1. WG C Groundwater Mandate and activities 2005-2006
Andreas Scheidleder, Philippe Quevauviller

2. WG C mandate
Objectives: Clarification of GW issues covered by WFD and preparation of technical guidance documents in the light of the future GWD
End of 2005 – revision of the WG C mandate in the light of the results of the GWD negotiations outcome
After adoption of the GWD work of WG C will be oriented on
the finalisation of the pieces of guidance mentioned above
Additional elements arising from the adopted proposal e.g. further specifications linked to trend assessment and compliance testing

3. Outcome of 2003-2004 activities
Four thematic workshops
Characterisation
Risk assessment
Monitoring
Status and Trend
Three technical workshop reports (On CIRCA)
Exchange of MS experiences in implementing WFD
Link to science and research

4. WG C Groundwater (2005-2006) Organisational set-up
STRATEGIC CO-ORDINATION GROUP
STEERING GROUP
DG ENV: Chair – Austria: Co-Chair
PLENARY FORUM
GW5 Meditarranean group (Act.6)
2005
GW1 monitoring
GW2 protected areas
GW3 Direct/Indirect Inputs
2006
GW4 status and trends
GW 6 GROUNDWATER CONFERENCE
June 2006

5. Introduction / Principles for drafting groups and guidance docs
Based on existing CIS guidance documents but no repetition
Primary focus on issues (1) already covered by the WFD, and (2) with direct impact on GWD compliance
Aim to develop simple text – possibly adopted by comitology (tbd) – illustrated by case studies
Group leaders responsible for gathering information and coordinating drafting
Other group members contributing to core text and/or providing examples of case studies

6. GW1 - Monitoring
Based on existing CIS guidance (Monitoring, Impress, Statistics, Water Bodies, Wetlands), Technical workshop reports
Balanced document that does not compromise existing good practice operated in MS. (~ 30 pages + Annex with case studies)
Focus on GW quality aspects = one element of Chemical monitoring drafting group (WG E)
First draft midst September 2005
Plenary meeting 12 October 2005
Lead/contact:

7. GW1 – Monitoring Objectives and requirements of the WFD
General principles (conceptual model, integrated monitoring, grouping, aquifer types, network update)
Chemical status and trend monitoring (design, survaillance and operational)
Quantity monitoring
Protected areas monitoring (DWPA et al.)
Definition and control of quality objectives (reliability of model, QA/QC, confidence)
Sampling analysis, data management
Reporting (Elements of Art 15(2), Link to WG D
Linked to other drafting groups and WGs

8. GW2 – Protected areas Consistent with existing CIS guidance
Easily amendable subsequent to the approval of GWD
Short, simple practical (~ 20 pages + Annexes)
First draft midst September 2005
Plenary meeting 12 October 2005
Lead/contact:

9. GW2 – Protected areas
Clarify the groundwater aspects of the WFD’s requirements for Protected Areas, where this is not already dealt with elsewhere, and with a particular focus on the requirements for Drinking Water Protected Areas
DWPAs
Delineation (DWPAs, safeguard zones), Grouping?
How to deal with potential future abstraction
Clarification of Art 7 objectives (point of compliance, avoid increased treatment)
When does assessment of deterioration start?
Consideration of microbiological parameters/radioactivity?
DWPA requirements more stringent than ecological requirements ?
Linked to other drafting groups and WGs

10. GW3 – Direct / Indirect inputs
Questionnaire was distributed
Brief guidance + Annexes (Case studies)
First draft midst September 2005
Plenary meeting 12 October 2005
Lead/contact: Wouter Gevaerts

11. GW3 – Direct / Indirect inputs
To support prevention and limitation of direct and indirect inputs
Difference between 80/68/EEC and WFD/GWD
Definition of direct and indirect inputs, prevent - limit
How to assess risk based on existing regulations
How to prevent/limit direct/indirect inputs
Considerations on the unsaturated zone
Link to other legislation (landfill, IPPC,…)
Principles of monitoring (link to GW1 monitoring)
Authorisations
Linked to other drafting groups and WGs

12. GW4 – Status and trends 2006
Common methodology for establishment of threshold values
Compliance regime (to good quantitative and chemical status)
Trend identification (statistical significant)
Trend reversal and links to WFD programme of measures (environmentally significant)
Data interpretation, uncertainty
Issue of ‘significant damage’
Start after adoption of GWD  2006

13. GW5 – Mediterranean group
Link with ‘water scarcity’ expert group
Identification of the most significant problems in the Mediterranean relating GW
Adoption of a common vision on GW management in the region (EU and non-EU countries)
Focus on Mediterranean case studies illustrating the other WG C activities
Chapters including:
Over-exploitation, Deterioration in GW quality
Monitoring and data management
International cooperation, Institutional aspects
Lead/Contact: Sylvie DETOC, Spyros TASOGLOU

14. GW6 – Groundwater Conference 2006
Spring time (week 25 or 26) June 2006, Vienna
2 days, Conference + Poster Session
Linked to likely adoption of the GWD – Under the Austrian Presidency (June 2006)
Target audience: Policy, Science, Implementation
Discussion of how new GWD complements WFD, Science-policy integration
Sept st announcement at WD Meeting
Dec 2005 – Draft Programme
Feb Final Programme
Contact: