What are the monitoring networks required under WFD?

The UK environment agencies are moving towards single comprehensive WFD monitoring networks for the water environment in each part of the UK. These networks will integrate obligations under existing legislation with the WFD monitoring requirements. Monitoring networks will provide the information needed to assess the state of the water environment, to manage pressures on the water environment and to assess long term trends.

Each environment agency followed monitoring guidance from the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) working group (doc 2.7) and from UKTAG (document 12a) in establishing their monitoring network. Policies were devised centrally in each organisation using a pool of specialists before consulting local staff.

The monitoring sites for the Freshwater Fish Directive, Dangerous Substances Directive and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive will be incorporated into a WFD monitoring programme with the addition of new parameters. The Freshwater Fish Directive and the Dangerous Substances Directive will subsequently be repealed in 2013.