24
P. Tett
definitions of ecological and physico-chemical status. In essence, the ecological
status of a water body is high when its phytoplankton, seaweeds or seagrasses, and
benthos, all appear to be in a natural condition.
Figure 1.5 is a flow diagram to show how a regulator might apply the Directive.
The starting point is the definition of water bodies and the identification of the
type to which each belongs; then the present quality status of each water body
identified in relation to a “type-specific reference condition” as high (the same as
a water body in the reference condition), good (acceptable), moderate, poor, or
bad. If the status is worse than good, Programmes of Measures must be implemented in order to improve the quality status, and monitoring programmes put in
place to check on this. The WFD is also an integrating framework, bringing
together provisions from earlier directives, including the UWWTD and the
Habitats Directive. Any special requirements of these directives are dealt with by
the concept of Protected Areas within which additional management might be
Table 1.1 Some definitions of quality, from the Water Framework Directive, continued: (b) Annex V,
section 1.2.4. Example of standards for physico-chemical quality elements, in coastal waters
Status
General conditions
Specific synthetic
pollutants
Specific nonsynthetic pollutants
High
The physico-chemical elements correspond totally or nearly totally to
undisturbed conditions. Nutrient
concentrations remain within the
range normally associated with
undisturbed conditions. Temperature,
oxygen balance and transparency
do not show signs of anthropogenic
disturbance and remain within the
ranges normally associated with
undisturbed conditions.
Concentrations close
to zero and at least
below the limits
of detection of the
most advanced analytical techniques in
general use.
Concentrations
remain within
the range
normally associated with
undisturbed
conditions
(background
levels…).
Good
Temperature, oxygenation conditions
and transparency do not reach levels
outside the ranges established so as to
ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values
specified above for the biological
quality elements. Nutrient concentrations do not exceed the levels established so as to ensure the functioning
of the ecosystem and the achievement
of the values specified above for the
biological quality elements.
Concentrations not
in excess of the
standards set in
accordance with the
procedure detailed in
section 1.2.6[but not
required to be below
background levels]
without prejudice to
Directive 91/414/EC
and Directive 98/8/
EC. (
biological quality elements [at moderate status].
P. Tett
definitions of ecological and physico-chemical status. In essence, the ecological
status of a water body is high when its phytoplankton, seaweeds or seagrasses, and
benthos, all appear to be in a natural condition.
Figure 1.5 is a flow diagram to show how a regulator might apply the Directive.
The starting point is the definition of water bodies and the identification of the
type to which each belongs; then the present quality status of each water body
identified in relation to a “type-specific reference condition” as high (the same as
a water body in the reference condition), good (acceptable), moderate, poor, or
bad. If the status is worse than good, Programmes of Measures must be implemented in order to improve the quality status, and monitoring programmes put in
place to check on this. The WFD is also an integrating framework, bringing
together provisions from earlier directives, including the UWWTD and the
Habitats Directive. Any special requirements of these directives are dealt with by
the concept of Protected Areas within which additional management might be
Table 1.1 Some definitions of quality, from the Water Framework Directive, continued: (b) Annex V,
section 1.2.4. Example of standards for physico-chemical quality elements, in coastal waters
Status
General conditions
Specific synthetic
pollutants
Specific nonsynthetic pollutants
High
The physico-chemical elements correspond totally or nearly totally to
undisturbed conditions. Nutrient
concentrations remain within the
range normally associated with
undisturbed conditions. Temperature,
oxygen balance and transparency
do not show signs of anthropogenic
disturbance and remain within the
ranges normally associated with
undisturbed conditions.
Concentrations close
to zero and at least
below the limits
of detection of the
most advanced analytical techniques in
general use.
Concentrations
remain within
the range
normally associated with
undisturbed
conditions
(background
levels…).
Good
Temperature, oxygenation conditions
and transparency do not reach levels
outside the ranges established so as to
ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values
specified above for the biological
quality elements. Nutrient concentrations do not exceed the levels established so as to ensure the functioning
of the ecosystem and the achievement
of the values specified above for the
biological quality elements.
Concentrations not
in excess of the
standards set in
accordance with the
procedure detailed in
section 1.2.6[but not
required to be below
background levels]
without prejudice to
Directive 91/414/EC
and Directive 98/8/
EC. (
biological quality elements [at moderate status].