The European Eutrophication Activity and the UWWT and

Nitrate Directives

Ana Cristina Cardoso

Overview

WFD-CIS Eutrophication Activity

Eutrophication in EU policy− Requirements for assessment

and classification in UWWTD, ND and WFD

− Harmonisation of class boundaries

Introduction− Eutrophication is an issue in various water policies and

regional conventions− There remains considerable divergence in the specific

requirements for assessing eutrophication and different monitoring and reporting requirements

− These lead to a Eutrophication Activity that take a wide view to harmonise across all policy areas but firmly based on the WFD

− Contemplating all water categories− Discussions on content started mid-2003 involving all

relevant working groups (ECOSTAT, EMMA, ND and UWWD Committees)

− In 2004 the Eutrophication activity was initiated under the CIS of the WFD

Water Directors

Strategic Co-ordination Group

ECOSTAT WG

NiD Committee

EMMA WG

UWWT Committee

Expert Networks Lakes, Rivers, Coast

Ad hocWorkshops

Consultation Phase

EutrophicationSteering Group

Technical Secretariat

: Main consultation : Information : Potential participants

Water Directors

Strategic Co-ordination Group

ECOSTAT WG

NiD Committee

EMMA WG

UWWT Committee

Expert Networks Lakes, Rivers, Coast

Ad hocWorkshops

Decision Phase

EutrophicationSteering Group

Technical Secretariat

: Main consultation : Information : Potential participants

1. Introduction2. Overall conceptual framework for the assessment of

eutrophication3. Overview and common understanding of eutrophication in EC

and international policies4. The WFD concept of ecological status in the context of

eutrophication (Ecostat)5. Overview of current eutrophication risk assessment

methodologies and criteria in European countries6. Towards harmonisation of classification criteria7. Monitoring- Guidance on integration of requirements

stemming from various obligations 8. Case Studies9. Next steps

Contents - Eutrophication Guidance

Annexes - Eutrophication Guidance

• Annex 1: The understanding of eutrophication

• Annex 2: Indicative check-lists for category specific features of the impact of eutrophication

• Annex 3: Summary tables of information collated under this activity on existing eutrophication related assessment methodologies and criteria used for lakes, rivers and marine waters

−After an extensive consultation, an interim version of the guidance document has been presented to the Water Directors in London, November 2005

−The Water Directors have decided for the publication of this interim version (No11) of the guidance with the following title: "Towards a Guidance Document on Eutrophication assessment in the context of European water policies. Interim document"

Eutrophication Guidance Current Status

• WFD (2000/60/EC)

• Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)

• Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC)

• Habitats Directive (92/42/EEC)• Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC)• Freshwater Fish Directive (78/659/EEC)• Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC)• Abstraction of Drinking Water Directive (75/440/EEC)• National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC)

Eutrophication in European policies

Directive/ Policy Assessment requirements Monitoring requirements

WFD Part of assessing Ecological Status Pressure from nutrientsProtected Areas

Phytoplankton, aquatic flora, macroinvertebrates, fishHydromorphological QEs Physicochemical QE

UWWT Directive

To identify Sensitive Areas

(…eutrophic or may become eutrophic in the near future)

Review Sensitive Areas at least every 4 years

Nitrates Directive

To identify polluted waters and designate catchments as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Review the eutrophic state of surface water at least every 4 years

Requirements to assess eutrophication

The classification of eutrophic waters under European policies

Directive/ policy

Classification

WFD Worse than good Ecological Status

UWWT Directive

Sensitive Area (eutrophic)

Nitrates Directive

Eutrophic water requiring designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Harmonising class boundaries – Assessment of current status

Ecological Status WFD normative definition

UWWT Directive Nitrate Directive

High Nearly undisturbed conditions

Non Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is not required

Non Eutrophic, not a Polluted Water, designation of NVZ is not required

Good Slight change in composition, biomass

Non Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is not required

Non Eutrophic, not a Polluted Water, designation of NVZ is not required

Moderate Moderate change in composition, biomass

May become eutrophic in the near future, designation of sensitive area is required

May become eutrophic in the near future, polluted water, designation of NVZ is required

Poor Major change in biological communities.

Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is required

Polluted water, designation of NVZ is required

Bad Severe change in biological communities.

Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is required

Polluted water, designation of NVZ is required

GOODGOOD

MODERATEMODERATE

POORPOOR

Biomass resulting from accelerated plant growth

Nutrient enrichment

Probability of significant

undesirable disturbances being present as a result of increased plant

biomass

Negligible

100 %

Status classes with which

conditions are consistent

Moderately increased compared to reference

conditions

Slightly increased compared to

reference conditions

Major increase compared to

reference conditions

Severity and extent of

undesirable disturbance

Severe disturbances likely

Very minor

Current status assessment

Moderate status: undesirable disturbances NOT necessarily present but significant probability of occurring

GOODGOOD

MODERATEMODERATE

POORPOOR

Biomass resulting from accelerated plant growth

Nutrient enrichment

Probability of significant

undesirable disturbances being present as a result of increased plant

biomass

Negligible

100 %

Status classes with which

conditions are consistent

Moderately increased compared to reference

conditions

Slightly increased compared to

reference conditions

Major increase compared to

reference conditions

Severity and extent of

undesirable disturbance

Severe disturbances likely

Very minor

≡ May become eutrophic in the near future

WFD assessment

UWWTD and NDassessment

Avoid deterioration in status in accordance

with WFD

Future developments–The Steering Group has prepared a proposal to continue the activity in 2007-2008 which was presented to the Water Directors meeting in Finland (30 November - 1 December 2006)

– Update will consider the outcome of the WFD intercalibration and results of second application of the OSPAR common procedure

http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/env/wfd/library?l=/framework_directive/thematic_documents/13_eutrophication

Thank You!