2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Designation of groundwater bodies and groundwater characterisation for

the Water Framework Directive

The Netherlands approach

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

The European Water Framework Directive;Scope and influence

� European EU Directive issued December 2000;

� Art.1: Establishment of a framework for the control and management of land surface water, transitional water, coastal water and groundwater, aiming at:�protection of aquatic en terrestrial ecosystems

related to water;�advancing the sustainability (durability) of water

use;

�progressive reduction of groundwater pollution and preventing future contamination.

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Time schedule of the WFD

� 2002 Elaboration by the EC, being supported by Member States (MS), of definitions and criteria for groundwater quality;

� 2004 Reporting by MS on designation of Groundwater Bodies (GWB), first characterisation and risk assessment;

� 2006 Monitoring programme in operation;� 2009 Stream Basin Management Plan ready;� 2012 Reporting by EC on the State of Affairs;� 2015 Reaching satisfactory groundwater status for

quantitative and qualitative aspects

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Obligations derived from WFD, Art. 5

� Member States take care that for each Stream Basin District (or part of it) in their countries :�an analysis of the characteristics;�an evaluation of human activities on the status of

surface water and groundwater;�an economic analysis of water use.

� is carried out for groundwater (in our case for the first 2 aspects, following the procedures and technical specifications of the WFD according to the Annexes and the EC “Horizontal Guidance's”

� Ready before the end of 2004

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Designation of groundwater bodies and initial groundwater characterisation

� Identification and designation of groundwater bodies;� Initial characterisation of GWB status for quantitative and

qualitative (chemical) features;� Evaluation of pressures and impacts on groundwater:

�diffuse and line sources of pollution;�point sources of pollution;�abstraction of water and artificial recharge;

� Determination of water balances� Relations with aquatic ecosystems in surface water and

terrestrial ecosystems being dependent on GWB

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Extra GWB in clay- and peat layers

� GWB for the upper aquifers in clay and peat layersThe surficial layer (upper layer of clay/peat) discharging the rainfall excess is an aquifer, according to the WFD. It is a distinct volume of groundwater, influencing ecosystems and, thereby, a GWB

overland flow

interflow

drain discharge

ditch level

phreatic level

temporary phreatic level

compacted layer

flow directly through the soil

groundwaterseepage

(net) precipitationchemicals

tile drain

GWBclay and peatareas

maximum depth of base flow for drainage waterat ca. landsurface-3m

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Proposal for a division in GWB

� GWB are distinct water masses in one or more aquifers, with a status, which can be defined in relation to WFD objectives;

� Criteria for GWB;� Hydrogeological situation;

� Status and protection;

� Water management aspects;� Conclusion: minimum 10 GWB;

� 4 sandy aquifers + 4 clay/ peat aquifers +1 limestone aquifer (8) + 1 sandy aquifer in dune areas

Rhinebasin

Rhinebasin

Rhinebasin

Emsbasin

Meusebasin

Scheldtbasin

dunes

dunes

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Determination of GWB in the Netherlands

For surface water management in the Netherlands, the river Rhine basin has been subdivided in 4 districts

Conclusion: minimum 20 GWB;� 7 sand aquifers (5-200m);� 7 clay/ peat aquifers (circa 3m);� 1 limestone aquifer (200m); � 4 sandy aquifers in dune areas; � 1 deep GWB in Scheldt region

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Explanation on GWB for the Netherlands

� GWB for sandy aquifers

GWB cover all sandy aquifers from land surface to a practically impervious base at freatic aquifers, or from the base of clay layers to the same impervious base in areas covered by Holocene sediments

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Groundwater in the central Netherlands;blocks of roughly 20*30 km2 * 200m high

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Using modules for the description of groundwater qualitative aspects

� groundwater quality in the upper 1m in rural areas based on extrapolation of monitoring data to 500*500 m2 cells;

� shallow groundwater quality (10-25m) based on extrapolation of monitoring data to larger areas (see Figure);

� deep groundwater quality (travel time t> 50a) fresh groundwater = basic values, plus abstraction data;

� brackish groundwater by mapping the fresh/brackish interface

� urban groundwater specific description

Hydrogeological units

2008

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Croatia

Twinning Project

Discussion on planning and execution

� Why is the first planing and the elaboration of GWB delineation and characterising executed by the national administration in the Netherlands?� EU puts the responsibility on Member State level;� first version has to be ready at short term (end 2004);� national level exploits most relevant monitoring networks;� first version can serve as a uniform approach for further and

later elaboration by regional water managers;� How to involve the regional administrations?

� full exchange of knowledge, experience and data;� full exchange of information (regular meetings);� realising maximum flexibility of the elaboration;� discussing of reports.