On April 25, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, the Amazonian Network of Water Authorities (ANWA/RADA) will meet to adopt the four Regional Monitoring Protocols of the Amazon Hydrological Network (AHN) and the Water Quality Network (WQN). The consolidation of these protocols, led by ANWA’s Specialized Technical Support Panel (STP), represents a significant step in harmonizing regulations for monitoring water resources in the Amazon Basin.

These documents establish common guidelines for the installation, adaptation, and operation of hydrological stations, as well as for processing and publishing the data generated. Their formulation is the result of an extensive review of regional and international technical references, combined with dialogue among the Member Countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). This process was led by ACTO within the framework of the Amazon Project, with support from Brazil’s National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency  (ANA), the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC/MFA), and the Brazilian Geological Survey (CPRM).

The Protocol Consolidation Process

Between November 2024 and March 2025, the STP coordinated a cycle of six virtual meetings, organized by the ACTO Permanent Secretariat, acting as ANWA Secretariat, with support from the Amazon Basin Project (ACTO/UNEP/GEF), to review and consolidate the protocols. The methodology adopted involved a detailed section-by-section analysis of the documents, allowing STP members to incorporate essential technical aspects for a common understanding, with a view toward subsequent recommendation and approval by ANWA/RADA.

The first consolidated protocol addresses the modernization of monitoring networks and the adaptation of existing stations, establishing minimum monitoring standards and the automation of data collection. The second protocol defines strict criteria for quality control in the field, including equipment calibration and standardization of sample collection records. The third protocol sets guidelines for data storage, analysis, and publication, ensuring security and accessibility. Finally, the fourth protocol outlines responsibility flows for implementing and operating the networks, detailing data reception and consolidation by Member Countries and their regional integration.

With the technical consolidation stage completed,  it will be up to ANWA/RADA to adopt the regional protocols at its April meeting—a decisive moment for strengthening regional cooperation in monitoring the Amazon’s water resources.