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.