Water Framework Directive Flashcards
What does RBMP stand for?
River Basin Management Plan
Why is the WFD so important?
-As it is a response to the increasing threat of pollution and the increasing demand from the public for cleaner rivers, lakes and beaches
When was the Water Framework Directive (WFD) first adopted by the EU?
Adopted by the EU in 2000
When was the WFD transposed into Irish law?
2003
What does the Directive state should be managed?
That water quality should be managed by focusing on river basins / water catchments
What did legislation focus on in the 1970s?
-Directives for abstraction of drinking water
-Fishing waters
-Shellfish waters
-Bathing waters
-Ground waters
What legislation was made in 1990s?
-Urban wastewater treatment directive
-New drinking water quality directive
-Nitrates directive
-Directive for integrated pollution and prevention control
What was legislation was formed in the 2000s?
Water Framework Directive
What did the 1970s legislation use for water quality parameters?
By measuring
-pH
-DO
-E.coli
What did legislation in 1990s focus on?
-Also water quality standards,
-But for the first time, setting emission standards
What did the WFD bring into focus?
-Doing an integrated approach
-Combining standards for water quality but also protecting habitats and species
What is a central tenet of the water quality directive?
Ecological protection
-Emission limits and quality standards are designed to support the ecological status
What is the official title of the water framework directive?
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy
How many articles are in the WFD?
26
How many Annexes (appendices) are in the WFD?
11
What are the six aims of the WFD?
-Expanding the scope of water protection to all waters, surface waters and groundwater
-Achieving “good status” for all waters by a set deadline
-Water management based on river basins
-“Combined approach” of emission limit values and quality standards
-Getting the citizen involved more closely
-Streamlining legislation
What is the timeline of the WFD?
-Initiation 2000
-Cycle 1 2009 - 2015 (Heavily effected by recession)
-Cycle II 2018 - 2021
Cycle III 2022 - 2027
How many Special Areas of Conservation are dependent on good water quality?
358
How many River basin districts are in Ireland?
8 (4 within the Irish State)
How many designated bathing waters are in Ireland?
134
How many shellfish waters are there in Ireland?
64
How many km2 does the Irish RBD make up?
70,273km2
What is article 5 of the WFD?
Characterisation of River Basin Districts
What is the purpose of article 5?
-To establish baseline water quality status
-How they are impacted by human activities
-Identify bodies at risk of not meeting status
-Identify significant pressures impacting water bodies
-Informs the development of a programme of measures
-Allows for realistic and achievable goals
