This policy paper aims are to identify specific issues and raise awareness of the issues related to groundwater-river interactions by improving knowledge transfers to policy makers and water managers. Groundwater is a key factor in supporting ecological flows (Eflows), both concerning quantity and quality of surface water required for Good Status of aquatic ecosystems. 

This policy paper is the result of discussions that took place at a 3-day expert workshop (Biebrza Valley, Poland, 15–17 September 2014) organized by the REFORM project on the relevance of groundwater-surface water interactions in European actions oriented at sustainable water management.