Transboundary waters: We all live downstream

Abstract

A round the world, there are more than 260 river and lake systems shared by more than one country. Known as transboundary or international river systems, the basins from which these rivers and lakes draw their water are home to about 40% of the world’s population. Less is known of the aquifers (underground reservoirs of water) shared between countries, however, to date, around 300 transboundary aquifers have been recorded. While most transboundary rivers systems are shared between just two countries, there are many rivers where this number is much higher. There are 13 river systems worldwide that are shared between five to eight countries. Five river systems, the Congo, Nile, Rhine and Zambezi, are shared between nine to eleven countries. The river that flows through the most countries is the Danube, which passes through the territory of 18 countries. This is significant because it means that the way we treat our water might also affect the water supplies of our neighbours.

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