The Global Environment Monitoring System for freshwater (GEMS/Water) provides the world
community with sound data on fresh water quality to support scientific assessments and decision-making on the subject.
Surface and ground water quality monitoring data collected from the global GEMS/Water monitoring network is shared through the GEMStat information system.
GEMS/Water supports the Sustainable Development Goal for Water (SDG 6) with methodology support, data management, quality assurance, indicator calculation and capacity development. More information on our support for SDG Indicator 6.3.2 on ambient water quality can be found on the 6.3.2 Online Support Platform.
GEMS/Water's work falls into three categories:
GEMS/Water was established in 1978 to collect world-wide water quality data for assessments of status and trends in global inland water quality. In 2014, after more than 30 years of being successfully operated by the Department of the Environment of Canada, the GEMS/Water mandate was renewed and strengthened by the first universal United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). With new donors the Programme was restructured into its current form.
