Transcript 10, 02FEB2010, R Collins, European Environment Agency.ppt

Chemicals and Water
A European Environment
Agency (EEA) perspective
Rob Collins
Water Group
EEA
Chemicals and Water
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Two key EEA outputs addressing the issue of
chemicals and water;
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I – 2010 State of Europe’s Environment
assessment to include a chapter on water quality
which focuses mainly on eutrophication and,
chemicals in water – but room only for an
overview
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II – A 2011 EEA report specifically on chemicals
and water
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The 2011 report offers opportunity to disseminate
information from SCORE-PP
2011 Chemicals and Water Report Rationale
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Issue of chemical use and emissions to
fresh/marine waters given fresh impetus with
new EQS Directive - ongoing identification of
priority (hazardous) substances; further 10-15
chemicals to be classified in 2011.
Need for a comprehensive overview of the issue
of chemicals in fresh and marine water, including
latest legislation, current state and (potential)
impacts on biota and humans.
EEA’s 2010 SOER report is of limited length – will
provide only a brief overview
Chemicals and Water Report – What will
be included? - I
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Explanation of why there are concerns – impacts on
freshwater and marine ecosystems (e.g. ED’s,
pesticides, metals etc)
Potential for effects on human health (acute and
chronic) – attempt to place the role of water as an
exposure route in context of wider environment, e.g.
pesticide exposure routes
Which chemicals are of particular concern?, what are
their sources/emissions
Current knowledge with respect to chemical ‘state’ of
fresh and marine waters
Chemicals and Water Report – What will
be included? - II
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Describe legislation (response) – much of it is
relatively new; REACH, EQS Directive (WFD), Pesticides
Strategy/Directive etc
Where has legislation been successful, e.g. role of
UWWTD
Gaps in legislation?
Identify cost-effective measures
Chemicals and Water Report – What will
be included? - III
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Where do we need more information?, e.g. impacts of
complex mixture of chemicals – synergistic/additive
effects
Emerging issues – nanotechnology
Wastewater treatment – innovative approaches, which
chemicals are not fully treated; drive to tackling at
source
Historical pollution, background levels
How to establish ‘smart’ monitoring programmes
Freshwater Information
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Emissions from industry
to water – reported
under E-PRTR
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Industrial and
wastewater emissions
are a major source of
many chemicals
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That includes storm
overflows in the urban
environment
Freshwater Information
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Freshwater chemical
concentrations via EEA’s
Eionet database.
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Information from
forthcoming RBMP’s of
the WFD
National SoE reports
Rhine German/Dutch border
1,8
0,25
Cadmium
Mercury
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0,05
0,2
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E.g. 1. PCB levels in freshwater
fish in Sweden; Swedish
Environmental Protection
Agency
E.g. 2. decline in cadmium and
mercury in Rhine @
Dutch/German border
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Marine/Coastal information
OSPAR, HELCOM etc, but
WFD RBMP’s too.
Tackling chemicals at source
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Wastewater treatment has a continuing role to play,
but…
….it costs, financially and in terms of energy and
chemicals used
Disposal of sewage sludge remains an issue;
hazardous chemicals onto agricultural land?
Highlight the importance of source control
Need to illustrate this point with case
studies/examples of successful implementation of
cost-effective measures