1. Key Events in the Period

WG C Groundwater

Progress report October 2011 – May 2012

for the Strategic Co-ordination Group of 10/11 May 2012

Authors: Johannes Grath, Anna Hall

1.  KEY EVENTS IN THE PERIOD

·  22nd WG C Groundwater Plenary meeting on 20–21 March 2012 in Brussels. Main topics:

WG C Activity 1 – Continuation of Exchange of best practice:

·  GW-body delineation and GIS-presentation

Ø  Summary of a respective Eurogeosurvey workshop

Ø  Approaches of MS

Ø  Problems encountered when a European GW-body layer was compiled

·  Drinking water protected areas

·  Status and trend assessment

·  Development of wetland TVs

·  Overview of existing guidance documents

WG C Activity 3 – Groundwater and climate change

·  Presentation and discussion draft summary report from the workshop held in October 2011

2.  UPCOMING KEY EVENTS AND DEADLINES

·  23rd plenary meeting of WG C Groundwater on 08/09 October 2012 in Limassol (Cyprus)

·  Contribution to SPI: completion of ‘research needs’ questionnaire by 25th May 2012

3.  PROGRESS CIS WORKPROGRAMME DELIVERABLES

Activity WG C 1 (Exchange of best practice):

GW-body delineation and GIS presentation - Conclusions

·  Recognition by WG C Groundwater of need to:

-  Produce and deliver consistent reporting of groundwater information e.g. groundwater bodies for Europe

-  Establish improved communication with WG D

-  That data/information should as far as reasonably possible be suitable for GIS

-  There is a need for harmonisation and for uniform assignment of GW-bodies to horizons and to GIS-layers (3-dimensional units, vertical strata)

-  It is recommended to review the attributes and pick list (table presented by Klaus Duscher on behalf of ETC/ICM) for the reporting of GW bodies, as WG C think there are opportunities for improvement

-  Remark: It was stated, that delineation of groundwater bodies is at the discretion of MS, as they function as management units

·  Conclusions by WG C Groundwater

-  WG C wants to contribute constructively to reporting by providing technical expertise for groundwater related topics

-  WG C proposes the following activities:

Ø  Small group to improve guidance with respect to assignment to horizons

Ø  Review of current reporting guidance with recommendations for amendment from groundwater experts based on lessons learned

Ø  Recommendations of attributes that should be optional with respect to reporting

Ø  Define and improve definitions for reporting for next cycle

Drinking water protected areas - Conclusions

By and large CIS Guidance No 16 “Drinking Water protected areas” was regarded as useful. The following conclusions were expressed:

·  Further guidance in relation to the risk based approach and transboundary GWBs is needed

·  Harmonise regulations (frequencies, parameters) between “Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points” (HACCP) and WFD

·  Use of raw water data from drinking water suppliers and harmonising approaches were regarded as helpful

Ø  recommendation to update guidance concerning integration of raw water data from drinking water suppliers and the risk based approach; moreover, a joint water safety plan according to DW-D and WFD requirements should be considered

Status and Trends – Conclusions

The respective guidance is helpful – needs for amendments were not expressed. However, for performing the test for GWDTEs and for GW dependent aquatic ecosystems further best practice examples would be helpful.

Development of wetland TVs – UK approach

Based on GW quality monitoring of water feeding GWDTEs, GW chemical measurements in GWDTEs and literature TVs were derived for nitrate – for 11 GWDTE categories and for three altitude levels ranging from four to 26 mg/l nitrates.

In order to improve this approach and continue such investigations, it is intended to distribute a questionnaire among WG C members asking for contacts of experts within a country which else could hold such information in Europe. These experts are going to be approached and the results shall be presented at the next WG C meeting.

Existing guidance docs

-  Transboundary issues in CIS Guidance docs – what does harmonisation mean?

-  Groundwater and dependent aquatic ecosystems – knowledge gap still exists; team of volunteers will provide examples

4.  OTHER ISSUES

Update concerning activity in expert group “Water scarcity and droughts” concerning GW-issues; via the established link information exchange is ensured.

Information concerning planned procedure for development of WG mandates for next period. First input was collected via brainstorming within WG C.

5.  KEY NEXT STEPS

WG C Groundwater meeting in October 2012

Activity WG C 1: exchange of best practice concerning:

-  Risk management and programme of measures – assisting to make PoMs operational

-  Complementary to the exchange of best practice for the above mentioned issue lessons learnt from reporting process for the 1st RBMP will be discussed

Depending on decision of SCG: Ad hoc Activity “Workshop Climate Change and Groundwater”: development of recommendations to make river basin management plans CC proof – by feeding the established knowledge base on CC impacts on groundwater into the policy process

Proposed schedule – Way forward

·  research priorities as contribution to SPI activities – deadline 25th May 2012

·  Autumn 2012 – 8/9th October next WG C Groundwater meeting in Limassol (Cyprus)

·  Workshop on Groundwater and Climate Change – recommendations to make RBMPs CC proof with regard to groundwater

·  Continue and summarize exchange of best practice according to Activity WG C 1

·  Distribution of questionnaire within WG C concerning contact information of experts dealing with GWDTEs.

·  Start identification of issues for next mandate period

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