Water - River basin management and WFD

Title

Environmental benefits of reclaimed water: an economic assessment in the context of the Water Framework Directive

Reference

Water Policy Vol 14 No 1 pp 148–159
doi:10.2166/wp.2011.001
EU funded

Author(s)

Francisco Alcon, J. Martin-Ortega, J. Berbel and M. D. de Miguel

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) prescribes that all water bodies in Europe should achieve ‘good ecological status’ (GES). Maintaining a certain water flow is a pre-condition for the achievement of GES in areas of water scarcity. In such areas, reclaimed waste water is seen as a promising measure to keep river flow at a sufficient level. The contingent valuation method is applied here to estimate the non-market environmental benefits of using reclaimed water to maintain river flow levels in the Segura River Basin in south-eastern Spain. The assessment of the economic benefits of specific measures gives policy makers more information than a cost-effectiveness analysis alone, which is currently the most commonly used tool to assess potential measures under the WFD. The results show that the implementation of this measure produces significant non-market benefits that are larger than the investment and operational costs of reclaimed water treatment plants.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental economics >> Economic impacts of environmental change
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water consumption >> Water reuse

Keywords

Contingent valuation; Good ecological status; Reclaimed water; River flow; Segura River Basin; Willingness to pay

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.iwaponline.com/wp/01401/wp014010148.htm
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francisco.alcon@upct.es

Title

The European reference condition concept: A scientific and technical approach to identify minimally-impacted river ecosystems

Reference

Science of The Total Environment
Volume 420, 15 March 2012, Pages 33–42

Author(s)

Isabel Pardo, Carola Gómez-Rodríguez, Jean-Gabriel Wasson, Roger Owen, Wouter van de Bund, Martyn Kelly, Cathy Bennett, Sebastian Birk, Andrea Buffagni, Stefania Erba, Nicolas Mengin, John Murray-Bligh, Gisela Ofenböeck

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

One objective of the European Union (EU)'s Water Framework Directive (WFD: Directive 2000/60/EC) is for all European surface waters to achieve ‘good status’ by 2015. In support of this objective, the EU has facilitated an intercalibration exercise to ensure harmonized definitions of the status of water bodies, reflecting the deviation of their properties (mainly biotic assemblages) from a minimally disturbed state, termed the “reference condition”. One of the major challenges of the WFD has been to find common approaches for defining reference conditions and to define the level of anthropogenic intervention allowed in reference sites. In this paper we describe how river reference sites were selected in the Central-Baltic region of Europe. A list of pressure criteria was provided and 14 Member States (MSs) categorized each criterion according to the method (i.e. measured, field inspection, etc.) used for reference site screening. Additionally, reference land-use and water-chemistry thresholds were agreed among countries in order to base reference site selection on objective criteria. For land-use criteria, a reference threshold and a rejection threshold were established. Sites with all criteria below the reference threshold were considered to be reference sites; sites having most criteria below the reference threshold and only some parameters between the reference and rejection threshold were “possible reference sites”. These sites were retained only after carefully checking the cumulative effects of the pressures using local expertise, and a posteriori water-chemistry evaluation was necessary. In general, the most widespread method for defining a reference site was the measurement of pressures, followed by field inspections and expert judgment. However, some major pressures (e.g. hydromorphological alteration) were evaluated in a number of different ways (e.g. measured, field inspection, expert judgment). Our meta-analyses reveal a need to reinforce standardization in the application of pressure criteria by Member States. The pressure criteria identified in this exercise should be refined and tested with biological data to help in the further validation of minimally disturbed sites (i.e. the WFD “reference condition”) and to provide a firm foundation for ecological status assessment. This in turn would ensure that there is pan-European comparability when evaluating the achievement of environmental objectives.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water and biodiversity

Keywords

Reference condition; Europe; Rivers; Pressure criteria; Thresholds; Invertebrates

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969712000691
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ipardo@uvigo.es

Title

Seeking policy-relevant knowledge: a comparative study of the contextualisation of participatory scenarios for the Narew River and Lake Peipsi

Reference

Environmental Science & Policy
Volume 15, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 72–81

Author(s)

Minna Kaljonen , Riku Varjopuro, Marek Giełczewski, Arvo Iital

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Using participatory scenario-making has become increasingly common in environmental assessments that aim for policy impact. In this development, ‘social work’ – i.e., construction and usage of the scenarios – has received only a little analytical interest. In this paper, we contribute to filling this gap of knowledge by focusing on the construction of scenarios and asking what kind of policy relevant knowledge these kinds of participatory experiments can provide for the resolution of environmental problems. We draw on experiences gained from a SCENES scenario-making experiment wherein a comprehensive set of scenarios for the future management of European freshwater resources was developed in a highly participatory manner. The SCENES work aimed at providing policy-relevant knowledge for implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). In this paper, we analyse and compare how issues were formulated and articulated as public concerns during the scenario-making process for the Narew River Basin, in Poland, and Lake Peipsi, in Estonia. The empirical narratives highlight that scenario-making assisted in articulation of the critical entanglements between the water systems and regional socio economic development. The implementation of the WFD has been largely unable to address these issues. In this sense, SCENES engaged in the articulation of public concerns. In SCENES there was, however, a latent tension in seeing scenario-making as either informing or forming social choices for water management. The epistemic principle of informing guided many of the methodological choices made during SCENES, whilst attempts aimed at issue formation characterised the panellists’ way of developing scenarios. Resolving this tension is decisive for the future governance of European freshwater resources. We close the paper by discussing why.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Stakeholder/public engagement
Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Policy-relevant knowledge; Participatory scenario-making; Post-normal science; Collaborative knowledge production; Water management

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901111001560
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minna.kaljonen@ymparisto.fi

Title

Application of SWAT model to small agricultural catchment in Poland

Reference

Journal of Land and Water Development. 15; 157-166

Author(s)

Jan Brzozowski, Zygmunt Miatkowski, Damian Śliwiński, Karolina Smarzyńska, Maria Śmietanka

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Poland is obliged, like the other EU countries, to implement the Water Framework Directive - WFD (2000/60/WE) by the end of 2015. The main objective of WFD is to provide normative quality of all water resources. To reach this goal reduction of water polluter emission to the environment is needed. Our project focuses on pollution from agricultural sources which share in global pollution is high and growing still. As a pilot area, where the WFD is going to be implemented, small agricultural Zgłowiączka catchment was chosen.
The state monitoring of surface water quality for the catchment is conducted in three points along the Zgłowiaczka River. In each of these three points, nitrates concentration periodically significantly exceeds the allowable value of 50 mg NO3·dm-3. The highest average monthly values of nitrates concentration in years 1990-2007 occur in February, March and April, which indicates on agriculture as a source of pollution. The Zgłowiaczka catchment is an area where reduction of nitrogen run-off from agricultural lands to water resources is especially needed. The main topic of the research carried out in the Polish-Norwegian project is to propose different means for reduction of migration of nitrate to surface water based on modeling approach. In the paper a conception of creating buffer zones using SWAT model is presented. We considered fitting the buffer zone width, depending on the flow rate of water flowing from the fields to the stream. Using SWAT model interface a map of potential flow under the conditions of the intensive precipitation was generated. The next step was distribution over the whole Zgłowiączka catchment, places with high density of the temporal streams network. It was done using GRASS program. The map of stream "density" was done by assigning the raster number which is the sum of raster in the neighbourhood (radius of neighbourhood smaller or equal 25 raster). The choice of the most endangered subbasins was done on base of visual evaluation of the surface flow density map.
It is visible in the results that filter strips on endangered areas are far more effective and therefore more required. If the width of the vegetated buffer strips is not sufficient, it will not attain the desired effectiveness. Conversely, if the width is too great, it will cause agricultural land waste, preventing farmers' interest in cooperating with environmental preservation efforts. For the above reasons, it is important to set a reasonable width range. According to the results we are suggesting wider buffer zones in endangered subbasins and narrow in other subbasins.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural pollution >> Fertiliser pollution
Water >> River basin management (WFD)                          
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

agriculture, nitrate, diffuse pollution, SWAT, buffer strips

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://versita.metapress.com/content/mu57921875828357/
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Jan.brzozowski@gmail.com

Title

Reference

Water and Environment
DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2011.00285.x
EU funded

Author(s)

Rafaela Schinegger, Clemens Trautwein, Andreas Melcher, Stefan Schmutz

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Running water ecosystems of Europe are affected by various human pressures. However, little is known about the prevalence, spatial patterns, interactions with natural environment and co-occurrence of pressures. This study represents the first high-resolution data analysis of human pressures at the European scale, where important pressure criteria for 9330 sampling sites in 14 European countries were analysed. We identified 15 criteria describing major anthropogenic degradation and combined these into a global pressure index by taking additive effects of multiple pressures into account. Rivers are affected by alterations of water quality (59%), hydrology (41%) and morphology (38%). Connectivity is disrupted at the catchment level in 85% and 35% at the river segment level. Approximately 31% of all sites are affected by one, 29% by two, 28% by three and 12% by four pressure groups; only 21% are unaffected. In total, 47% of the sites are multi-impacted. Approximately 90% of lowland rivers are impacted by a combination of all four pressure groups.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

impact assessment; river; water framework directive; water quality

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-6593.2011.00285.x/abstract
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Rafaela.schinegger@boku.ac.at

Title

Impact of the European Water Framework Directive on local-level water management: Case study Oxunda Catchment, Sweden

Reference

Land Use Policy
Volume 29, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 73-82

Author(s)

Ingela Andersson , Mona Petersson, Jerker Jarsjö 

Study type

Peer Review Journal 

Abstract

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union provides a common framework for water policy that focuses on holistic and integrated water management in river basins. In many member states, implementation of the WFD has shifted the main responsibility for local water issues from the municipal level to the regional or supra-regional levels. In this study, we investigated how the implementation of the WFD has influenced local-level water management including the interpretation of the new environmental quality standards. Specifically, we considered Sweden, which has traditionally had relatively strong governance at the municipal level. Because a sufficient amount of time has now passed for evaluation of WFD-related effects on operational water handling, we interviewed individuals directly involved in water planning and land use planning at the municipal level in one sub catchment in the Northern Baltic Sea River Basin District of Sweden, as well as representatives for superior levels and associations. Despite divergent views regarding the priority of water issues in physical planning among the local-level planners interviewed, they had all participated in successful inter-municipal pre-WFD collaboration projects. Although such collaborations could help increase the understanding and acceptance of WFD-related goals and costs, as well as facilitate conflict solving, as shown in the Oxunda Catchment, they have not gained much attention in the WFD implementation process. Additionally, physical planners have generally been reluctant to accept new environmental quality standards resulting from WFD implementation, in part because they lack precise definitions, but also because they could challenge the municipal routine of weighing various objectives against each other. Furthermore, despite WFD-related increases in ambition levels, lack of resource improvements at the municipal level were identified as potential problems by local environmental planners.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Stakeholder/public engagement
Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

WFD implementation; Environmental quality standards; Spatial fit; Horizontal integration; Municipal level; Interviews

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837711000470
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Ingela.anderson@sh.se

Title

Reference

Environmental Science and Pollution Research
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0580-7
EU funded

Author(s)

Peter Carsten von der Ohe, Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen, Jaroslav Slobodnik and Werner Brack

Study type

Peer Review Journal  

Abstract

Introduction
Triclosan (TCS) is a multi-purpose biocide. Its wide use in personal care products (PCPs) fosters its dispersal in the aquatic environment. Despite enhanced awareness of both scientists and the public in the last decade with regard to fate and effects, TCS received little attention regarding its prioritisation as a candidate river basin-specific pollutant or even priority substance, due to scarce monitoring data.
Methods
Applying a new prioritisation methodology, the potential risk of TCS was assessed based on a refined hazard assessment and occurrences at 802 monitoring sites in the Elbe River basin.
Results
The suggested acute-based predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of 4.7 ng/l for the standard test species Selenastrum capricornutum was in good agreement with effect concentrations in algal communities and was exceeded in the Elbe River basin at 75% of the sites (limit of quantification of 5 ng/l). The 95th percentile of the maximum environmental concentrations at each site exceeded the PNEC by a factor of 12, indicating potential hazards for algal communities. Among 500 potential river basin-specific pollutants which were recently prioritised, triclosan ranks on position 6 of the most problematic substances, based on the Elbe River data alone.
Conclusion
Considering the worldwide application of PCPs containing triclosan, we expect that the TCS problem is not restricted to the Elbe River basin, even if monitoring data from other river basins are scarce. Thus, we suggest to include TCS into routine monitoring programmes and to consider it as an important candidate for prioritisation at the European scale.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Pesticides
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Triclosan - Prioritisation - Priority substance - River basin-specific pollutant - Biocide

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/k4x2h73x77213l38/
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peter.vonderohe@ufz.de

Title

Water toxicity assessment and spatial pollution patterns identification in a Mediterranean River Basin District. Tools for water management and risk analysis

Reference

Science of The Total Environment
Volume 409, Issue 20, 15 September 2011, Pages 4269-4279

Author(s)

Roberta Carafa, Leslie Faggiano, Montserrat Real, Antoni Munné, Antoni Ginebreda, Helena Guasch, Monica Flo, Luís Tirapu and Peter Carsten von der Ohe

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In compliance with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, monitoring of the ecological and chemical status of Catalan river basins (NE Spain) is carried out by the Catalan Water Agency.
The large amount of data collected and the complex relationships among the environmental variables monitored often mislead data interpretation in terms of toxic impact, especially considering that even pollutants at very low concentrations might contribute to the total toxicity.
The total dataset of chemical monitoring carried out between 2007 and 2008 (232 sampling stations and 60 pollutants) has been analyzed using sequential advanced modeling techniques. Data on concentrations of contaminants in water were pre-treated in order to calculate the bioavailable fraction, depending on substance properties and local environmental conditions.
The resulting values were used to predict the potential impact of toxic substances in complex mixtures on aquatic biota and to identify hot spots. Exposure assessment with Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) and mixture toxicity rules were used to compute the multi-substances Potentially Affected Fraction (msPAF).
The combined toxicity of the pollutants analyzed in the Catalan surface waters might potentially impact more than 50% of the species in 10% of the sites.
In order to understand and visualize the spatial distribution of the toxic risk, Self Organising Map (SOM), based on the Kohonen's Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm, was applied on the output data of these models. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on top of Neural Network results in order to identify main influential variables which account for the pollution trends. Finally, predicted toxic impacts on biota have been linked and correlated to field data on biological quality indexes using macroinvertebrate and diatom communities (IBMWP and IPS). The methodology presented could represent a suitable tool for water managers in environmental risk assessment and management.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Aquatic toxicity; Risk assessment; Species Sensitivity Distribution; Artificial Neural Networks

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969711007091#ack001
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montserrat_real@URSCorp.com

Title

A new risk assessment approach for the prioritization of 500 classical and emerging organic microcontaminants as potential river basin specific pollutants under the European Water Framework Directive

Reference

Science of The Total Environment
Volume 409, Issue 11, 1 May 2011, Pages 2064-2077

Author(s)

Peter Carsten von der Ohe, Valeria Dulio, Jaroslav Slobodnik, Eric De Deckere, Ralph Kühne, Ralf-Uwe Ebert, Antoni Ginebreda, Ward De Cooman, Gerrit Schüürmann and Werner Brack

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Given the huge number of chemicals released into the environment and existing time and budget constraints, there is a need to prioritize chemicals for risk assessment and monitoring in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive (EU WFD). This study is the first to assess the risk of 500 organic substances based on observations in the four European river basins of the Elbe, Scheldt, Danube and Llobregat. A decision tree is introduced that first classifies chemicals into six categories depending on the information available, which allows water managers to focus on the next steps (e.g. derivation of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS), improvement of analytical methods, etc.). The priority within each category is then evaluated based on two indicators, the Frequency of Exceedance and the Extent of Exceedance of Predicted No-Effect Concentrations (PNECs). These two indictors are based on maximum environmental concentrations (MEC), rather than the commonly used statistically based averages (Predicted Effect Concentration, PEC), and compared to the lowest acute-based (PNECacute) or chronic-based thresholds (PNECchronic). For 56% of the compounds, PNECs were available from existing risk assessments, and the majority of these PNECs were derived from chronic toxicity data or simulated ecosystem studies (mesocosm) with rather low assessment factors. The limitations of this concept for risk assessment purposes are discussed. For the remainder, provisional PNECs (P-PNECs) were established from read-across models for acute toxicity to the standard test organisms Daphnia magna, Pimephales promelas and Selenastrum capricornutum. On the one hand, the prioritization revealed that about three-quarter of the 44 substances with MEC/PNEC ratios above ten were pesticides. On the other hand, based on the monitoring data used in this study, no risk with regard to the water phase could be found for eight of the 41 priority substances, indicating a first success of the implementation of the WFD in the investigated river basins.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Pesticides
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

PNECacute; PNECchronic; P-PNEC; Prioritization; River basin specific pollutants; Pesticides

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969711001136
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peter.vonderohe@ufz.de

Title

A review on cost-effectiveness analysis of agri-environmental measures related to the EU WFD: Key issues, methods, and applications

Reference

Ecological Economics, Volume 70, Issue 6, 15 April 2011, Pages 1021-1031

Author(s)

Bedru Babulo Balana, Andy Vinten and Bill Slee

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) explicitly integrates economics into water management and water policy in Europe. Specifically, Article 11 and Annex III of the Directive call for a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of alternative mitigation measures as a requirement in formulating Programme of Measures (PoMs) to achieve 'good ecological status' for all waters in Europe. As agriculture is supposed to be the major contributor to diffuse water pollution, CEA of agri-environmental measures has been given paramount importance in establishing the PoMs. This paper summarises the status, significance, and methodological limitations of WFD-related CEA studies in Europe. Cases from the United Kingdom, countries surrounding the Baltic Sea and central and southern Europe were included in the review. Review results indicate that most WFD-related CEA studies: (1) were based on models of 'representative' farms without capturing the variability among real-world farms; (2) concentrate on a single ecological effect of measures or are based on cost estimates of the sectors directly involved in the pollutant-reduction programme (i.e., co-benefits, trade-offs, and external costs were not examined); and (3) did not incorporate uncertainties in both cost and effectiveness estimates. Based on the review results, the paper suggests policy implications and recommendations for future research in the field.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety
Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Water Framework Directive, Cost-effectiveness, Economic analysis, Water quality, Agri-environmental measures, Diffuse pollution

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800911000061
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b.balana@macaulay.ac.uk

Title

Phosphate treatment to reduce plumbosolvency of drinking water also reduces discharges of copper into environmental surface waters

Reference

Water and Environment Journal
Volume 25, Issue 2, pages 266-270, June 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2010.00219.x

Author(s)

Sean Comber, Franck Cassé, Bruce Brown, John Martin, Peter Hillis,
Mike Gardner

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The majority of drinking water supply zones in the United Kingdom are currently dosed with phosphate in order to meet the drinking water quality standards for lead. Consequent reductions in other metals released from domestic plumbing might be expected. Lead, copper, zinc and nickel concentrations in the tap water of supply zones and in effluents from related sewage works were examined to assess reductions in the concentrations of these metals associated with the dosing of orthophosphate. This paper provides an analysis of the impact of phosphate dosing of drinking water on the metal concentrations in drinking water and sewage work effluents and the potential impacts in relation to the Water Framework Directive. Phosphate treatment the reduced average copper concentrations in drinking water by around 40% from 65 to 35μg/L; the reduction is proportional to the phosphate dose. A corresponding 30% decrease in wastewater treatment work effluent concentrations is observed. No significant changes are evident in the zinc and nickel concentrations.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Wastewater treatment
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Copper, cuprosolvency, sewage effluent, Water Framework Directive

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-6593.2010.00219.x/abstract
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michael.gardner@atkinsglobal.com

Title

A new risk assessment approach for the prioritization of 500 classical and emerging organic microcontaminants as potential river basin specific pollutants under the European Water Framework Directive

Reference

Science of The Total Environment
Volume 409, Issue 11, 1 May 2011, Pages 2064-2077

Author(s)

Peter Carsten von der Ohe, Valeria Dulio, Jaroslav Slobodnik, Eric De Deckere, Ralph Kühne, Ralf-Uwe Ebert, Antoni Ginebreda, Ward De Cooman, Gerrit Schüürmann and Werner Brack

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Given the huge number of chemicals released into the environment and existing time and budget constraints, there is a need to prioritize chemicals for risk assessment and monitoring in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive (EU WFD). This study is the first to assess the risk of 500 organic substances based on observations in the four European river basins of the Elbe, Scheldt, Danube and Llobregat. A decision tree is introduced that first classifies chemicals into six categories depending on the information available, which allows water managers to focus on the next steps (e.g. derivation of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS), improvement of analytical methods, etc.). The priority within each category is then evaluated based on two indicators, the Frequency of Exceedance and the Extent of Exceedance of Predicted No-Effect Concentrations (PNECs). These two indictors are based on maximum environmental concentrations (MEC), rather than the commonly used statistically based averages (Predicted Effect Concentration, PEC), and compared to the lowest acute-based (PNECacute) or chronic-based thresholds (PNECchronic). For 56% of the compounds, PNECs were available from existing risk assessments, and the majority of these PNECs were derived from chronic toxicity data or simulated ecosystem studies (mesocosm) with rather low assessment factors. The limitations of this concept for risk assessment purposes are discussed. For the remainder, provisional PNECs (P-PNECs) were established from read-across models for acute toxicity to the standard test organisms Daphnia magna, Pimephales promelas and Selenastrum capricornutum. On the one hand, the prioritization revealed that about three-quarter of the 44 substances with MEC/PNEC ratios above ten were pesticides. On the other hand, based on the monitoring data used in this study, no risk with regard to the water phase could be found for eight of the 41 priority substances, indicating a first success of the implementation of the WFD in the investigated river basins.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

PNECacute; PNECchronic; P-PNEC; Prioritization; River basin specific pollutants; Pesticides

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969711001136
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peter.vonderohe@ufz.de

Title

Occurrence and Toxicity of 331 Organic Pollutants in Large Rivers of North Germany over a Decade (1994 to 2004)

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technol., 2011, 45 (14), pp 6167–6174
DOI: 10.1021/es2013006

Author(s)

Ralf B. Schfer, Peter Carsten von der Ohe, Ralph Kohne, Gerrit Schoormann, and Matthias Liess

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We analyzed the detection frequencies and concentrations for 331 organic compounds measured between 1994 and 2004 in the four largest rivers of north Germany, the Elbe, Weser, Aller, and Ems Rivers, and we assessed the potential risk for aquatic fauna using experimental and predicted acute toxicity data for the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, the crustacean Daphnia magna, and the fish Pimephales promelas. The detection frequency for most compounds decreased significantly from 1994 to 2004. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were most frequently detected, while pesticides were the most important chemical group concerning toxicity for the standard test organisms. The predicted toxicity for D. magna was significantly higher than for the other organisms and reached levels envisaging acute toxic effects on the invertebrate fauna, still in 2004. Most of the compounds responsible for potential acute effects on aquatic organisms are currently not considered as priority substances in the European Union, while only 2 of 25 priority substances that have been measured occurred at levels that may be relevant in terms of toxicity for the selected test organisms. We conclude that attenuation of pesticides and other organic toxicants should play an increased role in river basin management.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es2013006
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senator@ecotoxicology.de.

Title

Assessing remotely sensed chlorophyll-a for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in European perialpine lakes

Reference

Science of The Total Environment
Volume 409, Issue 17, 1 August 2011, Pages 3083-3091

Author(s)

Mariano Bresciani, Daniela Stroppiana, Daniel Odermatt, Giuseppe Morabito and Claudia Giardino

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The lakes of the European perialpine region constitute a large water reservoir, which is threatened by the anthropogenic pressure altering water quality. The Water Framework Directive of the European Commission aims to protect water resources and monitoring is seen as an essential step for achieving this goal. Remote sensing can provide frequent data for large scale studies of water quality parameters such as chlorophyll-a (chl-a). In this work we use a dataset of maps of chl-a derived from over 200 MERIS (MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) satellite images for comparing water quality of 12 perialpine lakes in the period 2003-2009. Besides the different trophic levels of the lakes, results confirm that the seasonal variability of chl-a concentration is particularly pronounced during spring and autumn especially for the more eutrophic lakes. We show that relying on only one sample for the assessment of lake water quality during the season might lead to misleading results and erroneous assignments to quality classes. Time series MERIS data represents a suitable and cost-effective technology to fill this gap, depicting the dynamics of the surface waters of lakes in agreement with the evolution of natural phenomena.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Lakes, Remote sensing, Chlorophyll-a monitoring, Water Framework Directive

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004896971100444X
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bresciani.m@irea.cnr.it

Title

A clear delimitation of coastal waters facing the EU environmental legislation: from the Water Framework Directive to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Reference

Environmental Science & Policy
Volume 14, Issue 4, June 2011, Pages 432-444

Author(s)

Camino Liquete, Francesca Somma and Joachim Maes

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The definition of coastal waters in relation to the European Union (EU) environmental legislation was clearly stated in the Water Framework Directive. In compliance with this Directive, most of the EU Member States have delineated their coastal waters' boundaries. However, these delineations are not as complete and homogeneous as could be expected. Hence, there is a need for a comprehensive and unambiguous delimitation of European coastal waters. This paper aims at bridging this gap, providing a pan-European mapping of coastal waters, covering 553,817 km2 in 30 seaside countries, 340,524 km2 of which pertain to the 22 EU Member States connected to the sea. For this purpose, a comprehensive geographical analysis of the national baselines and transitional waters distribution was performed. A pan-European baseline of 63,340 km was delineated, together with the coastal waters delimitation (the final GIS layers are provided as supplementary material of this article). The results show significant differences between the available national declarations of coastal waters and the areas identified in this work (almost 12% of the compared area), the former defining an additional 29,337 km2 of coastal waters with respect to the latter. The largest deviations seem to be due either to misinterpretations of the definition of coastal waters, or to one-sided national modifications. A clear identification of European coastal water boundaries is crucial for the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive implementations, which depend on an accurate ecological/environmental assessment of those waters.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Coastal management
Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Coastal water, Coastal zone planning, Coastal environment, Territorial sea, Transitional water, Maritime boundary, Administrative boundary, Baseline, Ecological assessment, Environmental assessment, Water Framework Directive,
Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901111000165
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camino.liquete@jrc.ec.europa.eu

Title

Reference

Water Policy Vol 13 No 3 pp 425-442 doi:10.2166/wp.2010.119

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In managing international rivers, governments are subject to two different boundaries. The socio-politically constructed boundaries governed by sovereignty and the physical boundaries imposed by the river's hydrology. The existence of a hydrological interdependency within an international basin means that 'how' it is managed is important in constructing certainty in water supply. We compare two experiences from Europe and Africa to see the effect of sovereignty on the management of a basin's hydro-interdependency. Portugal and Spain have followed a Westphalian interpretation of sovereignty in the Guadiana basin to develop their physical infrastructure unilaterally and 'sever' the hydro-interdependency. In contrast, using an operational interpretation of sovereignty, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal have chosen to embrace the Senegal river's hydro-interdependency and develop it jointly. A key lesson that emerges is that the approach used determines the pattern of resilience constructed in each system.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Guadiana river, Hydrological interdependency, International basins, Senegal river, Sovereignty, Water

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.iwaponline.com/wp/01303/wp013030425.htm
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u.alam@qub.ac.uk

Title

Overview of eutrophication indicators to assess environmental status within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Reference

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Volume 93, Issue 2, 10 June 2011, Pages 117-131

Author(s)

João G. Ferreira, Jesper H. Andersen, Angel Borja, Suzanne B. Bricker et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In 2009, following approval of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), the European Commission (EC) created task groups to develop guidance for eleven quality descriptors that form the basis for evaluating ecosystem function. The objective was to provide European countries with practical guidelines for implementing the MSFD, and to produce a Commission Decision that encapsulated key points of the work in a legal framework. This paper presents a review of work carried out by the eutrophication task group, and reports our main findings to the scientific community. On the basis of an operational, management-oriented definition, we discuss the main methodologies that could be used for coastal and marine eutrophication assessment. Emphasis is placed on integrated approaches that account for physico-chemical and biological components, and combine both pelagic and benthic symptoms of eutrophication, in keeping with the holistic nature of the MSFD. We highlight general features that any marine eutrophication model should possess, rather than making specific recommendations. European seas range from highly eutrophic systems such as the Baltic to nutrient-poor environments such as the Aegean Sea. From a physical perspective, marine waters range from high energy environments of the north east Atlantic to the permanent vertical stratification of the Black Sea. This review aimed to encapsulate that variability, recognizing that meaningful guidance should be flexible enough to accommodate the widely differing characteristics of European seas, and that this information is potentially relevant in marine ecosystems worldwide. Given the spatial extent of the MSFD, innovative approaches are required to allow meaningful monitoring and assessment. Consequently, substantial logistic and financial challenges will drive research in areas such as remote sensing of harmful algal blooms, in situ sensor development, and mathematical models. Our review takes into account related legislation, and in particular the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD - 2000/60/EC), which deals with river basins, including estuaries and a narrow coastal strip, in order to examine these issues within the framework of integrated coastal zone management.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Eutrophication, chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, harmful algae, Marine, coastal, assessment methods, Europe, marine Strategy Framework Directive, water, Framework Directive

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771411001077
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joao@hoomi.com

Title

Occurrence of priority pollutants in WWTP effluents and Mediterranean coastal waters of Spain

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 3, March 2011, Pages 615-625

Author(s)

N. Martí, D. Aguado, L. Segovia-Martínez, A. Bouzas and A. Seco

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

A comprehensive study aimed at evaluating the occurrence, significance of concentrations and spatial distribution of priority pollutants (PPs) along the Comunidad Valenciana coastal waters (Spain) was carried out in order to fulfil the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Additionally, PP concentrations were also analysed in the effluent of 28 WWTPs distributed along the studied area. In coastal waters 36 organic pollutants of the 71 analysed, including 26 PPs were detected although many of them with low frequency of occurrence. Only 13 compounds, which belong to four different classes (VOCs, organochlorinated pesticides, phthalates and tributyltin compounds (TBT)) showed a frequency of occurrence above 20% in coastal waters. In the results obtained until now, octylphenol, pentachlorobenzene, DEHP and TBT exceeded the annual average concentration (EQS-AAC), and only TBT surpassed the maximum allowable concentration (EQS-MAC). The most frequent contaminants determined in coastal waters were also present in WWTP effluents.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems>>Marine pollution
Water >>River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality>>Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Coastal waters; Environmental quality standards (EQS); Priority pollutants (PPs); Water Framework Directive (WFD); WWTP effluents

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X11000142
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nuria.marti@uv.es

Title

Reference

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Volume 174, Numbers 1-4, 91-106
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1757-0

Author(s)

Manfred Stähli, Alexandre Badoux, Andreas Ludwig, Karl Steiner, Massimiliano Zappa and Christoph Hegg

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Long-term data on precipitation and runoff are essential to draw firm conclusions about the behavior and trends of hydrological catchments that may be influenced by land use and climate change. Here the longest continuous runoff records from small catchments (<1 km2) in Switzerland (and possibly worldwide) are reported. The history of the hydrological monitoring in the Sperbel- and Rappengraben (Emmental) is summarized, and inherent uncertainties in the data arising from the operation of the gauges are described. The runoff stations operated safely for more than 90% of the summer months when most of the major flood events occurred. Nevertheless, the absolute values of peak runoff during the largest flood events are subject to considerable uncertainty. The observed differences in average, base, and peak runoff can only partly be attributed to the substantial differences in forest coverage. This treasure trove of data can be used in various ways, exemplified here with an analysis of the generalized extreme value distributions of the two catchments. These distributions, and hence flood return periods, have varied greatly in the course of one century, influenced by the occurrence of single extreme events. The data will be made publicly available for the further analysis of the mechanisms governing the runoff behavior of small catchments, as well as for testing stochastic and deterministic models.

Policy theme(s)

Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Flooding

Keywords

Runoff, Hydrology, Small catchments, Forest coverage, Extreme value distribution

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/t22un24086818w24/
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Manfred.staehli@wsl.ch