- Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC); aims to protect groundwater from pollution by controlling discharges and disposals of certain dangerous substances to groundwater.
The groundwater directive categorises polluting substances into two lists based on toxicity, persistence and potential for bioaccumulation. List 1 substances are considered to carry higher potential risks from pollution. Entry of List 1 substances to groundwater is prohibited. Entry of List II substances to groundwater should be limited to a level which will not result in pollution of groundwater.
NB: under the terms of the Water Framework Directive (see below) the groundwater directive will be repealed in 2013.
The WFD takes a holistic view of the protection of the water environment. It sets out a spatial categorisation of groundwater into groundwater management units and provides the framework for the classification of these units into either good or poor water quality status. The WFD also sets key targets in respect of the groundwater resource. These include:ensuring no deterioration in status; restoring poor status units to good status (where feasibly and economically possible); controlling entry of pollutants to groundwater; reversing existing upward trends of pollutants in groundwater and introducing control regimes for abstraction
These regulations provide SEPA with the authority to serve (an) enforcement notice(s) either to control or to stop an activity which poses a significant risk to the water environment and/or which may cause discharge to groundwater of any substances listed in the CAR Regulations (Schedules 1 or 2). Amendments increased the number of controlled activities which can be carried out under general binding rules.
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