The project looks at practical ways of implementing the Water Framework Directive (WFD) both locally and regionally through pilot projects in five countries. Examples of best practice for improving physico-chemical and ecological water quality will be a particular focus.

The EUs Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in 2000 and challenges EU Member States to achieve a good chemical and ecological surface water status no later than 2015. "North Sea regional and local implementation of the Water Framework Directive" (NOLIMP-WFD) has two aims and seeks to address the challenges presented by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The aim is to show in a practical way how the WFD can be implemented with regard to procedural, management and practical issues with a special focus on matters that produce best practice for local and regional implementation. The second aim is more concrete, in that it will achieve an improvement in the physico-chemical and ecological water quality in pilot water systems.

Expected Outcomes

The main outcomes are expected to be insight gained into the efforts needed to bring current water systems towards the status required in the WFD. Experience will also be gained in implementing the WFD on a regional level to reduce emissions of pollutants into the pilot water schemes. Furthermore, experience with innovative technologies to reduce emissions and to improve biodiversity in pilot water schemes will also be achieved. Other benefits will include experience with management groups and other stakeholders and insight into the social aspects and cost-effectiveness of integrated water management.

Activities

In order to achieve these aims, NOLIMP-WFD is divided into two different approaches; one is a number of pilot projects and concrete measures, the second is the development of knowledge and experience exchange. In the pilot projects each project partner will undertake a regional pilot project to gain experience with the WFD and find out how the Framework methodology matches up to their own policy and management systems for water. In order to carry out the pilot project, the partners will set up a management group in which all relevant stakeholders are represented, analyse the water system and catchment area, develop a system for measuring improvements in water quality, execute the proposed measures, monitor the impacts on water quality, assess the cost-effectiveness of the measures, monitor procedural aspects and develop public involvement activities. These projects will include: - improvements of water quality in Leijen in Fryslân (NL) - the improvement of water quality in Mariager Fjord (DK) by reducing sewage overflows - the improvement of water quality in Gullmarn Fjord (S) by improving the sewage system by separating rainfall runoff and polluted water and giving rainfall runoff additional cleaning - improving the ecological situation for the salmon population and improving forestry wise management through an information campaign and stimulating input towards private forest stakeholders (S) - improvement of water quality in the River Dee by improving public and private wastewater management and treatment (UK) - NIVA Norway will collect and make available all information from the pilots, as well as national programmes, as part of the exchange programme. The other portion of the project is the development of knowledge and exchanges of experience, with all the activities carried out being closely related. Knowledge exchange will fall into three categories: water quality standards and monitoring, reduction of emissions and water management structures and public involvement.

Reported Outcomes

NOLIMP (North Sea regional and local implementation of the Water Framework Directive) contributes to better water quality through field trials on reconstructing wetland and restoring natural reed banks. New recreation opportunities are a welcome side effect of both projects. NOLIMP has succeeded in raising the awareness of the importance of good water quality and the risks of diffused pollution by bringing together municipalities and waterboards, nature conservation officials, farmers and fishermen. All partners are working on data collection and analysis, on identifying models and programmes for ground and surface water quality management, surveying the catchment areas in order to identify best sites for carrying out activities, reconstruction of wetlands, etc. All partners have also initiated a stakeholder dialogue with landowners, forestry agencies, and fish farms. The implementation work in all participating regions is well under way and in some cases is already approaching completion. Some pilot projects are well under way, e.g. Morsa, Suldal and Gjeving in Norway. The Cartesius Institute has elaborated a method for cost-effectiveness analysis for integrated water management practices. Many interesting project results have started to shape up over the last months. For example in Fryslån a zero-discharge/ closed water cycle was realised at a local farm. A renewed sewage treatment plant was put into use and improvements in the effluent water quality have been noticed. In Norway monitoring data from local and regional level in the region of Morsa was collected as a basis for further development of WFD-related monitoring plans. Based on the monitoring performed, a map has been developed and is available for use on the project's web site. In Denmark a co-operation between North Jutland County and a local agricultural organisation has been established with the purpose of reducing erosion from agricultural farms. Furthermore, wetland development has been an important part of the work. In Scotland four potential sites for wetland creation have been selected with the purpose of biodiversity enhancement and water quality improvements by filtering land run-off. An important part of the work has been the involvement through consultation processes of different stakeholder groups in the project work as, for example, the implementation of a SUDS systems. In Sweden maps showing the bottom quality of Gullmarn Fjord were developed using multi beam scanning in order to analyse e.g. valuable biotopes and sensitive areas of pollution. A discussion has also been initiated on the subject of the relationship between forest management and water quality. Separation of wastewater from surface water in industrial area is also in progress. In Germany different maps of soil type and texture, N-emission and potential denitrification, soil taxation classes, etc. were created. Field trials have continued as well as monitoring and modelling activities for water and ecosystem quality. A good opportunity has been presented by the NIVA partner experts in Norway, who are ready to answer all sorts of questions related to the WFD implementation on-line. If you would like to know more about the WFD go to: www.wfd-service.com Further information about the project: www.nolimp.org