Management of point source discharges into rivers: Where do environmental quality standards in the new EC‐water framework directive apply?

The “combined approach” in the new EC‐Water Framework Directive (WFD) consisting of environmental quality standards in addition to emission limit values promises improvements in the quality characteristics of surface waters. However, the specification of where in the water body the environmental quality standards apply is missing in the WFD. This omission will limit its administrative implementation. A clear mixing zone regulation is needed so that the quality objectives of the WFD are not jeopardized. This need is demonstrated using the examples of point source discharges into rivers. Furthermore, water authorities will have to make increased use of predictive modeling techniques for the implementation of the “combined approach”.