The European Eutrophication Activity and the UWWT and Nitrate Directives Ana Cristina Cardoso

Overview WFD-CIS Eutrophication Activity Eutrophication in EU policy − Requirements for assessment and classification in UWWTD, ND and WFD − Harmonisation of class boundaries

Introduction − Eutrophication is an issue in various water policies and regional conventions − There remains considerable divergence in the specific requirements for assessing eutrophication and different monitoring and reporting requirements − These lead to a Eutrophication Activity that take a wide view to harmonise across all policy areas but firmly based on the WFD − Contemplating all water categories − Discussions on content started mid-2003 involving all relevant working groups (ECOSTAT, EMMA, ND and UWWD Committees) − In 2004 the Eutrophication activity was initiated under the CIS of the WFD

Water Directors Strategic Co- ordination Group ECOSTAT WG NiD Committee EMMA WG UWWT Committee Expert Networks Lakes, Rivers, Coast Ad hoc Workshops Consultation Phase Eutrophication Steering Group Technical Secretariat : Main consultation : Information : Potential participants

Water Directors Strategic Co- ordination Group ECOSTAT WG NiD Committee EMMA WG UWWT Committee Expert Networks Lakes, Rivers, Coast Ad hoc Workshops Decision Phase Eutrophication Steering Group Technical Secretariat : Main consultation : Information : Potential participants

1.Introduction 2.Overall conceptual framework for the assessment of eutrophication 3.Overview and common understanding of eutrophication in EC and international policies 4.The WFD concept of ecological status in the context of eutrophication (Ecostat) 5.Overview of current eutrophication risk assessment methodologies and criteria in European countries 6.Towards harmonisation of classification criteria 7.Monitoring- Guidance on integration of requirements stemming from various obligations 8.Case Studies 9.Next steps Contents - Eutrophication Guidance

Annexes - Eutrophication Guidance Annex 1: The understanding of eutrophication Annex 2: Indicative check-lists for category specific features of the impact of eutrophication Annex 3: Summary tables of information collated under this activity on existing eutrophication related assessment methodologies and criteria used for lakes, rivers and marine waters

−After an extensive consultation, an interim version of the guidance document has been presented to the Water Directors in London, November 2005 −The Water Directors have decided for the publication of this interim version (No11) of the guidance with the following title: " Towards a Guidance Document on Eutrophication assessment in the context of European water policies. Interim document " Eutrophication Guidance Current Status

WFD (2000/60/EC) Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) Habitats Directive (92/42/EEC) Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC) Freshwater Fish Directive (78/659/EEC) Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) Abstraction of Drinking Water Directive (75/440/EEC) National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC) Eutrophication in European policies

Directive/ Policy Assessment requirementsMonitoring requirements WFDPart of assessing Ecological Status Pressure from nutrients Protected Areas Phytoplankton, aquatic flora, macroinvertebrates, fish Hydromorphological QEs Physicochemical QE UWWT Directive To identify Sensitive Areas (…eutrophic or may become eutrophic in the near future) Review Sensitive Areas at least every 4 years Nitrates Directive To identify polluted waters and designate catchments as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Review the eutrophic state of surface water at least every 4 years Requirements to assess eutrophication

The classification of eutrophic waters under European policies Directive/ policy Classification WFDWorse than good Ecological Status UWWT Directive Sensitive Area (eutrophic) Nitrates Directive Eutrophic water requiring designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Harmonising class boundaries – Assessment of current status Ecological StatusWFD normative definition UWWT DirectiveNitrate Directive HighNearly undisturbed conditions Non Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is not required Non Eutrophic, not a Polluted Water, designation of NVZ is not required GoodSlight change in composition, biomass Non Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is not required Non Eutrophic, not a Polluted Water, designation of NVZ is not required ModerateModerate change in composition, biomass May become eutrophic in the near future, designation of sensitive area is required May become eutrophic in the near future, polluted water, designation of NVZ is required PoorMajor change in biological communities. Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is required Polluted water, designation of NVZ is required BadSevere change in biological communities. Eutrophic, designation of sensitive area is required Polluted water, designation of NVZ is required

Current status assessment Moderate status: undesirable disturbances NOT necessarily present but significant probability of occurring ≡ May become eutrophic in the near future WFD assessment UWWTD and ND assessment Avoid deterioration in status in accordance with WFD

Future developments –The Steering Group has prepared a proposal to continue the activity in which was presented to the Water Directors meeting in Finland (30 November - 1 December 2006) – Update will consider the outcome of the WFD intercalibration and results of second application of the OSPAR common procedure work_directive/thematic_documents/13_eutrophication

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