(c) The population dependent on the aquifer or aquifer system in each aquifer State

Aquifer States shall protect and preserve ecosystems within a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system.

(d) The effects of the utilization of the aquifer or aquifer system in one aquifer State on other aquifer States concerned

(c) Transboundary aquifer or transboundary aquifer system means, respectively, an aquifer or aquifer system, parts of which are situated in different States

(a) With respect to a recharging transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, shall take into account the sustainability of such aquifer or aquifer system and shall not impair the utilization and functions of such aquifer or aquifer system

Aquifer States shall agree on harmonized standards and methodology for monitoring a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system.

(a) The natural condition of the aquifer or aquifer system

For the purpose of managing a particular transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, aquifer States in whose territories such an aquifer or aquifer system is located are encouraged to enter into a bilateral or regional arrangement among themselves.

Aquifer States shall, in undertaking other activities in their territories that have or are likely to have an impact on a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm through that aquifer or aquifer system to other aquifer States.

Aquifer States shall, in utilizing a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in their territories, take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other aquifer States.

(e) The existing and potential utilization of the aquifer or aquifer system

Aquifer States shall, in their respective territories, utilize a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in a reasonable manner and, in particular

It is conceivable that an aquifer State could pollute a transboundary aquifer but not cause significant harm to other aquifer States or their environment.

Aquifer States shall, individually and, where appropriate, jointly, prevent, reduce and control the pollution of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system that may cause significant harm to other aquifer States or to their environment.

Aquifer States shall, in their respective territories, utilize a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in a manner such that the benefits to be derived from such utilization shall accrue equitably to the aquifer States concerned.

(d) Aquifer State means a State Party to the present Convention in whose territory any part of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system is situated

b. Developing aquifer vulnerability maps

(e) Recharging aquifer means an aquifer that receives a non negligible amount of contemporary water recharge

(f) Non recharging aquifer means an aquifer that receives a negligible amount of contemporary water recharge.

Even if a domestic aquifer or aquifer system is linked to an international watercourse in the territory of a State where such an aquifer or aquifer system is located, it would fall outside the scope of the draft convention.

For the purpose of being well acquainted with the conditions of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system

Paragraph 1 calls upon aquifer States to cooperate among themselves to enter into bilateral or regional arrangements for the purpose of managing a particular transboundary aquifer or aquifer system.

Aquifer States shall identify discharge zones of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system and, within these zones, shall take special measures to minimize detrimental impacts on the discharge process.

Protection and preservation of an aquifer are prerequisites for the equitable and reasonable utilization of such an aquifer.

Aquifer States shall undertake to establish plans and implement these plans for the proper management of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention.

Any State in whose territory such an aquifer or aquifer system is located is entitled to participate in the negotiation and to become a party to arrangements when such arrangements are likely to prejudice their positions vis à vis that aquifer or aquifer system.

Previously, the legal fiction that an aquifer system also includes a single aquifer was employed for the sake of economy.

Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur feels that the definition of transboundary aquifer and transboundary aquifer system in subparagraph (c) would suffice.

Aquifer States shall cooperate on the basis of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, mutual benefit and good faith in order to attain reasonable utilization and adequate protection of a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system.

Gabon has three karst areas where there are hundreds of caves located in the dolomite and limestone rocks.

The bottoms of trough valleys and karst fields lie at elevations of , and ridges and peaks rise to .

(g) The availability of alternatives, of comparable value, to a particular existing and planned utilization of the aquifer or aquifer system.

They shall identify key parameters that they will monitor based on an agreed conceptual model of the aquifer or aquifer system.

Now the largest aquifer in North America is from Midland, Texas to the South Dakota border, across eight states big aquifer

(a) Utilization of transboundary aquifers and aquifer systems

These parameters shall include extent, geometry, flow path, hydrostatic pressure distribution, quantities of flow and hydrochemistry of the aquifer or aquifer system.

The water in a recharging aquifer is a renewable resource and the water in a non recharging aquifer is a non renewable resource.

(f) The development, protection and conservation of the aquifer or aquifer system and the costs of measures to be taken to that effect

Paragraph 2 (b) deals with a non recharging aquifer.

Now the largest aquifer in North America is from Midland, Texas to the South Dakota border, across eight states big aquifer Ogallala, Triassic age.

Thus, only transboundary aquifers and aquifer systems are covered by the draft convention and domestic aquifers and aquifer systems are excluded from its scope.

The purpose of monitoring is to gain basic knowledge of the specific aquifer, which offers an essential basis for proper management of that aquifer.

When a recharge or discharge zone is located outside the territories of aquifer States and in non aquifer States, it would be difficult to place any obligation on such non aquifer States as they do not benefit from the aquifers.

When an aquifer State has reasonable grounds for believing that a particular planned activity in its territory may cause adverse effects on a transboundary aquifer or aquifer system, it shall, as far as practicable, assess the potential effects of such activity.

It should also be noted that an aquifer State's non exercise of its right to utilize the aquifer should not prejudice the right of the other aquifer States to utilize it on the grounds that such utilization would be inequitable.