2. Water Framework Directive Implementation and Risk Analysis John Sadlier Water Quality Section

3. WFD Implementation Deadlines All implementation deadlines have been met to date 22 December 2003 Directive transposed by Water Policy Regulations (SI 722 of 2003) RBDs established Competent authorities identified 22 June 2004 Report above to EU Commission in prescribed electronic format

4. WFD Implementation Deadlines 22 December 2004 Finalise characterisation reports for RBDs Establish register of protected areas 22 March 2005 Send summary of characterisation reports for RBDs Establish register of protected areas 2006 Monitoring programmes to be established and operational Work programme for production of RBMPs to be published

5. Purpose of Characterisation and Risk Assessment To provide comprehensive baseline information for purposes of management of each RBD To prioritise future actions in relation to monitoring, investigations and measures

6. Characterisation Reports Comprehensive description of each river basin district including – An analysis of its characteristics Mapping the location and boundaries of all waters by type Identification of pressure and impacts on water bodies Identification of reference conditions for water status An economic analysis of water use A risk assessment of waters [Article 5 of WFD]

7. Waters at Risk A water body will be identified as being “at risk” where the pressure and impact analysis shows there is a likelihood a water body will fail to meet the environmental objectives of the Directive unless management intervention is undertaken Environmental objectives are No deterioration in status of any waters All waters to have at least “good status” by 2015 Special objectives for “protected areas”

8. Assessment of Risk Assessment is based on available data in 2004 It is a predicted risk for 2015 Further characterisation / investigation could alter the assessment Process must be transparent and all data available to the public RA is not for classifying water status RA is not a water status report

9. “At Risk” Categories Not at risk Water body not at risk and available data is comprehensive and conclusive Water body probably not at significant risk but available information needs to be improved At risk Water body probably at significant risk but further monitoring and characterisation could alter position Water body at significant risk

10. Actions Not at risk Watch for changes in pressures Probably not at risk Improve data and review results Probably at risk Undertake monitoring and further characterisation At risk Begin operational monitoring, plan measures to be taken

11. “At Risk” Likely to be a High % Standards are high and extensive Waters will be “at risk” if they are identified as being at risk due to- Pressures (actual / potential) Impacts (actual / potential) Wide range of parameters Chemical Biological Morphological Abstraction and flow regulation

12. Assessment Results for Northern Ireland (4 October 2004) Summary % numbers of water bodies At risk High confidence At risk Low Confidence At Risk Total Rivers564298 Lakes425496 Transitional5743100 Coastal21618

13. Current Activities Refining of assessments by RBDs and EPA Review of cross-border analysis Finalisation of assessments by 22 December 2004