1. Groundwater: Progress, challenges and opportunities with WFD/GWD in England
Fred Parsonage
11th April 2016

2. What is great about the WFD/GWD
Great framework for groundwater planning
Allows comparisons between administrations and regions
Facilitates proportionate decision making through comprehensive cost-benefit appraisal
Drives the collection of monitoring data and encourages research

3. River Basin Planning Cycle

6. Nitrates – the challenge in England
30% of Groundwater abstracted for drinking water has to be blended or treated because of nitrates.
2015 – 100 of GW bodies at poor status because of N.
58% of land area designated a NVZ
Time lag issues.
Targeted measures may be more successful.

9. Pesticide risks in Groundwater SGZs

10. WFD/GWD – Are there opportunities for improvement? PART 1
Greater consistency between WFD and GWD e.g. inputs/direct discharges of pollutants.
Mismatch between WFD Article 11.3(j) and GWD Article 6 is confusing for operators.
Art.11.3(j) list of activities and new technologies. a

11. WFD/GWD – Are there opportunities for improvement? PART 2
The 2027 deadline is challenging from a groundwater perspective due to time delays in the unsaturated zone?
Encourage the wider use of ecosystem services / natural capital approaches

12. WFD – Some of the other issues we have been thinking about
A common list of hazardous substances for groundwater?
Consider introducing Heavily Modified Groundwater Bodies?
How to encourage long-term land use change agreements?

13. Thank you What are your thoughts?