1. Water Scarcity Activity Water Scarcity Drafting group
London, November 28th
Water Scarcity Activity
Water Scarcity Drafting group

2. State of play of the activity
Paris, 13th September 2005
Drafting Group Meeting
Sixth draft uploaded in CIRCA
“Recommendations Paper”- First Draft
End of September 2005
Document uploaded in CIRCA
State of play and key issues
Brussels, 4th October
WG B Plenary Meeting
“Recommendations Paper” 4th Draft and “WS Document” 7thDraft
Rome, 20th October
DG Leaders Technical meeting

3. State of play of the document
Three Chapters have already been developed and submitted to remarks of the members of the group
They treat the following subjects :
CHAPTER I :
Definitions and Assessment of the different Phenomena
CHAPTER II :
Drought Planning and Management
CHAPTER III :
Long term imbalances in supply and demand

4. The recommendation paper
A recommendation paper has been drafted on key issues on drought and water scarcity management, treating the following subjects :
 The link between water scarcity and environmental protection issues
 The link between WFD implementation and water scarcity management

5. Recommendation Paper the content
Proposing a drought management plan including
Measures for mitigation of adverse effects of drought is a WFD objective
From crisis to risk management by :
Promoting prevention and mitigation measures
initiating a proactive management
improving early warning systems…
Need of coordination (forecasting, monitoring, impact assessment,
planning, etc.)
Strategic planning of water resources management for drought preparation and mitigation to propose:
long-term actions
to reduce vulnerability of water supply systems
short-term actions
to face forthcoming drought event

6. Recommendation Paper the content
Proposing a drought management plan
Achieving a common understanding for drought Plan in the context of WFD
Make a link with Article 4:
by defining less stringent environmental objectives,
by proposing appropriate indicators and thresholds
Include scarcity in RBMP:
by proposing Drought Management Plan in RBMP
pre-alert/alert measures
Integrate actions in POM:
measures to be taken in case of prolonged drought
restoration measures

7. Recommendation Paper the content
First elements of actions for long term imbalances management
Main principles
Ensure equity of water users prioritizing the uses
Define water management at local scale with transparency
Anticipation and forecasting
Emerging actions on demand side
Reduce of leakages, improve irrigation technologies and water reuse
Establish tools:tax, pricing policies, quotas,…
Development of education and awareness campaigns …
Emerging actions on supply side
Preserve the functioning of natural catchments and the restoration of lost ones
Improve the use of water infrastructures (dams, water transfer,…) …

8. WATER SCARCITY GROUP AND RESEARCH
Need of a strong link between
Aquastress Group and Water Scarcity Group
Participation of Water Scarcity working group to Aquastress Meeting - Lisbon, October 13th – 14th
Support of Water Scarcity Working Group to Aquastress Project

9. NEXT STEPS
2005 December:
Dissemination of the document to competent scientific bodies (EEA) for data validation;
2006 February 13th:
Next Water Scarcity WG meeting in Zaragoza
2006 February 14th:
Zaragoza Workshop
2006 June:
Water Scarcity final document to water directors meeting