Chemicals and Water A European Environment Agency (EEA) perspective Rob Collins Water Group EEA

1. Chemicals and WaterA European Environment Agency (EEA) perspectiveRob CollinsWater GroupEEA

2. Chemicals and Water • Two key EEA outputs addressing the issue of chemicals and water; • I – 2010 State of Europe’s Environment assessment to include a chapter on water quality which focuses mainly on eutrophication and, chemicals in water – but room only for an overview • II – A 2011 EEA report specifically on chemicals and water • The 2011 report offers opportunity to disseminate information from SCORE-PP

3. 2011 Chemicals and Water Report - Rationale • Issue of chemical use and emissions to fresh/marine waters given fresh impetus with new EQS Directive - ongoing identification of priority (hazardous) substances; further 10-15 chemicals to be classified in 2011. • Need for a comprehensive overview of the issue of chemicals in fresh and marine water, including latest legislation, current state and (potential) impacts on biota and humans. • EEA’s 2010 SOER report is of limited length – will provide only a brief overview

4. Chemicals and Water Report – What will be included? - I • Explanation of why there are concerns – impacts on freshwater and marine ecosystems (e.g. ED’s, pesticides, metals etc) • Potential for effects on human health (acute and chronic) – attempt to place the role of water as an exposure route in context of wider environment, e.g. pesticide exposure routes • Which chemicals are of particular concern?, what are their sources/emissions • Current knowledge with respect to chemical ‘state’ of fresh and marine waters

5. Chemicals and Water Report – What will be included? - II • Describe legislation (response) – much of it is relatively new; REACH, EQS Directive (WFD), Pesticides Strategy/Directive etc • Where has legislation been successful, e.g. role of UWWTD • Gaps in legislation? • Identify cost-effective measures

6. Chemicals and Water Report – What will be included? - III • Where do we need more information?, e.g. impacts of complex mixture of chemicals – synergistic/additive effects • Emerging issues – nanotechnology • Wastewater treatment – innovative approaches, which chemicals are not fully treated; drive to tackling at source • Historical pollution, background levels • How to establish ‘smart’ monitoring programmes

7. Freshwater Information • Emissions from industry to water – reported under E-PRTR • Industrial and wastewater emissions are a major source of many chemicals • That includes storm overflows in the urban environment DRAFT

8. Freshwater Information • Freshwater chemical concentrations via EEA’s Eionet database. • Information from forthcoming RBMP’s of the WFD

9. National SoE reports • E.g. 1. PCB levels in freshwater fish in Sweden; Swedish Environmental Protection Agency • E.g. 2. decline in cadmium and mercury in Rhine @ Dutch/German border

10. Marine/Coastal information OSPAR, HELCOM etc, but WFD RBMP’s too.

11. Tackling chemicals at source • Wastewater treatment has a continuing role to play, but… • ….it costs, financially and in terms of energy and chemicals used • Disposal of sewage sludge remains an issue; hazardous chemicals onto agricultural land? • Highlight the importance of source control • Need to illustrate this point with case studies/examples of successful implementation of cost-effective measures