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Water quality. Made controls of continental and coastal waters

Water quality. Made controls in continental and coastal waters (surface and ground) Catalonia Total
Type of control
Control stations Elements physical-chemical Priority substances Biological elements Piezometric control Total
2022 2,610 5,796 1,366 1,296 4,848 13,306
2021 2,033 4,749 970 434 5,337 11,490
2020 1,640 4,727 812 1,208 4,757 11,504
2019 1,561 4,064 616 371 5,308 10,359
2018 1,863 4,189 351 799 4,676 10,015
2017 1,955 4,176 792 978 4,556 10,502
2016 1,842 1,986 521 891 4,579 7,977
2015 1,848 1,423 462 0 4,244 6,129
2014 1,876 1,451 462 93 3,767 5,773
2013 1,901 1,462 490 104 3,987 6,043
2012 1,070 1,054 154 145 3,191 4,544
Source: Agència Catalana de l'Aigua.
Notes:
From 2007, a new stage of adaptation to the requirements established by the Water Framework Directive began. Control of surface waters is carried out in accordance with the corresponding Monitoring and Control Programme in force in each 6-year period, which has been specified in the sampling and controls in this table.
The numbers corresponding to Reservoirs, Wetlands and Ponds correspond to the number of points sampled in 2016. Neither the number of samples taken at each point nor the number of elements analysed in the “physico-chemical” or “biological” packages are indicated.
The total number can not correspond to the sum of the type of control, since a determinate point of control can be used for the analysis of physico-chemical elements, priority substances or biological elements.

Last update: June 16, 2023.

Methodological note

Methodological aspects

The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) manages and plans the water cycle, with a vision of integrated water systems, taking into account the balance of all ecosystems. Water becomes a basic structural and functional element to the environment and life. This management must be compatible with the growing demand for permanence, universality and immediacy of the citizens of an advanced society, and ensure quality and good service.

The data on water quality shows the controls registered in accordance with the Framework directive on water from the year 2007. For the study of the bathing water for beaches, rivers and lakes, the microbiological quality of the water is measured. For wastewater treatment plants, data is provided on the capacity of treatment, the population served and overall performance.

Unavailable information is represented using the symbol ":". When the value is lower than that of the minimum unit to be able to estimate the statistical operation or if it effects statistical confidentiality, the symbol used is "..".