The European Water Charter

1. There is no life without water. It is a treasure indispensable to all human activity

2. Fresh water resources are not inexhaustible. It is essential to conserve, control, and wherever possible, to increase them.

3. To pollute water is to harm man and other living creatures which are dependent on water.

4. The quality of water must be maintained at levels suitable for the use to be made of it and, in particular, must meet appropriate public health standards s.

5. When used water is returned to a common source it must not impair the further uses, both public and private, to which the common source will be put.

6. . The maintenance of an adequate vegetation cover, preferably forestland, is imperative for the conservation of water resources.

7. Water resources must be assessed..

8. The wise husbandry of water resources must be planned by the appropriate authorities.

9. Conservation of water calls for intensified scientific research, training of specialists and public information services.

10. . Water is a common heritage, the value of which must be recognised by all. Everyone has the duty to use water carefully and economically.

11. The management of water resources should be based on their natural basins rather than on political and administrative boundaries.

12. Water knows no frontiers: as a common resource it demands international co-operation.