Water Framework Directive – Coastal issues

Will Akast

Catchment Delivery Manager-Suffolk

XXXThe European Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in

December 2000 and became part of UK law in December 2003.It is an ecology-led directive and the most substantial piece of

European water legislation to date. It introduces an integrated approach to all aspects of water management

The WFD will help to protect and enhance the quality of all waters:Surface freshwater (including lakes, streams and rivers) GroundwaterGroundwater dependent ecosystemsEstuariesCoastal waters out to 1 mile from low water

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ObjectivesThe Water Framework Directive (WFD) introduces river basin planning

as a means to:

Prevent deterioration and enhance / restore the status of all water bodies

Promote sustainable water use

Reduce pollution

Contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts

Comply with standards and objectives of other Directives

River Basin Planning:Prevent deterioration and enhance the status of the water environment, including ground waterPromote sustainable water useReduce pollutionContribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughtsCreate better habitats for people and wildlifeWe are at start of river basin planning process to improve the environment over the next 25 years (3 cycles 2015, 2021, 2027)

Water Framework Directive – based on ecologyProtects and improves the natural health of the water environmentWater bodies are classified as achieving high, good, moderate, poor or bad

ecological status with biology being the main driver.Requires achievement of ‘good ecological status’ by the implementation of

actionsGood status is based on four key aspects:

BiologyChemical water quality (surface & ground waters)Physical structure - morphologyQuantity (surface & ground waters)

Not about re-naturalising – human ‘uses’ recognised

Water Framework Directive – New Classification System

Brings together status of different aspects:Individual Biological elements e.g. fish, invertebratesSupporting Physico-chemical elements e.g. phosphate, ammoniaCompliance with standards for ‘Specific Pollutants’ e.g. zincWater quantity (for ‘High’ status only)Morphology (whether mitigation required or not)

Recorded as: High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Bad

Status/ Potential (if ‘Artificial or Heavily Modified’)

Important rule: ‘One out, All out’

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We want to have healthy water environments as soon as possible before 2027. This will be achieved by:

Improving rural land management

Reducing the impact of the built environment and man-made changes

Addressing point and diffuse sources of pollution

Securing sustainable amounts of water

Improving wildlife habitats

Improving the water environment - mechanisms for action

A range of mechanisms – policy, legal and financial tools - can be used. Together they can be very successful in achieving the outcomes needed for protecting and improving the water environment.

BansPermits

Plans

&

Rules

Incentives

Partnerships

&

Codes of Practice

Education

&

Awareness

Softer approaches……………………………………….Regulatory approaches

Data

& Information

( less enforceable ) ( more enforceable )

Water bodies in England & Wales: 7409

There are 228 TRaC water bodies in England & Wales:

Coastal = 93

Estuarine = 135

Transitional and Coastal (TRaC) Water Bodies

11 8 714

25

3

24

18

8

127

6

20

23

11

27

1 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Estuarine

Coastal

TRaC waters by River Basin

Heavily modified waterbodiesMany of our coasts and estuaries have been modified by man – to defend land from inundation or erosion; dredging etc. These are designated Heavily Modified Water Bodies.

Heavily Modified Water Bodies must achieve Good Ecologial Potential (GEP).

GEP is the best ecology that the water body can achieve without compromising the use for which it has been designated.

GEP is achieved when relevant Mitigation Measures are in place.

There are 29 TRaC water bodies in Anglian Region – 79% of these are heavily modified for flood and coast protection.

What does WFD mean for the Suffolk Coast and Estuaries?

For each estuary and stretch of coast we will be looking at a range of mitigation measures

For example :

a) Managed realignment of flood defence

b) Preserve and where possible enhance ecological value of marginal aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone

c) Removal of hard bank reinforcement / revetment with soft engineering solution

WFD assessments to tie in closely with the SMP and estuary strategy / plan process

Water Framework DirectiveCompliance Assessment

Screening

No WFD assessment needed if:Temporary – impact only lasts a short period of time with rapid, natural recovery

Low impact works – list of low impact works available from the Environment Agency

Appendix A of Excel screening proforma

Vegetation clearance and channel repair works

Backfill replacement Opportunities for environmental improvements (no WFD assesment needed)

Scour protection Yes, WFD screening needed

Minor concrete repair No WFD consideration needed

Joint repair No WFD consideration needed

Sealant replacement No WFD consideration needed

Corrosion removal/protection No WFD consideration needed

Replacing signs No WFD consideration needed

Repair of fencing No WFD consideration needed

Example

WFD compliance assessment processPreliminary assessment

Step 1 – collect information on the waterbody

Step 2 – collect information on the activity

Step 3 – preliminary assessment of impact

WFD compliance assessment processDetailed assessment

Step 4 – design and options appraisal

Step 5 – detailed impact assessment

Step 6 – Application of Article 4.7 tests

Step 7 – Reporting

New schemes or works

ApplicantUndertaking or commissioning an assessment and submitting it as part of an application

Environment AgencyAdvice on requirement for and scope of WFD assessment

Providing general advice to explain how the assessment ties in with the consent application

The WFD is an important agent for change

We have a real opportunity to improve the water environment………….