The World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA) is a global multi-stakeholder network. It promotes the recognition of the central role for freshwater quality to increase prosperity and sustainability worldwide.
In December 2017, the 3rd session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) recognized the need to understand how human activity affects water quality and how we can cope with resulting challenges in resolution 3/10 “Addressing water pollution to protect and restore water-related ecosystems”. For that reason, the resolution requested the UN Environment Program (UNEP) to develop a World Water Quality Assessment. As a result, UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization conducted a workshop in December 2018 to plan this assessment. This workshop laid the foundation for the WWQA.
In brief, the alliance provides a cooperative platform for water quality assessment and the design of custom-made services driven by demands. Particular attention is given to the involvement of local communities and younger generations. Overall, the work of the WWQA is divided into 16 main workstreams with individual foci. Further details can be found on the WWQA homepage.
For UNEA 5 in 2021, the WWQA prepared a Water Quality Baseline report (see link to the right). In this, the methodological approach was also outlined, combining the DPSIR (Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses) framework and a triangulation approach of linking in situ, modelling and remote sensing data (see figures below). To further promote the World Water Quality Assessment, the WWQA launched a dedicated website for the assessment in 2023.
GEMS/Water has been active in the WWQA since its beginning, in different workstreams and the Technical Advisory Committee. In 2024, the WWQA Coordination Team was integrated into GEMS/Water.
Triangular approach of the WWQA for the World Water Quality Assessment, combining in-situ-, modelling-, and remote sensing data.
DPSIR framework used by the WWQA. Graphic designed by Denla Band and published on Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
