WRITTEN QUESTION E-1892/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (4 June 1997)

Subject: Integrated groundwater protection and management

With reference to the Commission 'Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on an action programme for integrated groundwater protection and management' (COM(96) 0315 final - 96/0181 COD) ((OJ C 355, 25.11.1996, p. 1.)),

the proposed action programme comprises four main lines of action: planning and management of groundwater protection, creating a regulatory framework for fresh water abstraction, development of instruments for control of groundwater polution from diffuse sources and development of instruments for control of point source emissions and discharges.

With regard to the first line of action, will the Commission:

1. Classify waters according to their use, their different characteristics and the original water table?

2. Take measures to reduce the waterproofing of the ground in suburban areas and take preventive measures against earth creep in areas intended for agricultural use?

3. Restrict pumping capacities as far as possible to replenishing the water table and encourage the rational use and the re-use of water?

4. Cooperate with the third countries preparing to accede to the European Union with the aim of helping them adapt to European quality standards?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 July 1997)

The objective of the proposal for a Parliament and Council decision on an action programme for integrated groundwater protection and management is to ensure that protection and use of groundwater takes place as part of an integrated management of fresh water resources and that groundwaters on a long term basis will be managed with surface waters within a river basin management approach.

In February 1997, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy ((COM(97) 49 final. )) which lays down the basic principles for integrated protection and use of groundwaters and surface waters within such a river basin management approach. Whilst part of the actions presented in the proposed groundwater action programme may be pursued through a variety of instruments, some may be strengthened through appropriate legal provisions. The proposed water framework directive is intended as a framework within which inter alia the protection and sustainable use of groundwater may be ensured through such legal provisions.

1. It is the objective of the proposed groundwater action programme to ensure protection of all groundwaters and in line with this the proposed groundwater action programme does not classify groundwaters according to their use. On the contrary, in order to ensure appropriate protection and sustainable use the characteristics of a particular groundwater have to be taken into account and therefore the proposed groundwater action programme requires Member States to identify the environmental pressures as well as the particular vulnerability of groundwaters. Such designation of zones therefore is to be used to decide upon the nature of the measures which should be taken to protect a particular groundwater in a particular area.

2. The proposed groundwater action programme requests Member States to take into consideration in the planning process that urban development may impair natural replenishment of groundwaters. In order to be targeted, measures to reduce the waterproofing of the ground in suburban areas and to prevent land subsidence due to a lowering of the water table should be adopted as appropriate in response to local circumstances.

3. The proposed groundwater action programme requires a sustainable use of groundwaters in order to avoid overexploitation. Controls on abstraction as well as water saving, reuse and general good house-keeping of fresh water resources are encouraged as important elements in achieving this objective. Where appropriate either transiently or permanently restrictions on abstraction could be introduced depending on the local availability and characteristics of the aquifers.

4. Approximation of legislation and standards is an integral part of the process within which the Community is preparing the potential enlargement. A wide range of activities and programmes target these questions in the approximation process.