A pioneering new trial for permits at sewage treatment works has been agreed with the Environment Agency and Wessex Water. The Bristol Avon catchment-wide permitting trial has been officially signed off, prompted by the need to reduce levels of phosphorus being discharged from sewage works into the River Avon to meet the requirements of the […]
Environment Agency: This guidance explains how to assess the risk of an activity and decide whether it supports the objectives of your local River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) or meets sustainability criteria. You need to show The Environment Agency that your activity supports the objectives of your local River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) or meets […]
For many years hydro-morphology and in particular physical obstructions in rivers have been one of the major unresolved issues highlighted by the WFD process. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, not least with other Government messages on slowing the flow. Defra & Environment Agency: ‘Rivers across England could benefit from new […]
The next round of RBDP’s have been produced but already prompted criticism: Sewage outfalls and water quality Snails pace of water quality improvement condemned by WWF Environment Agency/Defra These are the current river basin district (RBD) RBMPs. A RBD covers an entire river system, including river, lake, groundwater, estuarine and coastal water bodies. The RBD […]
River basin management plans: update Proposed update to the river basin management plans (RBMPs) describes progress made. The water framework directive is a system for getting Europe’s water cleaner. The directive requires an integrated approach to managing water on a river basin basis. It also aims to get the public involved in water management. A […]
Water Availability and Quality Programme, Defra ‘We are writing to inform you that Defra has earlier this week, issued The Water Framework Directive (Standards and Classification) Directions (England and Wales) 2015 to the Environment Agency. These Directions have been published as an associated document of the Water Environment (WFD) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, SI […]
WWF ‘The conservation campaigners say they have been granted permission by the High Court for a judicial review, arguing that the government is failing in its legal duties, set out under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Their case focuses on areas known as Natura 2000 sites, including several East Anglian habitats where the groups […]
Jan Brooke: ‘The long-awaited ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU on the Weser dredging case (C-461/13) defining deterioration under the Water Framework Directive was published on 1st July 2015. Whilst many of the Court’s findings reflect the approach already adopted in the UK, some of the points of detail clarified by the […]