On August 31st, presentation of the project “Water Safety Plans (WSP) with participation of schools” was held in Tbilisi by the Greens Movement of Georgia/Friends of the Earth-Georgia. The event was organized in the framework of the Environmental Week (27 August – 2 September) where invited experts, representatives of NGOs and State Authorities, foundations and students participated.

Co-Organizer and co-chair of the event Mrs. Rusudan Simonidze gave a speech on the general principles and methodologies of the Water Safety Plans, she talked about the importance of public involvement in the implementation of the WSP, discussed the level of involvement of local population, monitoring activities and improvement of water quality.

Director of the Ecological and Biological monitoring association Mrs. Manana Juruli presented guideline for teachers and pupils “Water Safety Plans for small-scale water supply systems”. Guideline was prepared by organization Women in Europe for a Common Future — WECF where various issues were discussed. Special attention was paid to the participation of schools, teachers and local population in the planning.

National focal point of the Convention on protection and use of transboundary waterbodies and international lakes and the Protocol on Water and Health, Mrs. Nana Gabriadze presented guideline by WHO “Water Safety Plans Guideline: Risk Management for Drinking Water beneficiaries.” She talked about the goals and introduction potential of the guideline.

Director of NGO Caucasus Ecology Mrs. Manana Devidze gave a speech on practical implementation of Water Safety Plans, namely on the example of village Najakhao, Martvili Municipality and representative of the Greens Movement of Georgia/Friends of the Earth-Georgia — Mari Matiashvili talked about village Manavi of Sagarejo Municipality.

During the event participants were informed on the major activities of Water Safety Plans that took place during the implementation of the project as well as on the risks of water born disease and related problems. Special trainings were conducted for teachers. Pupils expressed huge interest towards the project, namely on monitoring activities.

In total 6 Water Safety Plans were implemented in 6 villages of Georgia by the NGO’s: the Greens Movement of Georgia/Friends of the Earth-Georgia, Ecological and Biological Monitoring Association, Caucasus Ecology and Rural Communities Development Agency — RCDA in cooperation with Women in Europe for a Common Future — WECF.