Programme centre
The ICP Waters Progamme Centre is located at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) in Oslo, Norway. ICP Waters is chaired by Heleen de Wit (NIVA) and Head of program centre is Kari Austnes (NIVA). A sub-centre of ICP Waters with special responsibility for biological monitoring and intercalibration is located at the laboratory of freshwater ecology and inland fisheries (NORCE), attached to the University in Bergen.
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Role | Organisation | Name | |
---|---|---|---|
Chair | NIVA | Heleen de Wit | ![]() |
Head of Programme Centre | NIVA | Kari Austnes | ![]() |
Database management and website | NIVA | James Sample | ![]() |
Programme support | NIVA | Ingvild Skumlien Furuseth | ![]() |
Chemical intercalibration | NIVA | Tina Bryntesen | ![]() |
Biological intercalibration and invertebrates | Univ. of Bergen, NORCE | Gaute Velle | ![]() |

Focal centres
National Focal Centres in around 20 countries contribute data & scientific inputs and meet annually at the Task Force meetings.
Aims and objectives
The main aim of the ICP Waters Programme is to assess, on a regional basis, the degree and geographical extent of the impact of atmospheric pollution, in particular acidification, on surface waters. Detailed aims and objectives were discussed and decided at the 15th Task Force Meeting in Italy (1999), and are shown below.
- Assess the degree and geographic extent of the impact of atmospheric pollution, in particular acidification, on surface waters
- Collect information to evaluate dose/response relationships
- Describe and evaluate long-term trends and variations in aquatic chemistry and biota attributable to atmospheric pollution
- Maintain and develop an international network of surface water monitoring sites
- Promote international harmonisation of monitoring practices by:
- Maintaining and updating a manual for methods and operation
- Conducting inter-laboratory quality assurance tests
- Compiling a centralised database with data quality control and assessment capabilities
- Develop and/or recommend chemical and biological methods for monitoring purposes
- Report on progress according to programme aims and short term objectives as defined in the annual Work Programme
- Conduct workshops on topics of central interest to the Programme Task Force and the aquatic effects research community
- Address water related questions in cooperation with other ICPs
Further details are provided in the programme manual.
