Indicator 7 from the results framework water (IGG-DGIS)

Water is an important factor for development, which requires enough water of good quality and quantity for all users throughout the year. It is important that everyone has access to sufficient water of good quality and is protected against water related disasters. Additionally, it is essential to safeguard biodiversity and to protect and restore water-related ecosystems. Each hectare is only counted once, and results of different years can be aggregated to account for the total number of hectares.

Definitions

1. Number of hectares reached
2. Physical interventions
3. River basins and deltas
4. Good water quality and quantity

Number of hectares reached An area is considered ‘reached’ when it is directly affected by a physical intervention that is aimed at river basins and deltas with good water quality and quantity (see below). Demonstrate where the boundaries of this area are. This is expressed in hectares.

Physical interventions This indicator includes any physical intervention aimed at river basins and deltas with good water quality and quantity. Such a physical intervention can take the shape of both nature-based and technology-based solutions, as well as combinations thereof. Technology-based solutions can be high-tech, low-tech or somewhere in between. Examples include, but are not limited to, drainage systems, dikes, irrigation systems, mangrove forests, waste water treatment plants, or measures to enhance infiltration. Physical interventions do not only refer to completely ‘new’ interventions, but also interventions whereby existing infrastructure (grey or green) is rehabilitated or reconstructed, could be included as well.

River basins and deltas A river basin is an area of land where all water that falls on that land, flows into one river. It can flow directly into the river or go through smaller rivers or streams that flow into the larger river. A river basin can be divided in subbasins. A delta or delta system is part of a river basin, it’s a landform shaped by the influence of rivers and other water bodies (ocean, sea, estuary, lake, or reservoir). Deltas are geographically well-defined flat sediment plains, subject to frequent inundation by river and sea.

Good water quality and quantity Water quality refers to the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water based on the standards of its usage. The most common standards used to monitor and assess water quality convey the health of ecosystems, safety of human contact, extent of water pollution and condition of drinking water. Good water quality is water that fulfills the criteria as defined by the national competent authorities. In case there are no national criteria, the criteria of the WHO should be applied. Water quantity is the amount of water in a water body. The qualification of ‘good’ is to be defined by the partner organization, based on (local) standards and criteria.