1. Expert Advisory Forum on
Groundwater
First meeting
Brussels
23 Nov 2001

2. prevent or limit the input of pollutants no deterioration
Requirements in WFD
Article 4, 7 and 11:
prevent or limit the input of pollutants
no deterioration
protect, enhance and restore all groundwater bodies
reverse any significant and sustained upward trends
prohibition of direct discharges
necessary protection for bodies of water used for the abstraction of drinking water
reduce the level of purification treatment

3. Requirements in WFD . Article 17
Commission to proposal by end 2002:
Criteria for assessing good groundwater status
Criteria for identification of significant and sustained upward trends
Criteria for definition on starting points for trend reversals
In absence of criteria - starting point for trend reversal is 75 % of existing EU standards

4. Why a broader conceptual approach?
Article 17 WDF
Why a broader conceptual approach?
Lack of conceptual discussion based on analysis of threats on Europe's groundwater
Evaluate existing good practices
Discuss specific strategies for different kinds of pollution problems
Request from European Parliament during conciliation

5. Conceptual approach
In order to get a common concept, we need to:
structure the discussion
evaluate various approaches for different pollution problems
take into account what is in WFD already
three cases that cover a broad range of the situations that need to be addressed

6. Problems to be addressed
Body of groundwater
Case I: Unpolluted
Polluted
Case III: Point source pollution from contaminated sites, railway tracks, industrial sites etc.
Case II: Diffuse pollution and causing trends
No deterioration
Prevention
Definition of high status
Typology
Restore
Prevent pollution of other GW bodies
Assess trends
Reverse trends
Prevention, No deterioration
Restoration targets
Target values for trend reversal
Action values for other substances or activities

7. Would Quality standards be useful?
Cases to be addressed
Case I: Unpolluted groundwater body with pollution pressure from point or diffuse sources
Shortcomings:
no definition “unpolluted”
Approaches:
define “high status”
create typology
Requirements:
no deterioration
pollution prevention
?How to strengthen the protection of unpolluted groundwater;
Would Quality standards be useful?

8. ? Need of further action values and how to derive them?
Cases to be addressed
Case II: Polluted groundwater body with pressure from
diffuse pollution
Shortcomings:
no standards, no action values nor end points for trend reversal for any other substances
Approach:
derive action values and end targets from
- natural background values
- detection values
- interaction with surface water
Requirements:
good status (nitrates, pesticides)
trend reversal
action values (75% of standards)
? Need of further action values and how to derive them?

9. ?Need of restoration targets and how to derive them?
Cases to be addressed
Case III: Polluted groundwater body with continues pressure from
point sources (contaminated sites)
Shortcomings:
no restoration targets with reference to contaminated sites
restoring targets
Approach:
use drinking water standards (particular)
account the interaction with surface water
Requirements:
prevent further deterioration
prevent or limit pollution at source
restoring
?Need of restoration targets and how to derive them?

10. Groundwater - Timetable

11. How to go on WFD - Daughter Directive Evaluate existing good practices
Discuss specific strategies for different kinds of pollution problems
Choose a case study on each of the cases, which further the discussion
Work out a proposal for a common procedure