ICP Waters

The International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of the Effects of Air Pollution on Rivers and Lakes (ICP Waters) was established in 1985 with the specific objective of assessing the degree to which atmospheric pollution affects surface water chemistry and biology.

with data from over 500 sites in more than twenty countries in Europe and North America. Additionally, ICP Waters manages a database of aquatic macroinvertebrates (insects and snails).

The main activities of ICP Waters include regular assessments of trends in water chemistry and aquatic biota to document chemical and biological recovery, changes in nitrogen species (nitrate, total nitrogen) and dissolved organic matter in surface waters, and assessments of mercury in fish. Impacts of climate change as a confounding factor for responses to changes in air pollution are included in our assessments.

The ICP Waters programme is hosted by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA External link, opens in new window.) and financed by the Norwegian Environment Agency External link, opens in new window. and UNECE External link, opens in new window.. Annual Task Force meetings are held jointly with ICP Integrated Monitoring.

For more information, please visit the ICP Waters website External link, opens in new window..