div align="justify">For further information regarding the project and its activities please visit the informational website of the project at: <a href="http://www.uatmarenostrum.eu/">http://www.uatmarenostrum.eu/</a> </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-21330381257197301592011-04-08T17:12:00.003+02:002011-04-08T17:24:33.651+02:00Participation in the MED Programme<div align="justify">In the <a href="http://www.uegva.info/">Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - Región Europea (FCVRE)</a> we’d like to show you the interest of the Valencian stakeholders in participating in the <a href="http://www.programmemed.eu/">MED</a> call, which has recently opened the following priorities: </div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Reopening of the call on programme objective 2. </strong></div><br /><div align="justify">- Objective 2.3: 'Prevention of maritime risks and strengthening of maritime safety' </div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Call for strategic projects on priority axis 3. </strong></div><br /><div align="justify">- Objective 3.1 'Improvement of maritime accessibility and transit capacity' </div><br /><div align="justify">- Objective 3.2 'Support of the use of information technology for better accessibility and territorial cooperation' </div><br /><div align="justify">In the FCVRE we work as an <a href="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/bbdd/index.php">active partner </a>to facilitate the creation of European consortiums and spread Valencian initiatives among European regions through active networking. We kindly ask you to count on us if you’re willing to submit a project proposal to this call, and you’re interested in involving any Valencian entity which would provide the expected input. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any queries you may have:</div><br /><div align="justify">Elena Pertegaz Álvarez. Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - Región Europea. Edmond Mesens, 7a - B-1040 Bruxelles/Brussel. Tel: +32 2 282 41 60, Fax: +32 2 282 41 61. <a href="mailto:epertegaz@delcomval.be">epertegaz@delcomval.be</a> </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-28692555620621689272011-03-09T11:35:00.003+01:002011-03-09T11:51:57.162+01:00European Water Forum Seminar: "Water and Forest - The Relationship with the Mediterranean Region"MEP Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines, as president of the European Water Forum (<a href="http://www.europeanwaterforum.com/">http://www.europeanwaterforum.com/</a>) will host a meeting entitled <strong>'Water and Forest - The Relationship with the Mediterranean Region'</strong> on <span style="color:#ff0000;">Tuesday March 15th from 16.00-18.00</span> in the European Parliament in Brussels (Room JAN 6Q1).<br /><br />Draft programme:<br /><br /><strong>Prof. Millán MILLAN</strong><br />Member of the External Advisory Group on Global Change & Ecosystems of the 6th FP<br />Executive Director Fundación CEAM<br />(Mediterranean Environmental Studies Centre - <a href="http://www.gva.es/ceam">www.gva.es/ceam</a>)<br /><br /><strong>Mr Michael HAMELL</strong><br />Head of Unit B1 - Agriculture, Forests and Soil<br />DG Environment<br /><br /><strong>Mr Friedrich BARTH</strong><br />Vice-Chairman<br />European Water Partnership<br /><br />For any questions and to RSVP, please contact: <a href="mailto:aisling.fenton@europarl.europa.eu">aisling.fenton@europarl.europa.eu</a>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-36521832305914326442011-02-23T15:38:00.002+01:002011-02-23T15:42:46.319+01:00Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform Survey on “The role of regional and local authorities in promoting sustainable water policy”<div align="justify">To address the challenges of water scarcity and drought, water policy must promote efficient and sustainable management of water resources and the local and regional authorities have a role to play in this context.</div><div align="justify"><br />As the European Commission will carry out a <strong>review of EU water policy by 2012 as part of the "Resource Efficiency" Flagship Initiative of the Europe 2020 strategy</strong>, the <strong>Committee of the Regions will adopt an Outlook Opinion on "The role of regional and local authorities in promoting a sustainable water policy"</strong> at its plenary session in June 2011, as requested by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Rapporteur: Mr. Nichi Vendola, IT/PES).<br /><br /><strong>To contribute to the preparation of the CoR Opinion, and to feed into the second CoR Monitoring Report on Europe 2020</strong> (to be published in December 2011), the CoR's Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform asks to participate in a survey by answering some questions by <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">4 March 2011</span></strong> at the latest in any official EU language, at <a href="mailto:europe2020@cor.europa.eu">europe2020@cor.europa.eu</a>.</div><div align="justify"><br />The survey document and the questions can be found here:</div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/news/Pages/SustainableWaterPolicySurvey.aspx">http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/news/Pages/SustainableWaterPolicySurvey.aspx</a> </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-23164114135529879232011-02-23T15:28:00.002+01:002011-02-23T15:37:49.873+01:00Outlook Opinion on “The role of regional and local authorities in promoting sustainable water policy”<div align="justify">The Committee of the Regions (CoR) has been drafting an Outlook Opinion requested by the Hungarian EU Presidency on “The role of regional and local authorities in promoting sustainable water policy”.</div><div align="justify"><br />The Rapporteur on the opinion, <strong>Mr. Nichi Vendola</strong>, Member of the ENVE Commission of the CoR and the <strong>President of the Region of Apulia (IT)</strong>, presented the working document during the <strong>ENVE Commission's seventh meeting</strong>, held at the Committee building on Monday, <strong>14 February 2011</strong>. It was followed by statements by Mr. István Kling, State Secretary for Water, Ministry of Rural Development of Hungary, and Mr. Peter Gammeltoft, Head of Water Unit, DG Environment, European Commission, and an exchange of views, as well. The first discussion and adoption of the draft opinion by the Commission is foreseen on 5 May 2011 whereas the final adoption of the CoR is expected at the plenary session of 30 June and 1 July 2011.</div><div align="justify"><br />The day after, <strong>15 February 2011</strong>, the President of the Region of Apulia and his expert, Mr. Umberto Fratino, met with representatives of the associations of local and regional authorities and other stakeholders for a <strong>public consultation and exchange of views</strong> on his opinion, at the premises of the CoR. The consultation focused on a set of questions that were identified in the request by the Hungarian Presidency:</div><div align="justify"><br />• How to put the water cycle at the heart of European to local level adaptation to climate change?<br />• How to address water scarcity by balancing water demand, supply and in particular ecosystem needs, and by considering issues such as introducing targets for water saving and water quantity management in line with Water Framework Directive? How to manage extreme water events in a more integrated manner, by seeking new types of interventions?<br />• With regard to governance issues: What conclusions do local and regional authorities draw form the first series of river basin management plans? Which role local and regional authorities can play in strengthening of international cooperation within river basins?<br />• How the EU and the Member States can and should provide support to local and regional authorities in the above-mentioned fields? </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-47081668920971541452010-08-03T16:08:00.000+02:002010-08-03T16:11:47.625+02:00The Valencian Region and Saxony-Anhalt will collaborate in the field of water managementThe Head of the Valencian regional directorate for water affairs, José María Benlliure, and the Director General of the Agua y Progreso (Water and Progress) foundation, José Alberto Comos, met on Wednesday 28th July with the minister for Agriculture and Environment of the German region Saxony-Anhalt, as well as with the Mayor of the German city of Halle, in order to sign a joint agreement.<br /><br />This agreement will allow mutual collaboration and the exchange of experiences and good practices in the field of water management, particularly in aspects such as water supply, irrigation, flood prevention and wastewater treatment.<br /><br />Mr. Benlliure said that the agreement is very positive for the interests of the Valencian Region, because the regional authorities of Saxony-Anhalt "are very experienced in managing water transfers and ensuring an adequate supply of drinking water to all the households in the region".<br /><br />He also stated: "Considering the acute water scarcity which affects the Valencian Region, and despite the efforts deployed to treat and reuse wastewater as well as to modernise irrigation systems, the Valencian Region needs a water transfer from those basins with a larger amount of water than needed, like the one that has been built between the Tajo and Segura rivers or the plan to transfer the water surplus of the Ebro river".<br /><br />Mr. Benlliure asserted that, through this agreement, both regions would learn experiences from each other. "This way, the Valencian Region will have the opportunity to benefit from German knowledge in water transfers and supply, and the Germans will learn from the Valencian know-how in the field of water treatment".<br /><br />Joint participation in European projects<br />The agreement between the Valencian Region and Saxony-Anhalt also includes several measures designed to foster joint participation in European projects for interregional cooperation as well as the exchange of ideas and information about water supply and water transfer strategy.<br /><br />The document also foresees the beginning of several joint projects in the fields of water management, climate change and renewable energies.Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-58088161629170875582010-06-21T11:48:00.002+02:002010-06-21T14:02:38.034+02:00EFIAQUA: International Fair for Water Efficiency<div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">The first edition of the International Fair for Water Efficiency <em>"EFIAQUA"</em> will be hosted in Valencia (Spain) from the 16th-18th of febrary in the frame of the so called "Environment Fairs" that gathers apart from <em>EFIAQUA</em>, <em>Ecofira </em>and <em>Egética</em>, the first one on environmental technologies and the second on energy efficiency technologies.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">According to the statutes of EFIAQUA's steering committee, composed by representatives from private sectorial organizations, valencian universities and public bodies, the Fair aims to offer a new format in which innovation and education will be the main axes.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">The addressed sectors will mainly be related to captation and water treatment, supply and distribution, flood control, coastal protection, funding of projects and training of specialized press.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">More information on the website of Feria Valencia:</span> <a href="http://feria.feriavalencia.com/">http://feria.feriavalencia.com</a></div><em></em><br /><em></em>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-45981955347130763512010-06-15T15:42:00.009+02:002010-06-15T16:32:21.379+02:00CLIMATE - KIC "Making a step-change in Europe's innovation capacity to meet the climate change challenge"<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>What is the CLIMATE - KIC?</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The Climate - KIC (</span><a href="http://www.climate-kic.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">www.climate-kic.org</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">) is one of the three knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) designated by the European institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), with a budget of 765 million Euros for the next four years. This initiative focuses on achieving excellence in four areas related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, highlighting the area on <em>ADAPTATIVE</em> <em>WATER MANAGEMENT</em>.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The CLIMATE - KIC consortium consists of 16 core partners, five from the academic side, one <strong>Regional Innovation and Implementation Community (RIC)</strong> which consists of Valencian Region (Spain), Central Hungary (Hungary), Lower Silesia (Poland), West Midlands (UK), Hessen (Germany) and Emilia Romagna (Italy), and ten enterprises from the corporate world.</span> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">First Wave Research and Innovation Projects of the Climate-KIC</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">An open call for full proposals was scheduled on May 21-2010, for funding of research and innovation projects, with a deadline on August 6-2010 although it has not been published on the Climate-KIC portal yet. A full proposal can be submitted in this period although an Expression of Interest was not previously submitted.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Four focus programmes have been identified including <em>ADAPTATIVE WATER MANAGEMENT.</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">In the web portal details are given on how to submit an expression on interest which could help you to prepare a full proposal for this next call. The funding requested may be maximal 25% of the funding supplied by the Consortium.</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">NEW </span>- Pioneers into Practice Programme - Expressions of Interest Call 2010/2011 - <span style="color:#ff0000;">NEW</span></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Climate - KIC is launching an exciting knowledge development programme called <strong>Pioneers into Practice</strong>, with the aim of producing a new generation of specialists, entrepreneurs and policy-makers with high-level skills for the loe carbon transition.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Participants will be required to undertake <strong>three-one month placements</strong> over a twelve-month period. The first and final placements will be in the participants regions of origin whereas the second one will take place in one of the other European regions involved in the RIC.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Participants will be required to complete a project-assignment, focused on a <strong>low carbon living and low carbon mobility initiatives</strong>, during each placement.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The last two days of each placement will allow participants to take part in intensive workshops known as "Crucibles" and every participant froma cross the six regions will also attend the Innovation festival in June in Budapest.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Overview on the activities and timetable:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 361px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 90px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483006460996283682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWkRJd6YPMLEMZXl72mB4K2amGCUmzRwtES8241Zey60zd5qmp_G4b__-61HgYHHm-q_US09FOvSNipd6U7MGKBnfWHlHKFlX5a-vXFUpgE9op5BeOrWASIvaZyzZrvvlmh2eRYMlRD2c/s320/timetable_PiP.JPG" /> <span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Entry to the programme is open to people living, working or studying in each region, with a deadline on June 18th 2010.</span> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Participants will receive 9.000 euros for participating in the programmme, which in most instances will be made to their employer or place of study, as well as the attendance to the annual Innovation Festival.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Further information on participation is available from the Pioneers into Practice Manager in your region or at: <a href="mailto:mirun@delcomval.be">mirun@delcomval.be</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-25358382706613925632010-06-15T12:34:00.006+02:002010-06-15T16:21:12.594+02:00REPORT ON WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHTS BY THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The European Council adopted conclusions on water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change presented by the European Commission during the last session on 11th of June.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">As main conclusions, the Council supports the development of a european drought observatory, which would be changed with forecasting and monitoring as well as the exchange of best practices between relevant actors and stakeholders.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">it also encourages member states to elaborate water scarcity and drought management plans and to promote sustainable water use in agriculture.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Press release:</span><br /><a href="http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/115143.pdf"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/115143.pdf</span></a></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-55879588665572252662010-06-14T13:40:00.006+02:002010-06-15T15:33:31.923+02:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCpGkaK1GMzIPU2ETQe4eQ1saEwkurYr0_Vo34LJW-VKSteISmwEriveWWNmCx0-ZudYQUG_0U8CUOgeGyP9YwseiWJqYoibMnQueRfRuIgppnPiPxQoyIUbf83f4fcBh3ISxiwKX6ig4/s1600/Aquaval_logo__72.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 103px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482593107173822786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCpGkaK1GMzIPU2ETQe4eQ1saEwkurYr0_Vo34LJW-VKSteISmwEriveWWNmCx0-ZudYQUG_0U8CUOgeGyP9YwseiWJqYoibMnQueRfRuIgppnPiPxQoyIUbf83f4fcBh3ISxiwKX6ig4/s320/Aquaval_logo__72.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">A successful example of LIFE + project :</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">AQUAVAL</span></strong></span></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Approved in 2008 under the heading "Policy and Governance", the principal aim of this ambitious project is to provide innovative solutions to problems related to runoff quantity and quality in the urban environment in the Valencian Region (Spain).</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Through the integration of part of the hydraulic infrastructure into the municipal landscape using Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), thereby decreasing the impacts of urban development and adding social and environmental values to the programmed actions.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">The main objectives are to:</span></div><ul><li><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Avoid combined sewer overflows in order to improve water quality of the receiving water courses (rivers Albaida and Turia)</span></div></li><li><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Save on potable water by exploiting Natural Water Resources (rain water) in order to use it for irrigation, street cleaning, etc</span></div></li><li><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Develop community environmental policy through the integration of environmental concerns into planning and urban water policies, thereby contrbuting to sustainable development.</span></div></li><li><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Reduce energy consumption (and consequently CO2 emissions to the atmosphere) both in the water management cycle (pumping, sewer treatment plants) and in buildings (with the use of green infrastructures). </span></div></li></ul><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Partners:</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Council of Xàtiva (Spain) - leaders of the project</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Council of Benaguasil (Spain)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">PM Enginyeria (Spain)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">University of Abertay (UK)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - Región Europea (Spain)</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">More info: </span><a href="http://www.aquavalproject.eu/"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.aquavalproject.eu</span></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Contact:</span> </span><a href="mailto:info@uegva.info"><span style="font-size:85%;">info@uegva.info</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div><div></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-43289485835362472422010-06-14T10:46:00.004+02:002010-06-15T15:33:58.169+02:00<div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#009900;">LIFE + CALL FOR PROPOSALS</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#009900;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The fourth LIFE + call for proposals has been published on 4th May 2010, with up to 243 million euros available for cofinancing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Water is a main issue to be addressed in every component!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">LIFE + Nature and Biodiversity</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Aims to protect, conserve, restore, monitor and facilitate the functioning of natural systems, natural habitats, wild flora and fauna, with the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity, including diversity of genetic resources, within the EU 2010.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">This heading would include the protection of wetlands, groundwater and water as a limited resource.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">LIFE + Environment Policy and Governance</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">This component will cofinance projects that contribute to the implementation of Community environmental policy, the development of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments and the monitoring of environmental preassures such as water scarcity.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Water is addressed as a main priority in order to contribute to enhanced water quality by developing cost-effective measures to achieve good ecological status in view of developing river basin management plans under the Water Framework Directive. </span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">LIFE + Information and Communication</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Aims to disseminate information and raise awareness on environmental issues, including forest fire prevention; and to provide support for accompanying measures, such as information, communication actions and campaigns, conferences and training, including training on forest fire prevention. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">This heading considers the design of awareness raising campaigns on water scarcity in the affected Member States.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">For more information: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm</a></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Project proposals should be sent no later than 1st September 2010.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Do you have any project proposal? then let's work together!! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Contact <a href="mailto:water@delcomval.be">water@delcomval.be</a> </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-60654879809228717002010-06-08T09:44:00.011+02:002010-06-15T16:33:15.000+02:00Breakfast at Sustainability's<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0STAWOQDfb9eRNLc-wlfDXAdW7YDyA6R8L0lSJD0BQc8H7QsSquytzfHJ3lgITA22WlIvKgxpURMLdilXPnUI4QQ6s4sZEaWg9I_gZztqJrhnh1q3SbEFPn4ZgmbV8J8kCNwaJnoI3PS/s1600/IMG_3105.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 164px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480339461518029250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0STAWOQDfb9eRNLc-wlfDXAdW7YDyA6R8L0lSJD0BQc8H7QsSquytzfHJ3lgITA22WlIvKgxpURMLdilXPnUI4QQ6s4sZEaWg9I_gZztqJrhnh1q3SbEFPn4ZgmbV8J8kCNwaJnoI3PS/s400/IMG_3105.JPG" /></span></a></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">On Monday the 7th of June, the Regional Representation of Istria in Brussels </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">hosted </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">the workshop <em>"Breakfast at Sustainability's"</em> with reference to the classical<em> </em></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>"Breakfast at Tiffany's"</em> that ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - a series of thematic seminars organized by the ICLEI's Office in Brussels in cooperation with regional and local authorities. </span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The Workshop entitled <em>"Using water more efficiently - burning issues, current approaches, new alliances at local level"</em> brought together regional and local representatives, non-profit organizations and the European Commission aiming to exchange good practices in the field of effcient water management at the local and regional scale.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWmnuXDDGw1FwMIMH5O3BZfwLJN8oyU_x63gFKEt3hMmBhecubRW-sowGXcNY4-lgAOPbb-lg4bfuRrZFY0n-OVF4gPxlevZEtkGIQGUxrR0wtE0hCVFonSGdERwU1YQZ5kkEw1G3a27P/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 165px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480339666557499970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWmnuXDDGw1FwMIMH5O3BZfwLJN8oyU_x63gFKEt3hMmBhecubRW-sowGXcNY4-lgAOPbb-lg4bfuRrZFY0n-OVF4gPxlevZEtkGIQGUxrR0wtE0hCVFonSGdERwU1YQZ5kkEw1G3a27P/s320/IMG_3102.JPG" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWmnuXDDGw1FwMIMH5O3BZfwLJN8oyU_x63gFKEt3hMmBhecubRW-sowGXcNY4-lgAOPbb-lg4bfuRrZFY0n-OVF4gPxlevZEtkGIQGUxrR0wtE0hCVFonSGdERwU1YQZ5kkEw1G3a27P/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></a></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">As members of Wateregio, Dino Babic, Director of the Istria Office and Juan Manuel </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Revuelta, Director General of the Valencian </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Regional Office both based in Brussels, explained the current situation in the Mediterranean Basin countries emphasizing the need of new financial tools, the raising awareness campaings and the modernization of hydric infrastructures as key issues in facing the challenge of climate change and its impacts on water scarcity and droughts processes.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Also, Ms. Andrea Nam, expert from the European Commission, DG Environment, explained how the Water Framework Directive could be modified as result of the studies on water scarcity that the Commission is carrying out ending up with a review on the EU strategy for 2012.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-39555574570491292342010-03-26T12:05:00.013+01:002010-06-15T16:34:07.398+02:00Wateregio was presented in the European Youth Water Summit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhXWoL3Ie5KUy1SYDlUcp87h5wkLx3WX3mo3eLLUblZ2S7wVhaVrocLO0h5uqdDwXjA2mFwY-a3f6ybVgAdWiw5a3iBuSQ6lz7_0_crDAk3hEgHxzfuMKsVoQ7bmrum4whf7Ype3pmOXu/s1600/Picture+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 331px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452904384779502306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhXWoL3Ie5KUy1SYDlUcp87h5wkLx3WX3mo3eLLUblZ2S7wVhaVrocLO0h5uqdDwXjA2mFwY-a3f6ybVgAdWiw5a3iBuSQ6lz7_0_crDAk3hEgHxzfuMKsVoQ7bmrum4whf7Ype3pmOXu/s400/Picture+012.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A few days before the World Water Day, the first European Youth Water Summit gave the floor to young citizens aged between 15 and 25 years and coming from all 27 EU Member states, accessing and other European countries to share and discuss water community challenges, needs and priorities arising from the management of a limited and valuable resource, such as water, and their experience and activities carried out in this field.<br /><br /><br /><br />As part of this conference, the director of the Brussels office representing the Croatian region of Istria, Dino Babic, put forward the water policies in the Istria Region and the Valencian Region as well as Wateregio, a network of regions involved in the sustainable and inclusive management of the water. Moreover, Dino Babic presented the conclusions of the Summer School organised in Valencia by the Assembly of European Regions in the summer of 2009 with the slogan "Water, for our future engagement”.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24rOyTy0soMZpcol_uleZW5BhZkNclC5Yk5AYb_NdGcWWrzDROjrosWl6-IgurDcibwrPbbGFQDBts8EJaSTlw83QbeO60lCY9pwXP4SleKE_CtkOn3Hhhw3LuUgtJJ8G9qceB2tpbVZs/s1600/Picture+010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452907172868199714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24rOyTy0soMZpcol_uleZW5BhZkNclC5Yk5AYb_NdGcWWrzDROjrosWl6-IgurDcibwrPbbGFQDBts8EJaSTlw83QbeO60lCY9pwXP4SleKE_CtkOn3Hhhw3LuUgtJJ8G9qceB2tpbVZs/s200/Picture+010.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>European Youth Water Partnership was organised by European Water Partnerhip and was hosted in the European Parliament on 17th and 18th March 2010.</strong>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-58741234151220148822009-09-17T17:44:00.004+02:002009-09-17T17:49:41.856+02:00FP7 call on environment presented in Brussels<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59e4_45SncjyFCZaOV46eRvvqpCFoXUbXnWpDoSsKpfE1m-3AYi_Ssf8bmaF1dj6oawMJzP9Is14jcMFkhUzLzLMgg0241hqcTWzjD-3mEM34ihK3VDboSqT81LY__mYHTqTgbol_Sl2B/s1600-h/IMG_0681.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382463636506484242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59e4_45SncjyFCZaOV46eRvvqpCFoXUbXnWpDoSsKpfE1m-3AYi_Ssf8bmaF1dj6oawMJzP9Is14jcMFkhUzLzLMgg0241hqcTWzjD-3mEM34ihK3VDboSqT81LY__mYHTqTgbol_Sl2B/s400/IMG_0681.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Either the seminar was a big success or the room was too small, but the participants report that the place was packed </span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The Commission has organised an RTD Environment Infoday in Brussels, to present the call FP7-ENV-2010. All calls will be closed the 5th January 2010. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Documents available in: </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a title="http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/rtd/rtdenv2010call/library?l=" href="http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/rtd/rtdenv2010call/library?l=/&vm=detailed&sb=Title" vm="detailed&sb="><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/rtd/rtdenv2010call/library?l=/&vm=detailed&sb=Title</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Let's start the partner hunting!</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Upload your project ideas in this blog. Write to </span><a href="mailto:mortiz@delcomval.be"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">mortiz@delcomval.be</span></a> </div></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-86307283365815827212009-09-09T16:41:00.006+02:002009-09-09T16:50:53.775+02:00A company proposes new technology to transport water by undersea pipe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHHQ0RgEn6gW7k9fq85TjRZ_UZHBFUJvMa-eBfZ4bQPxnlHEU1tK6lDDuD3P9M9ZarcryhF__6kakpxDM0-U3-MdWJb2SJ9rA0px6kilOxu-UrLMofA1Ei3XK7zgip2n9TUiUNWSGIlnX/s1600-h/Via+Marina.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379479549576960914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHHQ0RgEn6gW7k9fq85TjRZ_UZHBFUJvMa-eBfZ4bQPxnlHEU1tK6lDDuD3P9M9ZarcryhF__6kakpxDM0-U3-MdWJb2SJ9rA0px6kilOxu-UrLMofA1Ei3XK7zgip2n9TUiUNWSGIlnX/s400/Via+Marina.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The system is named <strong>submariver</strong>®. Its principle consists in taking of fresh water from river mouths, which can be, at least partially, abstracted just upstream the salt wedge without significant impact (no more downstream issues). It is then transported by underwater pipes parallel to the coast (across the sea for islands). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The system is in phase of development, and could be implemented in pilot projects. The company is in contact with several regional and state authorities. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">This patented system is structured around a special and very flexible pipe that adapts to the seabed profile without preparation of the ground. It is laid on the sea bottom (typically at 200m depth) and ballasted. At destination in coastal areas, it is distributed through the local network after usage-specific treatment. </span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">This system can also be used to transport farther away water flowing out of sewage treatment plants in coastal areas that pour their treated water into the sea and where there is no local reuse demand. Usually, these flows are much smaller than those available at river mouths, but they should nevertheless be considered as well, albeit cautiously in light of their real post treatment quality. </span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">According to the company, the main characteristics of this system are as follows: </span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">1. Its prices are low (0.1 – 0.3€/m3 in most cases). Delivery of fresh water at an economical price satisfactorily meets large demands, especially agricultural uses. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">2. Its energy consumption is less than 0.2kWh/m3 in most cases, which is about 5% of the energy necessary for seawater desalination. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">3. Its construction can be conducted in 1 to 2 years in most cases as the laying pace is about 2km per day. An over investment of 15% at the outset typically brings the flexibility to meet a 50% increase in demand over time. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">4. It is simple and sturdy which allows operation by workforce with lower qualification, without external technological dependence.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">A representative of the company, <strong>Mr Felix Bogliolo</strong>, presented the device in the last meeting of Wateregio last July. </span><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Contact: </span><a href="http://www.via-marina.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">www.via-marina.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="mailto:info@via-marina.com"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">info@via-marina.com</span></a> </div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-70274612754293086232009-09-01T17:29:00.000+02:002009-09-01T17:30:08.643+02:00AER Summer School on TV<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x7Uo0JKKn9A&hl=es&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x7Uo0JKKn9A&hl=es&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-6215438442052859032009-09-01T11:32:00.005+02:002009-09-01T11:46:26.197+02:00AER Summer School on EU Observer<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Spanish region pushes for intelligent water use </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376432778599128434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszSgy5F47gP5qpJURTL9kGd5LnbnZ_qswlArSLW9HGjT3ogk_RNSk53olsyZE6FWvRZz3W9_QVF7o1Hhz1fdEPsNtK_eIOrKO0cPznnEOzpWcgbAQ_jHOFXVRSGzrKKQJvLLStPIQHpe7/s400/Pinedo+EUObserver.png" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Valencia's sewage water is filtered and re-used to irrigate rice fields (Photo: EUobserver)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></p><div align="justify"></span><span style="font-size:85%;">VALENTINA POP<br />31.08.2009 @ 17:34 CET<br /><br />EUOBSERVER/VALENCIA – The Spanish region of Valencia is lobbying for the EU to develop a policy to promote the "intelligent" use of water using the renewable energy model, as world consumption of water will triple in the next ten years.<br /><br />In the marshes of Albufera, just a few kilometres south of the city of Valencia, it is hard to believe that the region is frequently hit by drought and has a long tradition of dealing with water scarcity. Separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a natural sand barrier, the 27 square kilometre fresh water lake is surrounded by swamps and rice fields. "Paella has to come from somewhere," a guide tells visitors to the national park of Albufera.<br /><br />One steady source of irrigation for the rice crops is waste water from Valencia, a city of 800,000 inhabitants. A sewage water treatment plant worth €15 million was 80 percent financed by the EU's regional development fund and is expected to last until 2025.<br /><br />Intelligent irrigation systems and the re-use of rain and waste water are just some examples of what the local university and research centres are developing and implementing in the region.<br /><br />As global water consumption is expected to grow threefold in the next ten years and energy consumption to double in the same period, the EU needs to be more active in this field, says Juan Manuel Revuelta, Valencia's point-man in Brussels.<br /><br />"We would like to see that in some years from now, the EU commission creates an initiative called 'intelligent water for Europe' - that means a better management of water and better communication, similar to what it is doing with renewable energy," he told this website on the margins of a summer school called „Water – engagement for our future" organised by the Assembly of European Regions in Valencia on 24-28 August.<br /><br />Mr Revuelta said he was pleased to see 15 concrete projects sealed between various European regions and aimed at tapping EU funds coming from the event.<br /><br />"One project is on drafting legislation at regional and national level facilitating ecodesign constructions which enable people to collect rain water for a second use in irrigation or for the toilets," he said.<br /><br />Malta and Valencia are participating in the project, but some other non-EU members, such as Jordan, also expressed their interest.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZyPp-jum4xGVdXdRxydwT79VzkSPS4J_bKR-L_sd2y-ejjiNpjs2c6mNuD5_MDo2OZ6CJueraS9Vx0e1JOGACFbVrD9yWKhSzGWZxjg9czf-JkpY6iLixuJvHr3bPWVX3lRPMMRZyKiO/s1600-h/Pinedo+EUObserver.png"></a><br />Valencia's 700 year old experience with the so-called Water Courts is used in another project for legislative and governance tools aimed at preventing and settling water-related conflicts in Israel and Palestine. The Valencian water tribunal consists of seven elected judges gathering every Thursday in a a public square and settling disputes between farmers. Its verdicts are binding, recognised by the Spanish constitution and cannot be challenged in another court.<br /><br /><strong>Water on the EU agenda</strong><br /><br />Polish MEP Danuta Hubner, chairwoman of the regional development committee, says water will be a "major priority" of EU regional policy.<br /><br />"There are regions that will require specific responses, which will be more affected than others by droughts, floods or water scarcity," she said. "That is why, more than ever, the European regional policy 2007-2013 will be ambitious in its environmental initiatives at local and regional level." </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ms Hubner mentioned the Baltic Sea strategy drawn up while she was commissioner for regional affairs, which is aimed at saving the sea from dying if the regions around it coordinate their environmental actions.<br /><br />Klaus Klipp, secretary general of the Assembly of European Regions, emphasized the need to create regional lobbies to stand up for common European issues, such as water scarcity and droughts. Choosing Spain as the location for this summer school was no accident as the southern country is EU's most threatened member by desertification and drought.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--- --- --- --- --- --- ---</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>© 2009 EUobserver.com. All rights reserved. Printed on 01.09.2009.</em></span></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-64299339419026107152009-08-31T10:57:00.005+02:002009-09-01T11:52:23.500+02:00Millán Millán: “Research showed that torrential rains in the Mediterranean were increasing at the same time that Atlantic rains were decreasing”<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuBpHdutwTTsRktAnHws3QSOx0zLg_CzO-bl3hwhiAAfg6GhI3ttqdhhGxuej8FvOKScDu6VE5-h9cRpX860cHRkV843LQZI0NG14kkVmRCAxFyw_vJUfozuEigzbSppdRrje3JNxA2Gx/s1600-h/2009-09-07_IMG_2009-08-31_00.16.15__LV013CV001.eps"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376050514856667842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuBpHdutwTTsRktAnHws3QSOx0zLg_CzO-bl3hwhiAAfg6GhI3ttqdhhGxuej8FvOKScDu6VE5-h9cRpX860cHRkV843LQZI0NG14kkVmRCAxFyw_vJUfozuEigzbSppdRrje3JNxA2Gx/s400/2009-09-07_IMG_2009-08-31_00.16.15__LV013CV001.eps" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Dr Millán in the Spanish press this week </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dr. Millán Millán, director of the Center for Environmental Studies in the Mediterranean (CEAM), participated today in the 14th Summer School of the Assembly of European Regions, hold in Valencia this week. </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">During his speech, Mr. Millán lectured on the historical trend of changes in rainfall cycles in the Mediterranean basin, affecting the rains all over Europe. Specifically, the scientific pointed out that as early as the year 1974 the European Commission started its research on atmospheric pollution, which led to findings on the lack of summer storms in the Mediterranean.</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"European Commission DG Environment discovered that torrential rains in the Mediterranean were increasing at the same time that Atlantic rains were decreasing", stated Dr. Millán. </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">According to this expert, "the Mediterranean has a unique atmospheric circulation system in which water vapor goes up to the mountain and comes back to the sea without rainfalls". The importance of this model justifies that "the European Commission has earmarked 200 million euro to study this phenomenon". </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dr. Millán is, besides the director of CEAM since its creation in 1990, author of 96 scientific publications and other works. He is member of several international and European scientific committees and has received an honorary doctorate from Universidad Miguel Hernández from Elche (Alicante-Spain). </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The CEAM has worked with <strong>Wateregio</strong> in drafting the project proposal 'Waterstar' for the last Interreg MED call. </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">CEAM: </span><a href="http://www.ceam.es/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.ceam.es/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-89162356831106452522009-08-31T10:51:00.006+02:002009-09-01T11:47:24.145+02:00Hübner in “Deep Water” at AER Summer School in Valencia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XsIr7XS2ON0gWMVuMC5Af2baWyRsN6llYDsXf1sANxEpXPdH5O0jKTPgTFkaTJm1gFpbp1wPQFVf9cLduYQk6nRjvHH2HPp0rIzeDYVSe8oHdGb3NLSG-RCGPPRdijuHQ3qV4PZh3536/s1600-h/MID_Pie_Ripoll.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376051256235530978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XsIr7XS2ON0gWMVuMC5Af2baWyRsN6llYDsXf1sANxEpXPdH5O0jKTPgTFkaTJm1gFpbp1wPQFVf9cLduYQk6nRjvHH2HPp0rIzeDYVSe8oHdGb3NLSG-RCGPPRdijuHQ3qV4PZh3536/s400/MID_Pie_Ripoll.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">L. to R.: Mr Klipp, SG of the AER, Ms Hübner, MEP Chairwoman of the Committee REGI, and Mr Ripoll, Valencian Regional Deputy Minister in charge of EU affairs</span> </div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Valencia (E), 28th August 2009.</strong>
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<br />In her first speech as chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Committee for Regional Development, <strong>Danuta Hübner</strong> has said that water will be a “major priority” of the EU’s Regional Policy. “There are regions that will require specific responses, which will be more affected than others by droughts, floods or water scarcity,” Ms H</span><a name="OLE_LINK4"><span style="font-family:verdana;">ü</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">bner said today. “That is why, more than ever, the European regional policy 2007-2013 will be ambitious in its environmental initiatives at local and regional level.” Ms Hübner was speaking on the final day of the Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) 14th annual Summer School, hosted by the Spanish region of Valencia. </span>
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<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Focusing this year on water issues, the week-long event in the city of Valencia brought together around 150 regional politicians, officers and young people, along with international experts and EU officials, to address the many challenges related to water. </span>
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<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">AER president <strong>Michèle Sabban</strong>, speaking earlier this week, said: “We are not in Valencia by accident. Spain is the European country most threatened by desertification and drought.” “By bringing young people together with experts and politicians to discuss this increasingly global problem, we hope to promote a new “water culture” in the regions. The young people here can take back to the regions what they have learnt this week, thereby raising awareness among peers who will face the consequences tomorrow of what we do today.” </span>
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<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The summer school featured expert speakers, roundtables and workshops, along with study visits where participants could see firsthand the Valencia region’s expertise in water management. </span>
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<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Valencia’s deputy minister for European affairs, <strong>Rafael Ripoll</strong>, noted that the region of Valencia, whose strong commitment to addressing water scarcity has made it a European leader in the field, is the “perfect framework to talk about promoting the better use of water across all the European regions.” Background The proper management of water plays a key role in maintaining biodiversity, human health as well as in economic and social development. The “blue” challenge is of huge importance as the world enters a water crisis. Safe access to water for all is one of the Millennium Goals, while water savings can be improved by around 40% in Europe. </span>
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<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">By bringing together decision makers, officials and young people, the AER Summer School in Valencia aimed to provide the tools to regions to tackle the challenges of water management. Participants were able to share experiences, develop new instruments to raise awareness and define strategies to contribute to creating a water-saving culture across the regions of Europe. </span>
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<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Find more information about <strong>initiatives in the field of water</strong> at:
<br /></span><a name="OLE_LINK7"></a><a title="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/dinweb/index.php?pagId=" href="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/dinweb/index.php?"><a href="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/dinweb/index.php?pagId=328"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/dinweb/index.php?pagId=328">http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/dinweb/index.php?</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">pagId=328</a></span>
<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://</span><a title="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/bbdd/index.php" href="http://www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/bbdd/index.php"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.uegva.info/fundacioncv/bbdd/index.php</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span>
<br />
<br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Find more information about AER’s 14th Summer School at:</span></div><div align="justify"><a title="http://www.aer.eu/en/events/summer-school/2000-2009/aerss2009.html" href="http://www.aer.eu/en/events/summer-school/2000-2009/aerss2009.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.aer.eu/en/events/summer-school/2000-2009/aerss2009.html</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div>
<br />Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-16286698270073538152009-08-26T14:03:00.002+02:002009-08-31T10:51:04.982+02:00Opening ot the AER Summer School on water<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4fccqImdwg-61NyCpi3TMSxx4KHwwXaPbHuqP5oV6YRcgnP14F1xnsZNx2pp4_bT9VLEl1RvH0dpKlybopmsnWjZk7Q8G4yHuqgnFY8RcZD6K2m-2y5N-a-f0lW7-_u1QatoFcNeWziG/s1600-h/ARE+Summer+School+25.8.09+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376047684122475234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4fccqImdwg-61NyCpi3TMSxx4KHwwXaPbHuqP5oV6YRcgnP14F1xnsZNx2pp4_bT9VLEl1RvH0dpKlybopmsnWjZk7Q8G4yHuqgnFY8RcZD6K2m-2y5N-a-f0lW7-_u1QatoFcNeWziG/s400/ARE+Summer+School+25.8.09+038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">AER secretary-general Klaus Klipp underlined in his speech at the 14th AER Summer School opening in Valencia the paramount importance that cooperation between regions in EU programmes and projects plays in tackling climate change.<br /><br />Mr. Klipp emphasised the need to create regional lobbies to stand up for common European issues, such as water scarcity and droughts. He also noted that AER is currently developing several projects in the field, related to tourism, renewable energies and climate change.<br /><br />Together with the director-general of the Valencian Regional Office in Brussels, Juan Manuel Revuelta, Mr. Klipp explained the goals of the 14th AER Summer School, which this year has gathered over 150 participants from across wider Europe to discuss policies related to water and climate change.<br /><br />Since 1996, AER’s summer schools have been bringing together politicians and other representatives from youth civil society and regional authorities, along with European and regional experts, to explore a different topic every year.<br /><br />At this year’s event, Mr. Revuelta highlighted the commitment of the Valencian Region to “face the problem of water scarcity, droughts and desertification which affects our region, as well as other places in the south of Europe”.<br /><br />Mr. Revuelta also supported the major role of interregional cooperation in addressing this situation. The director-general further explained that “Fundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea has attracted 66 million euro to the Valencian Region in European funding, mainly in projects related to environment and energy efficiency”.<br /><br />For this reason, Mr. Revuelta stated that “the Valencian Region leads the way in obtaining European environmental projects”.<br /><br />He also stressed the role of the Fundación in establishing European partnerships in water issues, such as Wateregio, the European Water Network, which brings together 10 regions committed to finding solutions against water scarcity and droughts.<br /><br />Specifically, the programme ENPI Mediterranean Basin has launched a new call, to be closed on October 20th, which welcomes the submission of projects in the field of cross-border cooperation. Likewise, the programme Life + has launched another call, to be closed on September 15th; Ecoinnovation, to be closed early September, and EuropAid, which allocates 70 million euro for initiative regarding environment, renewable energies and energy efficiency.<br /></span><br />AER contacts:<br />Jascha Scheele <a href="mailto:j.scheele@aer.eu">j.scheele@aer.eu</a><br /></div>Wateregio contact:<br />Alfonso Alcolea <a href="mailto:aalcolea@delcomval.be">aalcolea@delcomval.be</a>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-88127478011183951322009-06-25T18:14:00.001+02:002009-06-25T18:14:03.237+02:00Félicitations à la Région PACA<div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">World Water Forum 2012 in Marseille!</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div align="justify"><br />On Friday, the World Water Council selected Marseille (France) as the city and country to host the 2012 World Water Forum. The selection followed a process for evaluating the candidates and a final vote from the Council's Board of Governors. The World Water Forum is the world's largest water gathering that brings together over 20,000 political leaders, NGOs, government officials, water professionals, and scientists every three years.</span></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-22517017825997718862009-06-23T12:30:00.004+02:002009-06-23T12:38:59.344+02:00Meeting next Thursday 25th June<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Date:</strong> 25th June 2009. 17h30. </span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div align="justify"><strong>Venue:</strong> Room JDE53 - Committee of the Regions. Rue Belliard 99-101 Brussels.<br /><br /><strong>Provisional Agenda:</strong> (version 1, as proposed the 18th May)<br /><br />The meeting will be hold simultaneously to the Zero Plus conference.<br />Please check the agenda of the <a href="http://www.cor.europa.eu/COR_cms/ui/ViewDocument.aspx?siteid=default&contentID=e4d86ce5-1632-47f2-8210-5dcac1ded43e">Zero Plus</a> seminar, as the speakers may be of your interest.<br /><strong><br />17:30 - 18:00</strong> Welcome and project forum corner. </div><div align="justify"><br />Round Table about new answers for water treatment in the industrial sector; future collaboration and new sustainable project ideas. </div><p align="justify">Moderator: Mr Alfonso Alcolea<br />Proposals. ENPI project on water management “Water communities”.<br />LIFE+ project - Wateregio. FP7 on conductions of water<br /><br /><strong>18:00</strong> Closed-door meeting.<br /><br />§ Approval of the record of activities.<br />§ Report about legal personality of Wateregio.<br />§ New steering committee.<br />§ Other business</span></p>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406463731486891739.post-6162543264347044562009-06-12T11:40:00.004+02:002009-09-01T11:52:05.875+02:00Annual bathing water report 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AvA0F4D5XyFXNiXp6Nlq2CDVkEOttfqTxMR8S5_DDh8MvVuqMjmf7PfkOLHptKAPJQw3jVY8R3-6S-8xwdDjS5pr53Uxg-cPuu3r82r1AoTbmElZfes7Y3tycdCCc45ZU1kHVBKBI1i8/s1600-h/Torre+de+la+Horadada.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346376019408604082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AvA0F4D5XyFXNiXp6Nlq2CDVkEOttfqTxMR8S5_DDh8MvVuqMjmf7PfkOLHptKAPJQw3jVY8R3-6S-8xwdDjS5pr53Uxg-cPuu3r82r1AoTbmElZfes7Y3tycdCCc45ZU1kHVBKBI1i8/s400/Torre+de+la+Horadada.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Bathing water quality improving </strong></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The annual bathing water report was presented the 11th June by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency reveals that the large majority of bathing sites across the European Union met EU hygiene standards in 2008. During that bathing season some 96% of coastal bathing areas and 92% of bathing sites in rivers and lakes complied with minimum standards. The report provides useful water quality information for the millions of people who visit Europe's beaches every summer.</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>Bathing water quality shows a long-term upward trend</strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Every summer millions of Europeans head for the beach to enjoy the sun and to cool down in refreshing clean water. To allow Europeans to make an informed choice on which beach to choose, the Commission publishes a yearly report on the quality of coastal and freshwater bathing areas as reported by Member States for the beaches located within their territory. This year the report was prepared by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which is also making available on its website maps and tables with detailed information on specific bathing areas. </div><div align="justify"><br />In 2008 the number of bathing waters monitored increased by some 75 sites. Of the 21,400 bathing areas monitored throughout the European Union in 2008 two thirds were on the coast and the rest were along rivers and lakes. The largest number of coastal bathing waters can be found in Italy, Greece, France, Spain and Denmark while Germany and France have the highest number of inland bathing waters .</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The overall quality of bathing waters in the EU has markedly improved since 1990. Compliance with mandatory values ( minimum quality requirements) increased over the 1990 to 2008 period from 80% to 96% and from 52% to 92% in coastal and inland waters respectively. From 2007 to 2008 compliance increased both for inland and coastal waters (1.1 and 3.3 percentage points respectively).</div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>Twelve Member States monitoring under the new bathing directive</strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Bathing areas are zones where bathing is explicitly authorised or where bathing is traditionally practised by a large number of bathers and is not prohibited.<br />To determine their quality bathing waters are tested against a number of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters for which the Bathing Water Directive </div><div align="justify"></span></div><a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/903&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=es#footnote-1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">sets out mandatory values. Member States must comply with the mandatory values but may adopt the stricter standards and non-binding guide values .</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><div align="justify"><br />In 2006 a new bathing water directive </div><div align="justify"></span></div><a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/903&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=es#footnote-2"><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">took effect which updated the parameters and monitoring provisions in line with the latest scientific knowledge. The new Directive places greater emphasis on providing information to the public on the quality of bathing areas. Member States have until 2015 to fully implement the new Directive but twelve Member States (Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden) already monitored their bathing areas during the 2008 bathing season according to the parameters of the new Directive.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> <div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>The report</strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">A summary of the report and detailed country reports are available in English on the Commission’s bathing water website at: </span></div><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-bathing/report_2009.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-bathing/report_2009.html </span></a><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Zoomable maps of all European bathing areas can be viewed on the EEA website : </span></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/status-and-monitoring/state-of-bathing-water"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/status-and-monitoring/state-of-bathing-water </span></a></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><a id="footnote-1" name="footnote-1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 :</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Directive 76/160/EEC on the quality of bathing water<br /></span><a id="footnote-2" name="footnote-2"><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 :</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Directive 2006/7/EC on the management of bathing water quality</span></div>Wateregio Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014589034228684882noreply@blogger.com1