* This Memorandum was adopted at the 1st NGO Conference on Fresh Water Problems And Management In The Mediterranean Region, Rome. 24-27 October 1992 (Organised by MIO/EEB)

Representatives of NGOs of 11 Mediterranean countries together with representatives of the EC, UNEP/MAP and WWF International met in Rome between 24 and 27 October 1992 at the invitation of the MIO (Mediterranean Information Office) and EEB (European Environmental Bureau) and with organizational support of Italia Nostra which hosted the meeting and of the other Italian EEB Member Associations. and the support of DG XI of the CEC.

The meeting was co-chaired by Prof. M.Scoullos, President of the EEB and E Adly, Secretary General of AOYE. The purpose of the meeting was to review the environmental impact of fresh water problems and management In the Mediterranean region, with a view to making recommendations for the Mediterranean Region Ministerial Conference.

This NGO meeting and the Ministerial Conference are a follow up to the meetings staged in Algiers in 1990 and in Cairo in 1992 More significantly they are the first regional International meetings since the adoption of Agenda 21 In Rio In this respect. NGOs feel disappointed that the principles of Agenda 21. which demand active NGO participation and access to information. were not followed in the process of the formulation of the Mediterranean Water Charter The NGOs believe that the Rome Ministerial Conference must stress importance of water as a vial finite resource. essential to sustain all forms of life. Because of scarcity in some areas. It is a potential source of conflict which however. should be transformed into an element of unification and co-operation

The importance of the sustainable utilisation of water is not given the priority if commands As a result in many Mediterranean areas. there is a constant depletion of this natural resource with disastrous socio-economic consequences.

The NGOs feel that governments must address water management In an all-encompassing way They must take into account the natural cycle of water (generation. evaporation. rain. percolation. enrichment of surface and underground sources) and the vita! importance of the protection of forests and wetlands as well as the prevention of soil erosion as part of this natural cycle

It is feared that climate changes may have a chain reaction resulting in a natural depletion of water resources worsening the socio-economic effects caused by man-made depletion

The diversity of the eater economics of the Mediterranean Region provides glaring contrasts. which require serious study arid commitment at both national and international levels for the allocation of financial and technical resources.

A revolutionary change of approach Is required. with the adoption of short- and long-tern strategies to prevent the depiction of reserves and improve distribution

NGOs have already launched important projects in this respect as evidenced in the Annex

The role of women should be recognised as a key element in water management. since they are main water users.

It is felt that it is also necessary to have a special assessment of the effect of the rapidly expanding tourist sector on the utilisation of water. Tourism has become a mainstay of many national economies diverting increasing amount of scarce water from other users and creating pollution and health risk problems through inadequate sewage and waste wafer disposal

The health aspect of water supplies and distribution and sewage disposal and their economic implications must be addressed adequately in the Mediterranean Charter.

The key is firmly in the hands of Governments, for the single most important factor needed is political will.

The NGOs recognise that the proposal for the establishment of the Mediterranean Water Network reflects what NGOs themselves proposed in the past (Mediterranean Community of Water - NGO Athens Declaration. 1991- NGO Cairo Memorandum 1992). Since the need for a fully functioning Network is recognised. the NGOs believe that any new Network must be formed In conjunction with existing ones and particularly the MAP-UNEP and the Nicosia Charter initiatives to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication. The NGOs demand that on basis of Agenda 21 they must be involved as active partners in the Network.

SOME KEY ISSUES that need urgent attention:

1. The impact of the drastic reduction of plant cover due to mismanagement of natural resources (forest fires, erosion, deforestation due to urban expansion, constantly increased utilisation of this scarce resource for the tourist sector) endangers the wafer resources.

2. Unsustainable practices in agriculture and industry result in uneconomic use of wafer and higher pollution loads form agrochemicals and other substances. Mediterranean has some of the least efficient water utilisation practices. Mismanagement creates particular pollution problems in Deltas and Wetlands.

3. Serious environmental problems are often caused by massive wafer transfer projects and water storage in open systems to serve unbalanced population distribution. Evaporation and leakages causing considerable losses are additional problems intrinsic to these systems

4. Many Mediterranean areas face serious problems caused by the lack of basic infrastructure both in the supply of pipe water to homes and wade water disposal.

5. While recognising the importance of water recycling for non domestic urban and agricultural purposes ifs improper use creates potential health risks and possible contamination of surface and underground waters

6. It is important to encourage scientific research In all sectors of water utilisation. particularly fur desalination using renewable energy sources.

7. For the promotion of sound water management legislative Instruments should 'be improved and strictly implemented. wherever exist.

8. It is necessary to adopt strategies that will take into account the disparities  between the different areas and users. Attempts to save water through pricing can not be applied universally because of the vast differences In uses. infrastructures and standards of living

9. In addition to pricing other financial tools such as incentives and disincentives (taxes levies. could be taken info account. in compliance with Implementing the Polluter Pays Principle

10. A crucial complementary tool is to raise public awareness and Improve training and education at various levels

As part of this policy. the NGOs propose the proclamation of 1994 as the Mediterranean Wafer Year

ANNEX: Mediterranean NGOs Projects dealing with freshwater issues

Mediterranean NGOs have proved their ability to work on water Issues through ongoing projects They have also developed through these projects appropriate approaches and methods for the rational management of wafer and its resources that could be expanded throughout the region

NGOs fulfil an important role In disseminating information compiled from monitoring ,programmes and management. through field work, training and awareness raising. The following are examples of some successful projects conceived and executed by the Mediterranean NGOs and/or proposed for the future

1. management of wetlands and monitoring the seasonal fluctuation of the wetlands water level;

2. use of alternative irrigation systems e.g. replacement of open channels with drip irrigation and collection of rain water from greenhouse roofs etc. in order to irrigate them;

3. collecting data on rain-fall from meteorological stations;

4. cleaning irrigation channels by removing weeds that absorb water arid Increase evaporation;

5. identification and reuse of alternative water resources where possible e.g. neglected spring;

6. identification of the appropriate areas to be kept closed to other human activities. in order to secure production of safe drinking water;

7, projects on terracing of hilly agricultural lands. alternative agricultural practises e.g. municipal use of organic nutrients. reducing use of chemical fertilizers;

8. development arid promotion of waterless-odourless sanitary latrines;

9. training of unemployed youth as technician for the improvement and maintenance of water infrastructure

Mediterranean NGOs have expressed their intent during the Rome meeting to develop joint activities aiming at raising awareness on the rational use of fresh water through a Mediterranean Campaign. coordinate by MIO targeted at four groups : farmers. women. youth and tourists This Campaign, would consist on mobilising these groups on the finite aspect of water resources.

The observance of a Mediterranean Year of Water and a "Water Day" in all Mediterranean countries should be considered

5a. MEDITERRANEAN WATER YEAR 1994-95

Principles and Messages of the Mediterranean Water Campaign (Athens,19 March 1994)

1. Water is scarce in the Mediterranean

2 It is important to launch and continue awareness campaigns for water economy but it is not a solution to deal only with one part of the water cycle (the demand part) at any given moment: an overall approach is needed for generation, retention and harvesting of water