1. INTRODUCTION

Effective management of Dnipro basin water quality is impossible without concerted efforts of the riparian countries aimed at implementing a transboundary monitoring programme. This task cannot be accomplished within the framework of the national and departmental monitoring systems now in place in the basin countries. The surface-water quality monitoring network currently available in the Dnipro basin is not adapted to the transboundary monitoring requirements and does not foster the obtaining of a true picture of the state of rivers in transboundary sections. A number of observation posts are too remote from the state borders, certain transboundary watercourses are not monitored at all and the periodicity of observations does not allow for the assessment of transboundary transfer to be performed with a required level of validity.

The Transboundary Monitoring Programme (TMP) for the Dnipro basin was developed in 2002-2003 by the Intergovernmental Monitoring Group set up under the auspices of the International Dnipro Centre “Pollution Monitoring (at the Ukrainian Research Institute of Environmental Problems in Kharkiv).

The TMP was elaborated in accordance with national legislation in the field of environmental monitoring and with due regard for bilateral agreements between the Dnipro basin countries. The Programme takes into account recommendations of the UN ECE Working Group on environmental monitoring and assessment established within the framework of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki, 1992).

The TMP will come into effect after the signing by the Dnipro basin countries of an Agreement on Cooperation in the Sphere of the Use and Protection of the Dnipro River Basin (hereinafter, the Agreement) and is an integral part (Appendix) of this Agreement.

2. TMP GOAL AND STRATEGY

The main goal of the TMP is to ensure information provision for the intergovernmental Dnipro basin management system including the planning of measures and assessment of the efficiency of their implementation, provision of information for national public institutions responsible for executing the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and National Action Plans (NAP) for environmental rehabilitation of the Dnipro basin.

The main users of TMP information are:

- Intergovernmental bodies of basin management proposed for establishment under the Agreement.

- National bodies of public administration in the sphere of the protection and use of natural resources (Appendix 3 to the Strategic Action Programme and Mechanisms of Its Implementation) which take part in SAP and NAP implementation.

- Scientific-research organisations, the public, interested water users.

The TMP strategy for the Dnipro basin is geared towards attaining two objectives:

- Monitoring and assessing the efficiency of SAP and NAP implementation;

- Monitoring the transboundary loading.

The implementation of the TMP strategy requires:

- Setting up a representative monitoring network;

- Developing a sampling procedure;

- Ensuring quality and validity of the data gathered.

3. TMP DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

The establishment of the network and development of the Dnipro River Basin Transboundary Monitoring Programme will be carried out in two stages.

Stage 1 Forming the TMP on the Basis of the Existing National Monitoring Systems Taking into Account the Objectives of the Transboundary Monitoring Strategy (2005-2010)

During Stage 1, observations will be carried out in accordance with a coordinated procedure at those posts of the national monitoring systems that are closest to the state borders. Prior to proceeding to TMP Stage 2, it is necessary:

- To retool laboratories and hydrologic posts engaged in TMP implementation;

- To establish a measurement quality control system in the basin, in particular, to ensure the conduction of a comparative analysis;

- To take an inventory of transboundary water pollution sources including diffusion sources;

- To carry out joint studies to develop a coordinated classification of water quality and mass transfer assessment methods;

- To carry out comprehensive expeditionary inspections of Dnipro basin transboundary locations.

The successful completion of Stage 1 will be evidenced by the following:

- Observation of the entire range of indicators agreed upon for this stage is ensured at all stations (posts) included in TMP Programme Stage 1;

- Stations (posts) are fitted out with equipment needed for completion of TMP Programme Stage 1 and going over to Stage 2;

- Within the TMP framework, an international expeditionary inspection of the basin’s transboundary locations has been completed and the correspondence of the TMP rules of procedure with the TMP strategic goals has been reviewed;

- General criteria are worked out for water-quality assessment in the course of transboundary monitoring carried out by the Dnipro basin countries;

- Regular information exchange is established;

- The process of preparation and publication of a TMP Yearbook is in place;

- A system for assuring quality of observations is created, including the conduction of regular (at least once a year) inter-laboratory comparative analyses;

- A training programme is developed and being implemented within the TMP framework. A system is created for training various specialists taking part in TMP implementation.

Stage 2 Improving the Observation Network and the Material and Technological Base, Optimising the Observation Procedure According to TMP Strategy (2010-2015)

Objectives of TMP implementation at Stage 2 include:

- Retooling of laboratories and hydrologic posts engaged in TMP implementation to ensure rules of procedure defined for Stage 2;

- Complete provision of priority information needs for the intergovernmental basin management system (within the framework of SAP implementation) and national departments responsible for SAP and NAP implementation in the Dnipro basin;

- Improving the observation network;

- Taking an inventory of diffusion pollution sources;

- Developing information management and data processing methods;

- Carrying out a second expeditionary inspection.

The successfulness of Stage 2 will be evidenced by the following:

- Observation of the entire range of specified indicators is ensured at all stations (posts) of the monitoring network included in Stage 1 and Stage 2 with the required rate of sampling;

- Laboratory work is performed with required quality, an acceptable level of correspondence is ensured between the results obtained in different laboratories;

- A second international expeditionary inspection of the basin’s transboundary locations has been carried out;

- Coordinated approaches to evaluating transboundary transfer at the main transboundary locations are implemented;

- A sub-programme for monitoring mass transfer of contaminating substances between the basin countries is expanded by commencing into operation the necessary hydrologic posts and achieving a prescribed rate of sampling;

Stage 3 Implementing the TMP Within the Scope Defined by the TMP Strategy (2015-2020)

The objective of Stage 3 is to fully implement the TMP and optimise the list of indicators to be controlled.

At the end of each stage, the TMP efficiency is critically reviewed and assessed for correspondence with the requirements of information provision for intergovernmental bodies of basin management and recommendations are developed for TMP improvement.

4. NETWORK OF TMP STATIONS

In forming the network of TMP stations, the following main principles were applied:

- All watercourses considerably contributing to the transboundary transfer of contaminating substances were included in the transboundary monitoring network;

- No sources of appreciable pollution, which can substantially influence water quality, should be located between transboundary river-sections controlled by the neighbouring countries;

- Maximum use of the existing national posts of surface-water monitoring;

- A step-by-step approach to forming the network of TMP stations;

- A phased transition to time- and space-coordinated measurements of hydrologic and hydro-chemical parameters of water quality in the transboundary river-sections to ensure a comprehensive assessment of water ecosystems.

Main information about the network of TMP stations is given in Table 1 and Fig. 1.

The list of TMP stations reflects three stages of network formation. However, it is envisaged that the same limited number of stations will be used at Stage 1 and Stage 2, while the scope of work will gradually increase. Stages in which a particular station is engaged under the TMP are shown in the column “TMP Stage”.

Additional stations which will be included in the TMP at Stage 3 are only tentatively defined in this document. The results of TMP implementation at Stage 1 and 2, including the results of full-scale expeditionary inspections of watercourses that are not controlled by the TMP at these stages, will be used for substantiating the necessity of expending a particular station and its inclusion in the monitoring network.

Table 1 presents information about groups of indicators to be determined under the TMP at each station. It also specifies the stage of TMP development at which a particular group of indicators is included in the programme of observation at a given station.

Table 1. Network of TMP Stations

s – settlement; v – village; uv – urban village; t – town; c – city

* – at Stage 3, the post is turned over from the TMP to the national network of surface-water monitoring

Figure 1. Network of TMP Stations

5. SAMPLING PROCEDURE

The TMP list of indicators to be measured is defined on the basis of analysis of the existing transboundary problems of the Dnipro basin, specifics of water-quality formation in the Dnipro basin transboundary watercourses, effect of anthropogenic loading, transboundary transfer of contaminants.

In accordance with the strategy adopted, the TMP’s routine monitoring schedule to be carried out on a regular basis comprises a shortened list of indicators. A full list of indicators, including indicators of contaminant concentration in bottom sediments and bioaccumulation indicators, will only be defined as a result of expeditionary inspections constituting an integral part of the TMP. It is expected that such inspections will make it possible to refine the list of ingredients and indicators for subsequent stages of TMP development.

The rate of sampling under the basic monitoring schedule is established based on the analysis of variability of indicators and practices adopted for other transboundary rivers at a rate of at least 12 times a year. For Stage 1, it is admissible to begin with the periodicity of observation of 6 times a year and gradually increase it to 12 times a year.

A special sampling regime is set for stations which evaluate transboundary loading (mass transfer). To increase the accuracy and validity of evaluations by taking into account the specifics of the hydrologic regime of watercourses at the corresponding stations included in the sub-programme for evaluation of mass transfer volumes, the following sampling schedules are established:

- in spring (March, April, May), samples relevant to mass transfer evaluation are to be taken once in every two weeks;

- in the rest of the year, samples are to be taken once a month.

Thus, the total rate of sampling for this group of stations is 15 times a year.

The overall list of indicators for Stage 1 and 2 of TMP development is given in Table 2.

Table 2. List of indicators for Stage 1 and 2 of TMP development

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[1]  Shaded indicators are optional for basic monitoring under TMP.

[2] The target rate of sampling for indicators, for which a 6-12 range is given, is 12 times a year. As an exception, it is admissible to gradually achieve this rate in the course of TMP stages 1 and 2.

[3] For stations included in the transboundary mass transfer evaluation sub-programme.

[4] Here and below, the rate of 15 times a year relates to stations included in the transboundary mass transfer evaluation sub-programme.

6. LABORATORIES TAKING PART IN TMP. MEASUREMENT QUALITY CONTROL

Laboratories responsible for TMP execution were determined based on the following criteria:

- accreditation of laboratories in the field of testing in accordance with TMP requirement;

- territorial assignment of functions regulated by the national systems of surface-water monitoring;

- availability of conditions for information exchange within the TMP.

Table 3 lists laboratories and organisations engaged in implementation of the TMP’s basic programme.

Table 3. List of laboratories and organisations taking part in implementation of TMP basic programme

Material-Technological and Methodological Base for TMP Implementation

One of the TMP’s objectives is to form the instrumentation base at the laboratories of the three basin countries, which would allow the use of modern methods of analysis and guarantee the obtaining of reliable, valid and comparable information. In forming the TMP’s material-technological base, the main approach consists in using and implementing the instrumentation and methodological base which correspond to the accepted international practice in the sphere of surface-water monitoring.

Appendix I contains recommended methods of quantitative measurements (Table 1) and the list of equipment (Table 2) needed for implementing methods of water-quality analysis adopted in the TMP.

The equipment is generally delivered during Stages 1 and 2. The main criteria for choosing the laboratory equipment are:

- to complete laboratories with instruments needed for TMP implementation;

- to gradually replace morally and physically obsolete equipment.

Measurement Quality Control

Quality measurements within the TMP framework are ensured by conducting:

- internal and external auditing of laboratories;

- inter-laboratory comparative analyses (ILCAs).

At the national level, quality of measurements is ensured by carrying out internal and external auditing of the analysis procedure specified by the Quality Assurance Manual of each laboratory and carrying out ILCAs with the involvement of laboratories of the country participating in the TMP. At the international level, measurement quality control is ensured by conducting ILCAs with the involvement of laboratories of TMP member-countries.

The frequency of conducting ILCAs at each level is at lest once a year. ILCAs in each country are carried out by a laboratory under the Reference Organisation, which organises the development of the ILCA programme, preparation of samples for analysis, sending these samples to laboratories, data gathering and processing, and subsequent evaluation of the results and provision of recommendations for each laboratory.

The organising of ILCAs in the TMP member-countries as well as the processing of their results is carried out by the intergovernmental working group under the Kharkiv-based International Dnipro Centre for pollution monitoring.

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[5]  EO – Reference Organisation that takes part in the observation quality assurance programme and serves as a basis for organising and conducting periodic expeditionary inspections and special studies within the TMP framework.

7. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The process of information management begins with the obtaining of data by laboratories engaged in the TMP implementation. This data is entered into the primary databases of the corresponding laboratories. Then, in compliance with the information exchange procedure adopted in the national ecological monitoring systems, the data is transferred, in the format of measurement protocols accepted in the basin countries, to Reference Organisations identified in each country (see Chapter 6). Reference Organisations carry out data management according to the procedure adopted in the respective basin countries, and then transfer the monitoring data to the National Dnipro Information Centres (NDICs). NDICs together with the International Dnipro Information Centre (IDIC) further manage information as stipulated by the International Environmental Data Exchange Regulation, hereafter – the Regulation (see Appendix III to Agreement).

Information management within the framework of conducting expeditionary inspections of the basin and special studies is defined by the corresponding procedures for expeditionary activity and work specifications. In so doing, a database on expeditionary inspections at the national level is created and then the data is transferred to the international level as stipulated by the Regulation.

The main document reporting on the progress in TMP implementation is the TMP annual technical report. Its structure is given in Appendix II. The report is drafted by the Intergovernmental Working Group under the International Dnipro Centre for Pollution Monitoring (IDCPM). Technical reports are published in the form of a text document, which is submitted to the corresponding international and nation bodies of basin management and placed on the official web-site of the Programme.

8. ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY AND TRANSBOUNDARY TRANSFER

Water quality is assessed on the basis of the results of transboundary monitoring taking into account measurements of individual indicators (compared with maximum permissible levels (MPL) or target quality indicators) and generalised indicators and indices including hydrobiology indicators that are coordinated between the Dnipro basin countries. Such assessments are made with due regard for the results of inter-laboratory comparative analyses and other measures aimed at ensuring quality measurements.

At Stage 1 of the TMP development, the Water Contamination Index (WCI) is used as a coordinated generalised indicator. A WCI calculation procedure and a basic method of mass transfer computation are given in Appendix III.

9. TRAINING PROGRAMME

Training is an important dimension of the TMP. The training programme will include all main issues connected with the conduction of monitoring – from planning to analytical methods and data processing. The main target groups of the training programme to be executed within the TMP are:

- laboratory staff involved in TMP implementation;

- executives of the national and international systems of basin management.

10. TMP IMPLEMENTATION COST

A tentative estimate of the cost of TMP implementation was carried out by experts taking into account contributions made by the member countries for TMP financing and provides for a possibility of attracting external investments.

Contributions by the TMP member countries provide for operating expenses during TMP implementation including the cost of performing analytical work, staff wages and expenses on business trips and transportation.

Table 4. Experts’ tentative estimate of TMP implementation cost (in thousands of US$)