2. Good groundwater chemical status
EU Quality standards
(nitrates, pesticides)
Threshold values (national, regional, local) established by MS, taking account of interactions with aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Common criteria
for threshold values,
compliance taking
exceeding points into
account
Drinking water:
Protected areas
(Art. 6 and 7 WFD)
Principles of COM (2003)550 maintained. Ref. to Article 7(2) & (3) in a recital – New definition of “background
levels” – Common approach for TV establishment (account of high geogenic concentrations) - Compliance to GW
standards considering risk-based decision on exceeding values & classification (monitoring representativeness
reinfored) - Review of GW standards and annexes in 2012 and 6 years after – Nitrate standard adopted -
List of Annex II (specifying substances and indicators) – Required coordination for TV establishment

3. Trend identification and reversal
Trend studies for
specific pollutants
(Point sources)
QS or TV % •
Trend identification
and reversal • • • • • •
Time
% possibly adapted if justified
Statistically and “environmentally” significant to be reversed – New definition of “baseline level” (ref. years 2007
and 2008, except for new pollutants) – Trend reversal for nitrates referring to Nitrates Directive – Specific trend
studies for point sources and contaminated land – Starting point for trend reversal possibly earlier or later,
depending on local conditions (to be justified)

4. Indirect discharges (inputs)
Limit introduction of
substances 7-12 of
Annex VIII-WFD (non-
hazardous pollutants)
Direct discharges regulated under Article 11(3)(j) of the WFD – Transitional arrangements linking 80/68/EEC to good chemical status requirements
Prevent introduction
of substances 1-6 and 7-9
(when hazardous) of
Annex VIII-WFD
Ref. to artificial recharge as acceptable practice – Exemptions including “de minimis clause”, exceptional
circumstances, cutting/dredging (under permit) – “Prevent” clause with reference to exemptions

5. Horizontal issues
Research on groundwater ecosystem recommended in a recital – Scientific & technical adaptations through
Comitology - Review of the functioning of the Directive andits links with other directives in 2012 –
Accent on need to ensure reliability and comparability of measurement methods (recital)