Water resources are under stress worldwide and one of the elements of
this stress - man's impact on water quality constitutes a key problem
especially in well-developed countries. This problem receives an increasing
attention of the public, politicians, decision makers nowadays. People have
to answer how to achieve any given level and pattern of water quality in
particular watercourses and also how to mitigate the catastrophes that are
inseparable elements of civilization.
The EU water framework directive, which came into force at the end of
2000, changes the way of monitoring, assessing and managing water in
European countries. Three groups of quality elements (biological,
hydromorphological and physico-chemical) have been identified in the water
framework directive as necessary to classify the ecological status of a
particular water body. There are however many significant shortfalls and
gaps not only in the countries information but also at the basic understanding
of the physical processes occurring in various water bodies and the presented
volume aims at filling some of those gaps. One should also mention about
other EU directives, like the dangerous substances directive, drinking water
directive, IPCC directive which in general should lead towards reduction and
elimination of pollution by hazardous substances, phasing out emissions,
losses and discharges of them. In general achievement of levels protecting
human health and aquatic ecosystems is expected.