1. 19 november 2018
Workshop “Climate Change Impacts on Groundwater” Summary and outcomes October 13th 2011, Warsaw
Groundwater aspects in the Guidance No.24 on River Basin Management in a Changing Climate (Klaus Hinsby/Hans Peter Broers/Ronald Kozel/Elisabetta Prezioso)
which issues which are not covered with respect to groundwater?
What issues should be taken into account in RBMP’s
Organizing team
Hans Peter Broers (Eurogeosurveys)
Elisabetta Preziosi (IRSA-CNR, Italy)
Klaus Hinsby (Geus, Denmark)
Ronald Kozel (Bafu, Switzerland)
Sophie Vermooten (Deltares,the Netherlands)

2. Ad hoc task GW and CC Overall objective (WGC mandate)
To make a WGC contribution to horizontal issues, specifically on Climate change effects on groundwater
expected pressures and impacts
consideration in RBMPs (make them climate resilient)
input to SSG on Climate Change and Water.
Activity on an ad-hoc basis
need a previous approval by the Water Directors and discussions with other WGs where needed.

3. Structure of the activity
One or two workshops (2011, 2012)
2011 workshop endorsed by Water Directors
2012 workshop decided after results of first workshop
Interaction with CIS Expert Group on Climate Change and Water
Bridge between science and policy
Presentations of scientific results (e.g. Genesis, WATCH, Aquaterra)
Presentations on policy requirements by MS
Presentations on best practices in RBMP’s by MS
Recommendations for RBMP’s
Programme of measures
Monitoring
Protected areas
Workshop reports with key issues and outcomes of the workshops
discussed at the WGC meetings following the workshops.

4. Goals of the first workshop
Aim: collect existing information and establish the knowledge base
Policy requirements and knowledge gaps of the member states
first step taking into consideration the guidance document 'River basin management in a changing climate'.
Inputs from scientific results of FPVII research projects
Genesis, WATCH, Aquaterra
national research projects which address the pressures and impacts of CC on groundwater
The workshop was used to share information and exchange views between member states and stakeholders aims to identify what the needs are for future work in CC and groundwater, both from policy and scientific perspective

5. Meeting program October 2011
First session: demands of the member states for having CC well incorporated in the 2nd and 3rd River Basin Management Plans
Guidance No. 24 what is not mentioned but needs attention
Second session: presenting knowledge that is currently available among scientists in Europe
Europe wide CC aspects of groundwater:
Case studies on CC and groundwater in EU member states
Third session: wrap-up
discussion how to match knowledge and demands, and make plans for a follow-up.

6. What do we actually know (better …)
19 November 2018 6

7. CC impacts are potentially everywhere
Control
Future
Dryer summers Netherlands
Evidence that CC affects GW all over Europe, but with very different effects
S-Europe: overall decreasing trend in recharge
W, Central, Alps and N Europe:
Changes is seasonal regimes => water scarcity in summers
Snow melt earlier in the year Sweden, Alps
Dryer summers western europe
Length of recharge season
Changes in land use to adapt to those changes
Alps
Other seasonal regimes Sweden

8. Secondary impacts count
19 november 2018
Secondary impacts count
Pressures on groundwater systems tend to increase,
Primary effects of climate change
associated human induced changes of surface and subsurface water management (= secondary effects)
Secondary impacts of are expected to have the largest short-term effects on groundwater resources.
increase of water demands and abstractions of groundwater for irrigation
water scarcity in summers
Land use change may affect groundwater recharge and quality
Energy policy (heat storage, CO2 storage, biofuels) 8

9. Increased pressures on groundwater
Increase of competition between different groundwater uses
Irrigation (more groundwater, less surface water)
drinking water
energy use (storage of heat, CO2 storage etc)
Competition between uses and GW ecosystem services
Base flow and Environmental Flow Needs
Groundwater dependent ecosystems

10. Prolonged drougths and water scarcity
Not only in southern europe

11. Salt water intrusion

12. Uncertainties addressed; uncertainties remain
Uncertainties in
CC scenarios
Hydrological behaviour
Response of society to CC (land use change for example)
No reason for doing nothing
Response of society (indirect impact) should be met in predictions
Groundwater levels (m)
Calib. Uncertainty
95 % CI
Weather generator
(2085)
Alternative dowscaling approach

13. What we now know Is the results of research that started 5-7 years ago
Is useful to feed the research results in the policy process
Recommendations to make water management plans waterproof / CC proof
Technical note on workshop results
Workshop to define recommendations

14. Lacking, needs further assessments
Scenarios have to include adaptations
Current scenarios mainly focus on primary effects:
Scenarios should include secondary impacts !!
How do CC influenced energy policies affect groundwater
Very little is known on extreme situations (flooding, severe droughts, drought propagation to groundwater.)
Effects of CC on GW chemical status and pollutant transport are unclear
CC Effects on nutrients transfer between groundwater and lakes, estuaries and seas
Importance of knowledge about behavior in the past
Assess historical monitoring data and improve current monitoring strategies

15. Next steps Move forward in two complementary ways:
Policy: Recommendations for 2nd RBMP’s for what we already know
Technical note on outcomes of first workshop (beginning 2012)
Second workshop in autum 2012
dedicated to concrete recommendations on basis what we know now
Different set-up: discussion in small groups heading for concrete recommendations
Cooperation with WS&D group
Science supporting policy: Promoting research for what we don’t know
Feeds into 3rd RBMP
Manifest to be delivered to DG-Research

16. Second workshop autumn 2012
Aim: to make recommendations for climate resilient river basin management plans
Recommendations on:
programme of measures
monitoring setup
management of protected areas,
both drinking water protected areas and protected nature reserves with groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Different set-up: discussion in small groups heading for concrete recommendations
Needs authorisation of Water Directors
Technical note on outcomes of first workshop to be delivered in spring 2012

17. Lacking current Guidances , but recommendations possible (not complete)
Much progress has been made since GWD and G no.24
How to take into account the cascade of uncertainties in modelling CC aspects on GW in decision making
Assessment and monitoring of salt water intrusion
Harmonised assessment of drought/scarcity situations in GW
 Communication (do we have to take measures?)
How to monitor effectively; what is necessary
Adaptations (local, regional measures)

18. Topics to discuss in October (groupwise) (first proposal)
Management options: (program of measures)
Conjunctive use groundwater / surface water
Water prizing
Strategic resource management
Aquifer Storage and recovery
Monitoring strategies
Historical records
Future time series wells, springs
Protected areas
DWPA strategies; safeguarding public supply
CC effects on GWDTE and aquatic ecosystems
Agriculture demands and groundwater resources
Risks for overexploitation
New crops, land use change

19. Summary: Second workshop autumn 2012
Aim: to make recommendations for climate resilient river basin management plans
Recommendations on:
programme of measures
monitoring setup
management of protected areas,
both drinking water protected areas and protected nature reserves with groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Different set-up: discussion in small groups heading for concrete recommendations
Needs authorisation of Water Directors
Technical note on outcomes of first workshop to be delivered in spring 2012