Glossary

Measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of water: water with a pH of 7 is neutral, lower pH levels indicate increasing acidity, while pH levels higher than 7 indicate alkalinity

Initiatives and measures to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects

The potential or ability of a system, region or community to adapt to the effects or impacts of a particular set of changes. Enhancement of adaptive capacity represents a practical mean of coping with changes and uncertainties, reducing vulnerabilities an

Process undertaken by an individual or group, which normally aims to influence public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or s

Global programme adopted by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Agenda 21 contains principles and recommendations aiming at sustainable development for the 21st century

Measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of water: water with a pH of 7 is neutral, lower pH levels indicate increasing acidity, while pH levels higher than 7 indicate alkalinity

To set aside a specific amount of water for a particular purpose or use (for the hydrologic system in which there are multiple uses or demands for water)

Groundwater that is connected to a surface stream, usually in permeable rock, broken rock and gravel

Deposits of sand, silt, clay, gravel or other particulate material that has been deposited by a stream or other body of running water in a streambed, on a flood plain, on a delta, or at the base of a mountain

English-language speaking people or location

Farming of plants and animals that live in water, e.g., fish, shellfish and algae

Plant and animal life growing in water, living in water, or frequenting water

Man-made canal or pipeline used to transport water

Something made up of water

Underground layers of permeable rock, sediment or soil filled with water and interconnected, so the water stays within or flows through them. The two major types of aquifers are confined and unconfined

Water partnerships at a basin, district or other sub-national level within a country

Groundwater that is under pressure when tapped by a well and is able to rise above the level at which first encountered. It can flow out at ground level, but does not always do so. The water pressure is commonly called artesian pressure, and the formation

A well in which water under natural pressure rises to the surface without being pumped

Process in which water is channelled from surface water supplies back into groundwater storage; the water can then be drawn from irrigation or induced infiltration from streams or wells

Programmes that have been initiated specifically (Cap-Net for example), or existing programmes identified (Flood Management for example), to support GWP water partnerships in regions and countries.