Water resources
Georgia is rich in water resources - rivers, lakes, reservoirs, glaciers and groundwater. There are about 860 lakes, more than 26,000 rivers and 43 artificial reservoirs in the country. Georgia is one of the most water-rich countries in Europe in terms of total renewable water resources per capita.
Most of Georgia's rivers meet water quality standards, although from time to time there are some water quality challenges in some rivers.
Among the water resources, the role of fresh groundwater is important, which is represented in our country by various species - fresh, mineral, thermal, medicinal-balneological and industrial waters. The importance of fresh drinkable groundwater is especially relevant in the context of global climate change, and the healing-balneological groundwater creates opportunities for the restoration and development of the resort-tourism and the healing-recreational network.
An important part of ecosystems in Georgia is the Black Sea, which plays a major role in the country's economy. More than 75% of the country's rivers belong to the Black Sea basin, and the length of the Black Sea coastline on the territory of Georgia is 320 km. Regular monitoring of the quality and quantity of water resources (groundwater, surface and coastal water) is provided by three different departments of the LEPL National Environment Agency (Environmental Pollution Monitoring, Hydrometeorology and Geology Departments in accordance with modern standards). Held in the Laboratory of Atmospheric Air, Water and Soil Analysis. The main water users in Georgia are agriculture, industry, energy and household sectors. Water resources are also used for recreational purposes.
