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)
New definition of deterioration (in relation to “status quo” not acceptable by COM/Council – Ref. to Article 7(2)
in a recital – New definition of “background levels” – Compliance & classification based on expert verification not
accepted by COM/Council – Review of list of GW standards and annexes in 2012 and 6 years after – Nitrate standard
under discussion – List of Annex II (substances vs. indicators) – Geogenic concentrations duly considered

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 trends to be reversed – New definition of “baseline level” – Trend
reversal for nitrates still under discussion (Reference to Nitrates Directive reference?) - Discussion on later
startingpoint for trend reversal

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
Exemptions included in Common Position
Prevent introduction
of substances 1-6 and 7-9
(when hazardous) of
Annex VIII-WFD
Acknowledgment that artificial recharge is acceptable practice under permit (recital) – Exemptions including
“de minimis clause” – “Aim to” prevent under discussion – Discussion on hazardous substances

5. Horizontal issues
Research on groundwater ecosystem recommended in a recital – Review of the functioning of the Directive and
its links with other directives in 2012 – Measurement methods required to be checked (reliability, comparability)

6. Update of negotiation process
Political agreement reached at Council on 24th June (DE, IT, SE, HU voting against)
Common Position adopted on 23rd January 2006, followed by Commission‘ communication
2nd Reading: Report adopted on 13 June 2006
From 1st September onward: Conciliation with two trialogue meetings being held so far (next one on 10th October) – Conciliation Committee scheduled on 17th October
Adoption expected by the end of 2006