LIFE GoodWater IP: Implementation of Latvian river basin management plans to achieve good surface water status

Project objective: to improve the water quality of approximately 30% risk water bodies in the long term by developing, adapting to Latvian conditions and implementing various innovative management and governance measures.

To improve the status of water bodies at risk in Latvia, 19 organisations have launched a joint project “Implementation of Latvian River Basin Management Plans for Achieving Good Surface Water Status” (LIFE GOODWATER IP) in 2020. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s LIFE programme for the environment and climate and the State Regional Development Agency. There are currently 164 water bodies at risk in Latvia (89 rivers and 75 lakes) and the biggest problems are caused by pollution with plant nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which cause eutrophication), as well as changes in the banks and beds of watercourses and water bodies.

Surface waters are an important part of the ecosystem, and their quality can affect not only the quality of the relevant catchment basins, but also the quality of water-related resources, as well as the quality of wider waters (groundwater, including marine). The quality of surface waters in Latvia is most affected by two factors – the inflow of nutrients into the waters and various transformations. Nutrients enter the waters with wastewater and runoff from agricultural and forest areas, and this contributes to the overgrowth of watercourses and water bodies. Various transformations (dams, ports, shoreline reinforcements, etc.) change the natural regime of waters, thus also affecting natural habitats. Improvements are needed in river basin management in Latvia in order to be able to achieve the standards set out in the EU Water Framework Directive.

Project website: www.goodwater.lv

Total budget: 14,463,050 EUR (including EU LIFE programme funding: 8,677,830 EUR, State Regional Development Agency Latvian Environmental Protection Fund funding: 4,372,616 EUR, Co-financing from participating partners 1,517,604 EUR).

Project duration: 01.01.2020 – 31.12.2027.

Project lead partner: Latvian Center for Environment, Geology and Meteorology

Project partners:

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia
Latvia University of Agriculture
University of Latvia
Latvian State Forestry Institute “Silava”
Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environmental Science BIOR
SIA “Process Analysis and Research Center”
Engure County Municipality
Ltd. “Jelgava County Public Administration”
State property management organizations:
State LLC “Real Estate of the Ministry of Agriculture”
Joint-stock company "Latvian State Forests"
Latvian Association of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
NGO “Farmers' Parliament”
World Wildlife Fund
Association "Baltic Coasts"
Latvian Nature Foundation
Baltic Environmental Forum
Latvian Rural Consulting and Education Center