Databank to support the implementation and monitoring of the Water Framework Directive

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In the frame of detecting non-authorised water abstractions and drought monitoring and seasonal forecasting services, the DIANA project produces a considerable amount of high spatial and temporal resolution data on a river basin scale. These data products could be a potential data source to support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and more specifically on the following areas:

  • Analysis of Pressures and Impacts (IMPRESS Analysis);
  • Monitoring Programmes for surface and groundwater bodies;
  • Programming of Measures through the process of river basin management plans;
  • Recovery of costs for water services through water pricing.

DIANA produces Earth Observation (EO) data of high spatial and temporal resolution combined with meteorological and hydrological data at the river basin scale. Earth Observation techniques are implemented to compliment on site estimations in the water bodies’ classification stage and during water quality monitoring (surveillance, operational, investigative monitoring), providing data regarding biological, physicochemical and hydro-morphological quality elements. Additionally, land-use changes, mainly crop change detection as part of pressure analysis, constitutes one of the most common application fields for the earth observation approach.

Description of earth observation methodology for all services
Case study results
Relevance for monitoring and evaluation of the CAP

The project developed the databank to facilitate and support activities within the Water Framework Directive. Evaluators can re-use the data provided by the databank to serve evaluation purposes. Data potentially used in an evaluation include a map of irrigated and non-irrigated parcels, an estimate of total water abstraction for irrigation and maps of potential evapotranspiration. More sophisticated geostatistical evaluation analyses can be carried out if maps can be linked to IACS/LPIS maps of the beneficiary and non-beneficiary farms for specific measures.

In addition, the databank supports WFD evaluators in implementing an Analysis of Pressures and Impacts (IMPRESS Analysis) as required by article 5 of the WFD. This analysis contains a part explicitly devoted to the Pressures exercised by agricultural activity on the water resource. The IMPRESS analysis for WFD can be a good starting point for evaluating the impacts of measures on water abstraction and quality.

The tool was tested at the Júcar river basin in Spain. The Spanish national ministry collaborated in developing and testing the WFD implementation support service. The lead partner’s contact person provides access to some parts of the databank upon request.

Last modification date: 
09/12/2021