21 oktober 2019 Groundwater aspects in the Guidance No.24 on River Basin Management in a Changing Climate What issues should be taken into account in RBMP’s? Aim: What issues should be taken into account in RBMP’s What recommendations? Sophie Vermooten (Deltares, the Netherlands) with contributions from: Elisabetta Preziosi (IRSA-CNR, Italy) Hans Peter Broers (TNO/Deltares, the Netherlands) Klaus Hinsby (Geus, Denmark) Ronald Kozel (Bafu, Switzerland) Limassol (Cyprus), 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 21 oktober 2019 Content Introduction Method Impact of Climate Change on groundwater, primary and secondary impacts WFD, GWD and RBMP RBMP steps; What issues should be taken into account in RBMP’s? Conclusion Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 21 oktober 2019 Method T.R. Green et al. (2011) Journal of Hydrology Intro As a minimum, this will require Member States to clearly demonstrate how climate change projections have been considered in the assessment of pressures and impacts, monitoring programmes and appraisal of measures. Guiding principles Guiding principles are introduced in text boxes in the beginning of each chapter or key subchapter. The principles are meant to be generally applicable and intentionally broad to be valid across all Member States. The text boxes are followed by more detailed text explaining the principles. Suggested actions Following the explanatory texts of the guiding principles, text boxes introduce more concrete and practical actions to be taken in the coming years in order to apply the principles EP maybe an example of a text box introducing practical actions could help Purpose: Illustrate ways in which preparations can be made for climate change within the second and third RBMP cycles, including provision for floods and droughts. Guiding principles => Suggested actions Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Groundwater and climate change 21 oktober 2019 Groundwater and climate change Functions/services of Groundwater: Groundwater for use (agriculture, domestic, industry, strategic resource) Groundwater for environment (environmental flow needs) Groundwater for stability (‘subsidence control’, infrastucture instability risks) Groundwater as energy source (ATES Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage, Geothermal) Aquifers as storage (Artificial recharge, CO2, nuclear waste?) Groundwater as archive (data climate change in past, historical pollution loads) Groundwater as a component of the global hydrological cycle Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Intro: Impact of Climate Change on groundwater 21 oktober 2019 Intro: Impact of Climate Change on groundwater Primary impact Water availability (changing groundwater recharge and quality of groundwater renewal) Saline intrusion in coastal aquifers and raise of the salinity of groundwater due to increased evapotranspiration losses, decreased recharge and increased sea levels Biodiversity in aquatic/terrestrial ecosystems due to reduced/increased groundwater flow towards the ecosystems Change in redox-hydrochemistry due to changes in temperature Pressures on gw systems tend to increase Paper eurogeosurveys: Much is still unknown about the patters of changing groundwater recharge and the quality of groundwater renewal, about the impact on groundwater and stream fluxes towards aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and about the general effects on groundwater-surface water interactions and evolution in quantity and quality driven by climate change[1]. However, the largest effects of climate change might be due to human actions that react on the actual and predicted changes in precipitation and temperature patterns. Examples of such secondary impacts are the increase of water demands and abstractions of groundwater for irrigation due to higher evaporation which may lead to falling water tables and salt water intrusion and the increased production of biofuel which may change groundwater quality by introduction of fertilizer and pesticides and increased water needs which may also effect the net groundwater recharge. Changes in spatial variability and seasonal patterns Ronald Increase of water demand (esp. increased groundwater abstraction during periods of drought for agriculture mostly but also cooling of buildings?); Subsidence due to groundwater pumping increasing impact of flooding Use of biofuel impacting on the groundwater quality due to fertilizer and pesticides. Infrastructure unstability/damage due to change in groundwater pressure / water tables e.g. Undermining of roads and railroad tracks Increase of pollution by nutrients etc. due to higher temperatures and higher rainfall intensity / runoff and increasing risk of eutrophication and loss of biodiversity Increased groundwater acidification due to enhaced acid deposition Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Intro: Impact of Climate Change on groundwater 21 oktober 2019 Intro: Impact of Climate Change on groundwater Secondary impact (due to human activity adapting to climate change) Increase of water demand (esp. increased groundwater abstraction during periods of drought for agriculture mostly) Changed land use practices and impact on water quality (energy crops, other crop regimes, effects on quality and quantity of gw recharge (nutrients/pesticides)) New energy strategies (heat/cold storage, carbon capture…) Infrastructure unstability/damage due to change in groundwater pressure Saline intrusion due to (over)pumping Subsidence due to groundwater pumping => increasing impact of flooding Are expected to have the largest short-term effects on gw resources. Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 7 7

Intro: Impact of Climate Change on groundwater Increase of competition between different users? and policies? Irrigation, Drinking water, Energy use (storage of heat, CO2 storage), Environment (base flow, Environmental flow needs, groundwater dependant ecosystems) Interlinkage between water policy and other policies (environmental, energy,…) +CCS Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

WFD cycle key milestones and Blueprint 21 oktober 2019 WFD cycle key milestones and Blueprint Year Issue Reference 2000 Directive entered into force Art. 25 2003 Transposition in national legislation Identification of River Basin Districts and Authorities Art. 23 Art. 3 2004 Characterisation of river basin: pressures, impacts and economic analysis Art. 5 2006 Establishment of monitoring network / Start public consultation (at the latest) Adoption of groundwater directive Art. 8 Art. 14 2008 Present draft river basin management plan Art. 13 2009 Finalise river basin management plan including programme of measures Art. 13 & 11 2010 Introduce pricing policies Art. 9 2012 Make operational programmes of measures Art. 11 Release of Blueprint 2015 Meet environmental objectives First management cycle ends Second river basin management plan & first flood risk management plan. Art. 4 2020 Recommendations of Blueprint implemented 2021 Second management cycle ends Art. 4 & 13 2027 Third management cycle ends, final deadline for meeting objectives Intro Across Member States, consideration of climate change has been introduced to river basin management processes in a largely qualitative way, if at all, for the 1st RBM cycle for the WFD. In some cases, adaptation has tended to be considered towards the end of the river basin management process. For the 1st cycle, the Policy Paper of the Water Directors placed particular emphasis on ensuring that the Programmes of Measures are sufficiently adaptive to future climate conditions (so-called climate-check of the Programme of Measures, based on available knowledge, data and common sense). For the 2nd and 3rd RBM cycles for the WFD, it is expected that climate change should be fully integrated into the process of river basin management GWD This new directive establishes a regime which sets underground water quality standards and introduces measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. The directive establishes quality criteria that takes account local characteristics and allows for further improvements to be made based on monitoring data and new scientific knowledge. The directive thus represents a proportionate and scientifically sound response to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as it relates to assessments on chemical status of groundwater and the identification and reversal of significant and sustained upward trends in pollutant concentrations. Member States will have to establish the standards at the most appropriate level and take into account local or regional conditions. The groundwater directive complements the Water Framework Directive. It requires: -groundwater quality standards to be established by the end of 2008; -pollution trend studies to be carried out by using existing data and data which is mandatory by the Water Framework Directive (referred to as "baseline level" data obtained in 2007-2008); -pollution trends to be reversed so that environmental objectives are achieved by 2015 by using the measures set out in the WFD; -measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater to be operational so that WFD environmental objectives can be achieved by 2015; -reviews of technical provisions of the directive to be carried out in 2013 and every six years thereafter; -compliance with good chemical status criteria (based on EU standards of nitrates and pesticides and on threshold values established by Member States). Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 21 oktober 2019 WFD RBM steps Risk assessment Monitoring and assessment of the status of surface water (ecological and chemical) and groundwater (chemical and quantitative) Objective setting Economic analysis Programme of measures to achieve the environmental objectives ---- 6. Link to Flood directive; WFD-proof Flood Risk Management Plans 7. Link to Drought management and water scarcity: WFD as basic methodological framework to achieve climate change adaptation in water-scarce areas and to reduce the impacts of droughts. 1 the summary of significant pressures and impacts of human activity on the status of surface water and groundwater (Article 5); (Article 8, Annex V and the GWD); - under Article 4 for surface waters, groundwater and protected areas, including in particular identification of instances where use has been made of exemptions (Article 4(4), (5), (6) and (7)); 3. a summary of the economic analysis of water use as required by Article 5 and Annex III. Intro Flood directive Pay special attention to the requirements of WFD Article 4.7 when developing flood protection measures 18. Determine on the basis of robust scientific evidence and on a case-by-case basis whether an extreme flood allows for the application of WFD Article 4.6. 19. Pay special attention to the vulnerability of protected areas in view of changed flood patterns Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 21 oktober 2019 Step 1. Risk assessment; assessing pressures and impacts on water bodies Mentioned Change in groundwater demand and recharge system Salt water intrusion Effect of decreasing groundwater levels on dependent terrestrial ecosystem Effect of large scale plantations for energy crops? To be taken into account? Surface water/groundwater interactions; change in contaminants fluxes towards surface water and coastal waters due to groundwater development or less recharge Transboundary issues Change in timing of Snowpack melting/glacier/permafrost groundwater dynamics Recharge mechanisms/storage capacity and residence time of high elevation aquifers Leakage processes associated with carbon capture and shale gas exploration Step 1. Risk assessment - the summary of significant pressures and impacts of human activity on the status of surface water and groundwater (Article 5); Assess how CC will add or reduce the level of risk in order to effectivelly plan appropriate measures Changes in spatial variability and seasonal patterns example: For example, Sandstrom (1995) showed that a 15% reduction in precipitation, with no change ina 15% reduction in precipitation resulted in a 40/50% reduction in recharge (no change in temperature) Groundwater flooding Impact of heat-island effect on subsurface temperatures Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 21 oktober 2019 Step 2. Monitoring and assessment of the status of surface water (ecological and chemical) and groundwater (chemical and quantitative) Mentioned Maintain groundwater surveillance monitoring for long time series + Monitoring of climate change hot-spots Include reference sites in long term monitoring programmes To be taken into account? Monitoring of recharge processes Assessment of Surface water/ groundwater interaction Monitoring of salt intrusion in aquifers Long term monitoring of groundwater levels/spring discharge Integrated monitoring and modeling of both groundwater and surface water 2. Maintain both surface and groundwater surveillance monitoring sites for long time series. Set up an investigative monitoring programme for climate change and for monitoring climate change “hot spots”, and try to combine them as much as possible with the results from the operational monitoring programme. 3. Include reference sites in long term monitoring programmes to understand the extent and causes of natural variability and impact of climate change. Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Step 3. Objective setting 21 oktober 2019 Step 3. Objective setting Mentioned - Achieve good status of groundwater at the latest 15 years from the date of entry into force of the WFD (exemptions possible) Questions? How to deal with the RBMP timescale of 15 years versus groundwater slow dynamics? How will different climate change scenarios affect groundwater threshold values? When considering impacts of climate change as a basis for justifying exemptions, how to establish climate change as the most probable cause of observed groundwater changes? under Article 4 for surface waters, groundwater and protected areas, including in particular identification of instances where use has been made of exemptions (Article 4(4), (5), (6) and (7)); 4. Avoid using climate change as a general justification for relaxing objectives, but follow the steps and conditions set out in the WFD. EP I would underline that WFD allows for derogation to meeting the environmental objectives in relation to exceptional causes such as extreme floods or prolonged droughts (Art.11.5) Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Step 4. Economic analysis 21 oktober 2019 Step 4. Economic analysis Mentioned Long term forecasts in supply and demand for water incorporating scenarios of CC. (groundwater supply for agriculture for ex.) Robust/flexibel measures to a range of possible climatic futures Needed? Knowlegde on impacts of change of groundwater dynamics on measures Knowledge on possible groundwater related measures and its economic impact (artificial recharge, ATES ) Knowledge of economic impacts of groundwater level decrease due to reduced recharge (increase of pumping costs?) Economical scenario’s on conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources Economic analysis - a summary of the economic analysis of water use as required by Article 5 and Annex III. 5. Consider climate change when taking account of long term forecasts of supply and demand and favour options that are robust to the uncertainty in climate projections. more energy required to pump the same amount of water --> costs increase Types of adaptation options for water supply and demand (IPCC, 2008): Supply-side Increase storage capacity by building reservoirs and dams Desalinate seawater Expand rain-water storage Remove invasive non-native vegetation from riparian areas Prospect and extract groundwater Develop new wells and deepen existing wells Maintain well condition and performance Develop conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources Develop surface water storage reservoirs filled by wet season pumping from surface water and groundwater Develop artificial recharge schemes using treated wastewater discharges Develop riverbank filtration schemes with vertical and inclined bank-side wells Develop groundwater management plans that manipulate groundwater storage, e.g. resting coastal wells during times of low groundwater levels Develop groundwater protection strategies to avoid loss of groundwater resources from surface contamination Manage soils to avoid land degradation to maintain and enhance groundwater recharge Demand-side Improve water-use efficiency by recycling water Reduce water demand for irrigation by changing the cropping calendar, crop mix, irrigation method and area planted Promote traditional practices for sustainable water use Expand use of water markets to reallocate water to highly valued uses Expand use of economic incentives including metering and pricing to encourage water conservation Introduce drip-feed irrigation technology License groundwater abstractions Meter and price groundwater abstractions Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 21 oktober 2019 Step 5. Programme of measures to achieve the environmental objectives (Article 11). Examples: Conjunctive use of sw/gw Water pricing Aquifer storage/recovery Conjunctive use groundwater / surface water Water prizing Strategic resource management Aquifer Storage and recovery Cascade of uncertainties in scenario development Mentioned - Counterproductivity of measures that decrease the resilience of water ecosystems. - Apply WFD Article 4.7 to adaptation measures that are modifying the physical characteristics of water bodies (e.g. reservoirs, water abstractions, dykes) and may cause deterioration in water status. No Knowledge on robustness of groundwater related measures ( artificial recharge?) Knowledge on counterproductiveness of measures with respect to the groundwater dynamics? Knowledge on counterproductiveness of measures with respect to the aquifer ecosystems (microcosms) ? 6. Take account of likely or possible future changes in climate when planning measures today, especially when these measures have a long lifetime and are cost-intensive, and assess whether these measures are still effective under the likely or possible future climate changes. 7. Favour measures that are robust and flexible to the uncertainty and cater for the range of potential variation related to future climate conditions. Design measures on the basis of the pressures assessment carried out previously including climate projections. 8. Choose sustainable adaptation measures, especially those with cross-sectoral benefits, and which have the least environmental impact, including GHG emissions. EP Knowledge of aquifer ecosystems (microcosms) and their alteration due to CC is very poor. Possible impacts on the aquifer ecosystems of measures such as ground water recharge (can exogenous waters carry different microcosms in aquifers??) are not considered KLAUS: Conflicts between intensive agriculture and groundwater quantitative and chemical status especially based on environmental objectives for ecosystems Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 Green et al. 2011 Exanples of adaptation options; nl to stop gw heffing door waterleiding, provincies To be elaborated in parallel sessions today Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Drought management and water scarcity and adaptation Mentioned - Make full use of the WFD environmental objectives, e.g. the requirement to achieve good groundwater quantitative status helps to ensure a robust water system, which is more resilient to climate change impacts. To be taken into account? Role of groundwater in drought mitigation potentially less sensitive to CC than surface water bodies which often rely on groundwater discharge to maintain baseflow conditions groundwater storage as a buffer versus protection of groundwater dependent environmental systems large storage capacity Groundwater as a strategic reserve Knowledge on Environmental flow needs with respect to groundwater Alteration of hydraulic properties of aquifers, such as transmissivities due to persistent and severe dry periods and its effect on recharge Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Conclusions for recommendations Secondary impacts are much more important than primary impacts and therefore may appear prominently in recommendations Increased irrigation from groundwater Land use change Quality of groundwater renewal Increased salt water intrusion due to overpumping 2) Groundwater quality aspects (GWD) need separate attention in recommendations 3) Climate proof long-term groundwater management plans may include: Conjunctive use Changes in groundwater recharge patterns Changes in pollutant pathways Groundwater/surface water interaction (quantity and quality) Groundwater dependent ecosystems Crops/ biofuels… no restrictions in using fertilizers!! Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012

Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012 Questions? Limassol, Cyprus, 8th October 2012