The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE)

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Dwight Adams
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The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE) Challenges with implementation of river basin management plans in EU-Member Countries and the link to economic growth

1 The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE) Challenges with implementation of river basin management plans in EU-Member Countries and the link to economic growth Paris, November 25, 2016 Yannick Pochon, International Office for Water Inaugural meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the GREEN Action Programme 1

2 The WFD: a major text for water policy Before More than 30 European directives concerning water A sectorial approach fight against some substances (Dangerous substances directives, Nitrate directive, ) standards and regulation by use (potable water, bathing, ) With the WFD Upcoming abrogation of several directives A main objective : protection of aquatic bodies and of water ressources 2

3 Panorama of European Directives From a sectorial to an integrated approach 98/83/EU and 80/68/EEC «drinking water» 79/869/EEC «shellfish waters» * 78/659/EU «waters supporting fish life» * 76/160/EEC «bathing water» 75/440/EEC «surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water» * Daughter Directives of 76/464/EEC 80/68/EEC «groundwater» * 76/464/EEC «dangerous substances» * 96/61/EEC «IPPC» 91/676/EEC «nitrates» 91/271/EEC «Urban Waste Water» Quality of Aquatic body WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE 2000/60/EC Discharges Birds directive 79/409/EEC Directive on major accidents (Seveso) 96/82/EC Directive concerning the evaluation of the environmental impacts 85/337/EEC * Directives to be repealed by the Water Framework Directive Directive concerning the use of plant protection products 91/414/EEC 3 Habitats directive 92/43/EEC

4 WFD leans on confirmed or reinforced principles Management by hydrographic districts/basins Planning cycle on the horizon 2015, 2021, 2027 Protection of aquatic ecosystems and terrestrian ecosystems which depends directly from Economical analysis (new) Public participation (new) 4

5 3/2005 Art.15 3/2007 Art.15 3/2010 Art.15 Report Report Report 12/2003 Transposal Art.3 12/2006 Art.8 Monitoring programme 12/2009 Art.11 Programme of measures 12/2012 Art.8 Common approach GOOD STATUS 2000 Art.24 12/2015 Art.4 WFD Art.6 12/2004 Protected areas register Art.5 12/2004 Characterisation of RBD Art.9 12/2010 Pricing policy Art.13 12/2009 RBMP Deadlines and objectives

6 Some Objectives and obligations of results Environmental objectives: Reach the good status of surface waters (ecological and chemical) and groundwaters (chemical and quantitative), No deterioration, Objectives to reach in protected areas, To suppress the discharges of prioritary dangerous substances in 20 years and et to reduce emissions of prioritary substances 6

interim targets, currently applicable in 13 EU-MS Performance monitoring of treated waste waters Industrial waste water: 1) =>

7 Urban Waste Water Directive Collection and treatment of waste water in urban settlement areas, incl. economic activities, (agglomerations) of > 2000 population equivalent Transitional deadline for implementation, including interim targets, currently applicable in 13 EU-MS Performance monitoring of treated waste waters Industrial waste water: 1) => pre-treatment of industrial waste water discharged into public network (where necessary) 2) => UWWTD covers 11 industry sectors with biodegradable waste water 7

8 Implementation of UWWTD state of play Very high compliance rates in EU15, frequently in the range % Significant progress in EU13, but results still much lower (e.g. in SA) EU funding helped implementation: Between ,8 billion euro investment support from EU funds, but better use of implementation programmes is needed Attention to be paid for big cities (> 150,000 p, almost 600 in EU): 89% of its load received more stringent treatment than required, however, degree of compliance varies significantly (e.g., in capital cities) 8

9 Economical aspects 9

10 10 Main outcomes 2027? The one out all out principle prevents to show the real progress achieved in improving the state of the water bodies, and that is direly needed to justify investments to the public and the decision-makers in a context of strong budget constraints. More generally the question of communication on progresses already achieved (by MS and by COM) must be tackled

11 Praising WFD s strengths and lessons learned : WFD brought 28 EU Member States to adopt the right approach and tools to improve the states of the water resources and this shouldn t put in jeopardy. Among the key achievements made thanks to the WFD: greater coordination (between administrations and sectors), broader application of the cost recovery analysis, stronger monitoring networks and Water Information Systems (WIS) for data management, wider involvement of the stakeholders and the public Many developments of tools and methods at basin, national or european level 11

12 Establishment of a Peer-Review Mechanism 12

13 Challenges and perspectives Many lessons learned from 2 first RBMPs Limits already identified for some methods and implementation Changing context (SDG, CC, Economic crisis ) A cautious approach for the 2019 review, as WFD shouldn t result in a loss of ambition or in a loss of accountability The framework and integration spirit of the WFD must be kept 13

14 Perspectives Integration with other directives and policies : Nitrates, CAP, Green growth and innovation, Circular economy package Re-use 14

15 Thanking you for your attention Paris, November 25, 2016 Yannick Pochon, International Office for Water 15

European Commission - DG Environment Unit B.1: Water, the Marine and Soil EC Perspective on the WFD and Daughter Directive Groundwater

European Commission - DG Environment Unit B.1: Water, the Marine and Soil EC Perspective on the WFD and Daughter Directive Groundwater EC Perspective on the WFD and Daughter Directive Groundwater Andreas SCHEIDLEDER Umweltbundesamt, Austria Philippe QUEVAUVILLER European Commission, DG ENV Contents of the Presentation Objectives of the