Surface water in Georgia is an important component of the country's natural resources and environmental legacy. It is a critical resource that maintains human life, wildlife, and economic development.
According to the new Law on "Water Resources Management" Surface water means inland waters, except groundwater; transitional waters and coastal waters, territorial waters and waters of a special economic zone.
Water is a unique, foremost, and vital natural resource which is essential for the existence of humans, flora and fauna, and is indispensable for the development of the economy of the country.
In order to ensure a safe environment for human health under the Constitution of Georgia, according to the ecological and economic interests of society, and considering the interests of present and future generations, the State shall ensure protection of the environment and, accordingly, protection of its main component - water.
Under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement signed in 2014, EU and Georgia cooperate on a number of environmental issues, including in the field of water quality and resource management, including flood risk management, water scarcity and droughts, as well as marine environment, to ensure the progress with legal framework in approximation to EU environmental acquis e.g. EU Water Framework Directive.
