The results of the monitoring were processed and recorded with the support of environmental teachers, water experts, and environmental authorities. The results of monitoring were very surprising for local communities that did not pay any attention in the past.
Pollution recorded was in parameters ammonium, nitrites, nitrates and phosphates. The pollution comes mainly from agricultural activities. A detailed description of agricultural practices was provided based upon the on-site observations: dung holes without any permeable walls, unregulated pasture of cattle, household septics ending directly in river flows.
Alarming outcomes were obtained from the observation of country side characteristics. It was documented that gradual technocratic regulation of river flows and melioration activities in agricultural sites do not correspond with the forecast of development of water resources in investigated region.
More than 250 illegal dump yards were determined. The existence of invasive plants (Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis, Solidago canadensis, Heracluem mantegazzianum and others) was ascertained in 90 localities.
All results were submitted to the environmental inspectorate and other public environmental and municipal authorities. The environmental inspection is now using the monitoring data in planning of inspections in selected operators and waste water treatment plants.
Importantly, there are also outcomes with respect to education purposes of the Expedition Liptov. Students learnt why selected chemical parameters are important for the classification of water purity. Also, which types of river organisms indicate good or bad status of water. Impacts of environmental pollution were directly demonstrated from the observations of country. Students understood the importance of biological diversity. Also, they could practically see what are the functions of bank vegetations that protect the soil from the erosion. All the knowledge was received in “active” learning and self-observation. The successful project resulted in the initiative of local communities: more than 700 people agreed to clean up the river banks. During the 5,600 hours of voluntary work it was filled more than 1,400 bags of litter. Several other activities are now initiated dealing with the nature protection, removal of illegal damps, biotopes research, revitalization of villages, and others. Also, the project resulted in the establishment of so-called “River coalition” that grouped together different stakeholders in impacted localities. The main mission of the River coalition is promoting water protection based upon the approaches of integrated water resources management.