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International Water Quality Guidelines for Ecosystems

Addressing the deterioration of water quality and depletion of freshwater ecosystems, these guidelines aim to help countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals by providing a common platform for managing transboundary waters. They focus on preserving water quality, quantity, and habitats to enhance ecosystem integrity and inform national policies. The typology includes running water ecosystems, standing water ecosystems, and wetland ecosystems. The guidelines follow a cyclic approach composed of 4 phases and 9 steps, promoting adaptive management and continuous improvement. By utilizing data and aiming for the Best Attainable Condition, water managers can bridge the gap between monitoring and ecosystem improvement and support SDG monitoring. Adequate funding is essential to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of ecosystems.

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International Water Quality Guidelines for Ecosystems

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  1. International Water Quality Guidelines for Ecosystems Emmanuel Ngore UN Environment (UNEP) Cap-Net Meeting Nairobi , Kenya 08 November 2016

  2. The Need…. Deterioration of water quality Depletion of freshwater ecosystem health and associated goods and services to society Biodiversity is continually threatened despite monitoring of physical, chemical and biological parameters To help countries meet Sustainable Development Goals To create a common platform also for transboundary waters

  3. What are they? IWQGES are advisory in nature and provide a basis for both those without any water guidelines & those with guidelines can identify areas to improve for better ecosystem integrity Water quality, quantity and physical habitats and connectivity are considered for preservation of ecosystems They provide a base for setting national water quality policy and implementation

  4. Typology of water bodies Running water ecosystems (streams & rivers) Standing water ecosystems (lakes & reservoirs) Wetland ecosystems

  5. Setting the scene-Freshwater ESH

  6. Best Attainable Condition Is an important concept that governments and authorities can decide as a condition that could be achieved by implementing best management principles This may not be category 1 but can be close to or within category 2 Thus its never too late to redeem any water ecosystem

  7. Developing the Water Quality Guidelines This is based on cyclic approach composed of 4 main phases made up of 9 steps Repeated cycles allow for adaptive management This was borne out of the modified - Drivers; Pressures; Stressors; States; Impacts; Responses (DPSSIR) model.

  8. 4 phases of 9 steps of IWQGES NEW AGENDA & ISSUES NEED FOR ECOSYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

  9. Cyclic Improvement Using data from cycle one and aiming for a higher level of management Study area and objectives Maximizing existing data New data collection and condition assessment Data evaluation management and governance Cycle 2 Diligence brings a better ecosystem with each complete cycle How many years to get to BAC?

  10. Conclusion This is a timely tool that is simply put and allows water managers to see where they are and where they can make a change It bridges the gap between monitoring and improved water ecosystems Provides an overarching framework for SDG monitoring and reporting (targets 6.3 and 6.6) Sufficient funding could be a challenge to overcome – requires all to give the ecosystem its true value without looking at short-term exploitation gains, else over time ecosystem health will decline and their goods and services will be depleted

  11. Thank YouWe look forward to your feedback!Emmanuel.Ngore@unep.org

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