Glossary   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Observation of the state of aquatic environments is carried out using networks which bring together similar systems (head measuring stations, water sampling or sediment sampling points, fish counting etc.) There is a difference between:

• Monitoring networks, which evaluate the general state of water and trends at river basin level.
• Usage networks, which check water’s suitability for a certain form of use (drinking water, bathing water, shellfish farming etc.) as part of a regulatory framework.
• Impact networks which locally test the impact of a polluting activity (wastewater treatment plants, industrial waste, agricultural pollution etc.) and the effectiveness of the measures adopted to reduce its impact.

The observation data are collected in the Water Information System databanks in accordance with their subject area.

A data collection network or system corresponds to a group of measuring stations which are fulfilling a particular purpose. Each network respects common rules aiming to guarantee the coherence of the observations, particularly as regards the density and purpose of measuring stations, the selection of compulsory parameters and the choice of measuring protocols, and the determination of measuring frequency. All of these rules are set out in a protocol.

Example: The National Groundwater Quantity Network.

A water network search engine is available on:
http://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/disceau

(see Water Status Surveillance Monitoring Programme)