««WATER QUALITY & EU POLICYWATER QUALITY & EU POLICY»»

KATHERINE-JOANNE HARALAMBOUSKATHERINE-JOANNE HARALAMBOUSNTUA Professor NTUA Professor

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGSCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Unit of Environmental Science and TechnologyUnit of Environmental Science and Technology

Workshop on “Water Resources Management: Needs & Prospects” Amman, 22/04/2013Workshop on “Water Resources Management: Needs & Prospects” Amman, 22/04/2013

Declining water quality has become a Declining water quality has become a global issue of concern.global issue of concern.

Poor water qualityPoor water quality threatens the health of peoplethreatens the health of people threatens ecosystems that support human threatens ecosystems that support human

health, food production, and biodiversityhealth, food production, and biodiversity has an impact on the quantity of waterhas an impact on the quantity of water has many economic costs associated with ithas many economic costs associated with it

What is water quality?What is water quality? water quality relates to the composition of water as water quality relates to the composition of water as

affected by natural processes and human activitiesaffected by natural processes and human activities depends on water’s chemical, biological, physical and depends on water’s chemical, biological, physical and

radiological conditionradiological condition Typically, the term water quality is made relative to a Typically, the term water quality is made relative to a

specific use of waterspecific use of water it is measured in terms of constituent concentrations it is measured in terms of constituent concentrations

which are then compared to water quality standards which are then compared to water quality standards based on scientifically assessed levels of toxicity to based on scientifically assessed levels of toxicity to either humans or aquatic ecosystemseither humans or aquatic ecosystems

Human activities: principle cause Human activities: principle cause of deteriorating water qualityof deteriorating water quality

Industrial productionIndustrial production Energy productionEnergy production Agricultural productionAgricultural production MiningMining Waste disposalWaste disposal

are the principle cause of are the principle cause of deteriorating water quality.deteriorating water quality.

In additionIn addition urbanization,urbanization, population growthpopulation growth economic instabilityeconomic instability climate changeclimate change

create new threats of safe create new threats of safe water availabilitywater availability

Issues associated with changes in water Issues associated with changes in water quality parametersquality parameters

nutrient enrichment (eutrophication)nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) erosion and sedimentationerosion and sedimentation acidificationacidification salinization,salinization, thermal pollutionthermal pollution pathogenic contaminationpathogenic contamination trace metal pollution (Hg,Pb,Cd, As etc.)trace metal pollution (Hg,Pb,Cd, As etc.) contamination with human produced organics (pesticides, contamination with human produced organics (pesticides,

dioxins, furans, PCB’s). dioxins, furans, PCB’s). emerging contaminants (endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals) emerging contaminants (endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals)

emerging pathogens and invasive species present new threats emerging pathogens and invasive species present new threats for water quality and freshwater ecosystemsfor water quality and freshwater ecosystems

United Nations Environment ProgrammeUnited Nations Environment Programme(calls attention on water quality challenges (calls attention on water quality challenges

and solutions)and solutions)

As it is pointed out in the UNEP report “As it is pointed out in the UNEP report “Clearing the Clearing the WatersWaters” there are three fundamental solutions to water ” there are three fundamental solutions to water quality problems: quality problems:

(1) prevent pollution(1) prevent pollution (2) treat polluted water (2) treat polluted water (3) restore ecosystems(3) restore ecosystems

Effective solutions to water quality challenges exist and have Effective solutions to water quality challenges exist and have been implemented in a number of places.been implemented in a number of places.

European Union Water legislationEuropean Union Water legislationprotecting the quality of Europe’s water resources has been a protecting the quality of Europe’s water resources has been a

high priority. high priority.

The first “generation” (mid 75-90’s) Directives focused on The first “generation” (mid 75-90’s) Directives focused on setting quality standards for surface waters used to provide setting quality standards for surface waters used to provide drinking water, bathing water, fish waters, shellfish waters, drinking water, bathing water, fish waters, shellfish waters, ground water and water for human consumption. ground water and water for human consumption.

The second “generation” of EU legislation focused on the The second “generation” of EU legislation focused on the sources of pollution and on pollution control as a means of sources of pollution and on pollution control as a means of achieving quality standards. achieving quality standards.

Second “generation” of EU DirectivesSecond “generation” of EU Directives

Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment Nitrates Directive Nitrates Directive (a new) Directive for Drinking Water(a new) Directive for Drinking Water Directive on Integrated Pollution Directive on Integrated Pollution

Prevention and Control (IPPC)Prevention and Control (IPPC)

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

Aims to reduce the pollution ofAims to reduce the pollution of freshwater, estuarine freshwater, estuarine and coastaland coastal waters by domestic sewage andwaters by domestic sewage and industrial industrial waste waterwaste water

The DirectiveThe Directive concerns the collection, treatment andconcerns the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water anddischarge of urban waste water and the treatment and the treatment and discharge of wastedischarge of waste water from certain industrial sectorswater from certain industrial sectors

Requires that Member States are responsible for Requires that Member States are responsible for monitoring both discharges from treatment plants and monitoring both discharges from treatment plants and the receiving watersthe receiving waters

The Directive also requires Member States to draw up The Directive also requires Member States to draw up lists of sensitive and less sensitive areas which receive lists of sensitive and less sensitive areas which receive the treated watersthe treated waters

Nitrates Directive (91/271/EEC)Nitrates Directive (91/271/EEC) Aims to reduce water pollution by nitrate from agricultural Aims to reduce water pollution by nitrate from agricultural

sources and to prevent such pollution occurring in the future. sources and to prevent such pollution occurring in the future.

It requires Member States to identify polluted or threatened It requires Member States to identify polluted or threatened waters (those with high levels of nitrates), to designate waters (those with high levels of nitrates), to designate vulnerable zones that contribute to nitrate pollution which are to vulnerable zones that contribute to nitrate pollution which are to be subject to Action Programmes to reduce pollution, and to be subject to Action Programmes to reduce pollution, and to establish a voluntary code of good agricultural practice to be establish a voluntary code of good agricultural practice to be adopted by farmers. adopted by farmers.

The Directive requires national monitoring and reporting every The Directive requires national monitoring and reporting every four years on nitrates concentrations and eutrophication.four years on nitrates concentrations and eutrophication.

Drinking Water Directive Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC)(98/83/EC)

sets microbiological, chemical and organoleptic quality sets microbiological, chemical and organoleptic quality standards for drinking water quality at the tapstandards for drinking water quality at the tap

A total of 48 microbiological and chemical parameters A total of 48 microbiological and chemical parameters must be monitored and tested regularly (These are based must be monitored and tested regularly (These are based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines)on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines)

It obliges Member States to regular monitoring of It obliges Member States to regular monitoring of drinking water quality and to provide to consumers drinking water quality and to provide to consumers adequate and up-to-date information on their drinking adequate and up-to-date information on their drinking water qualitywater quality

The Integrated Pollution Prevention and The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC)Control Directive (IPPC)

96/61/EC96/61/EC aims to minimize pollution from large industrial aims to minimize pollution from large industrial

installations through an environmental permitting system. installations through an environmental permitting system. Permits are based on the concept of BATs - Emission limits

values and operating conditions are based on BATs EExchange of information on BATs between the EU MS,xchange of information on BATs between the EU MS,

industry and environmental organizations industry and environmental organizations →→adoption and adoption and publication by the Commission of BREF’spublication by the Commission of BREF’s

TThe Directive provides for setting up of a European he Directive provides for setting up of a European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER→Pollutant Emission Register (EPER→ E-PRTR E-PRTR) )

The successor of the IPPC Directive is the Industrial The successor of the IPPC Directive is the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU)Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU)

New approach to improving and protecting New approach to improving and protecting water quality for humans and ecosystemswater quality for humans and ecosystems

At the turn of the 21At the turn of the 21stst century in order to address century in order to address environmental degradation, growing human water demands environmental degradation, growing human water demands and climate change, the EU passed innovative integrated and climate change, the EU passed innovative integrated legislation based not on national or political boundaries but legislation based not on national or political boundaries but on geographical and hydrological formations and reformed on geographical and hydrological formations and reformed water policy for Member States.water policy for Member States.

In 2000 the EU adopted the Water Framework Directive In 2000 the EU adopted the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) which establishes a legal framework (Directive 2000/60/EC) which establishes a legal framework to protect and restore clean waters across Europe and ensure to protect and restore clean waters across Europe and ensure its long term sustainable use.its long term sustainable use.

Water Framework Directive Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) (Directive 2000/60/EC)

Requires that all inland, estuarial and coastal waters must Requires that all inland, estuarial and coastal waters must reach at least “good” status by 2015 reach at least “good” status by 2015

30 criteria for assessing the status and include consideration 30 criteria for assessing the status and include consideration of:of:

biological quality (presence or absence of various algae, biological quality (presence or absence of various algae, plants, fish and invertebrates)plants, fish and invertebrates)

  physical and chemical quality (oxygenation and nutrient physical and chemical quality (oxygenation and nutrient conditions; environmental quality standards for levels of conditions; environmental quality standards for levels of specific pollutants specific pollutants

  hydromorphological quality (quantity and dynamics of hydromorphological quality (quantity and dynamics of water flow, river continuity) water flow, river continuity)

Water Framework Directive Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) (Directive 2000/60/EC)

The WFD encompasses three key principles:The WFD encompasses three key principles: ecologyecology ( (all water bodies must reach “good” all water bodies must reach “good”

ecological status by 2015ecological status by 2015);); governancegovernance ( (new water management authorities new water management authorities

were created at the river basin scale and were were created at the river basin scale and were charged with more participatory decision makingcharged with more participatory decision making))

economyeconomy ( (water suppliers should aim for full cost water suppliers should aim for full cost recovery and begin economic analyses to charge recovery and begin economic analyses to charge the “true cost” of water by 2010the “true cost” of water by 2010))

WFD: establishes an innovative WFD: establishes an innovative approach for water management approach for water management

water management based on river basinswater management based on river basins international districts for river basins that cover the international districts for river basins that cover the

territory of more than one Member State and for territory of more than one Member State and for coordination of work in these districts. coordination of work in these districts.

the Common Implementation Strategy (2001) which the Common Implementation Strategy (2001) which aimed to harmonize and facilitate the implementation aimed to harmonize and facilitate the implementation process (information sharing, guidance on technical process (information sharing, guidance on technical issues, information and data management, application, issues, information and data management, application, testing and validation). testing and validation).

Water Framework Directive Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) (Directive 2000/60/EC)

The river basin management begins with an analysis of the The river basin management begins with an analysis of the characteristics of the river basin district, a review of the characteristics of the river basin district, a review of the impact of human activity on water status, and an economic impact of human activity on water status, and an economic analysis of water use. analysis of water use.

River basin authorities are responsible for setting up River basin authorities are responsible for setting up monitoring programmes, along with programmes of monitoring programmes, along with programmes of measures for each river basin district in order to achieve measures for each river basin district in order to achieve “good” status, and inscribing these in a river basin “good” status, and inscribing these in a river basin management plan (RBMR). management plan (RBMR).

A key element of this process is public information and A key element of this process is public information and consultation. consultation.

Water Framework Directive Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) (Directive 2000/60/EC)

Finally, the specific programmes of measures must be Finally, the specific programmes of measures must be implemented so as to achieve the objective of good status implemented so as to achieve the objective of good status for all waters within each river basin. for all waters within each river basin.

RBMPs must be developed and reviewed on a six yearly RBMPs must be developed and reviewed on a six yearly basis, specifying the actions required within each period to basis, specifying the actions required within each period to achieve set environmental quality objectives by certain achieve set environmental quality objectives by certain milestone dates: 2015, 2021 and 2027.milestone dates: 2015, 2021 and 2027.

On the basis of the economic analysis, carried out for each On the basis of the economic analysis, carried out for each river basin, water pricing policies established that provide river basin, water pricing policies established that provide adequate incentives for efficient use of water and that adequate incentives for efficient use of water and that ensure adequate contribution of different water uses ensure adequate contribution of different water uses (household, industrial, agricultural) to recovery of costs for (household, industrial, agricultural) to recovery of costs for water services. water services.

The timetable for implementing the Water The timetable for implementing the Water Framework Directive Framework Directive

2000: Directive entered into force2000: Directive entered into force 2001: Common Implementation Strategy published2001: Common Implementation Strategy published 2003: Deadline for transposition in national law- Identification of River 2003: Deadline for transposition in national law- Identification of River

Basin Districts and AuthoritiesBasin Districts and Authorities 2004: Analysis of natural characteristics, economic analysis ,register areas 2004: Analysis of natural characteristics, economic analysis ,register areas

of special protection of special protection 2006: Establishment of monitoring network2006: Establishment of monitoring network 2008: Draft river basin management plan to be presented2008: Draft river basin management plan to be presented 2009: River basin management plan ,progamme of measures to be 2009: River basin management plan ,progamme of measures to be

finalized finalized 2009-15: Implementation of programmes of measures2009-15: Implementation of programmes of measures 2010: Pricing policies to be introduced2010: Pricing policies to be introduced 2015: Environmental objectives to be met2015: Environmental objectives to be met 2021: Second management cycle ends2021: Second management cycle ends 2027: Third management cycle ends, final deadline for meeting objectives2027: Third management cycle ends, final deadline for meeting objectives

EU water legislationEU water legislationFour directives remain in place with the WFD: Four directives remain in place with the WFD: the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (911/271/EEC)the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (911/271/EEC) the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC)the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC)Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC)

The WFD coordinates the measures outlined in these directives The WFD coordinates the measures outlined in these directives which aim at specific pollution problems: which aim at specific pollution problems:

where implementation of these directives does not result in where implementation of these directives does not result in the river basin achieving the status required by the WFD, the river basin achieving the status required by the WFD, the Member State must “identify exactly why, and design the Member State must “identify exactly why, and design whatever additional measures are needed to satisfy all the whatever additional measures are needed to satisfy all the objectives establishedobjectives established

EU water legislationEU water legislationThe WFD is backed up by:The WFD is backed up by: REACHREACH regulation on chemicals (attributes greater regulation on chemicals (attributes greater

responsibility to chemical companies to ensure that chemicals responsibility to chemical companies to ensure that chemicals do not pose a risk to human or environmental health) do not pose a risk to human or environmental health)

IPPC IPPC Directive for Integrated Pollution and Prevention Directive for Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control for industrial installationsControl for industrial installations

Complimentary Directives adopted: Complimentary Directives adopted: the the GroundwaterGroundwater Directive (Directive (2006/118/EC ) on the 2006/118/EC ) on the

protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration Environmental Quality Standards Directive Environmental Quality Standards Directive

((2008/105/EC) which implements good water status for 2008/105/EC) which implements good water status for surface waters by setting harmonized quality standards for a surface waters by setting harmonized quality standards for a list of 33 priority substanceslist of 33 priority substances

Results & ConclusionsResults & Conclusions The main aim of EU water policy is to ensure The main aim of EU water policy is to ensure

sufficient quantity of good quality water for sufficient quantity of good quality water for peoples need and for the environmentpeoples need and for the environment

European Union efforts to protect Europe’s water European Union efforts to protect Europe’s water has produced positive outcomes but more has to has produced positive outcomes but more has to be done.be done.

6000 towns and cities (among them Brussels) 6000 towns and cities (among them Brussels) across Europe is failing EU water quality across Europe is failing EU water quality standards. standards.

Europe needs to redouble efforts to improve the Europe needs to redouble efforts to improve the quality of water in many countries.quality of water in many countries.

Key elements of EU legislation: useful Key elements of EU legislation: useful tools to global water quality challengestools to global water quality challenges

A strong integrated ecosystem‑based policy frameworkA strong integrated ecosystem‑based policy framework (is an (is an essential first step in effectively regulating water quality)essential first step in effectively regulating water quality)

Effective administrative unitsEffective administrative units (planning at the right geographical (planning at the right geographical scale-river basin)scale-river basin)

A “combined approach” of A “combined approach” of emission limit valuesemission limit values and and water quality water quality standardsstandards

Pollution preventionPollution prevention and and pollution controlpollution control measuresmeasures (Wastewater - (Wastewater - Nitrates, REACH, IPPC)Nitrates, REACH, IPPC)

Water quality Water quality monitoringmonitoring/ / assessment assessment and and reporting reporting (cornerstones of (cornerstones of an effective effort to improve water quality).an effective effort to improve water quality).

Cooperation, communication Cooperation, communication andand coordination coordination (managing of (managing of transboundary waters – cooperation among stakeholders)transboundary waters – cooperation among stakeholders)

Public ParticipationPublic Participation ( public support and involvement is crucial to ( public support and involvement is crucial to identify problems and find appropriate measures)identify problems and find appropriate measures)

Economic toolsEconomic tools to support, maintain, and enforce water quality (user to support, maintain, and enforce water quality (user pay’s, polluter pay’s principle). pay’s, polluter pay’s principle).

Thank you!Thank you!

It is most important to communicate It is most important to communicate every effort on protecting and improving every effort on protecting and improving

the quality of freshwater resources.the quality of freshwater resources.