Chemicals and Water A European Environment Agency (EEA) perspective Rob Collins Water Group EEA

Two key EEA outputs addressing the issue of chemicals and water; I – 2010 State of Europe’s Environment assessment to include a chapter on water quality which focuses mainly on eutrophication and, chemicals in water – but room only for an overview II – A 2011 EEA report specifically on chemicals and water The 2011 report offers opportunity to disseminate information from SCORE-PP Chemicals and Water

2011 Chemicals and Water Report - Rationale Issue of chemical use and emissions to fresh/marine waters given fresh impetus with new EQS Directive - ongoing identification of priority (hazardous) substances; further chemicals to be classified in Need for a comprehensive overview of the issue of chemicals in fresh and marine water, including latest legislation, current state and (potential) impacts on biota and humans. EEA’s 2010 SOER report is of limited length – will provide only a brief overview

Explanation of why there are concerns – impacts on freshwater and marine ecosystems (e.g. ED’s, pesticides, metals etc) Potential for effects on human health (acute and chronic) – attempt to place the role of water as an exposure route in context of wider environment, e.g. pesticide exposure routes Which chemicals are of particular concern?, what are their sources/emissions Current knowledge with respect to chemical ‘state’ of fresh and marine waters Chemicals and Water Report – What will be included? - I

Describe legislation (response) – much of it is relatively new; REACH, EQS Directive (WFD), Pesticides Strategy/Directive etc Where has legislation been successful, e.g. role of UWWTD Gaps in legislation? Identify cost-effective measures Chemicals and Water Report – What will be included? - II

Where do we need more information?, e.g. impacts of complex mixture of chemicals – synergistic/additive effects Emerging issues – nanotechnology Wastewater treatment – innovative approaches, which chemicals are not fully treated; drive to tackling at source Historical pollution, background levels How to establish ‘smart’ monitoring programmes Chemicals and Water Report – What will be included? - III

Freshwater Information Emissions from industry to water – reported under E-PRTR Industrial and wastewater emissions are a major source of many chemicals That includes storm overflows in the urban environment DRAFT

Freshwater Information Freshwater chemical concentrations via EEA’s Eionet database. Information from forthcoming RBMP’s of the WFD

National SoE reports National SoE reports E.g. 1. PCB levels in freshwater fish in Sweden; Swedish Environmental Protection Agency E.g. 2. decline in cadmium and mercury in Dutch/German border

Marine/Coastal information OSPAR, HELCOM etc, but WFD RBMP’s too.

Tackling chemicals at source Wastewater treatment has a continuing role to play, but… ….it costs, financially and in terms of energy and chemicals used Disposal of sewage sludge remains an issue; hazardous chemicals onto agricultural land? Highlight the importance of source control Need to illustrate this point with case studies/examples of successful implementation of cost-effective measures