Implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC: risk-based monitoring for the control of dangerous and priority substances

The 2000/60/ECWater Framework Directive sets out a new approach for the assessment and management of chemical pollutants (i.e. formerly dangerous substances) in water bodies. The list of main classes of pollutants was revised and a detailed list of priority substances, including priority hazardous substances, has been provided. Moreover, the Directive asks for additional priority substances to be identified at national and river catchment level. The implementation of the Directive requires the monitoring of the main pollutants after the identification of the priority and dangerous substances potentially discharged into each river catchment area, together with the definition of the Environmental Quality Standards. In this paper, an approach based on the integration of the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response model with the Environmental Risk Assessment as a support methodology for the monitoring management (i.e. choice of priority substances, quantification of Environmental Quality Standards, identification of interventions) is presented. In addition, a case study on the assessment of monitoring data concerning industrial and municipal discharges, and the surface waters of theVenice lagoon catchment area is discussed. Since 1998, very strict environmental quality standards and discharge limits have been enforced in the lagoon ofVenice and its catchment area. The experience gained from this monitoring is used to highlight the implementation issues concerning the Water Framework Directive and to identify the priority substances which can pose a significant risk for freshwater ecosystems.