1. A general introduction
Mixing zones
A general introduction
Gerrit Niebeek (NL)
26 april 2011

2. Introduction (I) Water quality Functions EQS Sources of pollution
Point
Diffuse
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3. Introduction (II) where two watercourses join, mixing takes place
difference in flow
difference in concentration
as long as waste water is discharged, mixing takes place
as long as Cdischarge > EQS there is an area of exceedance
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4. Mixing in water bodies
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5. Mixing in water bodies
Different situations (lake, river, harbour, coastal)
A lot of parameters/variables determine a mixing process
Models can be used to visualise mixing
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6. Mixing in water bodies
Fischer equations
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7. Legal background I WFD (2000/60/EC)
10. Body of surface water. means a discrete and significant element of surface water such as a lake, reservoir, a stream, river or canal, part of a stream, river or canal, a transitional water or a stretch of coastal water.
24. Good surface water chemical status. means the chemical status required to meet the environmental objectives for surface waters established in Article 4(1)(a), that is the chemical status achieved by a body of surface water in which concentrations of pollutants do not exceed the environmental quality standards established in Annex IX and under Article 16(7), and under other relevant Community legislation setting environmental quality standards at Community level.
35. Environmental quality standard. means the concentration of a particular pollutant or group of pollutants in water, sediment or biota which should not be exceeded in order to protect human health and the environment.
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8. Legal background II Article 10 (WFD)
The combined approach for point and diffuse sources
10.3. Where a quality objective or quality standard, whether established pursuant to this Directive, in the Directives listed in Annex IX, or pursuant to any other Community legislation, requires stricter conditions than those which would result from the application of paragraph 2, more stringent emission controls shall be set accordingly.
Article 19 (Industrial emissions)
Environmental quality standards
Where an environmental quality standard requires stricter conditions than those achievable by the use of the best available techniques, additional measures shall be included in the permit, without prejudice to other measures which may be taken to comply with environmental quality standards.
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9. Legal background III Article 3 (EQS Directive)
In accordance with Article 1 of this Directive and Article 4 of Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States shall apply the EQS laid down in Part A of Annex I to this Directive for bodies of surface water.
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10. At the monitoring station?
Applying EQS
At the monitoring station?
Discussion on where should an EQS be met? X
Everywhere? or
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11. Applying EQS everywhere.
The EQS becomes ELV
Applying EQS everywhere.
Summary of costs to limit mixing zones by 2018 for NL (ECORYS)
Point source Investments (x mln euro)
STPs – 1,830
Industry
Sewer overflows ‘several billion euros’
Untreated household discharges 1,000
Total 1,474 – 3,477
+ ‘several billion’
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12. A description of each mixing zone is nonsense
A description of a general approach might make sense
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13. Legal background V Article 4 (EQS Directive)
Member States may designate mixing zones adjacent to points of discharge. Concentrations of one or more substances listed in Part A of Annex I may exceed the relevant EQS within such mixing zones if they do not affect the compliance of the rest of the body of surface water with those standards.
Article 4 (EQS Directive)
Member States that designate mixing zones shall include in RBMP’S produced in accordance with Article 13 of Directive 2000/60/EC a description of:
the approaches and methodologies applied to define such zones; and
measures taken with a view to reducing the extent of the mixing zones in the future, such as those pursuant to Article 11(3)(k) of Directive 2000/60/EC or by reviewing permits referred to in Directive 2008/1/EC or prior regulations referred to in Article 11(3)(g) of Directive 2000/60/EC.
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14. Legal background VI Article 4 (EQS Directive)
Member States that designate mixing zones shall ensure that the extent of any such zone is:
(a) restricted to the proximity of the point of discharge;
(b) proportionate, having regard to the concentrations of pollutants at the point of discharge and to the conditions on emissions of pollutants contained in the prior regulations, such as authorisations and/or permits, referred to in Article 11(3)(g) of Directive 2000/60/EC and any other relevant Community law, in accordance with the application of best available techniques and Article 10 of Directive 2000/60/EC, in particular after those prior regulations are reviewed.
Article 4 (EQS Directive)
Technical guidelines for the identification of mixing zones shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 9(2) of this Directive.
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15. Outcome of the negotiation.
MS may designate Mixing zones
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16. The Netherlands
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17. Netherlands: delta of 4 rivers
Policy aspects
Netherlands: delta of 4 rivers
Ems
Rhine
Scheldt
Meuse
all 4 River Basin Districts are international
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18. Organisation of water management
Different layers dealing with water management:
State 1
Provinces 12
Regional Water boards 25
Municipalities 418
All with their own autonomous competences
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19. National legislation/water policy
Combined approach since 1970
Discharge test since 2000
Water Act
Environment Act
EQS
Management and Development Plan for National waters
Regional water management plans
Mixing zone
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20. National legislation/state of play
Approach is used by both water authorities and Industry
EQS water / EQS biota
Manual
Workshops
Helpdesk
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21. Thank you for your attention!
26 april 2011