Nitrate-Affected Water Control Network

The main objective of groundwater monitoring programmes is to generate the information necessary for effective management of the status of water bodies. They are a basic tool for decision-makers as they make it possible to assess the effectiveness of the measures taken and the degree of compliance with the objectives set.
The Chemical Monitoring Network aims to complement and validate the IMPRESS analysis especially with regard to chemical status, of MSBTs, or MSBT group; and provide information to assess changes in long-term trends of indicators due to natural conditions and pollutants due to anthropogenic activity.
The implementation of new monitoring programmes to obtain information to classify the chemical status of groundwater bodies has been necessary in order to meet the new challenges arising from the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. That obligation is set out in Article 8 of and Annex V to that directive.