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Archive Reports
REPORTS
RIVERSIDE TALES
WWF-UK Report, April 2010
(Posted 14 May 2010)
In 2009, a number of key plans were finalised that will impact on how water is managed for years to come: the 2009 Periodic Review of Water Company prices; the Water Framework Directive River Basin Management Plans; and the 25 year Water Resource Management Plans. This report focuses on the impact of these plans on unique chalk streams under stress – the Itchen, the upper Kennet and the tributaries of the upper Lee (the Mimram and the Beane). The report looks at the outcomes for each to understand whether government, regulator and water company plans will restore and protect these important rivers for people and nature. On the basis of the assessment of the decisions made through these planning processes, the WWF have developed conclusions and lessons for future reform.
The report is available for download at the WWF website:
(http://scotland.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/about_wwf_scotland/publications/index.cfm?3876)
ECOSYSTEM ACCOUNTING AND THE COST OF BIODIVERSITY LOSSES — THE CASE OF COASTAL MEDITERRANEAN WETLANDS
EEA Technical Report No 3/2010
(Posted 14 May 2010)
The ecosystems of the coastal wetlands of the Mediterranean are characterised by the close coupling of economic, social and ecological processes. This report discusses the importance of estimating the ecological and social costs of maintaining these systems and the problems surrounding providing monetary estimates of the services associated with wetlands.
The report is available for download at the EEA website:
(http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/ecosystem-accounting-and-the-cost)
GLOBAL WATER SCARCITY: RISKS AND CHALLENGES FOR BUSINESS
(Posted 14 May 2010)
A new report from WWF and Lloyd’s, the world’s leading specialist insurance market, highlights the fact that global water shortages are an increasing threat to business, particularly as populations grow and climate change takes hold. The report identifies two strategies for companies to manage water risk.
1. The three Ms - producers should:
- measure their water risk
- mitigate it
- market themselves as leaders in water management.
2. The three Is – businesses in the service sector can:
- consider water risks when identifying suppliers
- influence suppliers to mitigate water use or meet set standards
- consider water risks when making investment decisions.
For full text of the press release and to read the report visit the WWF website:
(http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?uNewsid=3872&homepage=true§ion=wedo)
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW GROUNDWATER DIRECTIVE
Report from the Commission
(Posted 14 May 2010)
According to Article 3.5 of the new Groundwater Directive, groundwater quality standards (called “threshold values”) were established by Member States by the end of 2008. The Commission has prepared a report (‘Report from the Commission in accordance with Article 3.7 of the Groundwater Directive 2006/118/EC on the establishment of groundwater threshold values’) and a Commission staff working document on the establishment of these national standards that is a first important step of the implementation of the Directive.
To view the report and document visit the Europa website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/groundwater/policy/current_framework/implementation_policy_en.htm)
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NITRATES DIRECTIVE
Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources for the period 2004-2007 [COM(2010)47 final]
(Posted 14 May 2010)
Article 10 of the Nitrates Directive requires Member States to submit a report to the Commission every four years following its notification. This report should contain information pertaining to codes of good agricultural practice, designated vulnerable zones, the results of water monitoring and a summary of the relevant aspects of action programmes drawn up in relation to nitrate vulnerable zones.
The aim of the present report is to inform the European Parliament and the Council on the state of the implementation of the Nitrates Directive, in accordance with article 11. It is based on the information submitted by Member States referring to the period 2004-2007 and is accompanied by aggregated maps of nutrient pressures from agricultural sources, of water quality and of designated nitrate vulnerable zones included in the Staff Working Document ( SEC(2010)118). This is the first time that all 27 Member States have submitted a report. It, therefore, deals principally with EU 27, but also includes a comparison with the third reporting period for the former EU 15 and some new Member States.
The report and the accompanying Staff Working Document are available for download at the Europa website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-nitrates/index_en.html)
DRINKING WATER INSPECTORATE - A HAMPTON IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW REPORT
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) Report, March 2010
(Posted 14 May 2010)
This is one of a series of reviews of regulatory bodies focusing on the assessment of regulatory performance against the Hampton principles and Macrory characteristics of effective inspection and enforcement. It was carried out in December 2009 by a Review Team drawn from the Better Regulation Executive, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Food and Environment Research Agency. The report praises the commitment and competence of DWI staff and highlights the risk-based approach to technical audit as well as the effective and efficient use of data. DWI’s system for internal performance monitoring is also singled out for praise. A small list of follow-up issues includes improving the navigability of the DWI website and updating the 2000 Code for Enforcement.
A copy of the report (web only) can be downloaded from the BIS website:
(http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/10-688-drinking-water-inspectorate-hampton-implementation-review.pdf)
LAND USE FUTURES: MAKING THE MOST OF LAND IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Foresight Report
(Posted 14 May 2010)
This comprehensive report provides an independent analysis of challenges ahead, such as demographic shifts, climate change, a rising demand for commercial and residential areas, and how they might be best addressed. As such, the findings do not constitute government policy. Rather, they are intended to inform the strategic and long-term choices facing government departments, the developed administrations, business and society as a whole. The Foresight Programme in the UK Government Office for Science is under the direction of the Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government. Among others, this report analyses the current and future trends for each of nine sectors (water resource, conservation, agriculture, woodlands and forestry, flood risk management, energy infrastructure, residential and commercial development, transport infrastructure and recreation) with regard to their impact on land use change.
For water resources the suggested priorities of action are:
- Developing a more integrated strategy for quality and supply – involving integrated catchment area management, water pricing and demand management, particularly in areas of stress – and ensuring that the implications for water resources are factored more systematically into decision-making on land use and land management changes, nationally, regionally and locally.
- Developing a plan of action to reverse long-term degradation of aquifers due to ingress of nitrates and other contaminants.
The final project report, an executive summary, system maps, evidence reviews and discussion documents are available on the project’s website: (http://www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/ActiveProjects/LandUse/lufoutputs.asp)
REVIEW OF THE LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING TO ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY
SNIFFER Report, Code: WFD96, 2010
(Posted 14 May 2010)
There are increasing concerns about the impact of the rural population on water quality and in particular its contribution to eutrophication. This is especially the case in areas where the population is highly dispersed and relies mainly on on-site wastewater treatment systems or small rural wastewater treatment works. There is limited information on the number, location and level of maintenance of these systems or the impacts of associated discharges on water quality and ecology. This project was a desk-based study for the Environmental Regulators within Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It aimed to improve knowledge of the impacts of a dispersed population pattern on water quality and to inform future legislation, policies and procedures to address pollution related to wastewater treatment provision in rural areas.
The report is available for download at the SNIFFER (Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research) website:
(http://www.sniffer.org.uk/Resources/WFD96/Layout_Default/0.aspx)
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