Directive 2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration

Groundwater measuring point
Photo: BML

The aim of the Groundwater Directive (GWD) is to define the good chemical status of groundwater and to protect it against pollution and deterioration.

The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) contains EU-wide standardised quality objectives for the good chemical status of groundwater and obliges the Member States to implement the necessary measures to achieve or maintain the good status.

Directive No 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration, OJ L 372 p. 19, standardises EU-wide groundwater quality standards and criteria for the definition of threshold values by the Member States. The Directive also provides for measures to prevent or limit the discharge of pollutants into groundwater. The GWD also obliges Member States to identify significant and sustained upward trends and to reverse them.

Transposition into national law

Community law requirements have been implemented in Austria through the following provisions:

  • Section 30c para. 1 and 2 Water Rights Act (WRG) 1959, Federal Law Gazette No 215/1959/, last amended by Federal Law Gazette I No. 54/2014 in conjunction with the Quality Target Ordinance for Chemicals Groundwater, Federal Law Gazette II No 98/2010/, last amended by Federal Law Gazette II No 461/2010
  • Section 30c para. 1 and 2 Water Rights Act (WRG) 1959, Federal Law Gazette No 215/1959/, last amended by Federal Law Gazette I No. 54/2014 in conjunction with the Water Condition Monitoring Ordinance, Federal Law Gazette II No 479/2006

Amendment of the Groundwater Directive GWD

The GWD was amended by Directive No 2014/80/EU, OJ L 182 p. 52. The adjustments relate to the

  • Procedure for the consideration of background pollution
  • Inclusion of nitrite and total phosphorus in the minimum list of pollutants for which Member States must consider setting threshold values, and
  • inclusion of further specifications as to which data and information are to be reported within the framework of the NWMP (National Water Quality Monitoring Programme).

The Member States must transpose Directive No 2014/80/EU into national law by 11 July 2016.