1. WG C Groundwater Progress Report to SCG SCG-Meeting, 07/08.11.2012
Johannes Grath, Anna Hall

2. Key events in the period November 2011–May 2012
23rd WG C Plenary meeting on 08/09 October 2012 in Limassol.
Main topics:
WG C Activity 3 – Workshop on Groundwater and Climate Change
WG C Activity 1 – Continuation of Exchange of best practice
Discussion of input to WG C Groundwater Mandate for period –2015

3. WG C Activity 3 Workshop on Groundwater and Climate Change
General objective of this 2nd workshop: propose concrete recommendations for the Programmes of Measures
The following issues were subject of discussion during the workshop:
Group 1: Management options
Group 2: Monitoring strategies
Group 3: Protected areas
Group 4: Agriculture demands and groundwater resources
The outcome of the workshop will be summarised as a report, presented and discussed at the next WG C Groundwater meeting and forwarded to SCG in spring 2013

4. WG C Activity 1 Continuation of Exchange of Best Practice
Information exchange with WS&D group
Presentation of Discussion Paper Environmental Flows (eflows) - main emphasis on GW-dependent ecosystems
case study: illustration how the eflow concept could by applied for the assessment of GW-dependent terrestrial ecosystems
Application of groundwater indicators – summary information received by questionnaire - 17 MS replied:
In some parts of Europe, a GW indicator is already in place
in most parts of Europe: large interest for new GW indicator exist
results of the questionnaire will be used by WG WS&D in the fact sheet of the groundwater indicator

5. WG C Activity 1 Continuation of Exchange of Best Practice
Development of knowledge on GW-dependent terrestrial ecosystems – results from the questionnaire - 21 countries responded
Goals:
Establish an overview across the EU of organisations or institutes
start development of a network of organisations and people within organisations in order to share knowledge on GWDTE
Results:
Most countries monitor GWDTE’s as part of Natura 2000, very few have specific monitoring in place (mostly project based);
Most countries do NOT monitor GWDTE physical or chemical parameters; very few have specific monitoring in place (mostly project based);
Countries DO monitor GW bodies, but do not / cannot generally relate this info to the GWDTE;
Several countries have identified that the Q’naire resulted in increased interaction with ecologists / Conservation organisations in their country;
 Recommendation: continue exchange of information and best practice within WG C

6. WG C Activity 1 Continuation of Exchange of Best Practice
Drinking Water Directive and WFD/GWD – exploration of possibilities for cooperation and harmonisation
Information from water industry team on DG ENV activities regarding drinking water:
special focus was put on small DW supplies (<1000 m³ or serving fewer than 5000 persons).
Only 60% of these DW supplies fulfil the minimum quality requirements of the DWD.
Adequate risk assessment/risk management (RA/RM) could solve this gap with small supplies and this principle should be included in the Directive.
Current/further work: Development of a policy guidance document on appropriate RA/RM and update of the technical Annex to the DWD with the view to adjust monitoring efforts.
Conclusions
expert group is aware of the reports from WG C and WG C is invited to identify Drinking Water relevant items that should be considered
WG C could contribute: harmonisation of monitoring, risk assessment procedure regarding water safety plans

7. WG C Activity 1 – Continuation of Exchange of best practice
INSPIRE
Sharing information on INSPIRE Directive and links to groundwater
Identified need to ensure WISE and INSPIRE linked up
Groundwater related reporting
Need for future work to clarify groundwater bodies and reporting
Include application of horizon
Include groundwater body attributes mandatory and optional
Groundwater bodies are management units and their delineation should not be driven by reporting requirements

8. Mandate Period 2010–2012 WG C Groundwater summary

9. Outcome of current Mandate Period (2010–2012)
Exchange of best practices related to the implementation of groundwater issues of the WFD and GWD
The following issues were addressed:
Procedure for status assessment and TV establishment
‘Prevent or limit’-approaches implemented in MS
GW-body delineation, horizon assignment and reporting
Drinking Water Protected Areas
Status & Trends
Analyses of update needs for existing Guidance Doc’s was performed
Summaries for all issues available, moreover:
Discussion of approaches applied and problems encountered concerning GWDTE
Elaboration and Delivery of Technical Report No 6 on GWDTE

10. Outcome of current Mandate Period (2010–2012)
Contribution to the review of the GWD in 2013
 Technical Report No 7 delivered: Review of GWD Annex I/II
Contributions to horizontal issues – e.g. Climate change effects on groundwater; expected pressures and impacts and its consideration in RBMPs; input to SSG on Climate Change and Water.
Two workshops
 summary report with findings and recommendations

11. Outcome of current Mandate Period (2010–2012)
Further results/acitivities:
Groundwater Conference Spain 2010
Finalisation of CIS Guidance Document No 26 on Risk Assessment and Conceptual Modelling
Contribution to SPI
Permanent exchange with DG Env concerning current needs
Information Exchange with EEA and ETC/ICM (GW-body delineation)
Permanent exchange with research projects - CC-WaterS, MAGPlan, Transenergy, CIRCE, GW-Ecology, numerous projects linked to CC (international and national) and permanent exchange with GENESIS
Reporting to SCG and WD

12. WG C Groundwater
6 WG C meetings were held (twice a year; duration 1 to max 2 days)
No subgroups
WG C Groundwater comprises a network of GW experts across Europe representing
administrative bodies
stakeholder associations
research community ….
delivery of implementation oriented approaches

13. WG C Groundwater Mandate Period 2013–2015
Issues for WG C Groundwater mandate for the period 2013–2015 were identified under consideration of:
Current state of knowledge and gaps already identified,
Issues which will most likely arise from the Blueprint,
Ad hoc support – which will be needed for supporting the further implementation of GW issues according to WFD and GWD and
available resources within WG C Groundwater

14. WG C Groundwater Mandate Period 2013–2015
Task WG C-1 GW-quality
Drinking water – integration in River Basin Planning and management
Risk assessment in the catchment area (contributing to water safety plans), monitoring and data access/exchange
TV-derivation and status assessment – approaches and criteria under particular consideration of relevant receptors; reference to outcome of Blueprint; trend and trend reversal assessment
GWDE – continuation discussion of both GW-dependent aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems – elaboration of recommendations ….

15. WG C Groundwater Mandate Period 2013–2015
Task WG C-2 GW-quantity
Groundwater use, groundwater availability and groundwater abstraction, eflows (considering water scarcity and droughts), metering, water efficiency, water pricing, ….
 priorities will be set according to the outcome of the Blueprint

16. WG C Groundwater Mandate Period 2013–2015
Task WG C-3 Horizontal activity – on demand:
Provide support to upcoming issues by efficient and effective use of the established GW-experts network; in particular for
the revision of GWD Annex I/II,
exchange of best practice; Delineation & assignment of GW-bodies to horizons; programme of measures
proposal for future reporting;
Policy integration – groundwater, agriculture, energy policy, …

17. Key next steps
Spring 2013: Summary Report for the workshop on Groundwater and Climate Change Workshop
Finalisation of draft WG C Groundwater mandate for next period
16/17April 2013 next WG C Groundwater meeting in Ireland
The SCG is invited to take note of state of play of the current activities