Role of priority substances in the Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD), officially titled as ‘Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2000, establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy´, aims to protects and enhances the status of aquatic ecosystems and, with regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly depending on the aquatic ecosystems. The WFD involves all waters, but on certain points specific attention is given to ground waters.

A number of relevant aspects, where PS are mentioned within the broader framework, are discussed below, the more PS specific parts will be discussed in the next paragraphs.

In Article 1 in relation to protection and improvement of the aquatic environment specific measure are demanded for the progressive reduction of discharges, emissions and losses of priority substances and the cessation or phasing-out of discharges, emissions and losses of the priority hazardous substances.

In Article 2, definitions, in general the polluting substances are mentioned, referring to annex VIII of the WFD, an indicative list of relevant pollutants. For the priority substances, the Commission should make a proposal, corresponding to the earlier mentioned Article 16 and annex X.

The environmental objectives are described in Article 4, requiring programs of measures to

• prevent deterioration of the status;
• achieving good surface water status, both chemical and ecological;
• reduce pollution from priority substances and ceasing and phasing out emissions of priority hazardous substances.

The combined approach for point and diffuse sources (Article 10) is also of relevance for PS, applying the best available techniques and practice and if necessary more stringent emission controls will be set.
The general basic and supplementary measures mentioned in article 11 can also be taken for PS.
In the river basin management plans (Article 13) that have to be made specific attention is asked for measure programs for the PS, referring to Article 16, that will be discussed later.
Finally in Article 22 a number of Directive are mentioned that will be repealed, 7 or 13 years after the date of entry into force of the Directive
 
The text of the Directive 2000/60/EC and all other related legislation can be found at
www.eur-lex.europa.eu.
Important to mention are also the different background documents, dealing with different subjects in relation to PS:

• The methodology to establish EQS and substance specific data sheets.
• A concept paper on pollution controls, including source screening sheets and tables of existing Community measures for each substance.
• A report of the Expert Group on Analysis and Monitoring.
• A report on the Identification of Priority Hazardous Substances.
• A study report on potential economic impacts of the pollution control measures.
• A study report on environmental quality standards - their compliance rate and the benefits from achieving them.

River basin planning process (adapted form CSI WFD (2003), Best practices in river basin management planning, guidance in the planning process, <a href="http://www.sepa.org.uk/wfd" target="_blank">www.sepa.org.uk/wfd</a>)