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Water Framework Directive. Implementation and Risk Analysis John Sadlier Water Quality Section. WFD Implementation Deadlines. All implementation deadlines have been met to date 22 December 2003 Directive transposed by Water Policy Regulations (SI 722 of 2003) RBDs established
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Water Framework Directive Implementation and Risk Analysis John Sadlier Water Quality Section
WFD Implementation Deadlines All implementation deadlines have been met to date • 22 December 2003 • Directive transposed by Water Policy Regulations (SI 722 of 2003) • RBDs established • Competent authorities identified • 22 June 2004 • Report above to EU Commission in prescribed electronic format
WFD Implementation Deadlines • 22 December 2004 • Finalise characterisation reports for RBDs • Establish register of protected areas • 22 March 2005 • Send summary of characterisation reports for RBDs • Establish register of protected areas • 2006 • Monitoring programmes to be established and operational • Work programme for production of RBMPs to be published
Purpose of Characterisation and Risk Assessment • To provide comprehensive baseline information for purposes of management of each RBD • To prioritise future actions in relation to monitoring, investigations and measures
Characterisation Reports • Comprehensive description of each river basin district including – • An analysis of its characteristics • Mapping the location and boundaries of all waters by type • Identification of pressure and impacts on water bodies • Identification of reference conditions for water status • An economic analysis of water use • A risk assessment of waters [Article 5 of WFD]
Waters at Risk • A water body will be identified as being “at risk” where the pressure and impact analysis shows there is a likelihood a water body will fail to meet the environmental objectives of the Directive unless management intervention is undertaken • Environmental objectives are • No deterioration in status of any waters • All waters to have at least “good status” by 2015 • Special objectives for “protected areas”
Assessment of Risk • Assessment is based on available data in 2004 • It is a predicted risk for 2015 • Further characterisation / investigation could alter the assessment • Process must be transparent and all data available to the public • RA is not for classifying water status • RA is not a water status report
“At Risk” Categories • Not at risk • Water body not at risk and available data is comprehensive and conclusive • Water body probably not at significant risk but available information needs to be improved • At risk • Water body probably at significant risk but further monitoring and characterisation could alter position • Water body at significant risk
Actions • Not at risk • Watch for changes in pressures • Probably not at risk • Improve data and review results • Probably at risk • Undertake monitoring and further characterisation • At risk • Begin operational monitoring, plan measures to be taken
“At Risk” Likely to be a High % • Standards are high and extensive • Waters will be “at risk” if they are identified as being at risk due to- • Pressures (actual / potential) • Impacts (actual / potential) • Wide range of parameters • Chemical • Biological • Morphological • Abstraction and flow regulation
Assessment Results for Northern Ireland (4 October 2004) Summary % numbers of water bodies
Current Activities • Refining of assessments by RBDs and EPA • Review of cross-border analysis • Finalisation of assessments by 22 December 2004