Minutes of Fourth Meeting of the Working Group 2C on Groundwater Monitoring
Brussels, 25 June 2004, 09:30–17:30
Fourth Meeting of the Working Group 2C on Groundwater Monitoring
Brussels, 25th June, 2004, 09:30 – 17:30
Chair: Philippe Quevauviller, DG ENV
Co-Chair: Johannes Grath, Environment Agency, Austria
Agenda
The agenda for this meeting is attached (Annex 1)
Participants
A list of participants is attached (Annex 2).
Notes of Meeting
Copies of the presentations made at the workshop can be found in the ‘Workshop’ folder on the Members Circa WFD web site
http://forum.europa.eu.int/Members/irc/env/wfd/library?l=/working_groups/new_groundwater&vm=detailed&sb=Title
The meeting was structured into 3 sessions:
(1) General features of groundwater monitoring
(2) Research and technological development in support of groundwater monitoring
(3) Groundwater monitoring approaches in the light of the Water Framework Directive
Welcome and adoption of the Agenda
Welcome and opening remarks by Philippe Quevauviller who briefly explained the purpose of the meeting in the context of the implementation process of the WFD and the GWD. Working Group 2C was chaired by the EC and co-chaired by Austria (Johannes Grath).
Philippe Quevauviller reported on the current state of the GWD proposal. The lack of political debate did not allow to proceed to a completion of the first reading in the previous European Parliament, and no vote therefore took place on the draft report of Mrs. Schleicher (rapporteur). Discussion is postponed to the new Parliament under a new rapporteur.
In a detailed discussion at the Council on the 14th of June 2004 the general framework of the GWD proposal was positively received. The EC is currently examining the written comments from the MS.
(1) General features of groundwater monitoring
The session was chaired by Johannes Grath and Philippe Quevauviller gave an introductory presentation on the legislative framework of groundwater monitoring. As several Directives require monitoring of groundwater it is intended by the EC to prepare an overview of the different requirements from other legislation in order to avoid duplications, develop groundwater specific guidance and design comprehensive monitoring programmes. Furthermore it was also emphasised by the EC to put the focus on quality assurance and quality control and to coordinate activities with other CIS Working Groups, in particular case studies linked to PRB work.
Further presentations comprised:
- A reminder of previous CIS recommendations of WG 2.7 (Monitoring) and WG 2.8 (Statistics)
- Monitoring and trend analysis techniques
- The integral groundwater investigation method (at contaminated sites)
- Connections and differences of groundwater bodies and point sources monitoring
- Set-up of monitoring schemes to characterise groundwater quality in groundwater bodies
- Information on the IGRAC network
No comments were made during this section.
(2) Research and technological development in support of groundwater monitoring
The second session was chaired by Philippe Quevauviller and devoted to monitoring relevant research projects, mainly under the 6th European Framework Programme for RTD (FP6)
- SWIFT (Screening methods for Water data InFormaTion in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive), FP6
- BRIDGE (Background CRiteria for the IDentification of Groundwater thresholds), FP6
- 4D Groundwater Monitoring
- ERANET-SNOWMAN (European Research Area Network - Sustainable Management of soil and groundwater under the pressure of soil pollution and soil contamination), FP6
Comments made during the session were mainly focused on the BRIDGE project. Comments are summarised in the final “discussion” section.
(3) Groundwater monitoring approaches in the light of the Water Framework Directive
The third session was chaired by Philippe Quevauviller and devoted to monitoring approaches in the Member States:
- Germany
- France
- Austria
- United Kingdom
- Nordic Countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway)
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Spain
- Italy
- Romania
- Denmark
- The Netherlands
No comments were made to the presentation of national approaches.
Discussion
BRIDGE project
- The BRIDGE project contract is currently under negotiation and the contract is expected to be signed in Oct/Nov 2004. Philippe Quevauviller would like WG 2C to be regularly informed and consulted during the project. It was proposed by the EC that WG 2C members submit possible thoughts on the most important elements to be considered for such a methodology and/or practical experiences that might have been developed or known from country's practices before the 15th of September 2004 serving as a substantial basis for BRIDGE to prepare a rough skeleton of methods to be further investigated within the project. Also elements that are given in Annex III, part B, of the GWD proposal should be considered. A discussion on that skeleton within WG 2C is envisaged to be held at the 18th of October 2004.
- It was further emphasised by Philippe Quevauviller that it should be attempted to bring all those parallel (national) projects together which are focusing on the same topic.
- DE thanked the EC for the BRIDGE project elaborating methods for the derivation of threshold values and offered its cooperation.
- SI asked when results will be available and whether they will affect the deadline for the national establishment of threshold values
DG ENV responded that there is no direct connection between research and politics. The project is a research project, financed by DG Research and DG ENV is a customer. It has no political weight as such but it could ease the negotiation process of the GWD. The deadline for the elaboration of threshold values is for discussion in the Parliament and the Council.
- Steven Foster stressed that aA comprehensive understanding of the groundwater system is essential for monitoring and quality assurance is of vital importance.
DG ENV stated that countries should exchange their best practise and requests whether further research/standardisation is needed.
- Steven Foster made two additional comments: 1.) Request on a drafting sub-group on the discussion and preparation of monitoring guidelines. 2.) How far will the drafting group “status and trend” go into detail with monitoring requirements?
DG ENV clarified that the mandate of the drafting group will be discussed at the workshop on the 18th Oct 2004. It will be decided, what has to be developed on the basis of the available documents. The degree of detail is not clear yet but for monitoring, a pragmatic approach is needed. As the guidelines are closely connected to the GWD, it is difficult to express clear visions. A further open aspect to be discussed is those of the indirect discharges.
- SI Offered contributions on the chemical status and trend assessment.
DG ENV stated that currently the only existing legal instrument is the WFD. All work has to be done as if the GWD does not exist. Monitoring, status and trend assessment rely on the requirements laid down in Annex V of the WFD. Therefore presentations at the workshop in October should solely rely on the WFD.
- HU asked whether and how temperature should be monitored? Is it part of quantity or quality?
DG ENV clarified that temperature might be useful for the characterisation but is not explicitly required by Annex V.
Conclusion
Philippe Quevauviller concluded the workshop by a brief outlook on the workshop structure, the next workshop, the work programme for 2005 and the provisional workplan.
For the next WG 2C workshop on “status and trends” - 18th October 2004, the MS are invited to:
- Provide elements for discussion of a common methodology for establishing threshold values (deadline: 15th September) – Discussion to be planned at the workshop
- Present experiences on status and trend evaluation (e.g. linked to investigations/permit procedures) in the form of PowerPoint presentations. These will be used for preparing keynote lectures on specific themes, which will be followed by discussions (thus allowing proactive participations).
- Discuss expected drawbacks linked to WFD provisions
Work programme 2005
- Drafting groups (max. 10–15 participants) should be formed before the end of 2004 – Volunteers for the three defined topics should indicate their interest – Drafting group mandates to be finalised by the end of 2004
- It was proposed to link “drafting groups” to Plenary Forum discussions – 1½ day meetings (first ½ day: meetings of drafting groups (parallel sessions?) – followed by one day of forum meeting)
- Regular briefings on the progress of the BRIDGE progress will be presented to the Plenary Forum
- Discussions of research and standardisation needs will be held if appropriate
Provisional workplan
- Status & Trends: built up on outcome of the workshop of 18th October –
Drafting group on 26.01.2005 afternoon, Plenary Forum on 27.01.2005
- Thresholds: directly linked to BRIDGE –
Drafting group on 22.06.2005 afternoon, Plenary Forum on 23.06.2005
- Indirect discharges: information to be gathered from 80/68/EEC Directive implementation –
Drafting group on 19.10.2005, Plenary Forum on 20.10.2005
Finally, the contributors to the workshops on risk assessment (January 2004) and the current workshop on monitoring (June 2004) have been invited to provide 1–2 page summary reports on presentations held.
Philippe Quevauviller offered his availability to answer questions over the coming weeks (until the 20th of July) and closed the meeting.
Annex 1
Attendance list (as confirmed on 14.06.2004)
Member States
Country / Name / OrganisationAustria / Johannes GRATH / Federal Environment Agency
Email:
Austria / Andreas SCHEIDLEDER / Federal Environment Agency
Email:
Austria / Dietmar MÜLLER / Federal Environment Agency
Austria / Heinrich PAVLIK / Federal Min. Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
Email:
Belgium / Philippe MEUS / Observatoire des Eaux Souterraines – Wallonie
Email:
Belgium / Francis DELLOYE / Observatoire des Eaux Souterraines – Wallonie
Email:
Belgium / Ralf EPPINGER / Flemish Governement
Belgium / Herlinde SNAUWAERT / Flemish Governement
Belgium / Tim CAERS / OVAM
Email:
Denmark / Martin SKRIVER / Danish Ministry of the Environment
Email:
Estonia / Heddy KLASEN / Environment Ministry
Email:
Finland / Juhani GUSTAFSSON / Finnish Environment Agency
Email:
France / Ariane BLUM / Inst. Français de l’Environnement (IFEN)
Email:
France / Caroline DE VILLENEUVE / Min. Ecologie et Développement Durable
France / Claire GRISEZ / Min. Ecologie et Développement Durable
Germany / Lutz KEPPNER / Bundesmin. Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit
Email:
Germany / Martin BOEHME / Senatsverwaltung für Stadtenwicklung
Email:
Germany / Wolter RÜDIGER / Federal Environmental Agency
Email:
Hungary / László BALASHAZY / Ministry of the Environment
Email:
Ireland / Donal DALY / Geological Survey of Ireland
Email:
Ireland / Margaret KEEGAN / Environmental Protection Agency
Email:
Italy / Paola BOTTONE / Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Email:
Italy / Martina BUSSETTINI / APAT
Email:
Italy / Giuseppe GIULANIO / IRSA
Email:
Lithuania / Kestutis KADUNAS / Geological Survey
Email:
Lithuania / Juozas MOCKEVICIUS / Geological Survey
Email:
Malta / Manuel SAPIANO / Malta Resource Authority
Email:
Portugal / Ana Rita LOPES / Instituto Nacional da Agua
Email:
Slovak Republic / Elena FATULOVA / Ministry of Environment
Email:
Slovak Republic / Eugen KULLMAN / Slovak Hydrometeorological institute
Email:
Slovak Republic / Robert CHRIASTEL / Slovak Hydrometeorological institute
Email:
Slovenia / Mojca DOBNIKAR TEHOVNIK / Environment Agency
Email:
Slovenia / Marjeta KRAJNC / Environment Agency
Email:
Spain / Carlos MARTINES NAVARRETE / Geological Survey of Spain
Email:
Sweden / Magnus ASMAN / Geological Survey of Sweden
Email:
The Netherlands / Wennemar CRAMER / Ministry of Housing and Environment
Email:
The Netherlands / Kees MEINARDI / RIVM
Email:
The Netherlands / Remko VAN EK / RIZA
Email:
The Netherlands / Henny KEMPEN / Province of Gelderland
Email:
The Netherlands / Steven VISSER / Province of Gelderland
Email:
The Netherlands / Floris VERHAGEN / Royal Haskoning
Email:
United Kingdom / Tony MARSLAND / Environment Agency
Email:
United Kingdom / Jean CLEWS / Scottish Environment Agency
Email:
Candidate Countries
Romania / Ruxandra BALAET / Environment Ministry
Email:
Romania / Mihai BRETOTEAN / Meteorological Institute
Email:
Associated States
Country / Name / OrganisationNorway / Jan CRAMER / Geological Survey of Norway
Email:
Norway / Panos DIMAKIS / Norvegian Water Resources Directorate
Email:
Stakeholders
Org. / Name / OrganisationCEFIC / Lutz HAAMANN / Degussa
Email:
CEFIC / Max KOGELNIG / Solvay
Email:
CEN / Ulrich BORCHERS / CEN / TC 230
Email:
ECPA / Hans EGLI / ECPA
Email:
EFMA / Christian PALLIERE / EFMA
Email:
EIC / Isabel VILLASEÑOR / EuroMediterranean Irrigators Community
Email:
EIC / Araceli OLMEDO / EuroMediterranean Irrigators Community
Email:
EPRO / Paolo SEVERI / Regione Emilia-Romagna
Email:
EPRO / Alex SONNENBORG / GEUS
Email:
EUREAU / Gyrite BRANDT / City of Copenhagen
Email:
EUREAU / Gaetane SUZENET / Water UK
Email:
EuroGeo
Surveys / Hans Peter BROERS / EuroGeoSurveys
Email:
EUROMINE / Nicke ERIKSSON / Euromines
Email:
EUROMINE / Ernst Ullrich KRISCHE / Euromines
Email:
Eurometaux / Claire DE LANGERON / Eurometaux
Email:
Eurometaux / John FAWELL / Consultant
Email:
Eurometaux / Lucia BUVE / Umicore
Email:
Eurometaux / Grace BARRASSO / European Aluminium Association
Email:
Europia / Philip CHOWN / Concawe
Email:
EWA / Zoran NAKIC / European Water Association
Email:
IAH / Stephen FOSTER / International Association of Hydrogeologists
Email:
IGRAC / Gerrit JOUSMA / IGRAC
Email:
NICOLE / Wouter GEVAERTS / ARCADIS
Email:
Water Service / Philip AMORTILA / Schlumberger Water Services London
Email:
Water Service / Angeline KNEPPERS / Schlumberger Water Services Paris
Email:
Water Service / Maria BENITO / Schlumberger Water Services Paris
Email:
Water Service / Aldo KRIJGSMAN / Schlumberger Water Services Delft
Email:
RTD Stakeholders
Name / OrganisationAustria / Stefan VETTER / Environment Ministry
Email:
Germany / Thomas PTAK / University of Tübingen
Email:
METROPOLIS / Stéphane ROY / BRGM
Email:
European Commission
Name / OrganisationEuropean Commission / Philippe QUEVAUVILLER / European Commission, DG ENV
Email:
European Commission / Mogens GADEBERG / European Commission, DG RTD
Email:
Annex 2
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL
ENVIRONMENT
Directorate B - Environmental quality of Natural resources
ENV.B1 - Water, the Marine and Soil
Brussels, 3 June 2004