The European water framework directive: water quality classification and implications to engineering planning.
The European Water framework directive (WFD) is probably the most important environmental management directive that has been enacted over the last decade in the European Union. The directive aims at achieving an overall good ecological status in all European water bodies. In this article, we discuss the implementation steps of the WFD and their implications for environmental engineering practice while focusing on rivers as the main receiving waters. Arising challenges for engineers and scientists are seen in the quantitative assessment of water quality, where standardized systems are needed to estimate the biological status. This is equally of concern in engineering planning, where the prediction of ecological impacts is required. Studies dealing with both classification and prediction of the ecological water quality are reviewed. Further, the combined emission-water quality approach is discussed. Common understanding of this combined approach is to apply the most stringent of either water quality or emission standard to a certain case. In contrast, for example, the Austrian water act enables the application of only the water quality based approach--at least on a temporary basis.
Achleitner
Stefan
S
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Division of Urban Water Management, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck, A-6020 Austria. Stefan.Achleitner@uibk.ac.at
De Toffol
Sara
S
Engelhard
Carolina
C
Rauch
Wolfgang
W
D001317:Austria; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004738:Engineering; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005062:European Union; D045483:Rivers; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014881:Water Supply