Groundwater
Current legislative framework
The new Groundwater Directive (2006/118/EC)
                    (pdf ~110KB)
This new directive establishes a regime which sets underground
water quality standards and introduces measures to prevent
or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. The directive
establishes quality criteria that takes account local characteristics
and allows for further improvements to be made based on monitoring
data and new scientific knowledge. The directive thus represents
a proportionate and scientifically sound response to the requirements
of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as it relates to assessments
on chemical status of groundwater and the identification and
reversal of significant and sustained upward trends in pollutant
concentrations. Member States will have to establish the standards
at the most appropriate level and take into account local
or regional conditions.
The groundwater directive complements the Water Framework
Directive. It requires:
- groundwater quality standards to be established by the
end of 2008;
- pollution trend studies to be carried out by using existing
data and data which is mandatory by the Water Framework
Directive (referred to as "baseline level" data
obtained in 2007-2008);
- pollution trends to be reversed so that environmental
objectives are achieved by 2015 by using the measures set
out in the WFD;
- measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into
groundwater to be operational so that WFD environmental
objectives can be achieved by 2015;
- reviews of technical provisions of the directive to be
carried out in 2013 and every six years thereafter;
- compliance with good chemical status criteria (based on
EU standards of nitrates and pesticides and on threshold
values established by Member States).
back to the current
framework | link to other
directives |
