1. CIS Mixing Zones Guidance
Madalina David -DG Environment
John Batty-DEFRA-UK
Working Group E (9)
15 March 2009

2. Background
Mandate for Technical Guidance Document agreed by Water Directors in November 2008
Drafting Group established with both Member State and Industry representation
Principles of Tiered Approach agreed by WG-E in March 2009
Draft Guidance presented to Member States at WGE(7) in October 2009
Testing completed
January 2010
Mixing Zone for for AA-EQS
Mixing Zone for MAC-EQS
WG E March 2010

3. Timetable
October 2009 Release to WG-E of draft and associated software
October 28th WG-E deadline to submit written comments
November 30th Revised draft released
December 1st Final testing phase commenced
January 31st Testing Phase completed
March 5th Final Draft release
March 15th2010 WG-E Sign off
April Final draft despatched to SCG
May 5-6 th SCG endorsement
May 27-28th 2010 Water Directors endorsement
29 September Adoption by Regulatory Committee of WFD
WG E March 2010

4. The Guidance Document
The version presented today is the Final Draft(v17)
The emphasis remains on “acceptability”
Competent Authority has pivotal role in process
Tiered approach offers:
A focused approach- devote time and effort where necessary and;
eliminate trivial or minor discharges from further consideration
WG E March 2010

5. Review of testing
Delays to the completion of the draft precluded the development of a detailed testing protocol
At WGE(7) MS asked whether the guidance and associated software met their needs and what gaps remained
Testing was undertaken by Belgium, UK and Eurometaux
The Netherlands provided on-line Masterclasses on the Discharge Test software
WG E March 2010

6. Review of testing -Belgium
Belgium (Flanders) concluded:
The Guidance is logical, easy to understand and very clear.
 The use of a tiered approach is very useful and facilitates the decision making process. We appreciate the flexibility of the approach.
The Discharge test model itself is strong, easy-to-use and operates on a commonly used platform
The Discharge Test may be too conservative in some cases
WG E March 2010

7. Review of testing- UK
Environment Agency River Basin Planners provided feedback
The tiered approach was considered fit for purpose
The guidance was not thought to be sufficiently comprehensive for tidal waters
A full case study was undertaken for a large waste water treatment plant in Kent using the Discharge test software
Concerns of some contradictions between tiers
Possibly because first tier may be more conservative than necessary
WG E March 2010

8. Review of testing -Eurometaux
Eurometaux testing was confined to the use of the Discharge Test (Tier 2) for Cadmium and Mercury discharges
The testing identified that reduction in discharge pipe diameter could make a significant difference to effluent velocity and thus initial mixing
Concerns that the (Tier 2) approach was too conservative
The Tier 2 approach ( One set of criteria -1/4 width for MAC and 10 times width for AA-EQS) was not suitable for use throughout Europe and for all cases
WG E March 2010

9. WG E members are invited to:
Discuss and agree whether the current version of the Guidance on Mixing Zones Identification (draft version no. 17) can be presented to the Strategic Co-ordination Group at their May meeting
WG E March 2010

10. Future Work
It is clear that additional work is continuing that will assist Member States
A revised web-based version of the Dutch Discharge Test is due for release shortly that will include better coverage of marine waters
The drafting group also suggest that a further review of the guidance should be considered once Member States have gained experience in its use to inform future rounds of river basin planning
WG E March 2010

11. Thanks to the Drafting team
Norman Babbedge Environment Agency, UK
Dju Bijstra RWS, The Netherlands
Madalina David European Commission
Raphael Demouliere Ministry of Ecology, France
Klaas Den Haan CONCAWE
Neil Edwards Eurelectric (RWE nPower)
Koen Gommers Eurometaux
Andreas Hoffmann Umweltbundesamt, Germany
Gerrit Niebeek (Co-Chair) RWS, The Netherlands
Keith Sadler Eurelectric (Eon)
Joachim Seibring CEFIC
Hubert Verhaeghe Agence de l'Eau Artois Picardie, France
Nicole Zantkuijl Eureau
WG E March 2010

12. Thanks for your attention
Comments?