Explanation of aspects of the process of implementing the Water Framework Directive


Characterisation of groundwater bodies

Initial characterisation – to assess uses and degree to which groundwater bodies are at risk of failing to meet environmental objectives. Groundwater bodies may be grouped together for this purpose. The characterisation shall identify:

• location and boundaries of groundwater bodies;
  
  
• pressures to which bodies are liable to be subject, including diffuse/point sources of pollution, abstraction and artificial recharge;
  
  
• character of the overlying strata in the catchment area from which the groundwater body receives its recharge;
  
  
• those groundwater bodies on which surface water or terrestrial ecosystems are directly dependent.

Further characterisation - for bodies identified as being ‘at risk’ more precise assessment is required along with the identification of measures to ensure the environmental objectives are met. Information should include geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the groundwater body and the superficial deposits and soils. Stratification characterisation of groundwater within the groundwater body. Estimations relating to groundwater-surface water interaction, long-term average rate of overall recharge and characterisation of the chemical composition of the groundwater are also required.

Review of the impact of human activity on groundwaters

For those bodies which cross borders between Member States or are identified after the initial characterisation as being at risk of not achieving the objectives, the following information should be collected:

• location of abstraction points (providing more than 10 m3/d or serving more than 50 persons);
  
  
• annual average abstraction rates for these points and the chemical composition of the water abstracted;
  
  
• location, rate and chemical composition of discharges to groundwater bodies;
  
  
• land use in the catchment, including pollutant inputs and anthropogenic alterations to recharge.

• give a reliable estimate of the groundwater body status including assessment of available groundwater resource;
  
  
• provide sufficient data to estimate the groundwater level in each groundwater body or group of bodies taking into account short and long-term variations in recharge;
  
  
• for groundwater bodies identified as being at risk of failing to achieve environmental objectives, sufficient density to assess impact of abstraction and discharge on groundwater level;
  
  
• for groundwater bodies within which groundwater flows across a Member State boundary, sufficient monitoring points to estimate direction and rate;
  
  
• allow a coherent and comprehensive overview of groundwater chemical status and detect the presence of any long-term anthropogenically-induced upward trends in pollutants.

The list of basic measures is given in Article 11(3). Measures relating to discharges of pollutants include:

• for point source discharges liable to cause pollution, a requirement for prior regulation, such as prohibition on the entry of pollutants into water, or for prior authorisation laying down emission controls for the pollutants concerned;
  
  
• for diffuse sources liable to cause pollution, measures to control or prevent the input of pollution into water such as regulation, authorisation or registration;
  
  
• prohibition of direct discharges of pollutants into groundwater. A number of provisions are listed, for example
  
  
• discharges of small quantities of substances for scientific purposes for characterisation, protection or remediation of water bodies’.

Specific measures will be adopted against pollution of water by individual pollutants or groups of pollutants presenting a significant risk (priority substances). The measures will be aimed at progressive reduction of priority substances and, where these are classified as hazardous, the cessation or phasing out of discharges, emissions and losses. The basis for defining priority substances is set out in Article 16(2). Emission controls for point sources and environmental quality standards will be in place within six years of the inclusion on the first list of priority substances (published January 2001) and within five years of inclusion on subsequent lists.

Specific measures to prevent and control groundwater pollution will be adopted. These are aimed at achieving good groundwater chemical status. The Water Framework Directive states that these should have been proposed within two years of the Directive coming into force. These measures should include criteria for assessing good groundwater chemical status and criteria for identifying significant and sustained upward trends and for definition of starting points for trend reversals. As a safety clause an arbitrary figure for the starting point of 75% of the standard set in existing Community legislation will be used. In the absence of criteria being set by the Commission, Member States will establish their own criteria within five years of the Directive coming into force.

In September 2004 the European Commission adopted a proposed new Directive on groundwater which includes these specific measures to prevent and control groundwater pollution.