(a) With respect to a recharging transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, shall take into account the sustainability of such aquifer or aquifer system and shall not impair the utilization and functions of such aquifer or aquifer system

Aquifer States shall protect and preserve ecosystems within a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system.

Even if a domestic aquifer or aquifer system is linked to an international watercourse in the territory of a State where such an aquifer or aquifer system is located, it would fall outside the scope of the draft convention.

Thus, only transboundary aquifers and aquifer systems are covered by the draft convention and domestic aquifers and aquifer systems are excluded from its scope.

(c) Transboundary aquifer or transboundary aquifer system means, respectively, an aquifer or aquifer system, parts of which are situated in different States

(a) Utilization of transboundary aquifers and aquifer systems

(a) The natural condition of the aquifer or aquifer system

(c) The population dependent on the aquifer or aquifer system in each aquifer State

(d) The effects of the utilization of the aquifer or aquifer system in one aquifer State on other aquifer States concerned

(b) Aquifer system means a series of more than two aquifers , each associated with specific geological formations, that are hydraulically connected

(b) Aquifer system means a series of more than two aquifers , each associated with specific geological formations, that are hydraulically connected

(e) The existing and potential utilization of the aquifer or aquifer system

For the purpose of managing a particular transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, aquifer States in whose territories such an aquifer or aquifer system is located are encouraged to enter into a bilateral or regional arrangement among themselves.

Article 10 Monitoring

As explained in the second report, the draft convention is intended to cover all transboundary aquifers and aquifer systems regardless of whether or not they are related to surface waters.

They are encouraged to establish a development plan for such aquifer or aquifer system, taking into account the agreed lifespan of such aquifer or aquifer system as well as future needs of and alternative water sources for the aquifer States.

Draft article 12 obliges aquifer States to protect and preserve ecosystems inside aquifers as well as ecosystems outside aquifers, dependent on the aquifers.

Aquifer States shall, in undertaking other activities in their territories that have or are likely to have an impact on a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm through that aquifer or aquifer system to other aquifer States.

(c) Measures of protection, preservation and management of those aquifers and aquifer systems.

Aquifer States shall, in their respective territories, utilize a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in a reasonable manner and, in particular

Subparagraph (a) of this draft article relates to the utilization of transboundary aquifers and aquifer systems by the aquifer States in which they are located, in the absence of an agreement that allows other States to do so.

Aquifer States shall identify recharge zones of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system and, within these zones, shall take special measures to minimize detrimental impacts on the recharge process and also take all measures to prevent pollutants from entering the aquifer or aquifer system.

He proposed deleting the word harmonized from draft article 10, paragraph 1, since the establishment of universally applicable standards and methodologies for monitoring a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system might impose too great an obligation on aquifer States and, given the differences between aquifers and aquifer systems in the respective aquifer States, might not be practical.

Any State in whose territory such an aquifer or aquifer system is located is entitled to participate in the negotiation and to become a party to arrangements when such arrangements are likely to prejudice their positions vis à vis that aquifer or aquifer system.

Any State in whose territory such an aquifer or aquifer system is located is entitled to participate in the negotiation and to become a party to arrangements when such arrangements are likely to prejudice their positions vis à vis that aquifer or aquifer system.

In the light of uncertainty about the nature and extent of some transboundary aquifers or aquifer systems, aquifer States are encouraged to take a precautionary approach.

Pursuant to article 8, aquifer States shall, on a regular basis, exchange readily available data and information on the condition of the transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, in particular that of a geological, hydrogeological, hydrological, meteorological and ecological nature and related to the hydrochemistry of the aquifer or aquifer system, as well as related forecasts.

(d) Aquifer State means a State Party to the present Convention in whose territory any part of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system is situated

Aquifer States shall undertake to establish plans and implement these plans for the proper management of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention.

It caused some confusion and accordingly aquifer system is now defined as a series of more than two aquifers.

In subparagraph (b), the expression each associated with specific geological formations is inserted to indicate that an aquifer system could consist of aquifers not only of the same geological formations but also of different geological formations.

(f) Minimizing the effects of major activities affecting transboundary aquifers or aquifer systems

Aquifer States shall, in their respective territories, utilize a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in a manner such that the benefits to be derived from such utilization shall accrue equitably to the aquifer States concerned.

(b) Other activities that have or are likely to have an impact upon those aquifers and aquifer systems

States have sovereign rights over the natural resources located within their jurisdiction and aquifer States are entitled to utilize aquifers and aquifer systems within their territories.

They shall also ensure adequate quality and sufficient quantity of discharge water to protect and preserve outside ecosystems dependent on the aquifer or aquifer system.

(b) With respect to a non recharging transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, shall aim to maximize the long term benefits derived from the use of the water contained therein.

Such arrangement may be entered into with respect to an entire aquifer or aquifer system or any part thereof or a particular project, programme or use except insofar as the arrangement adversely affects, to a significant extent, the use by one or more other aquifer States of the water in that aquifer or aquifer system, without their express consent.

(f) The development, protection and conservation of the aquifer or aquifer system and the costs of measures to be taken to that effect

Paragraph 1 calls upon aquifer States to cooperate among themselves to enter into bilateral or regional arrangements for the purpose of managing a particular transboundary aquifer or aquifer system.

Aquifer States shall, in utilizing a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in their territories, take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other aquifer States.

As far as possible, account must be taken of the specific features of the aquifer or aquifer system concerned and the particular relations between the aquifer States, the level of their socio economic development and related factors, priorities for the utilization of the aquifer for a specific period of time, and many other factors.

In the light of uncertainty about the nature and extent of some transboundary aquifer or aquifer systems, aquifer States shall employ their best efforts to collect and generate, in accordance with currently available practice and standards, individually or jointly and, where appropriate, together with or through international organizations, new data and information to identify the aquifer or aquifer systems more completely.

This would result in the dual applicability of the draft convention and the 1997 Watercourses Convention for those aquifers and aquifer systems that constitute, by virtue of their physical relationship, a unitary whole with systems of surface waters.

They shall, at the request by any of them, enter into consultations concerning the management of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, which may include the establishment of a joint management mechanism.