River basin management plans developed in Greece, based on the WFD 2000/60/EC guidelines
TL;DR: In this article, the progress regarding the river basin management plan (RBMP) developed by each EU27 member state (MS) is presented, and a review of the conformity checks regarding the obligation and the quality of the RBMPs is provided for all EU27 MS.
Abstract: The Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) sets an overall framework for water management in Europe. The main instrument for its implementation is the river basin management plan (RBMP) and the accompanying programme of measures. As we are almost in the end of the WFD implementation cycle (in 2015), the paper presents the progress regarding the RBMPs developed by each EU27 member state (MS). A review of the conformity checks regarding the obligation and the quality of the RBMPs is provided for all EU27 MS. Special focus is given to Greece attempting a comparative analysis of its RBMPs. Although they comply with the context requirements set by the WFD, there have been problems occurring as consequences intense disputes. Special focus is given in the economic assessment. Different methodologies used and the lack of data are the main problems identified.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyze the capacity of urban water tariffs to recover service costs and to promote efficiency, sustainability, affordability, and equity in the Spanish urban water tariff system, and they conclude that many of these challenges would be better addressed by a national independent regulatory body.
Abstract: Recently, in the context of the Integrated Water Resources Management, demand policies are playing a more important role as opposed to traditional supply policies based on the construction of large hydraulic infrastructures. In this new context, water tariffs have become an important tool in achieving economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This paper reviews the situation of urban water tariffs in Spain, a country subject to high water stress. It analyzes the capacity of urban water tariffs to recover service costs and to promote efficiency, sustainability, affordability, and equity. Although it has made significant progress in recent years, the Spanish urban water tariff system still faces many challenges. Many of these challenges would be better addressed by a national independent regulatory body.
50 citations
TL;DR: The current state-of-knowledge on EWQMS typical structural features and operational strategies and benefits and drawbacks are analyzed and the challenges encountered during installation and implementation are highlighted.
47 citations
TL;DR: The present paper assesses both present and future vulnerability of water resources in the Adriatic region, with special focus on Corfu Island, Greece, showing that climate change is expected to impact negatively on water resources availability while at the same time, water demand isexpected to increase.
Abstract: Cross-border water resources management and protection is a complicated task to achieve, lacking a common methodological framework. Especially in the Adriatic region, water used for drinking water supply purposes pass from many different countries, turning its management into a hard task to achieve. During the DRINKADRIA project, a common methodological framework has been developed, for efficient and effective cross-border water supply and resources management, taking into consideration different resources types (surface and groundwater) emphasizing in drinking water supply intake. The common methodology for water resources management is based on four pillars: climate characteristics and climate change, water resources availability, quality, and security. The present paper assesses both present and future vulnerability of water resources in the Adriatic region, with special focus on Corfu Island, Greece. The results showed that climate change is expected to impact negatively on water resources availability while at the same time, water demand is expected to increase. Water quality problems will be intensified especially due to land use changes and salt water intrusion. The analysis identified areas where water resources are more vulnerable, allowing decision makers develop management strategies.
35 citations
Cites background from "River basin management plans develo..."
...4) (water abstracted from the three aquifers, namely, GR500010, GR 500020, GR 500030) (Kanakoudis and Tsitsifli 2015)....
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TL;DR: In this article, a literature update on the quantity and quality aspects of water resources in Greece for each water body, focusing on water relation effects (aridity/drought, floods and soil erosion by water).
28 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrated that significant conflict situations in the past could be resolved using continuous and reliable datasets included in the management plans, and the use of freely available data sources renders the findings of this work useful for the sustainable management of shared waters.
Abstract: Data availability and the existence of exchange mechanisms are considered crucial issues for the management of water bodies shared among riparian countries. Moreover, common legislative and technical frameworks are assets that foster the management of transboundary waters in an integrated and sustainable manner. The River Basin Management Plans of the European Union's Water Framework Directive implementation process not only incorporate a cooperative framework, but also include open access internet-based databases that can enhance cooperation and shed light on water-related conflicts among countries that share transboundary waters. The proposed methodological approach in this research is applied in four transboundary river basins, where Greece is the downstream country, and the upstream countries are not all member states of the European Union. The areas of dispute were found in the 2nd Water Convention Report. For each particular case study, data and information from the respective River Basin Management Plans were used to investigate the actual situation. The results demonstrated that significant conflict situations in the past, which involved both water quality and water quantity issues, could be resolved using continuous and reliable datasets included in the management plans. The use of freely available data sources renders the findings of this work useful for the sustainable management of shared waters.
26 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the intricate process of developing the European Union's Water Framework Directive and highlight the key points of disagreement between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament that threatened to prevent the Directive from being materialized and interpret this controversy as the culmination of conflicting interests between different actors at the local, national and European levels.
Abstract: This article examines the intricate process of developing the European Union's Water Framework Directive. It sees the Directive as a response to recent economic, political and social changes related to water management, including the shift from government to governance, the liberalization of water markets and the emergence of a new set of institutions, actors, etc. and their respective relations (i.e. social capital). The article focuses on the key points of disagreement between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament that threatened to prevent the Directive from being materialized and interprets this controversy as the culmination of conflicting interests between different actors at the local, national and European levels. Finally, it asserts the increasingly important role of the nation state in the decision-making and implementation of the Directive and sets this against recent arguments about the death of the State.
326 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the need for participatory processes to respect the context within which they are pursued and with specific alterations to the way public participation has been planned and implemented in Greece.
Abstract: Accepting the positive results that public participation can bring in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), this paper seeks to contribute to ongoing discussions on the rather problematic WFD implementation in southern Europe. Within this framework, we first focus on the national level and the analysis of ‘water governance’ and ‘public participation’ within the context of WFD implementation in Greece, and secondly on the examination of the participatory methods introduced locally for the preparation of the Evrotas River Basin management plan. The first section focuses on public participation as an indispensable ingredient of good water governance. The next focuses on the introduction of the WFD as an instance of governance that promotes participatory arrangements. We then present the centralized structure of the Greek state as an impediment to the introduction of public participation in water governance. The fourth section focuses on the Evrotas River Basin and describes the participatory arrangements for the preparation of the management plan. The paper concludes with the verification of the need for participatory processes to respect the context within which they are pursued and with specific alterations to the way public participation has been planned and implemented in Greece. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of the first attempt in Greece to value the environmental damage to groundwater and to estimate its total economic value using environmental economics, showing that local households are willing to pay an extra monthly charge in voluntary basis for ten years, in order to restore the aquifer under investigation.
Abstract: Due to the unique nature of the environmental damage, mainly by Cr(VI), the pollution of the Asopos river basin aquifer in Greece has been recently characterized as an ‘environmental crisis’. This paper presents the results of the first attempt in Greece to value the environmental damage to groundwater and to estimate its total economic value using environmental economics. Towards this direction a Contingent Valuation study was conducted, covering the settlements mostly affected in the area. The results indicate that local households are willing to pay an extra monthly charge in voluntary basis for ten years, in order to restore the aquifer under investigation. Different household profiles show different willingness to pay, depending on attitudes against the environmental damage, population age and place of residence. The elicited estimates seem to reflect mostly non-use values and, although smaller than actual private and public expenses for the replacement of the lost public good, the findings are promising and may serve as a spark for future research.
42 citations
TL;DR: The basic methodological framework for an integrated action plan to be developed that will guarantee the reliable calculation of the Full Water Cost (FWC), as defined by the WFD 2000/60/EC is set.
Abstract: This paper attempts to set the basic methodological framework for an integrated action plan (in terms of successive steps) to be developed that will guarantee the reliable calculation of the Full Water Cost (FWC), as defined by the WFD 2000/60/EC. Towards this goal, the crucial role of the water losses occurring in a water distribution system is demonstrated. This will help an effective and socially just water pricing policy to be developed. The cost components (direct – DC; environmental – EC; and resource – RC) comprising the FWC are analysed, introducing approaches for their reliable calculation. Regarding the DC, the marginal capacity cost and the necessary preconditions for its integration to the final water price along with its contribution towards effective water demand reduction are analysed. Regarding the EC, its dynamic character and the ways it interacts with the DC are presented. The role of the stakeholders in setting those price levels is also checked. Crucial parameters are analysed for a socially just water cost allocation to domestic users. The role of the water utility is examined, considering its responsibility in water losses. The basic policies (market-based vs. conventional) used to achieve conservative water use are evaluated. In addition, the role of the State is criticized.
36 citations
TL;DR: The Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC, establishing a framework for Community actions regarding protection of water resources, was adopted in 2000 and its implementation is now well underway, as most of the EU-Member States have fulfilled their current obligations of submitting their reports as discussed by the authors.
29 citations