DHI in association with Lithuanian Consultants has initiated a 18 months project with the objective of implementing tools for groundwater and surface water analysis during implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Lithuania. The study is financed by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency for the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment
According to the WFD an analysis of river basins with respect to characteristics of the water bodies, impact assessments for human activities and economic analysis have to be finalized before the end of 2004. Without introducing strict procedure and utilizing available technologies it will be quite a challenge for the country to meet this deadline. Particularly groundwater resources management in relation to the WFD requires the introduction of state-of the-art technologies. Lithuania is probably the only country in Europe using exclusively groundwater resources for potable water supply. Consequently, their use and protection has top priority as clearly demonstrated in a groundwater strategy approved by the governmental decree at the end of 2001.
The EU water frame work directive emphasizes that the river basin management comprises surface water and groundwater. Thus the main objective of the project is to implement and apply relevant river basin tools (mathematical models) for the analysis of groundwater and surface water considering the requirements in the WFD. The tools will comprise an integrated package of GIS technology, databases and groundwater and surface water models based on the MIKE technology e.g. MIKE BASIN, MIKE 11, DAISY and MIKE SHE.
Once implemented the tools will facilitate the definition of the reference situation, assessing the likelihood of meeting the water quality objectives for various anthropogenic stresses, priorities investment schemes and hence preparation of river basin action plans.
For more details please contact:
DHI Water & Environment
Agern Allé 5
DK-2970 Hørsholm
Denmark
Att: Mads N. Madsen
Phone: +45 45 169 141
Fax: +45 45 169 292
E-mail: mm@dhi.dk