Surface Water Quality and Water Use in Georgia
摘要
Georgia abounds in water resources. Surface waters cover 74% of the country’s water demand in water resources. The Georgian legislation related to control and use of water resources is being reformed now. Georgia has undertaken to harmonize the local legislation in this sphere with the regulations and directives of the European Union. Although Georgia with the support of international institutions has succeeded to improve public water main and sewage disposal systems, the problems of reliable water supply and access to sanitation services, especially in the rural areas, still remain pressing. It is expected that the water consumption by industry and agriculture will continue growing. The industrial and agricultural operations are the main sources of pollution of natural water bodies with organic wastes and nutrient substances. Imperfection of legislation concerning prevention of water pollution, general dilapidation of water supply and water disposal systems, and lack of regular monitoring of water quality permit assessing the water use system in Georgia as unstable and inefficient.