The landmass on which we live is an integral part of our water catchment. Any human - tivity will inevitably have some consequences on the availability and composition of fresh waters. These consequences are becoming increasingly important and detectable as the - man population grows. The problem is to be addressed at the global scale, as frequently, decisions made have inter-regional and international impacts, and must therefore be coor- nated. In a number of European Member States, for example, the availability of water - sources depends on the activities of other upstream countries. The...