Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004 (L.N. 194 of 2004)

B 2595 Suppliment tal-Gazzetta tal-Gvern ta’ Malta, Nru. 17,571, 23 ta’ April, 2004 Taqsima B A.L. 194 ta’ l-2004 ATT TA’ L-2000 DWAR L-AWTORITÀ TA’ MALTA DWAR IR-RI}ORSI (ATT NRU. XXV TA’ L-2000) ATT TA’ L-2001 DWAR IL-{ARSIEN TA’ L-AMBJENT (ATT NRU. XX TA’ L-2001) Regolamenti ta’ l-2004 dwar Pjan ta’ Azzjoni fil-Qasam tal-Politika ta’ l-Ilma BIS-SA{{A tal-poteri mog[tija bl-artiklu 28 (1) ta’ l-Att ta’ l 2000 dwar l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Ri]orsi, 2000, u l-artikli 9 u 11 ta’ l-Att ta’ l-2001 dwar il-{arsien ta’ l-Ambjent, il-Ministru tar-Ri]orsi u l-Infrastruttura flimkien mal-Ministru ta’ l-Affarijiet Rurali u l-Ambjent, wara konsultazzjonijiet ma’ l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Ri]orsi u l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar, g[amlu ir-regolamenti li ;ejjin> 1. (1) It-titolu ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti hu Regolamenti ta’ l-2004 dwar Pjan ta’ Azzjoni fil-Qasam tal-Politika ta’ l-Ilma. (2) L-iskop ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti huwa li jkun stabbilit pjan g[all-[arsien ta’ ilmijiet tal-wiçç interni, ilmijiet transizzjonali, ilmijiet kostali, u ilma ta’ ta[t l-art kif ukoll biex jimplimenta il provvedimenti tad-Direttiva 2000#60#EC tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill. 2. (1) F’dawn ir-regolamenti, kemm-il darba r-rabta tal kliem ma titlobx xort’o[ra> “akwifer” tfisser strat jew strati ta’ blat ta[t l-art, jew strata ;eolo;ika o[ra ta’ poro]ità u permeabbiltà suffiçjenti li jippermettu jew tnixxija sinifikanti ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art jew l astrazzjoni ta’ kwantitajiet sinifikanti ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art< “approçju kombinat” tfisser il-kontroll tal-[ru; u ta’ l emissjonijiet fl-ilmijiet tal-wiçç skond l-approçju stabbilit fir regolament 10< ”l-awtorità kompetenti” tfisser l- Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Ri]orsi sa fejn g[andu x’jaqsam l-ilma intern u l-Awtorità Titolu u skop. Tifsir. B 2596 ta’ l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar ta’ Malta g[al fejn g[andu x’jaqsam l-ilma kostali> I]da l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar tkun responsabbli wkoll g[all-korpi ta’ ilma tal-wiçç li jkunu jinsabu f’]oni li huma skedati ta[t il-provvedimenti ta’ l-Att dwar l Ippjanar ta’ l-I]vilupp, jew li jkunu protetti ta[t il-provvedimenti ta’ l-Att dwar il-{arsien ta’ l-Ambjent jew l-Att dwar ir-Ri]erva Naturali ta’ Filfla, kif ukoll korpi ta’ ilma tal-wiçç li jkollhom fihom speçi protetti ta[t il-provvedimenti ta’ l-Att dwar il {arsien ta’ l-Ambjent jew ]oni o[ra li g[andhom importanza ekolo;ika jew xjentifika ta[t il-provvedimenti ta’ l-Att dwar l Ippjanar ta’ l-I]vilupp jew l-Att dwar il-{arsien ta’ l-Ambjent< “il-catchment ta’ l-ilma” tfisser l-in[awi ta’ l-art li minnha it-tnixxija kollha tg[addi minn sekwenza ta’ nixxig[at, xmajjar u, possibilment, lagi g[al ;ol-ba[ar f’punt wie[ed fit-tmiem, fl-estwarju, jew fid-delta ta’ xmara< “distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma” tfisser l-in[awi ta’ l-art u tal-ba[ar, mag[mula minn wie[ed jew aktar mill-catchments ta’ l-ilma flimkien ma’ l-ilmijiet ta’ l-art u l-ilmijiet kostali assoçjati tag[hom, li hija identifikata fir-regolament 3 (1) b[ala l-unità ewlenija g[all-immani;;ar tal-catchments ta’ l-ilma< “[ru; dirett g[al ;o l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art” tfisser [ru; ta’ pollutanti fl-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art ming[ajr perkolazzjoni fil-[amrija jew fil-[amrija ta’ ta[t< “ilma intenzjonat g[all-konsum uman” tfisser> (a) l-ilma kollu jew fl-istat ori;inali tieg[u inkella wara li jkun ittrattat, intenzjonat g[ax-xorb, g[at-tisjir, g[all-preparazzjoni ta’ l-ikel jew g[al skopijiet domestiçi o[ra, minkejja l-ori;ini tieg[u sew jekk hu fornut minn network ta’ distribuzzjoni, minn tanker, kif ukoll minn fliexken jew kontenituri< (b) l-ilma kollu u]at fi kwalunkwe impjant tal produzzjoni ta’ l-ikel g[all-manifattura, l-ipproçessar, il preservazzjoni, jew il-negozju ta’ prodotti jew sustanzi intenzjonati g[all-konsum uman sakemm l-awtoritajiet nazzjonali kompetenti jkunu sodisfatti li l-kwalità ta’ l ilma ma tistax taffettwa it-totalità tal-prodott ta’ l-ikel fil forma lesta tieg[u< B 2597 “ilma intern” tfisser l-ilma kollu qieg[ed jew miexi fuq wiçç l-art, u l-ilma kollu ta’ l-art fuq in-na[a ta’ ;ewwa tal linja-ba]i li minnha titkejjel il-firxa ta’ l-ilmijiet territorjali< “ilma kostali” tfisser ilma tal-wiçç fuq in-na[a ta’ l-art ta’ linja, li kull punt tag[ha jinsab f’distanza ta’ mil nawtiku fuq in-na[a tal-ba[ar minn l-eqreb punt tal-linja-ba]i li minnha titkejjel il-firxa ta’ l-ilmijiet territorjali, u li testendi fejn xieraq sal-linja ta’ barra ta’ l-ilmijiet transizzjonali< “ilma tal-wiçç” tfisser ilmijiet interni, minbarra l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, l-ilmijiet transizzjonali, u l-ilmijiet kostali, g[ajr rigward l-istatus kimiku li g[alih g[andhom ikunu wkoll inklu]i l-ilmijiet territorjali< “ilma ta’ ta[t l-art” tfisser l-ilma kollu li jinsab ta[t il wiçç ta’ l-art fi]-]ona ta’ saturazzjoni u f’kuntatt dirett ma’ l art jew mal-[amrija ta’ ta[t< “ilmijiet transizzjonali” huma l-korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç fil-qrib tat-tmiem tax-xmajjar li huma parzjalment miel[a fil karattru b[ala ri]ultat tal-qrubija tag[hom g[all-ilmijiet kostali imma li huma sostanzjalment influwenzati mill-in]ul ta’ ilma [elu< “in[awi m[arsa” tfisser dawk l-in[awi li jen[tie; li jkunu inklu]i fir-re;istru stabbilit skond il-provvedimenti tar regolament 6 u kif deskritt fl-Anness IV< “inkwinament” tfisser id-d[ul dirett jew indirett b[ala ri]ultat ta’ l-attività umana, ta’ sustanzi, jew s[ana fl-arja, fl ilma, jew fl-art li jistg[u jkunu ta’ dannu g[as-sa[[a umana jew g[all-kwalità ta’ l-ekosistemi akwatii jew l-ekosistemi terrestri li jiddependu direttament fuq l-ekosistemi akwatii, li jirri]ultaw fi [sara g[al proprjetà materjali, jew itellfu jew ifixklu l-mezzi u u]u le;ittimu ie[or ta’ l-ambjent< “kontrolli ta’ emissjonijiet” huma kontrolli li jin[tie;u limitu ta’ emissjoni speçifika, per e]empju valur tal-limitu ta’ emissjoni, jew inkella limiti jew kundizzjonijiet speçifikanti fuq l-effetti, in-natura, jew karatteristiçi o[ra ta’ emissjoni jew tal kundizzjonijiet operanti li jaffettwaw l-emissjonijiet. L-u]u tat terminu“kontroll ta’ emissjoni” f’dawn ir-regolamenti fir rigward tad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ xi regolamenti o[ra ma g[andux jin]amm b[ala li qed jinterpreta mill-;did b’xi mod dawk id-disposizzjonijiet< B 2598 “korp ta’ ilma artifiçjali” tfisser korp ta’ ilma tal-wiçç ma[luq minn l-attività umana< “korp ta’ l-ilma modifikat sewwa” tfisser korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç li, b’ri]ultat ta’ alterazzjonijiet fi]içi kaw]ati minn attività umana, jinbidel sostanzjalment fil-karattru, kif iddisinjat mill-awtorità kompetenti skond id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ l-Anness II< “korp ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art” tfisser volum imdaqqas ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art fl-akwifer jew akwifers< “korp ta’ ilma tal-wiçç” tfisser element diskret u sinifikanti ta’ ilma tal-wiçç b[alma huma lag, ;ibjun, nixxieg[a, xmara, jew kanal, parti minn nixxieg[a, xmara, jew kanal, ilma transizzjonali, jew firxa ta’ ilma kostali< “lag” tfisser korp ta’ ilma tal-wiçç intern qieg[ed< “o;;ettivi ambjentali” tfisser l-o;;ettivi stabbiliti fir regolament 4< “pollutant” tfisser kwalunkwe sustanza li tista’ tikkaw]a inkwinament, partikolarment dawk elenkati fl-Anness VIII< “potenzjal ekolo;iku tajjeb” huwa l-istatus ta’ korp ta’ ilma modifikat sewwa jew artifiçjali, hekk ikklassifikat skond id disposizzjonijiet rilevanti ta’ l-Anness V< “ri]ors ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art disponibbli” tfisser ir-rata medja annwali fit-tul ta’ irriçar;jar li jinkludi kollox tal-korp ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art imnaqqsa bir-rata annwali fit-tul tat tnixxija me[tie;a biex jintla[qu l-o;;ettivi ta’ kwalità ekolo;ika g[all-ilmijiet tal-wiçç assoçjati, speçifikati fir-regolament 4, biex ikun evitat kwalunkwe nuqqas sinifikanti fl-istatus ekolo;iku ta’ dawk l-ilmijiet u biex tkun evitata kwalunkwe [sara sinifikanti lill-ekosistemi terrestri assoçjati< “servizzi ta’ l-ilma” tfisser is-servizzi kollha li jipprovdu, g[ad-djar, g[all-istituzzjonijiet pubbliçi, jew g[al kwalunkwe attività ekonomika> (a) astrazzjoni, ]amma, [a]na, trattament u distribuzzjoni ta’ ilma tal-wiçç jew ta’ l-art, B 2599 (b) ;bir ta’ ilma [a]in u façilitajiet ta’ trattament li sussegwentement ibattlu fl-ilma tal-wiçç< “standard ta’ kwalità ambjentali” tfisser il-konçentrazzjoni ta’ pollutant partikolari jew grupp ta’ pollutanti fl-ilma, sediment jew, li ma g[andhomx ikunu maqbu]a biex ikunu m[arsa s-sa[[a umana u l-ambjent< “status ekolo;iku” hija espressjoni tal-kwalità ta’ l istruttura u l-funzjoni ta’ l-ekosistemi akwatiçi assoçjati ma’ l ilma tal-wiçç, ikklassifikati skond l-Anness V< “status ekolo;iku tajjeb” huwa l-istatus ta’ korp ta’ ilma tal-wiçç, hekk ikklassifikat skond l-Anness V< “status ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art” hija l-espressjoni ;enerali ta’ l-istatus ta’ korp ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, iddeterminat minn l-ifqar ta’ bejn l-istatus kwantitattiv u l-istatus kimiku tieg[u< “status ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç” hija l-espressjoni ;enerali ta’ l-istatus ta’ korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç, iddeterminat minn l-ifqar ta’ bejn l-istatus ekolo;iku tieg[u u l-istatus kimiku tieg[u< “status kimiku tajjeb ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art” huwa l-istatus kimiku ta’ korp ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, li jissodisfa l kundizzjonijiet kollha stabbiliti fit-tabella 2.3.2 ta’ l-Anness V< “status kimiku tajjeb ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç” tfisser l-istatus kimiku me[tie; biex jil[aq l-o;;ettivi ambjentali g[all-ilmijiet tal-wiçç stabbiliti fir-regolament 4 (1) (a), ji;ifieri li l-istatus kimiku mil[uq minn korp ta’ ilma tal-wiçç li fih il-konçentrati ta’ pollutanti ma jaqb]ux l-istandards ta’ kwalità ambjentali stabbiliti fl-Anness IX u skond le;islazzjoni o[ra rilevanti li tistabbilixxi l-istandards ta’ kwalità ambjentali< “status kwantitattiv” hija espressjoni tal-grad li bih ikun effettwat korp ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art minn astrazzjonijiet diretti jew indiretti< “status kwantitattiv tajjeb” huwa l-istatus imfisser fit tabella 2.1.2 ta’ l-Anness II< “status tajjeb ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art” tfisser l-istatus mil[uq minn korp ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art meta kemm l-istatus kwantitattiv kif ukoll l-istatus kimiku tieg[u huma g[all-inqas “tajbin”< B 2600 “status tajjeb ta’ ilma tal-wiçç” tfisser l-istatus mil[uq minn korp ta’ ilma tal-wiçç meta kemm l-istatus ekolo;iku kif ukoll l-istatus kimiku tieg[u huma g[allinqas “tajbin”< “sub-catchment” tfisser l-in[awi ta’ l-art li minnha it tnixxija kollha li tinfirex fuq il-wiçç ta’ l-art permess ta’ serje ta’ nixxig[at, xmajjar u, possibbilment, lagi, g[al punt partikulari f’korsa ta’ l-ilma (normalment il-konfluwenza ta’ lag jew xmara)< “sustanzi perikolu]i” tfisser sustanzi jew gruppi ta’ sustanzi li huma tossiçi, persistenti, u su;;etti g[al bijo-akkumulazzjoni, u sustanzi o[ra jew gruppi ta’ sustanzi li jwasslu g[al livell ekwivalenti ta’ t[assib< “sustanzi ta’ prijorità” tfisser sustanzi li lista tag[hom tinsab fl-Anness X. Fost dawn is-sustanzi hemm “sustanzi perikolu]i ta’ prijorità” tfisser sustanzi identifikati b[ala tali fl-Anness X< “u]u ta’ l-ilma” tfisser servizzi ta’ l-ilma flimkien ma’ kwalunkwe attività o[ra identifikata fir-regolament 5 u l-Anness II, li jkollhom impatt sinifikanti fuq l-istatus ta’ l-ilma. Dan il kunçett japplika g[all-iskopijiet tar-regolament 1 u ta’ l-anali]i ekonomika mwettqa skond ir-regolament 5 u l-Anness III, punt (b). “valuri tal-limitu ta’ emissjoni” tfisser il-massa, espressa f’termini ta’ çerti parametri speçifiçi, konçentrazzjoni u, jew livell ta’ emissjoni, li ma jistg[ux ikunu maqbu]a matul perijodu jew perijodi ta’ ]mien. Valuri tal-limitu ta’ emissjoni jistg[u jkunu wkoll stabbiliti g[al çerti gruppi, familji, jew kategoriji ta’ sustanzi, partikolarment g[al dawk identifikati fl-Anness X. Sakemm il-valuri tal-limitu ta’ emissjoni g[al sustanzi normalment japplikaw fil-punt fejn l-emissjonijiet i[allu l instalazzjoni, kull dilwazzjoni g[andha twarrab meta jkunu qeg[din ji;u stabbiliti. Rigward tluq indirett fl-ilma, l-effett ta’ impjant tat-trattament ta’ l-ilma [a]in jista’ jittie[ed f’kunsiderazzjoni meta jkunu qeg[din ji;u stabbiliti l-valuri tal limitu ta’ emissjoni ta’ l-instalazzjonijiet involuti, basta li livell ekwivalenti jkun garantit g[all-[arsien ta’ l-ambjent kollu kemm hu u basta dan ma jwassalx g[al livelli og[la ta’ inkwinament fl-ambjent< B 2601 “xmara” tfisser korp ta’ ilma intern nie]el, fil-parti l-kbira tieg[u fuq il-wiçç ta’ l-art, imma li jista’ jin]el ukoll ta[t l-art g[al parti mill-korsa tieg[u< (2) G[all-iskop ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, kull referenza g[al Direttivi tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill, g[andha tinqara u tinftiehem b[ala referenza g[al dawk ir-regolamenti li jkunu jimplimentaw il-provvedimenti ta’ dik id-direttiva fil-li;i Maltija. 3. (1) G[andu jkun hemm distrett wie[ed tal-catchments ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç f’Malta u G[awdex. (2) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tie[u l-mi]uri neçessarji kollha biex tassigura arran;amenti amministrattivi xierqa g[all-applikazzjoni ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti fl-in[awi ta’ kull distrett tal-catchment li jinsab f’Malta. (3) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tie[u l-mi]uri kollha me[tie;a biex tassigura li l-kundizzjonijiet ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti g[all-kisba ta’ l-o;;ettivi ambjentali stabbiliti fir-regolament 4, u partikolarment il-programmi kollha tal-mi]uri jkunu koordinati g[ad distrett tal-catchment kollu. (4) G[anda tinkiseb l-aççettazzjoni tal-Ministru responsabbli g[ar-ri]orsi u tal-Ministru responsabbli g[all-ambjent g[all-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma, l-o;;ettivi ambjentali u l-mi]uri stabbiliti skond dawn ir-regolamenti. 4. (1) Fit-t[addim tal-programmi ta’ mi]uri speçifikati fil pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma> (a) g[al ilmijiet tal-wiçç, ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[all ftehim internazzjonali rilevanti> (i) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha timplimenta l mi]uri me[tie;a biex tevita d-deterjorazzjoni ta’ l-istatus tal-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç, su;;etti g[all applikazzjoni tas-subregolamenti (6) u (7) u ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[as-subregolament (8)< (ii) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tie[u l-mi]uri me[tie;a biex tipprote;i, ittejjeb u tirrestawra l-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç, su;;etti g[all-applikazzjoni tas subparagrafu (iii) g[al korpi ta’ l-ilma artifiçjali u modifikati sewwa, bl-iskop li jinkiseb status ta’ ilma tal wiçç tajjeb sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru tas-sena 2015, skond Koordinazzjoni ta’ arran;amenti amministrattivi fid-distretti tal catchment ta’ l ilma. O;;ettivi ambjentali. B 2602 id-disposizzjonijiet stabbiliti fl-Anness V, su;;ett g[all applikazzjoni ta’ l-estensjonijiet stabbiliti skond is subregolament (4) u g[all-applikazzjoni tas-subregola menti (5), (6) u (7) ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[as subregolament (8)< (iii) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tie[u l-mi]uri me[tie;a biex tipprote;i u ttejjeb il-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma artifiçjali u modifikati sewwa, bl-iskop li tikseb potenzjal ekolo;iku u status kimiku ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç tajjeb sa l a[[ar ta’ Novembru tas-sena 2015, skond id disposizzjonijiet stabbiliti fl-Anness V, su;;ett g[all applikazzjoni ta’ l-estensjonijiet stabbiliti skond is subregolament (4) u g[all-applikazzjoni tas subregolamenti (5), (6) u (7) ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[as subregolament (8)< (iv) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha timplimenta l mi]uri me[tie;a g[at-tnaqqis progressiv minn sustanzi ta’ prijorità u l-qtug[ jew it-temma g[al kollox ta’ emissjonijiet, [ru; u telf ta’ sustanzi perikolu]i ta’ prijorità. (b) g[all-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art> (i) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha timplimenta l mi]uri me[tie;a biex tevita jew tillimita d-d[ul ta’ pollutanti fl-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art u biex tevita d-deterjorament ta’ l-istatus tal-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, su;;etti g[all-applikazzjoni tas-subregolamenti (6) u (7) u ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[as-subregolament (8) ta’ dan ir-regolament u su;;etti g[all-applikazzjoni tal-paragrafu (j) tas subregolament (3) tar-regolament 11< (ii) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tie[u l-mi]uri me[tie;a biex tipprote;i, ittejjeb u tirrestawra l-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, tassigura bilanç bejn l astrazzjoni u r-ri-iççar;jar ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, bl-iskop li jinkiseb status ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art tajjeb sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru tas-sena 2015, skond id-disposizzjonijiet stabbiliti fl-Anness V, su;;ett g[all-applikazzjoni ta’ l estensjonijiet stabbiliti skond is-subregolament (4) u g[all applikazzjoni tas-subregolamenti (5), (6) u (7) ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[as-subregolament (8) ta’ dan ir-regolament u su;;ett g[all-applikazzjoni tal-paragrafu (j) tas subregolament (3) tar-regolament 11< B 2603 (iii) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha timplimenta il mi]uri me[tie;a biex iddawwar kwalunkwe tendenza sinifikanti ’l fuq u sostnuta fil-konçentrazzjoni ta’ xi pollutant li tirri]ulta mill-impatt ta’ l-attività umana biex progressivament tnaqqas l-inkwinament ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, sakemm li l-mi]uri biex jinkiseb riversament tat tendenza jkunu implimentati su;;ett g[all-applikazzjoni tas-subregolamenti (6) u (7) u ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[as subregolament (8)< (ç) g[al in[awi protetti l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tikseb konformità ma’ kwalunkwe standards u o;;ettivi sa l a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2015, sakemm ma jkunx speçifikat mod ie[or fil-le;islazzjoni li fiha l-in[awi m[arsa individwali jkunu ;ew stabbiliti. (2) Fejn aktar minn wie[ed mill-o;;ettivi ta[t is subregolament (1) jirrelataw ma’ korp speçifikat ta’ l-ilma, g[andhom japplikaw dawk l-o;;ettivi l-aktar stretti. (3) L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ ta[tar korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç artifiçjali jew modifikat sewwa, meta> (a) il-bidliet g[all-karatteristiçi idromorfolo;içi ta’ dak il-korp li jkunu me[tie;a biex jinkiseb status ekolo;iku tajjeb jkollhom effetti avversi sinifikanti fuq> (i) l-ambjent aktar wiesa’< (ii) in-navigazzjoni, inklu]i l-façilitajiet tal-port, jew ir-rikrejazzjoni< (iii) attivitajiet g[all-iskopijiet li g[alihom huwa ma[]un l-ilma, b[alma huma l-provvista ta’ l-ilma tax xorb, il-;enerazzjoni ta’ l-ener;ija jew l-irrigazzjoni< (iv) ir-regolazzjoni ta’ l-ilma, il-[arsien mill g[arg[ar, id-drena;; ta’ l-art, jew (v) attivitajiet o[ra ta’ ]vilupp uman sostenibbli ugwalment importanti. (b) l-o;;ettivi benefiçjali servuti b’karatteristiçi artifiçjali jew modifikati tal-korp ta’ l-ilma ma jistg[ux, g[al ra;unijiet ta’ possibbiltà teknika jew spejje] disproporzjonati, ikunu B 2604 miksuba ra;onevolment b’mezzi o[ra, li huma g[a]la ambjentali b’mod sinifikanti a[jar. Din il-[atra wir-ra;unijiet g[aliha g[andhom ikunu msemmija speçifikament fil-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchments ta’ l-ilma me[tie;a skond ir-regolament 13 u riveduti kull sitt snin. (4) Il-limiti ta]-]mien stabbiliti fis-subregolament (1) hawn qabel jistg[u jkunu esti]i g[all-iskopijiet ta’ kisbiet imqassma ta’ l-o;;ettivi g[all-korpijiet ta’ l-ilma, sakemm ma ebda deterjorazzjoni o[ra ma sse[[ fl-istatus tal-korp ta’ l-ilma effettwat meta l-kundizzjonijiet kollha li ;ejjin ikunu ssodisfati> (a) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tistabbilixxi li l miljoramenti kollha me[tie;a fl-istatus tal-korp ta’ l-ilma ma jistg[ux ikunu ra;onevolment miksuba fi]-]minijiet stabbiliti skond dak il-paragrafu g[al g[allinqas wa[da minn dawn ir ra;unijiet> (i) l-iskala tal-miljoramenti me[tie;a tista’ tinkiseb biss bit-tul fl-iskala ta]-]mien, g[al ra;unijiet ta’ possibiltà teknika< (ii) it-tmiem tal-miljoramenti fl-iskala ta]-]mien stipulat ikun jinvolvi spi]a disproporzjonata< (iii) il-kundizzjonijiet naturali ma jkunux jippermettu miljorament fil-waqt fl-istatus tal-korp ta’ l-ilma. (b) estensjoni tal-limitu ta]-]mien, u r-ra;unijiet g[aliha, g[andhom ikunu speçifikament stabbiliti u spjegati fil-pjan ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment me[tie;a skond ir-regolament 13. (ç) l-estensjonijiet g[andhom ikunu limitati g[al massimu ta’ ]ew; a;;ornamenti o[ra tal-pjan ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma minbarra f’ka]ijiet fejn il kundizzjonijiet naturali huma tali li l-o;;ettivi ma jistg[ux jinkisbu f’dak il-perijodu. (d) sommarju tal-mi]uri me[tie;a fir-regolament 11 li huma meqjusa b[ala me[tie;a biex i;ibu l-korpijiet ta’ l-ilma progressivament g[all-istatus me[tie; mal-limitu ta]-]mien esti], ir-ra;unijiet g[al kwalunkwe dewmien sinifikanti biex jag[mlu dawn il-mi]uri operazzjonali, u it-timetable mistennija g[all implimentazzjoni g[andhom ikunu stabbiliti fil-pjan ta’ l immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. Revi]joni ta’ l B 2605 implimentazzjoni ta’ dawn il-mi]uri u sommarju ta’ kwalunkwe mi]uri addizzjonali g[andhom ikunu nklu]i fl-a;;ornament tal-pjan ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. (5) L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ timmira biex tikseb o;;ettivi ambjentali inqas stretti minn dawk me[tie;a ta[t is subregolament (1) ta’ hawn qabel g[al korpi ta’ l-ilma speçifiçi meta dawn huma hekk effettwati minn attività umana, kif stabbilit skond is-subregolament (1) tar-regolament (5), jew li l-kundizzjoni naturali tag[hom hija tali li l-kisba ta’ dawn l-o;;ettivi ma tkunx possibbli inkella tqum b’mod sproporzjonali, u l-kundizzjonijiet kollha li ;ejjin ikunu ssodisfati> (a) il-b]onnijiet ambjentali u soçjoekonomiçi servuti minn tali attività umana ma jistg[ux jinkisbu b’mezzi o[ra, li huma g[a]la ambjentali [afna a[jar u li ma jitolbux spejje] sproporzjonati< (b) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura, (i) g[all-ilma tal-wiçç, l-og[la status ekolo;iku u kimiku possibbli g[andu jkun akkwistat, wara li taççetta impatti li ra;onevolment ma setg[ux ikunu evitati min[abba n-natura ta’ l-attività umana jew l-inkwinament, (ii) g[all-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, l-inqas bidliet possibbli g[al status ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art tajjeb, permessi impatti li ra;onevolment ma setg[ux ikunu evitati min[abba n natura ta’ l-attività umana jew l-inkwinament, (ç) ebda deterjorament ie[or ma jse[[ fl-istatus tal-korp ta’ l-ilma effettwat< u (d) l-istabbiliment ta’ o;;ettivi ambjentali inqas stretti, u r-ra;unijiet g[al dan huma msemmija speçifikament fil-pjan g[all-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma me[tie;a fir regolament 12 u dawn l-o;;ettivi g[andhom ikunu riveduti kull sitt snin. (6) Deterjorament temporanju fl-istatus tal-korpi ta’ l ilma ma g[andux jikser il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti jekk dan ikun ir-ri]ultat ta’ çirkustanzi ta’ kaw]a naturali jew forza ma;;uri li huma eççezzjonali jew ra;onevolment ma setg[ux ikunu previsti, b’mod partikolari g[arg[ar estrem u nixfiet twal, jew inkella r-ri]ultat ta’ çirkostanzi dovuti g[al inçidenti li ma setg[ux B 2606 ra;onevolment ikunu previsti, meta l-kundizzjonijiet kollha li ;ejjin ikunu ;ew sodisfatti> (a) ikunu ttie[du l-passi kollha prattikabbli biex ikun evitat aktar deterjorament fl-istatus biex ma tkunx kompromessa l-kisba ta’ l-o;;ettivi ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti f’korpi o[ra ta’ l-ilma mhux effettwati minn dawk iç-çirkostanzi< (b) il-kundizzjonijiet ta[t liema çirkostanzi li huma eççezzjonali jew li ma setg[ux ikunu ra;onevolment previsti jistg[u jkunu ddikjarati, inklu]a l-adozzjoni ta’ indikaturi xierqa, g[andhom ikunu mni]]la fil-pjan ta’ l-immani;;ar tal catchment ta’ l-ilma< (ç) il-mi]uri li g[andhom jittie[du f’çirkostanzi eççezzjonali b[al dawn g[andhom ikunu nklu]i fil-programm ta’ mi]uri u ma g[andhomx jikkompromettu l-irkupru tal kwalità tal-korp ta’ l-ilma meta ç-çirkostanzi jkunu g[addew< (d) l-effetti taç-çirkostanzi li jkunu eççezzjonali jew li ma jkunux jistg[u jkunu ra;onevolment previsti g[andhom ikunu riveduti kull sena u, su;;etti g[ar-ra;unijiet stipulati fil paragrafu (a) tas-subregolament (4), il-mi]uri prattikabbli kollha g[andhom jittie[du bl-iskop tar-restawr tal-korp ta’ l-ilma g[all istatus ta’ qabel l-effetti ta’ dawk iç-çirkostanzi mill-aktar fis ra;onevolment prattikabbli, u (e) sommarju ta’ l-effetti taç-çirkostanzi u tal-mi]uri me[uda jew li g[andhom jittie[du skond il-paragrafi (a) u (d) ta’ dan ir-regolament g[andhom ikunu nklu]i fl-a;;ornament li jkun imiss tal-pjan ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. (7) Ir-regoli stabbiliti f’dawn ir-regolamenti ma g[andhomx jitqiesu li jkunu nkisru meta> (a) nuqqas tal-kisba ta’ status tajjeb, status ekolo;iku tajjeb ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, jew, fejn potenzjal ekolo;iku tajjeb rilevanti jew biex tkun evitata deterjorazzjoni fl-istatus ta’ korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç jew ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, ikun ri]ultat ta’ modifikazzjonijiet ;odda lill-karatteristii fi]içi tal-korp ta’ l ilma tal-wiçç jew ta’ alterazzjonijiet lil-livell tal-korpi ta’ l ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, jew (b) nuqqas biex tevita deterjorament minn status g[oli g[al status tajjeb ta’ korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç ikun ir-ri]ultat ta’ attivitajiet ta’ ]vilupp uman sostenibbli ;odda, B 2607 u jkunu sodisfati l-kundizzjonijiet kollha li ;ejjin> (i) g[andhom jittie[du l-passi kollha prattikabbli biex jimmitigaw l-impatt avvers fuq l-istatus tal-korp ta’ l-ilma< (ii) ir-ra;unijiet g[al dawn il-modifiki jew alterazzjonijiet g[andhom ikunu stabbiliti u spjegati speçifikatament fil-pjan tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma mitlub fir-regolament 13 ta’ hawn ta[t, u l-o;;ettivi g[andhom ikunu riveduti kull sitt snin< (iii) ir-ra;unijiet g[al dawn il-modifiki jew alterazzjonijiet g[andhom ikunu ’l fuq mill-interess pubbliku u, jew il-benefiçji g[all-ambjent u g[as-soçjetà g[all-kisba ta’ l-o;;ettivi stabbiliti fis-subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir-regolament jing[elbu mill-benefiçji tal-modifiki jew alterazzjonijiet ;odda g[as-sa[[a umana, g[all-manteniment tas-sigurtà umana jew g[al ]vilupp sostenibbli, u (iv) l-o;;ettivi benefiçjali servuti b’dawn il-modifiki jew alterazzjonijiet tal-korp ta’ l-ilma ma jistg[ux, g[al ra;unijiet ta’ possibbiltà teknika jew spejje] sproporzjonati jinkisbu ra;onevolment b’mezzi o[ra, li jkunu opzjoni ambjentali b’mod sinifikanti a[jar. (8) Waqt l-applikazzjoni tas-subregolamenti (3), (4), (5), (6), u (7) l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li l-applikazzjoni ma teskludix jew tikkomprometti permanentement il-kisba ta’ l o;;ettivi ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti f’korpi ta’ l-ilma o[ra fl-istess distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma u g[andha tkun konsistenti ma’ l implimentazzjoni ta’ regolamenti ambjentali o[ra. 5. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li g[al kull distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma, twettaq • anali]i tal-karatteristiçi tieg[u, • revi]joni ta’ l-impatt ta’ l-attività umana fuq l-istatus ta’ l ilmijiet tal-wiçç u ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art li jkun hemm fid-distrett, u • anali]i ekonomika ta’ l-u]u ta’ l-ilma. L-anali]i u r-revi]jonijiet imsemmija g[andhom jitwettqu skond l-ispeçifikazzjonijiet tekniçi stabbiliti fl-Annessi II u III, u g[andhom jitlestew sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2004. Karatteristii tad distrett tal catchment ta’ l ilma, revi]joni ta’ l-impatt ambjentali ta’ l-attività umana, u anali]i ekonomika ta’ l u]u ta’ l-ilma. B 2608 (2) L-anali]i u r-revi]jonijiet imsemmija ta[t is subregolament (1) ta’ hawn qabel g[andhom ikunu riveduti, u jekk ikun hemm b]onn a;;ornati, sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2013 u mbag[ad kull sitt snin. 6. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li jsir re;istru jew isiru re;istri ta’ l-in[awi kollha li je]istu f’kull distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma li jkunu ;ew ntg[a]lu b[ala li jin[tie;u [arsien speçjali skond le;islazzjoni speçifika g[all-[arsien ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç u ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art tag[hom, jew g[all-konservazzjoni ta’ l-abitati u l-ispeçi li direttament jiddependu fuq l-ilma. Huma g[andhom jassiguraw li r-re;istru jkun lest sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2004. (2) Ir-re;istru jew re;istri g[andhom jinkludu l-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma identifikati fis-subregolament (1) tar-regolament 7 u l-in[awi kollha protetti koperti mill-Anness IV. (3) G[al kull distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma, ir-re;istru jew re;istri ta’ l-in[awi protetti g[andhom jin]ammu kontinwament riveduti u a;;ornati. 7. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tidentifika> (a) il-korpi kollha ta’ l-ilma w]ati g[all-astrazzjoni ta’ l ilma intenzjonat g[all-konsum uman li jipprovdu aktar minn 10 metri kubi kuljum b[ala medja u li jservu lil aktar minn 50 persuna, u (b) dawk il-korpi ta’ l-ilma intenzjonati g[al dak il-u]u futur. L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha timmonitorja, skond l-Anness V, dawk il-korpi ta’ l-ilma li skond l-Anness V, jipprovdu aktar minn mitt metru kubu kuljum b[ala medja. (2) G[al kull korp ta’ ilma identifikat fis-subregolament (1) ta’ hawn qabel, aktar milli jissodisfa l-o;;ettivi tar-regolament 4 skond il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, g[all-korpi ta’ l ilmijiet tal-wiçç, l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li ta[t ir re;im tat-trattament ta’ l-ilma applikat, l-ilma ri]ultanti jrid jissodisfa l-kundizzjonijiet ta’ xi regolamenti dwar il-kwalità ta’ l-ilma intenzjonat g[all-konsum uman. (3) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura l-[arsien me[tie; g[all-korpi ta’ l-ilma identifikati bl-iskop li tkun evitata Re;istru ta’ l in[awi m[arsa. Ilmijiet u]ati g[all-astrazzjoni ta’ l-ilma tax-xorb. B 2609 deterjorazzjoni fil-kwalità tag[hom biex jitnaqqas il-livell tat trattament ta’ purifikazzjoni me[tie; fil-produzzjoni ta’ l-ilma tax xorb. L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tistabbilixxi ]oni ta’ salvagwardja g[al dawk il-korpi ta’ l-ilma u tie[u dawk il-mi]uri neçessarji biex ti]gura li jkun hemm salvagwardji addattati hekk kif stipulat f’ linji ta’ gwida addizzjonali g[al dawn ir-regolamenti. 8. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li jsiru programmi g[all-monitera;; ta’ l-istatus ta’ l-ilma biex tistabbilixxi osservazzjoni koerenti u komprensiva ta’ l-istatus ta’ l-ilma f’kull distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma> (a) g[all-ilmijiet tal-wiçç tali programmi g[andhom ikopru> (i) il-volum u l-livell jew ir-rata tat-tnixxija sal-firxa rilevanti g[all-istatus ekolo;iku u kimiku, u l-potenzjal ekolo;iku, u (ii) l-istatus ekolo;iku u kimiku, u l-potenzjal ekolo;iku< (b) g[all-ilmijiet ta’ ta[t l-art tali programmi g[andhom ikopru l-monitera;; ta’ l-istatus kimiku u kwantitattiv, (ç) g[al in[awi m[arsa il-programmi ta’ hawn fuq g[andhom ikunu ssupplimentati b’dawk l-ispeçifikazzjonijiet li hemm fil-le;islazzjoni li fiha l-in[awi protetti individwali kienu stabbiliti. (2) Dawn il-programmi g[andhom ikunu ja[dmu sa l a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2006 sakemm ma jkunx speçifikat mod ie[or fil-le;islazzjoni konçernata. Dan il-monitera;; g[andu jkun skond il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ l-Anness V. (3) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha ssegwi l ispeçifikazzjonijiet tekniçi u l-metodi standardizzati g[all-anali]i u l-immoniterjar ta’ l-status ta’ l-ilma. 9. (1) (a) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tikkonsidra l prinçipju ta’ l-irkupru ta’ l-ispejje] g[as-servizzi ta’ l-ilma, inklu]i l-ispejje] ambjentali u tar-ri]orsi, billi tikkonsidra l-anali]i ekonomika mwettqa skond l-Anness III, u skond, partikolarment, il-prinçipju li min ini;;es i[allas. (b) Sa l-2010, l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura> Monitera;; ta’ l istatus ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç, status ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, u n[awi protetti. Irkupru ta’ l ispejje] g[as servizzi ta’ l-ilma. B 2610 (i) li l-politika tal-mod kif ikun stabbilit il-prezz ta’ l-ilma tipprovdi inçentivi adegwati g[all-utenti biex ju]aw ir-ri]orsi ta’ l-ilma b’mod effiçjenti, u b’hekk jikkontribwixxu g[all-o;;ettivi ambjentali ta’ dawn ir regolamenti, (ii) kontribut adegwat ta’ l-u]i differenti ta’ l-ilma, imqassam ta’ l-inqas fl-industrija, fid-djar u fl-agrikoltura, g[all-irkupru ta’ l-ispejje] g[as-servizzi ta’ l-ilma, ibba]at fuq l-anali]i ekonomika mwettqa skond l-Anness III u meta tie[u in kunsiderazzjoni l-prinçipju li min ini;;es i[allas. (ç) il-Ministru responsabbli g[ar-ri]orsi u l-Ministru responsabbli g[all-ambjent jistg[u jag[tu direzzjoni speçifika lill-awtorità kompetenti rispettiva fuq il-mod li bih ji;u implimentati l-obbligi mposti fuqhom fil-paragrafi (a) u (b) ta’ hawn qabel, tenut kont ta’ l-effetti soçjali, ambjentali, u ekonomiçi ta’ l-irkupru kif ukoll il-kundizzjonijiet ;ejografii u klimatiçi tar-re;;jun jew re;;juni effettwati. (2) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tirrapporta fil pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma dwar il-passi ppjanati g[all-implimentazzjoni tas-subregolament (1) ta’ hawn qabel. Dawn il-passi g[andhom jikkontribwixxu g[all-kisba ta’ l o;;ettivi ambjentali ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, u fuq is-sehem ta’ l u]i differenti ta’ l-ilma g[all-irkupru ta’ l-ispejje] tas-servizzi ta’ l ilma. (3) Xejn f’dan ir-regolament ma g[andu jipprojbixxi l finanzjament ta’ mi]uri partikolari preventivi jew rimedjali biex jinkisbu l-o;;ettivi ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti. (4) L-awtorità kompetenti ma tkunx qed tikser dawn ir regolamenti kemm-il darba tiddeçiedi skond prattiçi stabbiliti li ma tapplikax il-paragrafu (b) tas-subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir regolament, u g[al dak l-iskop id-disposizzjonijiet rilevanti tas subregolament (2), g[al attività partikolari (mog[tija) ta’ l-u]u ta’ l-ilma, fejn dan ma jikkompromettix l-iskopijiet u l-kisba ta’ l o;;ettivi ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti. L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tirrapporta r-ra;unijiet g[aliex ma tkunx applikat kif imiss id disposizzjonijiet imsemmija, fil-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal catchment ta’ l-ilma. B 2611 10. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li l-[ru; kollu, li g[alih hemm referenza fis-subregolament (2) ta’ dan ir regolament, fl-ilmijiet tal-wiçç, ikun ikkontrollat skond l-approçju kombinat stipulat f’dan ir-regolament. (2) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li tistabbilixxi u, jew timplimenta> (i) l-kontrolli ta’ emissjoni bba]ati fuq l-a[jar teknika disponibbli, jew (ii) il-valuri tal-limitu ta’ emissjoni rilevanti, jew (iii) fil-ka] ta’ impatti ta’ diffu]joni, il-kontrolli li jinkludu, kif xieraq, l-a[jar prattiçi ambjentali. I]da l-imsemmija kontrolli u valuri tal-limitu g[andhom ikunu ppjanati skond ir-Regolamenti ta’ l-2002 g[all Prevenzjoni u l-Kontroll Integrati tat-Tni;;is (A.L. 234 ta’ l 2002), ir-Regolamenti ta’ l-2001 dwar it-Trattament ta’ Ilma Urban Mormi (A.L. 340 ta’ l-2001), ir-Regolamenti ta’ l-2001 dwar il-{arsien ta’ l-Ilma mit-Tni;;is Ka;unat b’Nitrati ;ejjin mill-Biedja (A.L. 343 ta’ l-2001), ir-regolamenti elenkati fl Anness IX, u kwalunkwe regolamenti rilevanti o[ra, sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2012, sakemm li ma jkunx speçifikat mod ie[or fil-le;islazzjoni konçernata. (3) Fejn o;;ettiv ta’ kwalità jew standard ta’ kwalità, sew jekk stabbilit in segwitu g[al dawn ir-regolamenti, fir regolamenti elenkati fl-Anness IX, kif ukoll in segwitu g[al kwalunkwe le;islazzjoni o[ra, jitlob kundizzjonijiet aktar stretti minn dawk li jistg[u jirri]ultaw mill-applikazzjoni tas-subregolament (2), g[andhom ikunu stabbiliti kif imiss kontrolli ta’ emissjoni aktar stretti. 11. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tistabbilixxi programm ta’ mi]uri g[al kull distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma, billi tikkonsidra r-ri]ultati ta’ l-anali]i mitluba mir-regolament 5, biex jinkisbu l-o;;ettivi stabbiliti fir-regolament 4. (2) Kull programm ta’ mi]uri g[andu jinkludi l-mi]uri “ba]içi” speçifikati fis-sub-regolament (3) ta’ hawn ta[t u, fejn ikun hemm [tie;a, mi]uri “supplimentari”. L-approçju kombinat g[al sorsi tal-punt u diffu]joni. Programm ta’ mi]uri. B 2612 (3) “Mi]uri ba]içi” huma l-kundizzjonijiet minimi li wie[ed irid jikkonforma mag[hom u g[andhom ikunu jikkonsistu fi> (a) dawk il-mi]uri me[tie;a g[al implimentazzjoni ta’ le;islazzjoni mmirata g[all-[arsien ta’ l-ilma, inklu]i mi]uri me[tie;a fil-le;islazzjoni speçifikata fir-regolament 10 u fil Parti A ta’ l-Anness VI< (b) mi]uri meqjusa xierqa g[all-iskopijiet tar-regolament 9< (ç) mi]uri biex jippromwovu u]u effiçjenti u sostenibbli ta’ l-ilma biex ikun evitat li tkun kompromessa l-kisba ta’ l o;;ettivi speçifikati fir-regolament 4< (d) mi]uri li jissodisfaw il-kundizzjonijiet tar-regolament 7, inklu]i mi]uri biex jissalvagwardjaw il-kwalità ta’ l-ilma biex jitnaqqas il-livell tat-trattament ta’ purifikazzjoni me[tie; g[all produzzjoni ta’ l-ilma tax-xorb< (e) kontrolli fuq l-astrazzjoni ta’ ilma tal-wiçç u ta’ l ilma ta’ ta[t l-art tajjeb u t-te[id ta’ ilma tal-wiçç tajjeb, inklu] re;istru jew re;istri ta’ l-astrazzjonijiet ta’ l-ilma u kundizzjoni ta’ awtorizzazzjoni minn qabel g[al astrazzjoni u te[id. Dawn il-kontrolli g[andhom ikunu riveduti perjodikament u, fejn me[tie;, a;;ornati perjodikament. L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ te]enta minn dawn il-kontrolli, astrazzjonijiet jew te[id li ma jkollhom ebda impatt sinifikanti fuq l-istatus ta’ l-ilma< (f) kontrolli, li jinkludu kundizzjoni g[al awtori]azzjoni minn qabel ta’ l-iççar;jar artifiçjali jew ]ieda tal-korpi ta’ l ilma ta’ ta[t l-art. L-ilma w]at jista’ jkun derivat minn kwalunkwe ilma tal-wiçç jew ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, sakemm l-u]u tas-sors ma jikkompromettix il-kisba ta’ l-o;;ettivi ambjentali stabbiliti g[as-sors jew il-korp ri-iççar;jat jew mi]jud ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art. Dawn il-kontrolli g[andhom ikunu riveduti perjodikament u, fejn me[tie;, a;;ornati perjodikament< (g) g[al [ru; tas-sors tal-punt li jista’ jikkaw]a inkwinament, kundizzjoni g[al regolament minn qabel, b[alma hi l-projbizzjoni fuq id-d[ul ta’ pollutanti fl-ilma, jew g[al awtorizzazzjoni minn qabel, jew re;istrazzjoni bba]ata fuq regoli ;enerali li jorbtu, li jistabbilixxu kontrolli ta’ emissjoni g[all-pollutanti konçernati, inklu]i kontrolli skond ir regolament 10 u le;islazzjoni addizzjonali. Dawn il-kontrolli B 2613 g[andhom ikunu riveduti perjodikament u, fejn me[tie;, a;;ornati perjodikament < (h) g[al sorsi ta’ diffu]joni li jistg[u jikkaw]aw inkwinament, mi]uri biex jevitaw jew jikkontrollaw id-d[ul ta’ pollutanti. Il-kontrolli jistg[u jie[du l-forma ta’ kundizzjoni g[al regolament ewlieni, b[alma hu projbizzjoni fuq id-d[ul ta’ pollutanti fl-ilma, awtorizzazzjoni minn qabel jew re;istrazzjoni bba]ata fuq regoli ;enerali li jorbtu fejn din il-kundizzjoni mhux ipprovdut g[aliha mod ie[or f’le;islazzjoni o[ra. Dawn il kontrolli g[andhom ikunu riveduti perjodikament u, fejn me[tie;, a;;ornati (perjodikament ukoll)< (i) g[al kwalunkwe impatt avvers sinifikanti ie[or fuq l istatus ta’ l-ilma identifikat fir-regolament 5 u l-Anness II, partikolarment mi]uri biex jassiguraw li l-kundizzjonijiet idromorfolo;içi tal-korpi ta’ l-ilma huma konsistenti mal-kisba ta’ l-istatus ekolo;iku me[tie;, jew potenzjal ekolo;iku tajjeb g[al korpi ta’ ilma indikati b[ala artifiçjali jew modifikati sewwa. Kontrolli g[al dan l-iskop jistg[u jie[du l-forma ta’ kundizzjoni g[al awtori]azzjoni minn qabel jew re;istrazzjoni bba]ata fuq regoli ;enerali li jorbtu fejn din il-kundizzjoni mhix ipprovdut g[aliha g[allinqas mod ie[or f’le;islazzjoni o[ra. Dawn il-kontrolli g[andhom ikunu riveduti perjodikament u, fejn me[tie;, a;;ornati. (j) projbizzjoni ta’ [ru; dirett ta’ pollutanti fl-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art, basta li l-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tawtorizza ri injezzjoni fl-istess akwifer ta’ ilma w]at g[al skopijiet ;ejotermali. L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ wkoll tawtorizza, waqt li tispeçifika l-kundizzjonijiet> (i) injezzjoni ta’ ilma li jkun fih sustanzi li jirri]ultaw minn operazzjonijiet g[al esplorazzjoni u astrazzjoni ta’ idrokarburi jew attivitajiet tal-minjieri, u injezzjoni ta’ ilma g[al ra;unijiet tekniçi, fil formazzjonijiet ;eolo;içi li minnhom ikunu ;ew astratti idrokarburi jew sustanzi o[ra, jew f’formazzjonijiet ;eolo;içi li g[al ra;unijiet naturali jkunu permanentement mhux addattati g[al skopijiet o[ra. Dawn l-injezzjonijiet ma g[andux ikun fihom sustanzi o[ra minbarra dawk li jirri]ultaw mill-operazzjonijiet ta’ hawn fuq, (ii) ri-injezzjoni ta’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art ippumpjat minn minjieri jew barrieri jew assoçjat mal-kostruzzjoni u l manutenzjoni ta’ xog[lijiet ta’ in;inerija çivili, B 2614 (iii) injezzjoni ta’ gass naturali jew gass tal petroleum likwefat (LPG) g[al skopijiet ta’ [a]na fil formazzjonijiet ;eolo;içi li g[al ra;unijiet naturali huma permanentement mhux addattati g[al skopijiet o[ra, (iv) injezzjoni ta’ gass naturali jew gass tal petroleum likwefat (LPG) g[al skopijiet ta’ [a]na f’formazzjonijiet ;eolo;içi o[ra fejn hemm b]onn sewwa g[as-sigurtà tal-forniment tal-gass, u fejn l-injezzjoni hija tali li tevita kwalunkwe perikolu pre]ent jew futur g[ad deterjorament fil-kwalità ta’ kwalunkwe ilma ta’ ta[t l-art riçeventi, (v) kostruzzjoni, in;inerija çivili, u xog[lijiet tal bini u attivitajiet simili fuq, jew fl-art li ji;u f’kuntatt ma’ ilma ta’ ta[t l-art. G[al dawn l-iskopijiet, l-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tistabbilixxi li dawn l-attivitajiet ikunu ttrattati b[ala li ;ew awtorizzati sakemm li jkunu mmexxija skond ir-regoli ;enerali li jorbtu, ]viluppati mill-istess awtorità kompetenti fir-rigward ta’ dawn l-attivitajiet, (vi) [ru; ta’ kwantitajiet ]g[ar ta’ sustanzi g[al skopijiet xjentifiçi g[al karatterizzazzjoni, [arsien, u rimedju ta’ korpi ta’ l-ilma limitati g[all-ammont strettament me[tie; g[all-iskopijiet konçernati, Sakemm dan il-[ru; ma jikkompromettix il-kisba ta’ l-o;;ettivi ambjentali stabbiliti g[al dak il-korp ta’ l-ilma ta’ ta[t l-art< (k) mi]uri biex jeliminaw l-inkwinament ta’ l-ilmijiet tal wiçç minn sustanzi speçifikati fl-Anness X, u biex progressivament inaqqsu l-inkwinament minn sustanzi o[ra li inkella ma jippermettux il-kisba ta’ l-o;;ettivi g[all-korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiçç kif stabbilit fir-regolament 4< (1) kwalunkwe mi]uri me[tie;a biex jevitaw telf sinifikanti ta’ pollutanti minn stallazzjonijiet tekniçi, u biex ikun evitat u, jew jitnaqqas l-impatt ta’ pollutanti inçidenti ta’ tni;;is aççidentali, per e]empju b[ala ri]ultat ta’ g[arg[ar, inklu]i permezz ta’ sistemi li jimmarkaw jav]aw b’dawn il-;rajjiet inklu], fil-ka] ta’ aççidenti li ma setg[ux ikunu ra;onevolment previsti, il-mi]uri kollha xierqa biex inaqqsu ir-riskju g[all ekosistemi akwatiçi. (4) Mi]uri “supplimentari” huma dawk il-mi]uri ma[luqa u implimentati addizzjonalment mal-mi]uri ba]içi, bl-iskop li B 2615 jinkisbu l-o;;ettivi stabbiliti in segwitu g[al regolament 4. Il-Parti B ta’ l-Anness VI fiha lista non-esklussiva ta’ dawn il-mi]uri. L awtorità kompetenti tista’ taddotta wkoll mi]uri supplimentari o[ra biex tipprovdi g[al [arsien addizzjonali jew titjib ta’ l-ilmijiet koperti b’dawn ir-regolamenti, inklu]a l-implimentazzjoni tal-ftehim internazzjonali rilevanti. (5) Fejn monitera;; jew data o[ra tindika li l-o;;ettivi stabbiliti fir-regolament 4 g[all-korp ta’ l-ilma mhux probabbli li jinkisbu, l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li> (i) l-kaw]i tal-falliment possibbli jkunu nvestigati, (ii) permessi rilevanti u awtorizzazzjonijiet ikunu e]aminati u riveduti kif xieraq, (iii) il-programmi ta’ monitera;; ikunu riveduti u a;;ustati kif xieraq, u (iv) ikunu stabbiliti mi]uri addizzjonali kif ikun me[tie; biex jinkisbu l-o;;ettivi, inklu], kif ikun me[tie;, l istabbiliment ta’ standards ta’ kwalità ambjentali aktar stretti in segwitu g[all-proçeduri stipulati fl-Anness V. Fejn dawk il kaw]i jkunu ri]ultat ta’ çirkostanzi ta’ kaw]a naturali jew forza ma;;uri li huma eççezzjonali u ma setg[ux ikunu ra;onevolment previsti, partikolarment g[arg[ar estrem u nixfiet twal, l-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tiddetermina li mi]uri addizzjonali ma jkunux prattikabbli, u dan skond is subregolament (6) tar-regolament 4. (6) Fl-implimentazzjoni ta’ mi]uri in segwitu g[as subregolament (3) ta’ hawn fuq, l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tie[u l-passi kollha xierqa biex ma’ ]]idx l-inkwinament ta’ l-ilmijiet marini. Ming[ajr pre;udizzju g[al-le;islazzjoni e]istenti, l applikazzjoni tal-mi]uri me[uda in segwitu g[as-subregolament (3) ma g[andha g[al ebda ra;uni twassal, direttament jew indirettament, g[al ]ieda ta’ tni;;is fl-ilma tal-wiçç. Din il-kundizzjoni ma g[andhiex tapplika fejn tista’ tirri]ulta f’aktar inkwinament ta’ l ambjent b[ala tali. (7) Il-programmi ta’ mi]uri g[andhom ikunu stabbiliti sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2009 u l-mi]uri kollha g[andhom ikunu operazzjonali sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2012. (8) Il-programmi ta’ mi]uri g[andhom ikunu riveduti u jekk ikun hemm b]onn a;;ornati sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru 2015 u B 2616 mbag[ad kull sitt snin. Kwalunkwe mi]uri ;odda jew riveduti stabbiliti fi programm a;;ornat g[andhom isiru operazzjonali fi ]mien tliet snin minn meta jkunu stabbiliti. 12. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li l-pjan ta’ immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma jsir g[al kull distrett tal catchment ta’ l-ilma. (2) Il-pjan ta’ immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma g[andu jinkludi l-informazzjoni dettaljata fl-Anness VII. (3) Il-pjanijiet ta’ immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma jistg[u jkunu ssupplimentati bil-produzzjoni ta’ programmi aktar dettaljati u pjanijiet ta’ immani;;ar g[al sub-catchment, settur, kwistjoni jew tip ta’ ilma, biex jittrattaw aspetti partikolari ta’ l immani;;ar ta’ l-ilma. L-implimentazzjoni ta’ dawn il-mi]uri ma g[andhiex te]enta lill-awtorità kompetenti minn xi obbligi tag[ha skond il-bqija ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti. (4) Il-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma g[andhom ikunu ppubblikati sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru, 2009. (5) Il-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma g[andhom ikunu riveduti u a;;ornati sa l-a[[ar ta’ Novembru, 2015 u mbag[ad kull sitt snin. 13. (1) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tinkora;;ixxi l involviment attiv tal-partijiet kollha nvoluti fl-implimentazzjoni ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, partikolarment fil-produzzjoni, fir-revi]joni u fl-a;;ornament tal-pjan ta’ immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. L awtorità kompetenti g[andha tassigura li, g[al kull distrett tal catchment ta’ l-ilma, hija tippubblika u tag[mel disponibbli g[all kummenti tal-pubbliku, inklu]i l-utenti> (a) timetable u programm tax-xog[ol g[all-produzzjoni tal-pjan, inklu]a stqarrija tal-mi]uri ta’ konsultazzjoni li g[andhom jittie[du, mill-anqas tliet snin qabel il-bidu tal perijodu li g[alih jirreferi l-pjan< (b) deskrizzjoni fil-qosor temporanja (interim overview) tal-kwistjonijiet ta’ immani;;ar ta’ l-ilma sinifikanti identifikat fil-catchment ta’ l-ilma, mill-anqas sentejn qabel il-bidu tal perijodu li g[alih jirreferi l-pjan< (ç) kopji abbozz tal-pjan ta’ immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma, mill-anqas sena qabel il-bidu tal-perijodu li g[alih Pjanijiet ta’ immani;;ar ta’ catchment ta’ l ilma. Informazzjoni u konsultazzjoni pubbliçi. B 2617 jirreferi l-pjan. Fuq talba, g[andu jing[ata aççess g[al dokumenti u informazzjoni li fuqhom sar l-i]vilupp ta’ l-abbozz tal-pjan ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. (2) L-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tippermetti mill anqas sitt xhur biex tikkummenta bil-kitba dwar dawk id-dokumenti biex tippermetti involviment u konsultazzjoni attivi. (3) Is-subregolamenti (1) u (2) g[andhom japplikaw ugwalment g[all-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma a;;ornati. 14. (1) L-Annessi I, III u l-artiklu 1.3.6 ta’ l-Anness V jistg[u jkunu addottati g[al progress xjentifiku u tekniku, waqt li jittie[du in konsiderazzjoni l-perijodi g[ar-revi]joni u l-a;;ornament tal-pjanijiet ta’ l-immani;;ar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma kif hemm referenza g[alihom fir-regolament 12. (2) G[all-iskop ta’ trasmissjoni u pproçessar ta’ data, inklu]a data statistika u kartografika, formati tekniçi g[all-iskop tas subregolament (1) ta’ hawn qabel jistg[u jkunu addottati skond il proçeduri stabbiliti f’le;islazzjoni rilevanti. 15. (1) Meta l-awtorità kompetenti tkun tqis li l kundizzjonijiet relattivi g[al permess ma jkunux g[adhom adegwati, jew li l-attività awtorizzata bil-permess tkun tippre]enta xi riskju mhux previst minn qabel g[all-objettivi ambjentali stipulati fir regolament 4 ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, hija tista’> (a) tibdel il-pattijiet u l-kundizzjonijiet relattivi g[all permess< (b) tinnotifika avvi] ta’ rimedju lid-detentur ta’ permess fejn tiddikjara xi jkunu l-mi]uri li jkollhom jittie[du biex ikun hemm konformità mal-kundizzjonijiet mibdula u biex jitne[[a r-riskju jew il-periklu attwali kif ukoll i]-]mien sa meta g[andhom jitlestew dawn il-mi]uri> I]da l-awtorità kompetenti g[andha tinkludi fl-avvi] ta’ rimedju tag[ha l-mi]uri li d-detentur tal-permess g[andu jikkonforma ru[u mag[hom sabiex jirrimedja s-sitwazzjoni kif ukoll il-perjodu sa meta dawk il-mi]uri g[andhom jittie[du. (ç) tirrevoka l-permess. Adattazzjonijiet tekniçi g[ar regolamenti. Azzjonijiet li jistg[u jittie[du mill-awtorità kompetenti. B 2618 (2) Meta r-riskju mhux previst minn qabel li jori;ina minn xi attività awtorizzata b’permess ma jkunx jista’ jinbidel b’mi]uri ta[t is-subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir-regolament, jew meta l-kundizzjonijiet relattivi g[al permess ma jkunux g[adhom adegwati, l-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tissospendi l-permess kollu kemm hu jew f’parti minnu skond ma jkun me[tie; sabiex ji;i evitat dak ir-riskju, u f’kull ka] l-awtorità kompetenti ma tkunx responsabbli li t[allas kwalunkwe kumpens jew li tirrifondi xi [lasijiet li jkunu t[allsu biex jin]amm il-permess. (3) Meta l-awtorità kompetenti jkollha g[aliex ta[seb li d-detentur ta’ permess ikun qed jikser, jew x’aktarx ikun se jikser il-kundizzjonijiet relattivi g[all-permess tieg[u jew dawn ir regolamenti b’mod ;enerali, l-awtorità kompetenti tista to[ro; avvi] ta’ infurzar fejn tispeçifika l-ksur tal-kundizzjonijiet, il-mi]uri li g[andhom jittie[du biex jipprevjenu dak il-ksur u ]-]mien sa meta dawk il-mi]uri g[andhom jitlestew. (4) Jekk detentur ta’ permess jonqos milli jikkonforma ru[u ma’ rimedju jew avvi] ta’ infurzar, l-awtorità kompetenti tista tirrevoka l-permess kollu kemm hu jew f’parti minnu u tkun hi nnifisha li twettaq l-azzjoni ta’ rimedju me[tie;a, filwaqt li tnaqqas l-ispejje] im;arrba mill-garanzija finanzjarja tad-detentur ta’ permess nnifsu. (5) L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ wkoll tara li jse[[u dawk il-mi]uri punittivi li jkun hemm speçifikat fil-permess, inklu]a l konfiska ta’ kull garanzija finanzjarja jew parti minnha> I]da, jekk in-nefqa ta’ din l-azzjoni ta’ rimedju tkun teççedi l-garanzija finanzjarja, il-persuna responsabbli g[andha tbati l-ispejje] addizzjonali. (6) L-azzjoni li tie[u l-awtorità kompetenti ta[t subregolamenti (3) u (4) ta’ dan ir-regolament ma g[andha tkun bla ebda pre;udizzju g[ar-regolamenti 16, 17 u 18. (7) G[al fini ta’ dan ir-regolament, “permess” tfisser kull permess ma[ru; mill-Awtorità Kompetenti ta[t l-Att ta’ l-2000 dwar Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Ri]orsi u, jew l-Att ta’ l-2001 dwar il {arsien ta’ l-Ambjent, jew kull regolament ma[ru; ta[thom. 16. Persuna tkun [atja ta’ reat ta[t dawn ir-regolamenti jekk> (a) tonqos li tikkonforma ma’ kwalunkwe disposizzjoni ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti jew ma’ kwalunkwe ordni mog[tija Reati. B 2619 legalment fit-termini ta’ kwalunkwe disposizzjoni ta’ dawn ir regolamenti< jew (b) tikser kwalunkwe restrizzjoni, projbizzjoni, jew kundizzjoni imposta minn jew ta[t dawn ir-regolamenti, jew (ç) ta;ixxi f’kontravenzjoni ta’ xi wa[da mid disposizzjonijiet ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti< jew (d) tikkonfoffa jew tipprova, jew tg[in, inkella t[e;;e; kwalunkwe persuna o[ra bi kwalunkwe mezz, inklu]i riklamar, parir, jew ksib biex tikser il-provvedimenti # id-disposizzjonijiet jew biex tonqos li tikkonforma ma’ kwalunkwe minn dawn il disposizzjonijiet (inklu]a kwalunkwe ordni mog[tija legalment fit-termini ta’ kwalunkwe disposizzjoni ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti) jew biex tikkontravjeni kwalunkwe restrizzjoni, projbizzjoni, jew kundizzjoni imposta minn jew ta[t l-imsemmija regolamenti. 17. Kull persuna li tag[mel reat kontra dawn ir-regolamenti, tista’meta tinsab [atja, te[el> (a) meta tinsab [atja l-ewwel darba g[al multa ta’ mhux inqas minn [ames mitt lira Maltija imma li ma taqbi]x l-elfejn lira Maltija< (b) meta tinsab [atja t-tieni darba, jew aktar, g[al multa ta’ mhux inqas minn elfejn lira Maltija, izda mhux aktar minn [amsa u g[oxrin elf lira Maltija jew pri;unerija g[al ]mien mhux izjed minn sitt xhur, jew inkella dik il-multa u pri;unerija flimkien> I]da l-qorti g[andha tordna lil kull persuna li tkun instabet [atja li tkun g[amlet reat kontra dawn ir-regolamenti biex t[allas g[all-ispejje] mag[mulin mill-awtorità kompetenti b’ ri]ultat ta’ dak ir-reat, ir-revoka tal-permess ma[rug mill-awtorità kompetenti u l-konfiska tal-corpus delicti. 18. (1) Id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ l-artikoli 23 u 30 tal-Kodiçi Kriminali g[andhom japplikaw, mutatis mutandis g[all-proçeduri, rigward ir-reati kontra dawn ir-regolamenti, u g[alhekk l-iskwalifika tal-pussesss u l-kisba ta’ liçenzja, permess jew awtorità ma g[andhom fl-ebda ka] ma jkunu ta’ anqas minn sena. (2) Minkejja d-disposizzjonijiet ta’ l-artikolu 370 tal Kodiçi Kriminali, proçedimenti g[al offi]a kontra dawn ir Pieni. Applikabilità ta’ Kap 9. B 2620 regolamenti g[andhom jitressqu l-Qorti tal-Ma;istrati (Malta) jew il-Qorti tal-Ma;istrati (G[awdex), skond kif ikun il-ka], u g[andhom ikunu skond id-disposizzjonijiet tal-Kodiçi Kriminali li jirregola l proçedura quddiem l-imsemmija qrati b[ala qrati tal-;udikatura kriminali. (3) Minkejja d-disposizzjonijiet tal-Kodiçi Kriminali, l Avukat :enerali g[andu dejjem ikollu d-dritt li jappella lill-Qorti ta’ l-Appell Kriminali minn kwalunkwe sentenza mog[tija mill-Qorti tal-Ma;istrati (Malta) jew il-Qorti tal-Ma;istrati (G[awdex) rigward proçedimenti g[al kwalunkwe offi]a kontra dawn ir-regolamenti. B 2621 ANNESS 1 INFORMAZZJONI MITLUBA GĦAL-LISTA TA’ AWTORITÀ KOMPETENTI L-informazzjoni li ġejja dwar l-awtorità kompetenti kollha għandha tiġi inkluża fil-pjan ta’ l-immaniġġar tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. L-isem u l-indirizz ta’ l-awtorità kompetenti - l-isem u l-indirizz uffiċċjali ta’ l-awtorità identifikata fir-regolament 3. Firxa ġeografika tad-distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma - l-ismijiet tax-xmajjar ewlenin fid distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma flimkien mad-deskrizzjoni preċiża tal-fruntieri tad-distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. Din l-informazzjoni trid tkun kemm jista’ jkun ottenibbli biex tiddaħħal fis-sistema ta’ informazzjoni ġeografika (GIS). L-istatus legali ta’ l-awtorità kompetenti - deskrizzjoni ta’ l-istatus legali ta’ l-awtorità kompetenti u, fejn rilevanti, sommarju jew kopja ta’ l-istatut tagħha, it-trattat tal fondazzjoni jew dokument legali ekwivalenti, jew l-Att li jistabbillixxi l-Awtorita` rilevanti li ngħadda fil-Parlament. Responsabbiltajiet - deskrizzjoni tar-responsabbiltajiet legali u amministrattivi ta’ kull awtorità kompetenti u tar-rwol tagħha f’kull distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma. Sħubija - fejn l-awtorità kompetenti taġixxi bħala korp kordinatur għal awtorità kompetenti oħra, hija meħtieġa lista ta’ dawn il-korpi, flimkien ma’ sommarju tar relazzjonijiet istituzzjonali stabbiliti biex jassiguraw kordinazzjoni. B 2622 ANNESS II 1. ILMIJIET TAL- WIĊĊ Karatterizzazzjoni ta’ tipi tal-korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ L-awtoritità kompetenti għandha tidentifika l-lokalità u l-fruntieri ta’ korpi ta’ l-ilma tal wiċċ u għandha twettaq karatterizzazzjoni inizjali tat-tali korpi kollha skond il metodoloġija li ġejja. L-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tiggruppja korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ flimkien għall-iskop tal-karatterizzazzjoni inizjali: (i) il-korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ fid-distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma għandhom ikunu identifikati bħala li jaqgħu jew f’waħda mill-kategoriji ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ li ġejjin xmajjar, lagi, ilmijiet transizzjonali jew ilmijiet kostali - jew bħala korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ artifiċjali jew korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ modifikata bil-kbir; (ii) għal kull kategorija ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ, il-korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ rilevanti fid distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma għandhom ikunu ddifferenzjati skond it-tip. Dawn it-tipi huma dawk definiti bl-użu tas-‘sistema A’ jew tas-‘sistema B’ identifikati fis-sezzjoni 1.2; (iii) jekk tintuża s-sistema A, il-korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ fid-distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma għandhom ikunu ddifferenzjati skond it-tipi tal-korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ skond id-deskritturi stabbiliti fit-tabelli għas-sistema A; (iv) jekk tintuża s-sistema B, l-awtorità kompetenti għandha tikseb ta’ l-inqas l istess grad ta’ differenzazzjoni li kieku tinkiseb bl-użu tas-sistema A. Hekk ukoll, il-korpi ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ tad-distrett tal-catchment ta’ l-ilma għandhom ikunu ddifferenzjati f’tipi bl-użu tal-valuri tad-deskritturi obbligatorji u tali deskritturi opzjonali, jew kombinazzjonijiet ta’ deskritturi, kif ikun meħtieġ biex ikun assigurat li l-kundizzjonijiet ta’ riferenza bioloġika speċifika ta’ tip tista’ tkun derivata b’mod ta’ min jorbot fuqha; (v) għal korpi ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ artifiċjali jew immodifikati bil-kbir id differenzazzjoni għandha titwettaq skond id-deskritturi li għalihom il-kategoriji ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ l-aktar li jixbaħ lill-korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ modifikat bil-kbir jew lil dak artifiċjali konċernat; (vi) l-awtoritità kompetenti għandha toħloq mappa jew mapep (f’format GIS) ta’ l allokazzjoni ġeografika tat-tipi konsistenti mal-grad ta’ differenzazzjoni mitluba fis-sistema A. 1.2 Ekoreġjuni u tipi ta’ korpi ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ 1.2.1 Xmajjar Sistema A Tipoloġija fissa Deskritturi Ekoreġjun L-Italja, Korsika u Malta B 2623 Tip Tipoloġija ta’ l-altitudni Għoli nofsani: bejn 200 u 800m Art baxxa:< 200m Tipoloġija tad-daqs ibbażata fuq l-inħawi tal-catchment żgħira: 10 sa 100 km2 Geoloġija Kalċerarja (tal-ġir) Sistema B Karatterizzazzjoni alternattiva Fatturi fiżiċi u kimiċi li jiddeterminaw il-karatteristiċi tax xmara jew parti minnha, u għalhekk l-istruttura u l kompożizzjoni tal-popolazzjoni bioloġika Fatturi obbligatorji Altitudni latitudni lonġitudni ġeoloġija daqs Fatturi opzjonali distanza mis-sors tax-xmara l-enerġija ta’ l-inżul (funzjoni ta’ l-inżul u l-qlib) il-wisgħa medja ta’ l-ilma il-fond medju ta’ l-ilma il-qlib medju ta’ l-ilma il-forma u l-forma tas-sodda ewlenija tax-xmara il-kategorija tal-ħruġ tax-xmara (l-inżul) il-forma tal-wied trasport ta’ solidi kapaċità ta’ newtralizzazzjoni ta’ l-aċidu il-kompożizzjoni medja tas-sottostrat kloru it-temperatura medja ta’ l-arja preċipitazzjoni 1.2.2 Lagi Sistema A Tipoloġija fissa Deskritturi Ekoreġjun L-Italja, Korsika, u Malta Tip Tipoloġija ta’ l-għoli għoli nofsani: bejn 200 u 800 m art baxxa: < 200m Tipoloġija tal-fond ibbażata fuq il-fond medju < 3 m 3 sa 15-il m B 2624 > 15-il m Tipoloġija tad-daqs ibbażata fuq id-daqs tal-wiċċ 0.5 sa 1 km2 1 sa 10 km2 Ġeoloġija kalċerarja Sistema B Karatterizzazzjoni Alternattiva Fatturi fiżiċi u kimiċi li jiddeterminaw il-karatteristiċi tal-lag u għalhekk anki l-istruttura u l-kompożizzjoni tal popolazzjoni bioloġika Fatturi obbligatorji Altitudni latitudni lonġitudni fond ġeoloġija daqs Fatturi opzjonali fond medju ta’ l-ilma forma tal-lag ħin ta’ residenza temperatura medja ta’ l-arja firxa tat-temperatura ta’ l-arja karatteristiċi tat-taħlit (eżempju monomiktiku, dimiktiku, polimiktiku) kapaċità li tinnewtralizza l-aċidu status ta’ l-isfond tan-nutrijienti kompożizzjoni medja tas-sottostrat fluttwazzjoni tal-livell ta’ l-ilma 1.2.3.Ilmijiet Transizzjonali Sistema A Tipoloġija fissa Deskritturi Ekoreġjun Il-Baħar Mediterran Tip Ibbażat fuq is-salinità medja annwali < 0.5%: ilma tajjeb 0.5 sa < 5%: oligohaline 5 sa < 18%: mesohaline 18 sa < 30%: polyhaline 30 sa < 40%: euhaline Ibbażat fuq il-firxa medja tat-tides < 2 m: mikrotidali ħġċż B 2625 Sistema B Karatterizzazzjoni Alternattiva Fatturi fiżiċi u kimiċi li jiddeterminaw il-karatteristiċi ta’ l ilma transizzjonali u għalhekk l-istruttura u l-kompożizzjoni tal-popolazzjoni bijoloġika Fatturi obligatorji latitudni lonġitudini firxa tat-tide salinità Fatturi opzjonali fond veloċità tal-kurrent espożizzjoni tal-mewġ ħin ta’ residenza temperatura medja ta’ l-ilma karatteristiċi tat-taħlit turbidità kompożizzjoni medja tas-sottostrat forma firxa tat-temperatura ta’ l-ilma 1.2.4. Ilmijiet Kostali Sistema A Tipoloġija fissa Deskritturi Ekoreġjun Il-Baħar Mediterran Tip Ibbażat fuq is-salinità medja annwali < 0.5%: ilma tajjeb 0.5 sa < 5%: oligohaline 5 sa < 18%: mesohaline 18 sa < 30%: polyhaline 30 sa < 40%: euhaline Ibbażat fuq il-fond medju ilmijiet baxxi: < 30 m intermedji: (30 sa 200 m) fondi: > 200 m Sistema B Karatterizzazzjoni Alternattiva Fatturi fiżiċi u kimiċi li jiddeterminaw il-karatteristiċi ta’ l ilmijiet kostali u għalhekk l-istruttura u l-kompożizzjoni tal komunità bijoloġika Fatturi obligatorji latitudni lonġitudini firxa tat-tide salinità Fatturi opzjonali veloċità tal-kurrent espożizzjoni tal-mewġ temperatura medja ta’ l-ilma B 2626 karatteristiċi tat-taħlit turbidità ħin ta’ retenzjoni (ta’ bajjiet magħluqa) kompożizzjoni medja tas-sottostrat firxa tat-temperatura ta’ l-ilma 1.3. Holqien ta’ kundizzjonijiet ta’ riferenza tat-tip-speċifiku għal tipi ta’ korp ta’ l-ilma tal-wiċċ (i) Għal kull tip ta’ korp ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ ikkaratterizzat skond is-sezzjoni 1.1, kundizzjonijiet idromorfoloġiċi u fiżikokimiċi ta’ tip-speċifiku għandhom ikunu stabbiliti li jirrapreżentaw il-valuri ta’ l-elementi ta’ kwalità idromorfoloġiċi u fiżikokimiċi speċifikati fil-punt 1.1 fl-Anness V għal dak il-korp ta’ l-ilma tal wiċċ fi status ekoloġiku għoli kif iddefinit fit-tabella rilevanti fil-punt 1.2 fl Anness V. Kundizzjonijiet ta’ riferenza bioloġika għal tip-speċifikat għandha tkun stabbilita li tirrapreżenta l-valuri ta’ l-elementi ta’ kwalità bioloġika speċifikati fil-punt 1.1 ta’ l-Anness V għal dak it-tip ta’ korp ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ fi status ekoloġiku għoli kif iddefinit fit-tabella rilevanti fis-sezzjoni 1.2 fl-Anness V. (ii) Fl-applikazzjoni tal-proċeduri stabbiliti f’din is-sezzjoni għal korpi ta’ ilma tal wiċċ modifikati sewwa u artifiċjali riferenzi għal status ekoloġiku għoli għandhom ikunu meqjusa bħala riferenza għall-potenzjal ekoloġiku massimu kif iddefinit fit-tabella 1.2.5 ta’ l-Anness V. Il-valuri għal potenzjali ekoloġiku massimu ta’ korp ta’ ilma għandu jkun rivedut kull sitt snin. (iii) Kundizzjonijiet ta’ tip-speċifiku għall-iskopijiet tal-punti (i) u (ii) u kundizzjonijiet ta’ referenza bioloġika ta’ tip-speċifiku jistgħu jkunu jew ibbażati spazjalment jew ibbażati fuq immudellar, jew jistgħu jkunu derivati bl użu ta’ kombinazzjoni ta’ dawn il-metodi. Fejn mhux possibbli li jintużaw dawn il-metodi, l-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tuża ġudizzju espert biex tistabbilixxi tali kundizzjonijiet. Fid-definizzjoni ta’ status ekoloġiku għoli rigward il-konċentrati ta’ pollutanti sintetiċi speċifiċi, il-limiti ta’ detenzjoni huma dawk li jistgħu jinkisbu skond it-teknika taż-żmien meta jkunu se jiġu stabbiliti l-kundizzjonijiet tat-tip-speċifiku. (iv) Għal kundizzjonijiet ta’ referenza bioloġika ta’ tip-speċifiku ibbażati spazjalment, l-awtorità kompetenti għandha tiżviluppa netwerk ta’ referenza għal kull tip ta’ korp ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ. In-network għandu jkun fih numru suffiċjenti ta’ siti ta’ status għoli biex jipprovdi livell suffiċjenti ta’ fiduċja dwar il-valuri għall-kundizzjonijiet ta’ referenza, mogħtija l-varjabilità fil-valuri ta’ l-elementi ta’ kwalità korrispondenti għal status ekoloġiku għoli għal dak it tip ta’ korp ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ u t-teknika ta’ immudellar li għandhom ikunu applikati skond il-paragrafu (v). (v) Kundizzjonijiet ta’ referenza bioloġika ta’ tip-speċifiku bbażati fuq immudellar, jistgħu jkunu derivati bl-użu jew ta’ mudelli predittivi inkella b’metodi ta’ hindcasting. Il-metodi għandhom jużaw data storika, paleoloġika u data oħra disponibbli u għandhom jipprovdu livell suffiċjenti ta’ fiduċja dwar il-valuri għall-kundizzjonijiet ta’ referenza biex jassiguraw li l-kundizzjonijiet hekk derivati huma konsistenti u validi għal kull tip ta’ korp ta’ ilma tal-wiċċ. B 2627 B 2628 B 2629 B 2630 B 2631 B 2632 B 2633 B 2634 B 2635 B 2636 B 2637 B 2638 B 2639 B 2640 B 2641 B 2642 B 2643 B 2644 B 2645 B 2646 B 2647 B 2648 B 2649 B 2650 B 2651 B 2652 B 2653 B 2654 B 2655 B 2656 B 2657 B 2658 B 2659 B 2660 B 2661 B 2662 B 2663 B 2664 B 2665 B 2666 B 2667 B 2668 B 2669 B 2670 B 2671 B 2672 B 2673 B 2674 B 2675 B 2676 B 2677 B 2678 B 2679 L.N. 194 of 2004 MALTA RESOURCES AUTHORITY ACT, 2000 (ACT NO. XXV OF 2000) ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT, 2001 (ACT NO. XX OF 2001) Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004 BY virtue of the powers conferred by article 28(1) of the Malta Resources Authority Act, 2000, and articles 6, 9, 11 and 23 of the Environment Protection Act, 2001, the Minister for Resources and Infrastructure together with the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, after consultation with the Malta Resources Authority and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, have made the following regulations> 1. (1) The title of these regulations is the Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004. (2) The purpose of these regulations is to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater and to transpose the provisions of Directive 2000#60#EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. 2. (1) In these regulations unless the context otherwise requires> “artificial water body” means a body of surface water created by human activity< “aquifer” means a subsurface layer or layers of rock or other geological strata of sufficient porosity and permeability to allow either a significant flow of groundwater or the abstraction of significant quantities of groundwater< “available groundwater resource” means the long-term annual average rate of overall recharge of the body of groundwater less the long-term annual rate of flow required to achieve the ecological quality objectives for associated surface Title and scope. Interpretation. B 2680 waters specified under regulation 4, to avoid any significant diminution in the ecological status of such waters and to avoid any significant damage to associated terrestrial ecosystems< “body of groundwater” means a distinct volume of groundwater within an aquifer or aquifers< “body of surface water” means a discrete and significant element of surface water such as a lake, a reservoir, a stream, river or canal, part of a stream, river or canal, a transitional water or a stretch of coastal water< “coastal water” means surface water on the landward side of a line, every point of which is at a distance of one nautical mile on the seaward side from the nearest point of the baseline from which the breadth of territorial waters is measured, extending where appropriate up to the outer limit of transitional waters< “combined approach” means the control of discharges and emissions into surface waters according to the approach set out in regulation 10< “the competent authority” means the Malta Resources Authority in as far as inland water is concerned and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in as far as coastal water is concerned> Provided that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority shall also be responsible for surface waters found in areas protected by scheduling declarations under the Development Planning Act or otherwise protected under the Environment Protection Act or the Filfla Nature Reserve Act, and for surface waters found in areas hosting protected species under the Environment Protection Act or other areas of ecological and scientific importance according to provisions of the Development Planning Act or the Environment Protection Act< “direct discharge to groundwater” means discharge of pollutants into groundwater without percolation throughout the soil or subsoil< “ecological status” is an expression of the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems associated with surface waters, classified in accordance with Annex V< B 2681 “emission controls” are controls requiring a specific emission limitation, for instance an emission limit value, or otherwise specifying limits or conditions on the effects, nature or other characteristics of an emission or operating conditions which affect emissions. Use of the term emission control in these regulations in respect of the provisions of any other regulations shall not be held as reinterpreting those provisions in any respect< “emission limit values” means the mass, expressed in terms of certain specific parameters, concentration and, or level of an emission, which may not be exceeded during any one or more periods of time. Emission limit values may also be laid down for certain groups, families or categories of substances, in particular for those identified in Annex X> Provided that the emission limit values for substances shall normally apply at the point where the emissions leave the installation, dilution being disregarded when determining them. With regard to indirect releases into water, the effect of a waste water treatment plant may be taken into account when determining the emission limit values of the installations involved, provided that an equivalent level is guaranteed for protection of the environment as a whole and provided that this does not lead to higher levels of pollution in the environment< “environmental objectives” means the objectives set out in regulation 4< “environmental quality standard” means the concentration of a particular pollutant or group of pollutants in water, sediment or biota, which should not be exceeded in order to protect human health and the environment< “good ecological potential” is the status of a heavily modified or an artificial body of water, so classified in accordance with the relevant provisions of Annex V< “good ecological status” is the status of a body of surface water, so classified in accordance with Annex V< “good groundwater chemical status” is the chemical status of a body of groundwater, which meets all the conditions set out in table 2.3.2 of Annex V< B 2682 “good groundwater status” means the status achieved by a groundwater body when both its quantitative status and its chemical status are at least “good”< “good quantitative status” is the status defined in table 2.1.2 of Annex II< “good surface water chemical status” means the chemical status required to meet the environmental objectives for surface waters established in regulation 4(1)(a), that is the chemical status achieved by a body of surface water in which concentrations of pollutants do not exceed the environmental quality standards established in Annex IX and under other relevant legislation setting environmental quality standards< “good surface water status” means the status achieved by a surface water body when both its ecological status and its chemical status are at least “good”< “groundwater” means all water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil< “groundwater status” is the general expression of the status of a body of groundwater, determined by the poorer of its quantitative status and its chemical status< “hazardous substances” means substances or groups of substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bio-accumulate, and other substances or groups of substances which give rise to an equivalent level of concern< “heavily modified water body” means a body of surface water which as a result of physical alterations by human activity is substantially changed in character, as designated by the competent authority in accordance with the provisions of Annex II< “inland water” means all standing or flowing water on the surface of the land, and all groundwater on the landward side of the baseline from which the breadth of territorial waters is measured< “lake” means a body of standing inland surface water< B 2683 “pollutant” means any substance liable to cause pollution, in particular those listed in Annex VIII< “pollution” means the direct or indirect introduction, as a result of human activity, of substances or heat into the air, water or land which may be harmful to human health or the quality of aquatic ecosystems or terrestrial ecosystems directly depending on aquatic ecosystems, which result in damage to material property, or which impair or interfere with amenities and other legitimate uses of the environment< “priority substances” means substances listed in Annex X. Among these substances there are “priority hazardous substances” which means substances identified as such in Annex X< “protected areas” means those areas which are required to be included in the register to set up in terms of article 6 as described in Annex IV< “quantitative status” is an expression of the degree to which a body of groundwater is affected by direct and indirect abstractions< “river” means a body of inland water flowing for the most part on the surface of the land but which may flow underground for part of its course< “sub-catchment” means the area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a series of streams, rivers and, possibly, lakes to a particular point in a water course (normally a lake or a river confluence)< “surface water” means inland waters, except groundwater< transitional waters and coastal waters, except in respect of chemical status for which it shall also include territorial waters< “surface water status” is the general expression of the status of a body of surface water, determined by the poorer of its ecological status and its chemical status< “transitional waters” are bodies of surface water in the vicinity of river mouths which are partly saline in character as a result of their proximity to coastal waters but which are substantially influenced by freshwater flows< B 2684 “water catchment” means the area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a sequence of streams, rivers and, possibly, lakes into the sea at a single river mouth, estuary or delta< “water catchment district” means the area of land and sea, made up of one or more neighbouring water catchments together with their associated groundwaters and coastal waters< “water intended for human consumption” means> (a) all water either in its original state or after treatment, intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or containers< (b) all water used in any food-production undertaking for the manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption unless the competent national authorities are satisfied that the quality of the water cannot affect the wholesomeness of the foodstuff in its finished form< “water services” means all services which provide, for households, public institutions or any economic activity> (a) abstraction, impoundment, storage, treatment and distribution of surface water or groundwater, (b) waste-water collection and treatment facilities which subsequently discharge into surface water< “water use” means water services together with any other activity identified under regulation 5 and Annex II having a significant impact on the status of water. This concept applies for the purposes of regulation 1 and of the economic analysis carried out according to regulation 5 and Annex III, point (b). (2) For the purposes of these regulations, any reference to Directives of the European Parliament and of the Council, shall be read and construed as if reference is made to the provisions of the regulations transposing the provisions of such directive into Maltese law. B 2685 3. (1) There shall be one water catchment district in Malta and Gozo. (2) The competent authority shall take all the necessary measures to ensure the appropriate administrative arrangements for the application of these regulations within the catchment district lying within Malta. (3) The competent authority shall take all the necessary measures to ensure that the requirements of these regulations for the achievement of the environmental objectives established under regulation 4, and in particular all programmes of measures are coordinated for the whole of the catchment district. (4) The endorsement of the Minister responsible for resources and the Minister responsible for the environment shall be sought on the water catchment management plan, the environmental objectives, and the measures established pursuant to these regulations. 4. (1) In making operational the programmes of measures specified in the water catchment management plans> (a) for surface waters, without prejudice to any relevant international agreements> (i) the competent authority shall implement the necessary measures to prevent deterioration of the status of all bodies of surface water, subject to the application of sub-regulations (6) and (7) and without prejudice to sub regulation (8)< (ii) the competent authority shall take the necessary measures to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of surface water, subject to the application of subparagraph (iii) for artificial and heavily modified bodies of water, with the aim of achieving good surface water status by the end of November of the year 2015, in accordance with the provisions laid down in Annex V, subject to the application of extensions determined in accordance with sub-regulation (4) and to the application of sub-regulations (5), (6) and (7) without prejudice to sub regulation (8)< (iii) the competent authority shall take the necessary measures to protect and enhance all artificial and heavily Coordination of administrative arrangements within water catchment districts. Environmental objectives. B 2686 modified bodies of water, with the aim of achieving good ecological potential and good surface water chemical status by the end of November of the year 2015 in accordance with the provisions laid down in Annex V, subject to the application of extensions determined in accordance with sub-regulation (4) and to the application sub-regulations (5), (6) and (7) without prejudice to sub-regulation (8)< (iv) the competent authority shall implement the necessary measures with the aim of progressively reducing pollution from priority substances and ceasing or phasing out emissions, discharges and losses of priority hazardous substances< (b) for groundwater> (i) the competent authority shall implement the measures necessary to prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater and to prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater, subject to the application of sub-regulations (6) and (7) and without prejudice to sub-regulation (8) of this regulation and subject to the application of paragraph (j) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 11< (ii) the competent authority shall take the necessary measures to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of groundwater, ensure a balance between abstraction and recharge of groundwater, with the aim of achieving good groundwater status by the end of November of the year 2015, in accordance with the provisions laid down in Annex V, subject to the application of extensions determined in accordance with sub-regulation (4) and to the application of sub-regulations (5), (6) and (7) without prejudice to sub regulation (8) of this regulation and subject to the application of paragraph (j) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 11< (iii) the competent authority shall implement the measures necessary to reverse any significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of any pollutant resulting from the impact of human activity in order progressively to reduce pollution of groundwater, provided that measures to achieve trend reversal shall be implemented subject to the application of sub-regulations (6) and (7) and without prejudice to sub-regulation (8)< B 2687 (c) for protected areas, the competent authority shall achieve compliance with any standards and objectives by the end of November of the year 2015, unless otherwise specified in the legislation under which the individual protected areas have been established. (2) Where more than one of the objectives under sub regulation (1) relates to a given body of water, the most stringent shall apply. (3) The competent authority may designate a body of surface water as artificial or heavily modified, when> (a) the changes to the hydromorphological characteristics of that body which would be necessary for achieving good ecological status would have significant adverse effects on> (i) the wider environment< (ii) navigation, including port facilities, or recreation< (iii) activities for the purposes of which water is stored, such as drinking-water supply, power generation or irrigation< (iv) water regulation, flood protection, land drainage, or (v) other equally important sustainable human development activities< (b) the beneficial objectives served by the artificial or modified characteristics of the water body cannot, for reasons of technical feasibility or disproportionate costs, reasonably be achieved by other means, which are a significantly better environmental option. Such designation and the reasons for it shall be specifically mentioned in the water catchment management plans required under regulation 12 and reviewed every six years. (4) The deadlines established under sub-regulation (1) above may be extended for the purposes of phased achievement of the objectives for bodies of water, provided that no further B 2688 deterioration occurs in the status of the affected body of water when all of the following conditions are met> (a) the competent authority determines that all necessary improvements in the status of bodies of water cannot reasonably be achieved within the timescales set out in that paragraph for at least one of the following reasons> (i) the scale of improvements required can only be achieved in phases exceeding the timescale, for reasons of technical feasibility< (ii) completing the improvements within the timescale would be disproportionately expensive< (iii) natural conditions do not allow timely improvement in the status of the body of water< (b) extension of the deadline, and the reasons for it, are specifically set out and explained in the water catchment management plan required under regulation 12< (c) extensions shall be limited to a maximum of two further updates of the water catchment management plan except in cases where the natural conditions are such that the objectives cannot be achieved within this period< (d) a summary of the measures required under regulation 11 which are envisaged as necessary to bring the bodies of water progressively to the required status by the extended deadline, the reasons for any significant delay in making these measures operational, and the expected timetable for their implementation are set out in the water catchment management plan. A review of the implementation of these measures and a summary of any additional measures shall be included in updates of the water catchment management plan. (5) The competent authority may aim to achieve less stringent environmental objectives than those required under sub regulation (1) above for specific bodies of water when they are so affected by human activity, as determined in accordance with sub regulation (1) of regulation 5, or their natural condition is such that the achievement of these objectives would not be feasible or would be disproportionately expensive, and all the following conditions are met> B 2689 (a) the environmental and socioeconomic needs served by such human activity cannot be achieved by other means, which are a significantly better environmental option not entailing disproportionate costs< (b) the competent authority ensures, (i) for surface water, the highest ecological and chemical status possible is achieved, given impacts that could not reasonably have been avoided due to the nature of the human activity or pollution, (ii) for groundwater, the least possible changes to good groundwater status, given impacts that could not reasonably have been avoided due to the nature of the human activity or pollution< (c) no further deterioration occurs in the status of the affected body of water< and (d) the establishment of less stringent environmental objectives, and the reasons for it, are specifically mentioned in the water catchment management plan required under regulation 12 and these objectives are reviewed every six years. (6) Temporary deterioration in the status of bodies of water shall not be in breach of the requirements of these regulations if this is the result of circumstances of natural cause or force majeure which are exceptional or could not reasonably have been foreseen, in particular extreme floods and prolonged droughts, or the result of circumstances due to accidents which could not reasonably have been foreseen, when all of the following conditions have been met> (a) all practicable steps are taken to prevent further deterioration in status and in order not to compromise the achievement of the objectives of these regulations in other bodies of water not affected by those circumstances< (b) the conditions under which circumstances that are exceptional or that could not reasonably have been foreseen may be declared, including the adoption of the appropriate indicators, are stated in the water catchment management plan< (c) the measures to be taken under such exceptional circumstances are included in the programme of measures and B 2690 will not compromise the recovery of the quality of the body of water once the circumstances are over< (d) the effects of the circumstances that are exceptional or that could not reasonably have been foreseen are reviewed annually and, subject to the reasons set out in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (4), all practicable measures are taken with the aim of restoring the body of water to its status prior to the effects of those circumstances as soon as reasonably practicable< and (e) a summary of the effects of the circumstances and of such measures taken or to be taken in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (d) of this sub-regulation are included in the next update of the water catchment management plan. (7) The rules laid down in these regulations shall not be deemed to have been breached when> (a) failure to achieve good groundwater status, good ecological status or, where relevant, good ecological potential or to prevent deterioration in the status of a body of surface water or groundwater is the result of new modifications to the physical characteristics of a surface water body or alterations to the level of bodies of groundwater< or (b) failure to prevent deterioration from high status to good status of a body of surface water is the result of new sustainable human development activities< and all the following conditions are met> (i) all practicable steps are taken to mitigate the adverse impact on the status of the body of water< (ii) the reasons for those modifications or alterations are specifically set out and explained in the water catchment plan required under regulation 12 below and the objectives are reviewed every six years< (iii) the reasons for those modifications or alterations are of overriding public interest and, or the benefits to the environment and to society of achieving the objectives set out in sub-regulation (1) of this regulation are outweighed by the benefits of the new modifications or alterations to human health, to the maintenance of human safety or to sustainable development< and B 2691 (iv) the beneficial objectives served by those modifications or alterations of the water body cannot for reasons of technical feasibility or disproportionate cost be achieved by other means, which are a significantly better environmental option. (8) When applying sub-regulations (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), the competent authority shall ensure that the application does not permanently exclude or compromise the achievement of the objectives of these regulations in other bodies of water within the same water catchment district and is consistent with the implementation of other environmental regulations. 5. (1) The competent authority shall ensure that for each water catchment district, it undertakes – an analysis of its characteristics, – a review of the impact of human activity on the status of surface waters and on groundwater found within said district, and – an economic analysis of water use Said analyses and reviews must be carried out in accordance to the technical specifications set out in Annexes II and III, and must be completed by the end of November 2004. (2) The analyses and reviews mentioned under sub regulation (1) above shall be reviewed, and if necessary updated by the end of November 2013 and every six years thereafter. 6. (1) The competent authority shall ensure the establishment of a register or registers of all areas lying within each water catchment district which have been designated as requiring special protection under specific legislation for the protection of their surface water and groundwater or for the conservation of habitats and species directly depending on water. They shall ensure that the register is completed by the end of November 2004. (2) The register or registers shall include all bodies of water identified under sub-regulation (1) of regulation 7 and all protected areas covered by Annex IV. Characteristics of the water catchment district, review of the environmental impact of human activity and economic analysis of water use. Register of protected areas. B 2692 (3) For each water catchment district, the register or registers of protected areas shall be kept under review and up to date. 7. (1) The competent authority shall identify> (a) all bodies of water used for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption providing more than ten metres cubed a day as an average or serving more than fifty persons< and (b) those bodies of water intended for such future use. The competent authority shall monitor, in accordance with Annex V, those bodies of water which according to Annex V, provide more than one hundred metres cubed a day as an average. (2) For each body of water identified under sub regulation (1) above, in addition to meeting the objectives of regulation 4 in accordance with the requirements of these regulations, for surface water bodies, the competent authority shall ensure that under the water treatment regime applied, the resulting water will meet the requirements of any regulations related to the quality of water intended for human consumption. (3) The competent authority shall ensure the necessary protection for the bodies of water identified with the aim of avoiding deterioration in their quality in order to reduce the level of purification treatment required in the production of drinking water. The competent authority may establish safeguard zones for those bodies of water and take those measures so necessary to secure the appropriate safeguards as defined in supplementary guidance to these regulations. 8. (1) The competent authority shall ensure the establishment of programmes for the monitoring of water status in order to establish a coherent and comprehensive overview of water status within each water catchment district> (a) for surface waters such programmes shall cover> (i) the volume and level or rate of flow to the extent relevant for ecological and chemical status and ecological potential, and Waters used for the abstraction of drinking water. Monitoring of surface water status, groundwater status and protected areas. B 2693 (ii) the ecological and chemical status and ecological potential< (b) for groundwaters such programmes shall cover monitoring of the chemical and quantitative status< (c) for protected areas the above programmes shall be supplemented by those specifications contained in the legislation under which the individual protected areas have been established. (2) These programmes shall be operational by the end of November 2006 unless otherwise specified in the legislation concerned. Such monitoring shall be in accordance with the requirements of Annex V. (3) The competent authority shall adhere to technical specifications and standardised methods for analysis and monitoring of water status. 9. (1) (a) The competent authority shall take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, including environmental and resource costs, having regard to the economic analysis conducted according to Annex III, and in accordance in particular with the polluter pays principle. (b) The competent authority shall ensure by 2010> (i) that water-pricing policies provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources efficiently, and thereby contribute to the environmental objectives of these regulations, (ii) an adequate contribution of the different water uses, disaggregated into at least industry, households and agriculture, to the recovery of the costs of water services, based on the economic analysis conducted according to Annex III and taking account of the polluter pays principle. (c) The Minister responsible for resources and the Minister responsible for the environment may give specific directions to the respective competent authority on the carrying out of the obligations imposed on it by paragraphs (a) and (b) above, having regard to social, environmental and economic effects of the recovery as well as the geographic and climatic conditions of the region or regions affected. Recovery of costs for water services. B 2694 (2) The competent authority shall report in the water catchment management plans on the planned steps towards implementing sub-regulation (1) above. Which steps will contribute to achieving the environmental objectives of these regulations and on the contribution made by the various water uses to the recovery of the costs of water services. (3) Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the funding of particular preventive or remedial measures in order to achieve the objectives of these regulations. (4) The competent authority shall not be in breach of these regulations if it decides in accordance with established practices not to apply paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation, and for that purpose the relevant provisions of sub-regulation (2), for a given water-use activity, where this does not compromise the purposes and the achievement of the objectives of these regulations. The competent authority shall report the reasons for not fully applying said provisions in the water catchment management plans. 10. (1) The competent authority shall ensure that all discharges, referred to in sub-regulation (2) hereunder, into surface waters are controlled according to the combined approach set out in this regulation. (2) The competent authority shall ensure the establishment and, or implementation of> (i) the emission controls based on best available techniques, or (ii) the relevant emission limit values, or (iii) in the case of diffuse impacts the controls including, as appropriate, best environmental practices> provided that the said controls and limit values are to be construed according to the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, 2002 (Legal Notice 234#2002), the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (Legal Notice 340#2001), the Protection of Waters against Pollution caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources Regulations, 2001 (Legal Notice 343#2001), the regulations listed in Annex IX, any other relevant regulations, by the end of November 2012, unless otherwise specified in the legislation concerned. The combined approach for point and diffuse sources. B 2695 (3) Where a quality objective or quality standard, whether established pursuant to these regulations, in the regulations listed in Annex IX, or pursuant to any other legislation, requires stricter conditions than those which would result from the application of sub-regulation (2) more stringent emission controls shall be set accordingly. 11. (1) The competent authority shall establish a programme of measures for each water catchment district, taking account of the results of the analyses required under regulation 5, in order to achieve the objectives established under regulation 4. (2) Each programme of measures shall include the “basic” measures specified in sub-regulation (3) hereunder and, where necessary, “supplementary” measures. (3) “Basic measures” are the minimum requirements to be complied with and shall consist of> (a) those measures required to implement legislation aimed at the protection of water, including measures required under the legislation specified in regulation 10 and in part A of Annex VI< (b) measures deemed appropriate for the purposes of regulation 9< (c) measures to promote an efficient and sustainable water use in order to avoid compromising the achievement of the objectives specified in regulation 4< (d) measures to meet the requirements of regulation 7, including measures to safeguard water quality in order to reduce the level of purification treatment required for the production of drinking water< (e) controls over the abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater, and impoundment of fresh surface water, including a register or registers of water abstractions and a requirement of prior authorisation for abstraction and impoundment. These controls shall be periodically reviewed and, where necessary, updated. The competent authority can exempt from these controls, abstractions or impoundments which have no significant impact on water status< Programme of measures. B 2696 (f) controls, including a requirement for prior authorisation of artificial recharge or augmentation of groundwater bodies. The water used may be derived from any surface water or groundwater, provided that the use of the source does not compromise the achievement of the environmental objectives established for the source or the recharged or augmented body of groundwater. These controls shall be periodically reviewed and, where necessary, updated< (g) for point source discharges liable to cause pollution, a requirement for prior regulation, such as a prohibition on the entry of pollutants into water, or for prior authorisation, or registration based on general binding rules, laying down emission controls for the pollutants concerned, including controls in accordance with regulation 10 or additional legislation. These controls shall be periodically reviewed and, where necessary, updated< (h) for diffuse sources liable to cause pollution, measures to prevent or control the input of pollutants. Controls may take the form of a requirement for prior regulation, such as a prohibition on the entry of pollutants into water, prior authorisation or registration based on general binding rules where such a requirement is not otherwise provided for under other legislation. These controls shall be periodically reviewed and, where necessary, updated< (i) for any other significant adverse impacts on the status of water identified under regulation 5 and Annex II, in particular measures to ensure that the hydromorphological conditions of the bodies of water are consistent with the achievement of the required ecological status or good ecological potential for bodies of water designated as artificial or heavily modified. Controls for this purpose may take the form of a requirement for prior authorisation or registration based on general binding rules where such a requirement is not otherwise provided for under other legislation. Such controls shall be periodically reviewed and, where necessary, updated< (j) a prohibition of direct discharges of pollutants into groundwater, provided that the competent authority may authorise re-injection into the same aquifer of water used for geothermal purposes. It may also authorise, specifying the conditions for> B 2697 (i) injection of water containing substances resulting from the operations for exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons or mining activities, and injection of water for technical reasons, into geological formations from which hydrocarbons or other substances have been extracted or into geological formations which for natural reasons are permanently unsuitable for other purposes. Such injections shall not contain substances other than those resulting from the above operations, (ii) re-injection of pumped groundwater from mines and quarries or associated with the construction or maintenance of civil engineering works, (iii) injection of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for storage purposes into geological formations which for natural reasons are permanently unsuitable for other purposes, (iv) injection of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for storage purposes into other geological formations where there is an overriding need for security of gas supply, and where the injection is such as to prevent any present or future danger of deterioration in the quality of any receiving groundwater, (v) construction, civil engineering and building works and similar activities on, or in the ground which come into contact with groundwater. For these purposes, the competent authority may determine that such activities are to be treated as having been authorised provided that they are conducted in accordance with general binding rules developed by the same in respect of such activities, and (vi) discharges of small quantities of substances for scientific purposes for characterisation, protection or remediation of water bodies limited to the amount strictly necessary for the purposes concerned> provided such discharges do not compromise the achievement of the environmental objectives established for that body of groundwater< (k) measures to eliminate pollution of surface waters by those substances specified in Annex X, and to progressively reduce pollution by other substances which would otherwise B 2698 prevent the achievement of the objectives for the bodies of surface water as set out in regulation 4< (l) any measure required to prevent significant losses of pollutants from technical installations, and to prevent and, or to reduce the impact of accidental pollution incidents for example as a result of floods, including through systems to detect or give warning of such events including, in the case of accidents which could not reasonably have been foreseen, all appropriate measures to reduce the risk to aquatic ecosystems. (4) “Supplementary” measures are those measures designed and implemented in addition to the basic measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives established pursuant to regulation 4. Part B of Annex VI contains a non-exclusive list of such measures. The competent authority may also adopt further supplementary measures in order to provide for additional protection or improvement of the waters covered by these regulations, including the implementation of the relevant international agreements. (5) Where monitoring or other data indicates that the objectives set under regulation 4 for the body of water are unlikely to be achieved, the competent authority shall ensure that> (i) the causes of the possible failure are investigated, (ii) relevant permits and authorisations are examined and reviewed as appropriate, (iii) the monitoring programmes are reviewed and adjusted as appropriate, and (iv) additional measures as may be necessary in order to achieve those objectives are established, including, as appropriate, the establishment of stricter environmental quality standards following the procedures laid down in Annex V. Where those causes are the result of circumstances of natural cause or force majeure which are exceptional and could not reasonably have been foreseen, in particular extreme floods and prolonged droughts, the competent authority may determine that additional measures are not practicable, subject to sub regulation (6) of regulation 4. (6) In implementing measures pursuant to sub regulation (3) above, the competent authority shall take all appropriate steps not to increase pollution of marine waters. Without B 2699 prejudice to existing legislation, the application of measures taken pursuant to sub-regulation (3) may on no account lead, either directly or indirectly, to increased pollution of surface waters. This requirement shall not apply where it would result in increased pollution of the environment as a whole. (7) The programmes of measures shall be established by the end of November 2009 and all the measures shall be made operational by the end of November 2012. (8) The programmes of measures shall be reviewed, and if necessary updated by the end of November 2015 and every six years thereafter. Any new or revised measures established under an updated programme shall be made operational within three years of their establishment. 12. (1) The competent authority shall ensure that a water catchment management plan is produced for each water catchment district. (2) The water catchment management plan shall include the information detailed in Annex VII. (3) Water catchment management plans may be supplemented by the production of more detailed programmes and management plans for sub-catchment, sector, issue, or water type, to deal with particular aspects of water management. Implementation of these measures shall not exempt the competent authority from any of its obligations under the rest of these regulations. (4) Water catchment management plans shall be published by the end of November 2009. (5) Water catchment management plans shall be reviewed and updated by the end of November 2015 every six years thereafter. 13. (1) The competent authority shall encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of these regulations, in particular in the production, review and updating of the water catchment management plan. The competent authority shall ensure that, for each water catchment district, it publishes and makes available for comments to the public, including users> (a) a timetable and work programme for the production of the plan, including a statement of the consultation measures Water catchment management plans. Public information and consultation. B 2700 to be taken, at least three years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers< (b) an interim overview of the significant water management issues identified in the water catchment, at least two years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers< (c) draft copies of the water catchment management plan, at least one year before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers. On request, access shall be given to background documents and information used for the development of the draft water catchment management plan. (2) The competent authority shall allow at least six months to comment in writing on those documents in order to allow active involvement and consultation. (3) Sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall apply equally to updated water catchment management plans. 14. (1) Annexes I, III and regulation 1.3.6 of Annex V may be adapted to scientific and technical progress, taking account of the periods for review and updating of the water catchment management plans as referred to in regulation 12. (2) For the purpose of transmission and processing of data, including statistical and cartographic data, technical formats for the purpose of sub-regulation (1) above may be adopted in accordance with the procedures laid down in relevant legislation. 15. (1) Where the competent authority considers that the conditions attached to a permit are no longer adequate, or that the activity authorised by the permit poses a previousely unforeseen risk to the environmental objectives listed in regulation 4 hereof, it may> (a) alter the terms and conditions attached to the permit< (b) serve a remedial notice upon the permit holder setting out the steps which must be taken to comply with the altered conditions and to remove the risk or actual harm as well as the period in which these steps must be completed> provided that the competent authority must include in its remedial notice the steps that the permit holder must comply Technical adaptations to the regulations. Actions that may be taken by the competent authority. B 2701 with so as to remedy the situation as well as the time by which such steps must be taken< (c) revoke the permit. (2) Where the previously unforeseen risk arising from an activity authorised by a permit cannot be mitigated by measures under sub-regulation (1) of this regulation, or when the conditions attached to a permit are no longer adequate, the competent authority may suspend the permit in whole or in part as necessary to avert the risk, and in each case without being liable to paying any compensation or refund of anything paid or made in securing the permit. (3) Where the competent authority believes that a permit holder is, or is likely to be, in breach of the conditions attached to his permit or these regulations in general, the competent authority may issue an enforcement notice specifying the breach of the conditions, the steps which must be taken to prevent it and the time in which these steps must be completed. (4) If a permit holder fails to comply with a remedial or enforcement notice, the competent authority may apart from revoking the permit in whole or in part, itself undertake the remedial action required, defraying the expenses incurred out of the permit holder’s financial assurance. (5) The competent authority may additionally bring into effect any punitive measures specified therein, including confiscation of all or part of the financial assurance> provided that, if the cost of this remedial action exceeds the financial assurance, the person responsible shall bear the additional costs. (6) Action by the competent authority under sub regulations (3) and (4) of this regulation shall be without prejudice to regulations 16, 17 and 18. (7) For the purposes of this regulation, “permit” means any permit issued by the competent authority under the Malta Resources Authority Act, 2000 and, or under the Environment Protection Act, 2001 or any regulation issued thereunder. B 2702 16. Any person shall be guilty of an offence under these regulations if> (a) he fails to comply with any provision of these regulations or with any order lawfully given in terms of any provision of these regulations< or (b) he contravenes any restriction, prohibition or requirement imposed by or under these regulations< or (c) he acts in contravention of any of the provisions of these regulations< or (d) he conspires or attempts, or aids, or abets, any other person by whatever means, including advertising, counselling or procurement to contravene the provisions of these regulations or to fail to comply with any such provisions (including any order lawfully given in terms of any of the provision of these regulations) or to contravene any restriction, prohibition or requirement imposed by or under the said regulations. 17. Any person who commits an offence against these regulations shall, on conviction, be liable> (a) on a first conviction to a fine (multa) of not less than five hundred Maltese liri but not exceeding two thousand Maltese liri< (b) on a second or subsequent convictions, to a fine (multa) of not less than two thousand Maltese liri, but not exceeding twenty five thousand Maltese liri or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment> provided that the court shall order any person who has been found guilty of committing an offence against these regulations to pay for the expenses incurred by the competent authority as a result of the said offence, the revocation of the permit issued by the competent authority and the confiscation of the corpus delicti, including vehicle, where applicable. 18. (1) The provisions of article 23 and sub-article (1) of article 30 of the Criminal Code shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to proceedings, in respect of offences against these regulations, so however that the disqualification from holding or obtain a licence, permit or authority shall in no case be for less than one year. Offences. Penalties. Applicability of Cap. 9. B 2703 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of article 370 of the Criminal Code, proceedings for an offence against these regulations shall be taken before the Court of Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), as the case may be, and shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code regulating the procedure before the said courts as courts of criminal judicature. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Criminal Code, the Attorney General shall always have a right of appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal from any judgement given by the Court of Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) in respect of proceedings for any offence against these regulations. B 2704 ANNEX I INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR THE LIST OF COMPETENT AUTHORITIES The following information on the competent authority shall be included in the water catchment management plan: (i) Name and address of the competent authority - the official name and address of the authority identified under regulation 3. (ii) Geographical coverage of the water catchment district - the names of the main rivers within the water catchment district together with a precise description of the boundaries of the water catchment district. This information should as far as possible be available for introduction into a geographic information system (GIS). (iii) Legal status of the competent authorities - a description of the legal status of the competent authority and, where relevant, a summary or copy of its statute, founding treaty or equivalent legal document or the Act of Parliament establishing the relevant Authority. (iv) Responsibilities - a description of the legal and administrative responsibilities of each competent authority and of its role within each water catchment district. (v) Membership - where the competent authority acts as a coordinating body for other competent authorities, a list is required of these authorities together with a summary of the institutional relationships established in order to ensure coordination. B 2705 ANNEX II 1 SURFACE WATERS 1.1. Characterisation of surface water body types The competent authority shall identify the location and boundaries of bodies of surface water and shall carry out an initial characterisation of all such bodies in accordance with the following methodology. The competent authority may group surface water bodies together for the purposes of this initial characterisation. (i) The surface water bodies within the water catchment district shall be identified as falling within either one of the following surface water categories - rivers, lakes, transitional waters or coastal waters - or as artificial surface water bodies or heavily modified surface water bodies. (ii) For each surface water category, the relevant surface water bodies within the water catchment district shall be differentiated according to type. These types are those defined using either ‘system A’ or ‘system B’ identified in section 1.2. (iii) If system A is used, the surface water bodies within the water catchment district shall be differentiated by surface water body types according to the descriptors set out in the tables for system A. (iv) If system B is used, the competent authority must achieve at least the same degree of differentiation as would be achieved using system A. Accordingly, the surface water bodies within the water catchment district shall be differentiated into types using the values for the obligatory descriptors and such optional descriptors, or combinations of descriptors, as are required to ensure that type specific biological reference conditions can be reliably derived. (v) For artificial and heavily modified surface water bodies the differentiation shall be undertaken in accordance with the descriptors for whichever of the surface water categories most closely resembles the heavily modified or artificial water body concerned. (vi) The competent authority shall develop a map or maps (in a GIS format) of the geographical location of the types consistent with the degree of differentiation required under system A. B 2706 1.2. Ecoregions and surface water body types 1.2.1. Rivers System A Fixed typology Descriptors Ecoregion Italy, Corsica and Malta Type Altitude typology mid-altitude: 200 to 800 m lowland: <200 m Size typology based on catchment area small: 10 to 100 km2 Geology calcareous System B Alternative characterisation Physical and chemical factors that determine the characteristics of the river or part of the river and hence the biological population structure and composition Obligatory factors altitude latitude longitude geology size Optional factors distance from river source energy of flow (function of flow and slope) mean water width mean water depth mean water slope form and shape of main river bed river discharge (flow) category valley shape transport of solids acid neutralising capacity mean substratum composition chloride air temperature range mean air temperature precipitation B 2707 1.2.2. Lakes System A Fixed typology Descriptors Ecoregion Italy, Corsica and Malta Type Altitude typology mid-altitude: 200 to 800 m lowland: <200 m Depth typology based on mean depth <3 m 3 to 15 m >15 m Size typology based on surface area 0.5 to 1 km2 1 to 10 km2 Geology calcareous System B Alternative characterisation Physical and chemical factors that determine the characteristics of the lake and hence the biological population structure and composition Obligatory factors Altitude latitude longitude depth geology size Optional factors mean water depth lake shape residence time mean air temperature air temperature range mixing characteristics (e.g. monomictic, dimictic, polymictic) acid neutralising capacity background nutrient status mean substratum composition water level fluctuation B 2708 1.2.3. Transitional waters System A Fixed typology Descriptors Ecoregion Mediterranean Sea Type Based on mean annual salinity <0.5 : freshwater 0.5 to <5: oligohaline 5 to <18: mesohaline 18 to <30: polyhaline 30 to <40: euhaline Based on mean tidal range <2 m: microtidal System B Alternative characterisation Physical and chemical factors that determine the characteristics of the transitional water and hence the biological population structure and composition Obligatory factors Latitude longitude tidal range salinity Optional factors Depth current velocity wave exposure residence time mean water temperature mixing characteristics turbidity mean substratum composition shape water temperature range B 2709 1.2.4. Coastal waters System A Fixed typology Descriptors Ecoregion Mediterranean Sea Type Based on mean annual salinity <0.5 : freshwater 05 to <5: oligohaline 5 to <18: mesohaline 18 to <30: polyhaline 30 to <40: euhaline Based on mean depth shallow waters: <30 m intermediate: (30 to 200 m) deep: >200 m System B Alternative characterisation Physical and chemical factors that determine the characteristics of the coastal water and hence the biological community structure and composition Obligatory factors Latitude longitude tidal range salinity Optional factors current velocity wave exposure mean water temperature mixing characteristics turbidity retention time (of enclosed bays) mean substratum composition water temperature range B 2710 1.3. Establishment of type-specific reference conditions for surface water body types (i) For each surface water body type characterised in accordance with section 1.1, type-specific hydromorphological and physicochemical conditions shall be established representing the values of the hydromorphological and physicochemical quality elements specified in point 1.1 in Annex V for that surface water body type at high ecological status as defined in the relevant table in point 1.2 in Annex V. Type-specific biological reference conditions shall be established, representing the values of the biological quality elements specified in point 1.1 in Annex V for that surface water body type at high ecological status as defined in the relevant table in section 1.2 in Annex V. (ii) In applying the procedures set out in this section to heavily modified or artificial surface water bodies references to high ecological status shall be construed as references to maximum ecological potential as defined in table 1.2.5 of Annex V. The values for maximum ecological potential for a water body shall be reviewed every six years. (iii) Type-specific conditions for the purposes of points (i) and (ii) and type-specific biological reference conditions may be either spatially based or based on modelling, or may be derived using a combination of these methods. Where it is not possible to use these methods, the competent authority may use expert judgement to establish such conditions. In defining high ecological status in respect of concentrations of specific synthetic pollutants, the detection limits are those which can be achieved in accordance with the available techniques at the time when the type-specific conditions are to be established. (iv) For spatially based type-specific biological reference conditions, the competent authority shall develop a reference network for each surface water body type. The network shall contain a sufficient number of sites of high status to provide a sufficient level of confidence about the values for the reference conditions, given the variability in the values of the quality elements corresponding to high ecological status for that surface water body type and the modelling techniques which are to be applied under paragraph (v). (v) Type-specific biological reference conditions based on modelling may be derived using either predictive models or hindcasting methods. The methods shall use historical, palaeological and other available data and shall provide a sufficient level of confidence about the values for the reference conditions to ensure that the conditions so derived are consistent and valid for each surface water body type. (vi) Where it is not possible to establish reliable type-specific reference conditions for a quality element in a surface water body type due to high degrees of natural variability in that element, not just as a result of seasonal variations, then that element may be excluded from the assessment of ecological status for that surface water type. In such circumstances the competent authority shall state the reasons for this exclusion in the water catchment management plan. B 2711 1.4. Identification of Pressures The competent authority shall collect and maintain information on the type and magnitude of the significant anthropogenic pressures to which the surface water bodies in each water catchment district are liable to be subject, in particular the following. Estimation and identification of significant point source pollution, in particular by substances listed in Annex VIII, from urban, industrial, agricultural and other installations and activities, based, inter alia, on information gathered under: (i) regulation 14 of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (L.N.340 of 2001) and programmes published subsequent to these regulations; (ii) regulations 15, 22 and 23 of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, 2002 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control, 2002 (L.N. 234 of 2002); and for the purposes of the initial water catchment management plan: (iii) regulation 11 of the Pollution Caused by Certain Dangerous Substances Discharged into the Aquatic Environment Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 213 of 2001); and (iv) the Quality required of Surface Water intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 339 of 2001), the Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 380 of 2003), the Quality of Fresh Waters Supporting Fish Life Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 342 of 2001), and the Quality required of Shellfish Waters Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 341 of 2001). Estimation and identification of significant diffuse source pollution, in particular by substances listed in Annex VIII, from urban, industrial, agricultural and other installations and activities; based, inter alia, on information gathered under: (i) regulations 4, 6 and 7 of the Protection of Waters against Pollution caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 343 of 2001); (ii) articles 7 and 17 of Directive 91/414/EEC (concerning placing of plant protection products on the market); (iii) Directive 98/8/EC (concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market); and for the purposes of the first water catchment management plan: (iv) the Quality required of Surface Water intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 339 of 2001), the Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 380 of 2003), the Quality of Fresh Waters Supporting Fish Life Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 342 of 2001), and the Quality required of Shellfish Waters Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 341 of 2001). B 2712 Estimation and identification of significant water abstraction for urban, industrial, agricultural and other uses, including seasonal variations and total annual demand, and of loss of water in distribution systems. Estimation and identification of the impact of significant water flow regulation, including water transfer and diversion, on overall flow characteristics and water balances. Identification of significant morphological alterations to water bodies. Estimation and identification of other significant anthropogenic impacts on the status of surface waters. Estimation of land use patterns, including identification of the main urban, industrial and agricultural areas and, where relevant, fisheries and forests. 1.5. Assessment of Impact The competent authority shall carry out an assessment of the susceptibility of the surface water status of bodies to the pressures identified above. The competent authority shall use the information collected above, and any other relevant information including existing environmental monitoring data, to carry out an assessment of the likelihood that surface waters bodies within the water catchment district will fail to meet the environmental quality objectives set for the bodies under regulation 4. The competent authority may utilise modelling techniques to assist in such an assessment. For those bodies identified as being at risk of failing the environmental quality objectives, further characterisation shall, where relevant, be carried out to optimise the design of both the monitoring programmes required under regulation 8, and the programmes of measures required under regulation 11. 2. GROUNDWATERS 2.1. Initial characterisation The competent authority shall carry out an initial characterisation of all groundwater bodies to assess their uses and the degree to which they are at risk of failing to meet the objectives for each groundwater body under regulation 4. The competent authority may group groundwater bodies together for the purposes of this initial characterisation. This analysis may employ existing hydrological, geological, pedological, land use, discharge, abstraction and other data but shall identify: the location and boundaries of the groundwater body or bodies, B 2713 the pressures to which the groundwater body or bodies are liable to be subject including: i. diffuse sources of pollution ii. point sources of pollution iii. abstraction iv. artificial recharge, the general character of the overlying strata in the catchment area from which the groundwater body receives its recharge, those groundwater bodies for which there are directly dependent surface water ecosystems or terrestrial ecosystems. 2.2. Further characterisation Following this initial characterisation, the competent authority shall carry out further characterisation of those groundwater bodies or groups of bodies which have been identified as being at risk in order to establish a more precise assessment of the significance of such risk and identification of any measures to be required under regulation 11. Accordingly, this characterisation shall include relevant information on the impact of human activity and, where relevant, information on: geological characteristics of the groundwater body including the extent and type of geological units, hydrogeological characteristics of the groundwater body including hydraulic conductivity, porosity and confinement, characteristics of the superficial deposits and soils in the catchment from which the groundwater body receives its recharge, including the thickness, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and absorptive properties of the deposits and soils, stratification characteristics of the groundwater within the groundwater body, an inventory of associated surface systems, including terrestrial ecosystems and bodies of surface water, with which the groundwater body is dynamically linked, estimates of the directions and rates of exchange of water between the groundwater body and associated surface systems, sufficient data to calculate the long term annual average rate of overall recharge, characterisation of the chemical composition of the groundwater, including specification of the contributions from human activity. The competent authority may use typologies for groundwater characterisation when establishing natural background levels for these bodies of groundwater. B 2714 2.3. Review of the impact of human activity on groundwaters For those bodies of groundwater which are identified following the initial characterisation undertaken in accordance with paragraph 2.1 as being at risk of failing to meet the objectives set for each body under regulation 4, the following information shall, where relevant, be collected and maintained for each groundwater body: (a) the location of points in the groundwater body used for the abstraction of water with the exception of: points for the abstraction of water providing less than an average of 10 m3 per day, or, points for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption providing less than an average of 10 m3 per day or serving less than 50 persons, (b) the annual average rates of abstraction from such points, (c) the chemical composition of water abstracted from the groundwater body, (d) the location of points in the groundwater body into which water is directly discharged, (e) the rates of discharge at such points, (f) the chemical composition of discharges to the groundwater body, and (g) land use in the catchment or catchments from which the groundwater body receives its recharge, including pollutant inputs and anthropogenic alterations to the recharge characteristics such as rainwater and run-off diversion through land sealing, artificial recharge, damming or drainage. 2.4. Review of the impact of changes in groundwater levels The competent authority shall also identify those bodies of groundwater for which lower objectives are to be specified under regulation 4 including as a result of consideration of the effects of the status of the body on: (i) surface water and associated terrestrial ecosystems (ii) water regulation, flood protection and land drainage (iii) human development. 2.5. Review of the impact of pollution on groundwater quality The competent authority shall identify those bodies of groundwater for which lower objectives are to be specified under regulation 4 where, as a result of the impact of B 2715 human activity, as determined in accordance with regulation 5, the body of groundwater is so polluted that achieving good groundwater chemical status is infeasible or disproportionately expensive. B 2716 ANNEX III ECONOMIC ANALYSIS The economic analysis shall contain enough information in sufficient detail (taking account of the costs associated with collection of the relevant data) in order to: (a) make the relevant calculations necessary for taking into account under regulation 9 the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, taking account of long term forecasts of supply and demand for water in the water catchment district and, where necessary: estimates of the volume, prices and costs associated with water services, and estimates of relevant investment including forecasts of such investments; (b) make judgements about the most cost-effective combination of measures in respect of water uses to be included in the programme of measures under regulation 11 based on estimates of the potential costs of such measures. B 2717 ANNEX IV PROTECTED AREAS 1. The register of protected areas required under regulation 6 shall include the following types of protected areas: (i) areas designated for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption under regulation 7; (ii) areas designated for the protection of economically significant aquatic species; (iii) bodies of water designated as recreational waters, including areas designated as bathing waters under any regulations concerning the quality of bathing water; (iv) nutrient-sensitive areas, including areas designated as vulnerable zones under the Protection of Waters against Pollution caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 343 of 2001) and areas designated as sensitive areas under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 340 of 2001); and (v) areas designated for the protection of habitats or species where the maintenance or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection, including relevant areas protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 257 of 2003) and the Protection of Birds and Wild Rabbit Regulations, 1993 (L.N. 146 of 1993) as amended. 2. The summary of the register required as part of the water catchment management plan shall include maps indicating the location of each protected area and a description of the legislation under which they have been designated. B 2718 ANNEX V 1. SURFACE WATER STATUS 1.1. Quality elements for the classification of ecological status 1.1.1. Rivers 1.1.2. Lakes 1.1.3. Transitional waters 1.1.4. Coastal waters 1.1.5. Artificial and heavily modified surface water bodies 1.2. Normative definitions of ecological status classifications 1.2.1. Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in rivers 1.2.2. Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in lakes 1.2.3. Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in transitional waters 1.2.4. Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in coastal waters 1.2.5. Definitions for maximum, good and moderate ecological potential for heavily modified or artificial water bodies 1.2.6. Procedure for the setting of chemical quality standards by the competent authority 1.3. Monitoring of ecological status and chemical status for surface waters 1.3.1. Design of surveillance monitoring 1.3.2. Design of operational monitoring 1.3.3. Design of investigative monitoring 1.3.4. Frequency of monitoring 1.3.5. Additional monitoring requirements for protected areas 1.3.6. Standards for monitoring of quality elements 1.4. Classification and presentation of ecological status 1.4.1. Comparability of biological monitoring results 1.4.2 Presentation of monitoring results and classification of ecological status and ecological potential 1.4.3. Presentation of monitoring results and classification of chemical status 2. GROUNDWATER 2.1. Ground water quantitative status 2.1.1. Parameter for the classification of quantitative status 2.1.2. Definition of quantitative status 2.2. Monitoring of groundwater quantitative status 2.2.1. Groundwater level monitoring network 2.2.2. Density of monitoring sites 2.2.3. Monitoring frequency 2.2.4. Interpretation and presentation of groundwater quantitative status 2.3. Groundwater chemical status 2.3.1. Parameters for the determination of groundwater chemical status B 2719 2.3.2. Definition of good ground water chemical status 2.4. Monitoring of groundwater chemical status 2.4.1. Groundwater monitoring network 2.4.2. Surveillance monitoring 2.4.3. Operational monitoring 2.4.4. Identification of trends in pollutants 2.4.5. Interpretation and presentation of groundwater chemical status 2.5. Presentation of groundwater status B 2720 1. SURFACE WATER STATUS 1.1. Quality elements for the classification of ecological status 1.1.1. Rivers Biological elements Composition and abundance of aquatic flora Composition and abundance of benthic invertebrate fauna Composition, abundance and age structure of fish fauna Hydromorphological elements supporting the biological elements Hydrological regime quantity and dynamics of water flow connection to groundwater bodies River continuity Morphological conditions river depth and width variation structure and substrate of the river bed structure of the riparian zone Chemical and physico-chemical elements supporting the biological elements General Thermal conditions Oxygenation conditions Salinity Acidification status Nutrient conditions Specific pollutants Pollution by all priority substances identified as being discharged into the body of water Pollution by other substances identified as being discharged in significant quantities into the body of water 1.1.2. Lakes Biological elements Composition, abundance and biomass of phytoplankton Composition and abundance of other aquatic flora Composition and abundance of benthic invertebrate fauna Composition, abundance and age structure of fish fauna Hydromorphological elements supporting the biological elements Hydrological regime quantity and dynamics of water flow residence time B 2721 connection to the groundwater body Morphological conditions lake depth variation quantity, structure and substrate of the lake bed structure of the lake shore Chemical and physico-chemical elements supporting the biological elements General Transparency Thermal conditions Oxygenation conditions Salinity Acidification status Nutrient conditions Specific pollutants Pollution by all priority substances identified as being discharged into the body of water Pollution by other substances identified as being discharged in significant quantities into the body of water 1.1.3. Transitional waters Biological elements Composition, abundance and biomass of phytoplankton Composition and abundance of other aquatic flora Composition and abundance of benthic invertebrate fauna Composition and abundance of fish fauna Hydro-morphological elements supporting the biological elements Morphological conditions depth variation quantity, structure and substrate of the bed structure of the intertidal zone Tidal regime freshwater flow wave exposure Chemical and physico-chemical elements supporting the biological elements General Transparency Thermal conditions Oxygenation conditions Salinity Nutrient conditions Specific pollutants Pollution by all priority substances identified as being discharged into the body of B 2722 water Pollution by other substances identified as being discharged in significant quantities into the body of water 1.1.4. Coastal waters Biological elements Composition, abundance and biomass of phytoplankton Composition and abundance of other aquatic flora Composition and abundance of benthic invertebrate fauna Hydromorphological elements supporting the biological elements Morphological conditions depth variation structure and substrate of the coastal bed structure of the intertidal zone Tidal regime direction of dominant currents wave exposure Chemical and physico-chemical elements supporting the biological elements General Transparency Thermal conditions Oxygenation conditions Salinity Nutrient conditions Specific pollutants Pollution by all priority substances identified as being discharged into the body of water Pollution by other substances identified as being discharged in significant quantities into the body of water 1.1.5. Artificial and heavily modified surface water bodies The quality elements applicable to artificial and heavily modified surface water bodies shall be those applicable to whichever of the four natural surface water categories above most closely resembles the heavily modified or artificial water body concerned. B 2723 1. 2. N or m at iv e de fi ni ti on s of e co lo gi ca l s ta tu s cl as si fi ca ti on s T ab le 1 .2 . G en er al d ef in iti on fo r ri ve rs , l ak es , t ra ns iti on al w at er s an d co as ta l w at er s T he fo llo w in g te xt p ro vi de s a ge ne ra l d ef in iti on o f e co lo gi ca l q ua lit y. F or th e pu rp os es o f c la ss if ic at io n th e va lu es fo r t he q ua lit y el em en ts o f ec ol og ic al s ta tu s fo r e ac h su rf ac e w at er c at eg or y ar e th os e gi ve n in ta bl es 1 .2 .1 to 1 .2 .4 b el ow . E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us G en er al T he re a re n o, o r o nl y ve ry m in or , an th ro po ge ni c al te ra tio ns to th e va lu es of th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al a nd H yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts fo r t he s ur fa ce w at er b od y ty pe fr om th os e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith th at ty pe u nd er u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he v al ue s of th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts fo r t he s ur fa ce w at er b od y re fl ec t t ho se n or m al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith th at ty pe u nd er u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s, a nd s ho w n o, o r o nl y ve ry m in or , e vi de nc e of d is to rt io n. T he se a re th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s an d co m m un iti es . T he v al ue s of t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts f or t he s ur fa ce w at er b od y ty pe sh ow lo w le ve ls of di st or tio n re su lti ng fr om hu m an ac tiv ity , bu t de vi at e on ly sl ig ht ly fr om th os e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith t he s ur fa ce w at er bo dy ty pe un de r un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he v al ue s of t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts f or t he s ur fa ce w at er b od y ty pe de vi at e m od er at el y fr om th os e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith t he s ur fa ce w at er bo dy ty pe un de r un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he v al ue s sh ow m od er at e si gn s of di st or tio n re su lti ng fr om hu m an a ct iv ity a nd a re s ig ni fi ca nt ly m or e di st ur be d th an u nd er c on di tio ns of g oo d st at us . W at er s ac hi ev in g a st at us b el ow m od er at e sh al l b e cl as si fi ed a s po or o r b ad . W at er s sh ow in g ev id en ce o f m aj or a lte ra tio ns to th e va lu es o f th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts f or th e su rf ac e w at er b od y ty pe a nd in w hi ch th e re le va nt b io lo gi ca l c om m un iti es d ev ia te s ub st an tia lly f ro m th os e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith th e su rf ac e w at er b od y ty pe u nd er u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s, s ha ll be c la ss if ie d as p oo r. W at er s sh ow in g ev id en ce o f se ve re a lte ra tio ns to th e va lu es o f th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts f or th e su rf ac e w at er b od y ty pe a nd in w hi ch la rg e po rt io ns o f th e re le va nt b io lo gi ca l c om m un iti es n or m al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith th e su rf ac e w at er b od y ty pe u nd er u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns a re ab se nt , s ha ll be c la ss if ie d as b ad . B 2724 1. 2. 1. D ef in iti on s fo r h ig h, g oo d an d m od er at e ec ol og ic al s ta tu s in ri ve rs B io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us Ph yt op la nk to n T he ta xo no m ic co m po si tio n of ph yt op la nk to n co rr es po nd s to ta lly or ne ar ly to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he a ve ra ge p hy to pl an kt on a bu nd an ce is w ho lly c on si st en t w ith t he t yp e sp ec if ic ph ys ic o ch em ic al c on di tio ns a nd i s no t su ch a s to s ig ni fi ca nt ly a lte r th e ty pe sp ec if ic tr an sp ar en cy c on di tio ns . Pl an kt on ic b lo om s oc cu r at a f re qu en cy an d in te ns ity w hi ch is c on si st en t w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c ph ys ic o ch em ic al co nd iti on s. T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of p la nk to ni c ta xa c om pa re d to t he ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . Su ch c ha ng es d o no t in di ca te a ny a cc el er at ed g ro w th o f al ga e re su lti ng in un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc es to th e ba la nc e of or ga ni sm s pr es en t i n th e w at er b od y or t o th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al q ua lit y of th e w at er o r s ed im en t. A s lig ht in cr ea se in th e fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity o f th e ty pe s pe ci fi c pl an kt on ic b lo om s m ay o cc ur . T he c om po si tio n of p la nk to ni c ta xa d if fe rs m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . A bu nd an ce is m od er at el y di st ur be d an d m ay be su ch as to pr od uc e a si gn if ic an t un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e in th e va lu es of ot he r bi ol og ic al an d ph ys ic o ch em ic al qu al ity e le m en ts . A m od er at e in cr ea se i n th e fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity o f pl an kt on ic b lo om s m ay o cc ur . Pe rs is te nt b lo om s m ay oc cu r d ur in g su m m er m on th s. M ac ro ph yt es a nd ph yt ob en th os T he t ax on om ic c om po si tio n co rr es po nd s to ta lly o r ne ar ly t ot al ly t o un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he re a re n o de te ct ab le c ha ng es i n th e av er ag e m ac ro ph yt ic an d th e av er ag e ph yt ob en th ic a bu nd an ce . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of m ac ro ph yt ic a nd p hy to be nt hi c ta xa co m pa re d to t he t yp e sp ec if ic c om m un iti es . S uc h ch an ge s do n ot in di ca te a ny a cc el er at ed g ro w th o f ph yt ob en th os or hi gh er fo rm s of pl an t lif e re su lti ng in un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc es to th e ba la nc e of o rg an is m s pr es en t i n th e w at er b od y or to t he p hy si co c he m ic al q ua lit y of t he w at er o r se di m en t. T he ph yt ob en th ic co m m un ity is no t ad ve rs el y af fe ct ed b y ba ct er ia l t uf ts a nd c oa ts p re se nt d ue to an th ro po ge ni c ac tiv ity . T he co m po si tio n of m ac ro ph yt ic an d ph yt ob en th ic t ax a di ff er s m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un ity an d is si gn if ic an tly m or e di st or te d th an at go od st at us . M od er at e ch an ge s in th e av er ag e m ac ro ph yt ic a nd t he a ve ra ge p hy to be nt hi c ab un da nc e ar e ev id en t. T he ph yt ob en th ic co m m un ity m ay be in te rf er ed w ith a nd , i n so m e ar ea s, d is pl ac ed by ba ct er ia l tu ft s an d co at s pr es en t as a re su lt of a nt hr op og en ic a ct iv iti es . B 2725 E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us B en th ic in ve rt eb ra te fa un a T he ta xo no m ic co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e co rr es po nd t ot al ly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he r at io o f di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve ta xa to in se ns iti ve ta xa sh ow s no si gn s of al te ra tio n fr om u nd is tu rb ed le ve ls . T he le ve l o f d iv er si ty o f i nv er te br at e ta xa sh ow s no si gn of al te ra tio n fr om un di st ur be d le ve ls . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of i nv er te br at e ta xa f ro m t he t yp e sp ec if ic c om m un iti es . T he ra tio of di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve ta xa to in se ns iti ve ta xa s ho w s sl ig ht a lte ra tio n fr om ty pe sp ec if ic le ve ls . T he l ev el o f di ve rs ity o f in ve rt eb ra te t ax a sh ow s sl ig ht s ig ns o f a lte ra tio n fr om ty pe s pe ci fi c le ve ls . T he co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of in ve rt eb ra te t ax a di ff er m od er at el y fr om t he ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . M aj or ta xo no m ic g ro up s of th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un ity a re a bs en t. T he ra tio o f di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve ta xa to in se ns iti ve t ax a, a nd t he l ev el o f di ve rs ity , ar e su bs ta nt ia lly lo w er th an th e ty pe s pe ci fi c le ve l an d si gn if ic an tly l ow er t ha n fo r go od st at us . Fi sh fa un a Sp ec ie s co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e co rr es po nd to ta lly or ne ar ly to ta lly to un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. A ll th e ty pe s pe ci fi c di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve s pe ci es a re p re se nt . T he ag e st ru ct ur es of th e fi sh co m m un iti es sh ow lit tle si gn of an th ro po ge ni c di st ur ba nc e an d ar e no t in di ca tiv e of a f ai lu re in th e re pr od uc tio n or d ev el op m en t o f a ny p ar tic ul ar s pe ci es . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n sp ec ie s co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es at tr ib ut ab le to an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on ph ys ic o ch em ic al an d hy dr om or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . T he c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of f is h sp ec ie s di ff er m od er at el y fr om t he t yp e sp ec if ic co m m un iti es at tr ib ut ab le to an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on ph ys ic o ch em ic al or hy dr om or ph ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . T he a ge s tr uc tu re s of t he f is h co m m un iti es s ho w si gn s of d is tu rb an ce a ttr ib ut ab le t o an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on ph ys ic o ch em ic al or hy dr om or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts , an d, i n a fe w i ns ta nc es , ar e in di ca tiv e of a f ai lu re i n th e re pr od uc tio n or de ve lo pm en t of a pa rt ic ul ar sp ec ie s, t o th e ex te nt t ha t so m e ag e cl as se s m ay be m is si ng . T he a ge s tr uc tu re o f th e fi sh c om m un iti es sh ow s m aj or si gn s of an th ro po ge ni c di st ur ba nc e, t o th e ex te nt t ha t a m od er at e pr op or tio n of t he t yp e sp ec if ic s pe ci es a re ab se nt o r o f v er y lo w a bu nd an ce . H yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us H yd ro lo gi ca l re gi m e T he q ua nt ity a nd d yn am ic s of f lo w , an d th e re su lta nt c on ne ct io n to g ro un dw at er s, re fl ec t to ta lly , or ne ar ly to ta lly , un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t o f th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . R iv er c on tin ui ty T he co nt in ui ty of th e ri ve r is no t di st ur be d by a nt hr op og en ic a ct iv iti es a nd al lo w s un di st ur be d m ig ra tio n of a qu at ic or ga ni sm s an d se di m en t t ra ns po rt . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t o f th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . M or ph ol og ic al co nd iti on s C ha nn el pa tte rn s, w id th an d de pt h va ri at io ns , fl ow ve lo ci tie s, su bs tr at e co nd iti on s an d bo th th e st ru ct ur e an d co nd iti on of th e ri pa ri an zo ne s C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t o f th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . B 2726 E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us co rr es po nd to ta lly or ne ar ly to ta lly to un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. P hy si co c he m ic al q ua lit y el em en ts (1 ) E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us G en er al co nd iti on s T he va lu es of th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts co rr es po nd to ta lly or ne ar ly to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. L ev el s of s al in ity , pH , ox yg en b al an ce , ac id ne ut ra lis in g ca pa ci ty an d te m pe ra tu re do no t sh ow si gn s of an th ro po ge ni c di st ur ba nc e an d re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T em pe ra tu re , ox yg en ba la nc e, pH , ac id ne ut ra lis in g ca pa ci ty a nd s al in ity d o no t re ac h le ve ls ou ts id e th e ra ng e es ta bl is he d so as to en su re th e fu nc tio ni ng of th e ty pe sp ec if ic ec os ys te m an d th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns d o no t ex ce ed t he l ev el s es ta bl is he d so a s to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m an d th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic s yn th et ic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns c lo se t o ze ro a nd a t le as t be lo w t he l im its o f de te ct io n of t he m os t ad va nc ed an al yt ic al te ch ni qu es in ge ne ra l u se . C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot i n ex ce ss o f th e st an da rd s se t in ac co rd an ce w ith th e pr oc ed ur e de ta ile d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic n on sy nt he tic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s (b ac kg ro un d le ve ls = b gl ). C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot i n ex ce ss o f th e st an da rd s se t in ac co rd an ce w ith th e pr oc ed ur e de ta ile d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 (2 ) w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . ( 1 ) T he fo llo w in g ab br ev ia tio ns a re u se d: b gl = b ac kg ro un d le ve l, E Q S = en vi ro nm en ta l q ua lit y st an da rd . ( 2 ) A pp lic at io n of th e st an da rd s de ri ve d un de r t hi s pr ot oc ol s ha ll no t r eq ui re re du ct io n of p ol lu ta nt c on ce nt ra tio ns b el ow b ac kg ro un d le ve ls : ( E Q S >b gl ). 1. 2. 2. D ef in iti on s fo r h ig h, g oo d an d m od er at e ec ol og ic al s ta tu s in la ke s B 2727 B io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us Ph yt op la nk to n T he ta xo no m ic c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of ph yt op la nk to n co rr es po nd to ta lly o r n ea rl y to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he a ve ra ge p hy to pl an kt on b io m as s is co ns is te nt w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c ph ys ic o ch em ic al c on di tio ns a nd is n ot s uc h as to si gn if ic an tly a lte r t he ty pe s pe ci fi c tr an sp ar en cy c on di tio ns . Pl an kt on ic b lo om s oc cu r a t a fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity w hi ch is c on si st en t w ith th e ty pe sp ec if ic p hy si co c he m ic al c on di tio ns . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es in th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of p la nk to ni c ta xa c om pa re d to th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . S uc h ch an ge s do n ot in di ca te a ny a cc el er at ed g ro w th o f al ga e re su lti ng in u nd es ir ab le d is tu rb an ce to th e ba la nc e of o rg an is m s pr es en t i n th e w at er bo dy o r t o th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al q ua lit y of th e w at er o r s ed im en t. A s lig ht in cr ea se in th e fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity o f t he ty pe s pe ci fi c pl an kt on ic bl oo m s m ay o cc ur . T he c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of p la nk to ni c ta xa d if fe r m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . B io m as s is m od er at el y di st ur be d an d m ay b e su ch a s to p ro du ce a s ig ni fi ca nt u nd es ir ab le di st ur ba nc e in th e co nd iti on o f o th er b io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts a nd th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al qu al ity o f t he w at er o r s ed im en t. A m od er at e in cr ea se in th e fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity o f p la nk to ni c bl oo m s m ay o cc ur . Pe rs is te nt b lo om s m ay o cc ur d ur in g su m m er m on th s. M ac ro ph yt es an d ph yt ob en th os T he ta xo no m ic c om po si tio n co rr es po nd s to ta lly o r n ea rl y to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s. T he re a re n o de te ct ab le c ha ng es in th e av er ag e m ac ro ph yt ic a nd th e av er ag e ph yt ob en th ic ab un da nc e. T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es in th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of m ac ro ph yt ic a nd ph yt ob en th ic ta xa c om pa re d to th e ty pe sp ec if ic c om m un iti es . S uc h ch an ge s do n ot in di ca te a ny a cc el er at ed g ro w th o f ph yt ob en th os o r h ig he r f or m s of p la nt li fe re su lti ng in u nd es ir ab le d is tu rb an ce to th e ba la nc e of o rg an is m s pr es en t i n th e w at er bo dy o r t o th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al q ua lit y of th e w at er . T he p hy to be nt hi c co m m un ity is n ot a dv er se ly af fe ct ed b y ba ct er ia l t uf ts a nd c oa ts p re se nt du e to a nt hr op og en ic a ct iv ity . T he c om po si tio n of m ac ro ph yt ic a nd ph yt ob en th ic ta xa d if fe r m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es a nd a re s ig ni fi ca nt ly m or e di st or te d th an th os e ob se rv ed a t g oo d qu al ity . M od er at e ch an ge s in th e av er ag e m ac ro ph yt ic an d th e av er ag e ph yt ob en th ic a bu nd an ce a re ev id en t. T he p hy to be nt hi c co m m un ity m ay b e in te rf er ed w ith , a nd , i n so m e ar ea s, d is pl ac ed b y ba ct er ia l tu ft s an d co at s pr es en t a s a re su lt of an th ro po ge ni c ac tiv iti es . B en th ic in ve rt eb ra te fa un a T he ta xo no m ic c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e co rr es po nd to ta lly o r n ea rl y to ta lly to th e un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he ra tio o f d is tu rb an ce s en si tiv e ta xa to in se ns iti ve ta xa s ho w s no s ig ns o f a lte ra tio n fr om u nd is tu rb ed le ve ls . T he le ve l o f d iv er si ty o f i nv er te br at e ta xa sh ow s no s ig n of a lte ra tio n fr om u nd is tu rb ed le ve ls . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es in th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of in ve rt eb ra te ta xa c om pa re d to th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . T he ra tio o f d is tu rb an ce s en si tiv e ta xa to in se ns iti ve ta xa s ho w s sl ig ht s ig ns o f al te ra tio n fr om ty pe s pe ci fi c le ve ls . T he le ve l o f d iv er si ty o f i nv er te br at e ta xa sh ow s sl ig ht s ig ns o f a lte ra tio n fr om ty pe sp ec if ic le ve ls . T he c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of in ve rt eb ra te ta xa d if fe r m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. M aj or ta xo no m ic g ro up s of th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un ity a re a bs en t. T he ra tio o f d is tu rb an ce s en si tiv e to in se ns iti ve ta xa , a nd th e le ve l o f d iv er si ty , a re s ub st an tia lly lo w er th an th e ty pe s pe ci fi c le ve l a nd si gn if ic an tly lo w er th an fo r g oo d st at us . B 2728 El em en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us Fi sh fa un a Sp ec ie s co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e co rr es po nd to ta lly o r n ea rl y to ta lly to un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. A ll th e ty pe s pe ci fi c se ns iti ve s pe ci es a re pr es en t. T he a ge s tr uc tu re s of th e fi sh c om m un iti es sh ow li ttl e si gn o f a nt hr op og en ic d is tu rb an ce an d ar e no t i nd ic at iv e of a fa ilu re in th e re pr od uc tio n or d ev el op m en t o f a p ar tic ul ar sp ec ie s. T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es in s pe ci es co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e fr om th e ty pe sp ec if ic c om m un iti es a ttr ib ut ab le to an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on p hy si co c he m ic al or h yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . T he a ge s tr uc tu re s of th e fi sh c om m un iti es sh ow s ig ns o f d is tu rb an ce a ttr ib ut ab le to an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on p hy si co c he m ic al or h yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts , a nd , in a fe w in st an ce s, a re in di ca tiv e of a fa ilu re in th e re pr od uc tio n or d ev el op m en t o f a pa rt ic ul ar s pe ci es , t o th e ex te nt th at s om e ag e cl as se s m ay b e m is si ng . T he c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of fi sh s pe ci es di ff er m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es a ttr ib ut ab le to a nt hr op og en ic im pa ct s on p hy si co c he m ic al o r hy dr om or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . T he a ge s tr uc tu re o f t he fi sh c om m un iti es s ho w s m aj or s ig ns o f d is tu rb an ce , a ttr ib ut ab le to an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on p hy si co c he m ic al o r hy dr om or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts , t o th e ex te nt th at a m od er at e pr op or tio n of th e ty pe sp ec if ic s pe ci es a re a bs en t o r o f v er y lo w ab un da nc e. H yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us H yd ro lo gi ca l re gi m e T he q ua nt ity a nd d yn am ic s of f lo w , le ve l, re si de nc e tim e, a nd t he r es ul ta nt co nn ec tio n to gr ou nd w at er s, re fl ec t to ta lly or ne ar ly to ta lly un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t o f th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . M or ph ol og ic al co nd iti on s L ak e de pt h va ri at io n, qu an tit y an d st ru ct ur e of t he s ub st ra te , an d bo th t he st ru ct ur e an d co nd iti on of th e la ke sh or e zo ne c or re sp on d to ta lly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t o f th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . B 2729 P hy si co c he m ic al q ua lit y el em en ts (1 ) E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us G en er al co nd iti on s T he va lu es of ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts c or re sp on d to ta lly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns r em ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. L ev el s of s al in ity , p H , o xy ge n ba la nc e, ac id n eu tr al is in g ca pa ci ty , t ra ns pa re nc y an d te m pe ra tu re d o no t sh ow s ig ns o f an th ro po ge ni c di st ur ba nc e an d re m ai n w ith in t he r an ge n or m al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T em pe ra tu re , ox yg en ba la nc e, pH , ac id ne ut ra lis in g ca pa ci ty , t ra ns pa re nc y an d sa lin ity d o no t re ac h le ve ls o ut si de t he r an ge e st ab lis he d so as to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m a nd th e ac hi ev em en t o f th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns d o no t ex ce ed t he l ev el s es ta bl is he d so a s to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m an d th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic s yn th et ic Po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns cl os e to ze ro an d at le as t be lo w t he l im its o f de te ct io n of th e m os t ad va nc ed an al yt ic al te ch ni qu es in g en er al u se . C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot i n ex ce ss o f th e st an da rd s se t in ac co rd an ce w ith th e pr oc ed ur e de ta ile d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic no n sy nt he tic Po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns r em ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s (b ac kg ro un d le ve ls = b gl ). C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot i n ex ce ss o f th e st an da rd s se t in ac co rd an ce w ith th e pr oc ed ur e de ta ile d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 (2 ) w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . (1 ) T he fo llo w in g ab br ev ia tio ns a re u se d: b gl = b ac kg ro un d le ve l, E Q S = en vi ro nm en ta l q ua lit y st an da rd . (2 ) A pp lic at io n of th e st an da rd s de ri ve d un de r t hi s pr ot oc ol s ha ll no t r eq ui re re du ct io n of p ol lu ta nt c on ce nt ra tio ns b el ow b ac kg ro un d le ve ls : ( E Q S >b gl ). B 2730 1. 2. 3. D ef in iti on s fo r h ig h, g oo d an d m od er at e ec ol og ic al s ta tu s in tr an si tio na l w at er s B io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us Ph yt op la nk to n T he c om po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of t he ph yt op la nk to ni c ta xa ar e co ns is te nt w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he a ve ra ge p hy to pl an kt on b io m as s is co ns is te nt w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c ph ys ic o ch em ic al c on di tio ns a nd i s no t su ch a s to s ig ni fi ca nt ly a lte r th e ty pe sp ec if ic tr an sp ar en cy c on di tio ns . Pl an kt on ic b lo om s oc cu r at a f re qu en cy an d in te ns ity w hi ch i s co ns is te nt w ith th e ty pe sp ec if ic ph ys ic o ch em ic al co nd iti on s. T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of p hy to pl an kt on ic ta xa . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n bi om as s co m pa re d to th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. S uc h ch an ge s do n ot in di ca te a ny a cc el er at ed g ro w th o f al ga e re su lti ng in un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e to th e ba la nc e of or ga ni sm s pr es en t in t he w at er b od y or t o th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al q ua lit y of th e w at er . A s lig ht i nc re as e in t he f re qu en cy a nd i nt en si ty o f th e ty pe s pe ci fi c pl an kt on ic b lo om s m ay o cc ur . T he co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of ph yt op la nk to ni c ta xa d if fe r m od er at el y fr om ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. B io m as s is m od er at el y di st ur be d an d m ay be su ch as to pr od uc e a si gn if ic an t un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e in t he c on di tio n of ot he r b io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts . A m od er at e in cr ea se i n th e fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity o f pl an kt on ic b lo om s m ay o cc ur . Pe rs is te nt bl oo m s m ay oc cu r du ri ng su m m er m on th s. M ac ro al ga e T he c om po si tio n of m ac ro al ga l ta xa i s co ns is te nt w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he re ar e no de te ct ab le ch an ge s in m ac ro al ga l co ve r du e to a nt hr op og en ic ac tiv iti es . T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n th e co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of m ac ro al ga l ta xa c om pa re d to t he ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . Su ch c ha ng es d o no t in di ca te a ny a cc el er at ed g ro w th o f p hy to be nt ho s or hi gh er f or m s of p la nt l if e re su lti ng i n un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e to th e ba la nc e of o rg an is m s pr es en t in th e w at er b od y or t o th e ph ys ic o ch em ic al q ua lit y of th e w at er . T he c om po si tio n of m ac ro al ga l ta xa d if fe rs m od er at el y fr om ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s an d is s ig ni fi ca nt ly m or e di st or te d th an a t go od q ua lit y. M od er at e ch an ge s in th e av er ag e m ac ro al ga l ab un da nc e ar e ev id en t an d m ay be su ch as to re su lt in an un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e to th e ba la nc e of or ga ni sm s pr es en t i n th e w at er b od y. A ng io sp er m s T he ta xo no m ic co m po si tio n co rr es po nd s to ta lly o r ne ar ly t ot al ly t o un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n th e co m po si tio n of an gi os pe rm ta xa co m pa re d to th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es . T he re ar e no de te ct ab le ch an ge s in an gi os pe rm ab un da nc e du e to an th ro po ge ni c ac tiv iti es . A ng io sp er m ab un da nc e sh ow s sl ig ht si gn s of di st ur ba nc e. T he co m po si tio n of th e an gi os pe rm ta xa di ff er s m od er at el y fr om th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es an d is si gn if ic an tly m or e di st or te d th an a t g oo d qu al ity . T he re ar e m od er at e di st or tio ns in th e ab un da nc e of a ng io sp er m ta xa . B 2731 E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us B en th ic in ve rt eb ra te fa un a T he le ve l o f di ve rs ity a nd a bu nd an ce o f in ve rt eb ra te t ax a is w ith in t he r an ge no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. A ll th e di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve ta xa as so ci at ed w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns ar e pr es en t. T he le ve l of di ve rs ity an d ab un da nc e of in ve rt eb ra te ta xa is sl ig ht ly ou ts id e th e ra ng e as so ci at ed w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. M os t o f t he s en si tiv e ta xa o f t he ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es a re p re se nt . T he l ev el o f di ve rs ity a nd a bu nd an ce o f in ve rt eb ra te t ax a is m od er at el y ou ts id e th e ra ng e as so ci at ed w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. T ax a in di ca tiv e of p ol lu tio n ar e pr es en t. M an y of th e se ns iti ve ta xa of th e ty pe sp ec if ic c om m un iti es a re a bs en t. Fi sh fa un a Sp ec ie s co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e is co ns is te nt w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he a bu nd an ce o f t he d is tu rb an ce s en si tiv e sp ec ie s sh ow s sl ig ht s ig ns o f di st or tio n fr om t yp e sp ec if ic co nd iti on s at tr ib ut ab le t o an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on ph ys ic o ch em ic al or hy dr om or ph ol og ic al qu al ity e le m en ts . A m od er at e pr op or tio n of t he t yp e sp ec if ic di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve s pe ci es a re a bs en t a s a re su lt of an th ro po ge ni c im pa ct s on ph ys ic oc he m ic al or hy dr om or ph ol og ic al qu al ity e le m en ts . H yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us T id al re gi m e T he f re sh w at er f lo w r eg im e co rr es po nd s to ta lly o r ne ar ly t ot al ly t o un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith t he a ch ie ve m en t of th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . M or ph ol og ic al co nd iti on s D ep th va ri at io ns , su bs tr at e co nd iti on s, an d bo th t he s tr uc tu re a nd c on di tio n of th e in te rt id al z on es c or re sp on d to ta lly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith t he a ch ie ve m en t of th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . B 2732 P hy si co c he m ic al q ua lit y el em en ts (1 ) E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us G en er al co nd iti on s Ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts co rr es po nd to ta lly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T em pe ra tu re , ox yg en at io n co nd iti on s an d tr an sp ar en cy d o no t re ac h le ve ls o ut si de t he ra ng es es ta bl is he d so as to en su re th e fu nc tio ni ng of th e ec os ys te m an d th e ac hi ev em en t of t he v al ue s sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns re m ai n w ith in t he r an ge n or m al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T em pe ra tu re , ox yg en ba la nc e an d tr an sp ar en cy d o no t sh ow s ig ns o f an th ro po ge ni c di st ur ba nc e an d re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. N ut ri en t c on ce nt ra tio ns d o no t e xc ee d th e le ve ls es ta bl is he d so a s to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m a nd t he a ch ie ve m en t of t he v al ue s sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic s yn th et ic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns c lo se t o ze ro a nd a t le as t be lo w t he l im its o f de te ct io n of th e m os t ad va nc ed an al yt ic al te ch ni qu es in g en er al u se . C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot in e xc es s of th e st an da rd s se t in a cc or da nc e w ith t he p ro ce du re d et ai le d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic n on s yn th et ic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s (b ac kg ro un d le ve ls = b gl ). C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot in e xc es s of th e st an da rd s se t in a cc or da nc e w ith t he p ro ce du re d et ai le d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 ( 2 ) w ith ou t p re ju di ce to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . (1 ) T he fo llo w in g ab br ev ia tio ns a re u se d: b gl = b ac kg ro un d le ve l, E Q S = en vi ro nm en ta l q ua lit y st an da rd . (2 ) A pp lic at io n of th e st an da rd s de ri ve d un de r t hi s pr ot oc ol s ha ll no t r eq ui re re du ct io n of p ol lu ta nt c on ce nt ra tio ns b el ow b ac kg ro un d le ve ls : ( E Q S >b gl ). B 2733 1. 2. 4. D ef in iti on s fo r h ig h, g oo d an d m od er at e ec ol og ic al s ta tu s in c oa st al w at er s B io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us Ph yt op la nk to n T he co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of ph yt op la nk to ni c ta xa ar e co ns is te nt w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T he a ve ra ge p hy to pl an kt on b io m as s is co ns is te nt w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c ph ys ic o ch em ic al c on di tio ns a nd is n ot su ch a s to s ig ni fi ca nt ly a lte r th e ty pe sp ec if ic tr an sp ar en cy c on di tio ns . Pl an kt on ic b lo om s oc cu r at a f re qu en cy an d in te ns ity w hi ch i s co ns is te nt w ith th e ty pe sp ec if ic ph ys ic o ch em ic al co nd iti on s. T he co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of ph yt op la nk to ni c ta xa sh ow sl ig ht si gn s of di st ur ba nc e. T he re a re s lig ht c ha ng es i n bi om as s co m pa re d to ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. S uc h ch an ge s do n ot in di ca te an y ac ce le ra te d gr ow th of al ga e re su lti ng in un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e to th e ba la nc e of o rg an is m s pr es en t in t he w at er b od y or to th e qu al ity o f t he w at er . A s lig ht i nc re as e in t he f re qu en cy a nd i nt en si ty of th e ty pe s pe ci fi c pl an kt on ic bl oo m s m ay oc cu r. T he co m po si tio n an d ab un da nc e of pl an kt on ic t ax a sh ow s ig ns o f m od er at e di st ur ba nc e. A lg al b io m as s is s ub st an tia lly o ut si de t he ra ng e as so ci at ed w ith ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s, a nd i s su ch a s to i m pa ct u po n ot he r b io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts . A m od er at e in cr ea se i n th e fr eq ue nc y an d in te ns ity o f pl an kt on ic b lo om s m ay o cc ur . Pe rs is te nt bl oo m s m ay oc cu r du ri ng su m m er m on th s. M ac ro al ga e an d an gi os pe rm s A ll di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve m ac ro al ga l an d an gi os pe rm t ax a as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s ar e pr es en t. T he le ve ls of m ac ro al ga l co ve r an d an gi os pe rm ab un da nc e ar e co ns is te nt w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . M os t di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve m ac ro al ga l an d an gi os pe rm ta xa as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s ar e pr es en t. T he l ev el o f m ac ro al ga l co ve r an d an gi os pe rm ab un da nc e sh ow s lig ht s ig ns o f d is tu rb an ce . A m od er at e nu m be r of th e di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve m ac ro al ga l an d an gi os pe rm t ax a as so ci at ed w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns a re ab se nt . M ac ro al ga l co ve r an d an gi os pe rm ab un da nc e is m od er at el y di st ur be d an d m ay b e su ch a s to r es ul t in a n un de si ra bl e di st ur ba nc e to t he b al an ce o f or ga ni sm s pr es en t i n th e w at er b od y. B en th ic in ve rt eb ra te Fa un a T he le ve l o f d iv er si ty a nd a bu nd an ce o f in ve rt eb ra te t ax a is w ith in t he r an ge no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s. A ll th e di st ur ba nc e se ns iti ve ta xa as so ci at ed w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns ar e pr es en t. T he le ve l of di ve rs ity an d ab un da nc e of in ve rt eb ra te t ax a is s lig ht ly o ut si de t he r an ge as so ci at ed w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. M os t o f t he s en si tiv e ta xa o f t he ty pe s pe ci fi c co m m un iti es a re p re se nt . T he l ev el o f di ve rs ity a nd a bu nd an ce o f in ve rt eb ra te t ax a is m od er at el y ou ts id e th e ra ng e as so ci at ed w ith th e ty pe s pe ci fi c co nd iti on s. T ax a in di ca tiv e of p ol lu tio n ar e pr es en t. M an y of t he s en si tiv e ta xa o f th e ty pe sp ec if ic c om m un iti es a re a bs en t. B 2734 H yd ro m or ph ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us T id al re gi m e T he fr es hw at er fl ow re gi m e an d th e di re ct io n an d sp ee d of d om in an t c ur re nt s co rr es po nd to ta lly or ne ar ly to ta lly to un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith t he a ch ie ve m en t of th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . M or ph ol og ic al co nd iti on s T he de pt h va ri at io n, st ru ct ur e an d su bs tr at e of th e co as ta l b ed , a nd b ot h th e st ru ct ur e an d co nd iti on o f th e in te r tid al zo ne s co rr es po nd to ta lly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to th e un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith t he a ch ie ve m en t of th e va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . B 2735 P hy si co c he m ic al q ua lit y el em en ts (1 ) E le m en t H ig h st at us G oo d st at us M od er at e st at us G en er al c on di tio ns T he ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts co rr es po nd to ta lly o r ne ar ly to ta lly to un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns re m ai n w ith in t he r an ge n or m al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith u nd is tu rb ed c on di tio ns . T em pe ra tu re , ox yg en ba la nc e an d tr an sp ar en cy d o no t sh ow s ig ns o f an th ro po ge ni c di st ur ba nc e an d re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng es no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T em pe ra tu re , ox yg en at io n co nd iti on s an d tr an sp ar en cy d o no t re ac h le ve ls o ut si de t he ra ng es es ta bl is he d so as to en su re th e fu nc tio ni ng of th e ec os ys te m an d th e ac hi ev em en t of t he v al ue s sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . N ut ri en t c on ce nt ra tio ns d o no t e xc ee d th e le ve ls es ta bl is he d so a s to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m a nd t he a ch ie ve m en t of t he v al ue s sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic s yn th et ic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns c lo se t o ze ro a nd a t le as t be lo w t he l im its o f de te ct io n of th e m os t ad va nc ed an al yt ic al te ch ni qu es in g en er al u se . C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot in e xc es s of th e st an da rd s se t in a cc or da nc e w ith t he p ro ce du re d et ai le d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . Sp ec if ic n on s yn th et ic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith un di st ur be d co nd iti on s (b ac kg ro un d le ve ls = b gl ). C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot in e xc es s of th e st an da rd s se t in a cc or da nc e w ith t he p ro ce du re d et ai le d in se ct io n 1. 2. 6 ( 2 ) w ith ou t p re ju di ce to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al q ua lit y el em en ts . (1 ) T he fo llo w in g ab br ev ia tio ns a re u se d: b gl = b ac kg ro un d le ve l, E Q S = en vi ro nm en ta l q ua lit y st an da rd . (2 ) A pp lic at io n of th e st an da rd s de ri ve d un de r t hi s pr ot oc ol s ha ll no t r eq ui re re du ct io n of p ol lu ta nt c on ce nt ra tio ns b el ow b ac kg ro un d le ve ls : ( E Q S >b gl ). B 2736 1. 2. 5. D ef in iti on s fo r m ax im um , g oo d an d m od er at e ec ol og ic al p ot en tia l f or h ea vi ly m od if ie d or a rt if ic ia l w at er b od ie s E le m en t M ax im um e co lo gi ca l p ot en tia l G oo d ec ol og ic al p ot en tia l M od er at e ec ol og ic al p ot en tia l B io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts T he v al ue s of th e re le va nt b io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts r ef le ct , as f ar a s po ss ib le , th os e as so ci at ed w ith th e cl os es t co m pa ra bl e su rf ac e w at er b od y ty pe , g iv en t he p hy si ca l co nd iti on s w hi ch re su lt fr om th e ar tif ic ia l o r he av ily m od if ie d ch ar ac te ri st ic s of th e w at er b od y. T he re ar e sl ig ht ch an ge s in th e va lu es of th e re le va nt b io lo gi ca l qu al ity e le m en ts a s co m pa re d to th e va lu es fo un d at m ax im um ec ol og ic al po te nt ia l. T he re ar e m od er at e ch an ge s in th e va lu es o f th e re le va nt b io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts as co m pa re d to th e va lu es fo un d at m ax im um e co lo gi ca l p ot en tia l. T he se va lu es ar e si gn if ic an tly m or e di st or te d th an t ho se f ou nd u nd er g oo d qu al ity . H yd ro m or ph ol og ic al el em en ts T he hy dr om or ph ol og ic al co nd iti on s ar e co ns is te nt w ith th e on ly im pa ct s on th e su rf ac e w at er b od y be in g th os e re su lti ng fr om th e ar tif ic ia l or he av ily m od if ie d ch ar ac te ri st ic s of t he w at er b od y on ce a ll m iti ga tio n m ea su re s ha ve be en ta ke n to en su re t he b es t a pp ro xi m at io n to e co lo gi ca l co nt in uu m , in pa rt ic ul ar w ith re sp ec t to m ig ra tio n of fa un a an d ap pr op ri at e sp aw ni ng a nd b re ed in g gr ou nd s. C on di tio ns c on si st en t w ith t he a ch ie ve m en t of t he va lu es s pe ci fi ed a bo ve f or t he b io lo gi ca l qu al ity el em en ts . C on di tio ns co ns is te nt w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . B 2737 Ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts G en er al co nd iti on s Ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts co rr es po nd to ta lly o r ne ar ly t ot al ly t o th e un di st ur be d co nd iti on s as so ci at ed w ith th e su rf ac e w at er bo dy t yp e m os t cl os el y co m pa ra bl e to t he ar tif ic ia l or he av ily m od if ie d bo dy co nc er ne d. N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns r em ai n w ith in t he ra ng e no rm al ly as so ci at ed w ith su ch un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he l ev el s of t em pe ra tu re , ox yg en b al an ce an d pH a re c on si st en t w ith t he t ho se f ou nd in th e m os t cl os el y co m pa ra bl e su rf ac e w at er bo dy ty pe s un de r un di st ur be d co nd iti on s. T he va lu es fo r ph ys ic o ch em ic al el em en ts ar e w ith in t he r an ge s es ta bl is he d so a s to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m a nd t he a ch ie ve m en t of t he v al ue s sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity e le m en ts . T em pe ra tu re a nd p H d o no t re ac h le ve ls o ut si de th e ra ng es es ta bl is he d so as to en su re th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m a nd t he a ch ie ve m en t of t he v al ue s sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity e le m en ts . N ut ri en t co nc en tr at io ns d o no t ex ce ed t he l ev el s es ta bl is he d so a s to e ns ur e th e fu nc tio ni ng o f th e ec os ys te m an d th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r t he b io lo gi ca l q ua lit y el em en ts . C on di tio ns co ns is te nt w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . Sp ec if ic s yn th et ic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns c lo se t o ze ro a nd a t le as t be lo w t he l im its o f de te ct io n of t he m os t ad va nc ed a na ly tic al t ec hn iq ue s in g en er al us e. C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot in e xc es s of th e st an da rd s se t i n ac co rd an ce w ith t he p ro ce du re d et ai le d in s ec tio n 1. 2. 6 w ith ou t p re ju di ce to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C a nd D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns co ns is te nt w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . Sp ec if ic no n sy nt he tic po llu ta nt s C on ce nt ra tio ns re m ai n w ith in th e ra ng e no rm al ly a ss oc ia te d w ith t he u nd is tu rb ed co nd iti on s fo un d in t he s ur fa ce w at er b od y ty pe m os t cl os el y co m pa ra bl e to th e ar tif ic ia l or he av ily m od if ie d bo dy co nc er ne d (b ac kg ro un d le ve ls = b gl ). C on ce nt ra tio ns n ot in e xc es s of th e st an da rd s se t i n ac co rd an ce w ith t he p ro ce du re d et ai le d in s ec tio n 1. 2. 6 (1 ) w ith ou t pr ej ud ic e to D ir ec tiv e 91 /4 14 /E C an d D ir ec tiv e 98 /8 /E C . ( < E Q S) C on di tio ns co ns is te nt w ith th e ac hi ev em en t of th e va lu es sp ec if ie d ab ov e fo r th e bi ol og ic al qu al ity el em en ts . (1 ) A pp lic at io n of th e st an da rd s de ri ve d un de r t hi s pr ot oc ol s ha ll no t r eq ui re re du ct io n of p ol lu ta nt c on ce nt ra tio ns b el ow b ac kg ro un d le ve ls . B 2738 1.2.6. Procedure for the setting of chemical quality standards by the competent authority In deriving environmental quality standards for pollutants listed in points 1 to 9 of Annex VIII for the protection of aquatic biota, the competent authority shall act in accordance with the following provisions. Standards may be set for water, sediment or biota. Where possible, both acute and chronic data shall be obtained for the taxa set out below which are relevant for the water body type concerned as well as any other aquatic taxa for which data are available. The ‘base set’ of taxa are: algae and/or macrophytes daphnia or representative organisms for saline waters fish. Setting the environmental quality standard The following procedure applies to the setting of a maximum annual average concentration: (i) The competent authority shall set appropriate safety factors in each case consistent with the nature and quality of the available data and the guidance given in section 3.3.1 of Part II of ‘Technical guidance document in support of Commission Directive 93/67/EEC (transposed through The Dangerous Substances (Risk Assessment) Regulations, 2002 (L.N 40 of 2002)) on risk assessment for new notified substances’ and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 on risk assessment for existing substances’ and the safety factors set out in the table below: Safety factor At least one acute L(E)C50 from each of three trophic levels of the base set 1 000 One chronic NOEC (either fish or daphnia or a representative organism for saline waters) 100 Two chronic NOECs from species representing two trophic levels (fish and/or daphnia or a representative organism for saline waters and/or algae) 50 Chronic NOECs from at least three species (normally fish, daphnia or a representative organism for saline waters and algae) representing three trophic levels 10 Other cases, including field data or model ecosystems, which allow more precise safety factors to be calculated and applied Case-by-case assessment (ii) where data on persistence and bioaccumulation are available, these shall be taken into account in deriving the final value of the environmental quality standard; B 2739 (iii) the standard thus derived should be compared with any evidence from field studies. Where anomalies appear, the derivation shall be reviewed to allow a more precise safety factor to be calculated; (iv) the standard derived shall be subject to peer review and public consultation including to allow a more precise safety factor to be calculated. 1.3. Monitoring of ecological status and chemical status for surface waters The surface water monitoring network shall be established in accordance with the requirements of regulation 8. The monitoring network shall be designed so as to provide a coherent and comprehensive overview of ecological and chemical status within each water catchment and shall permit classification of water bodies into five classes consistent with the normative definitions in section 1.2. The competent authority shall provide a map or maps showing the surface water monitoring network in the water catchment management plan. On the basis of the characterisation and impact assessment carried out in accordance with regulation 5 and Annex II, the competent authority shall for each period to which a water catchment management plan applies, establish a surveillance monitoring programme and an operational monitoring programme. The competent authority may also need in some cases to establish programmes of investigative monitoring. The competent authority shall monitor parameters which are indicative of the status of each relevant quality element. In selecting parameters for biological quality elements, the competent authority shall identify the appropriate taxonomic level required to achieve adequate confidence and precision in the classification of the quality elements. Estimates of the level of confidence and precision of the results provided by the monitoring programmes shall be given in the plan. 1.3.1. Design of surveillance monitoring Objective The competent authority shall establish surveillance monitoring programmes to provide information for: supplementing and validating the impact assessment procedure detailed in Annex II, the efficient and effective design of future monitoring programmes, the assessment of long-term changes in natural conditions, and the assessment of long-term changes resulting from widespread anthropogenic activity. The results of such monitoring shall be reviewed and used, in combination with the impact assessment procedure described in Annex II, to determine requirements for B 2740 monitoring programmes in the current and subsequent water catchment management plans. Selection of monitoring points Surveillance monitoring shall be carried out of sufficient surface water bodies to provide an assessment of the overall surface water status within each catchment or subcatchments within the water catchment district. In selecting these bodies the competent authority shall ensure that, where appropriate, monitoring is carried out at points where: the rate of water flow is significant within the district as a whole; the volume of water present is significant within the district; and such sites as are required to estimate the pollutant load which is transferred into the marine environment. Selection of quality elements Surveillance monitoring shall be carried out for each monitoring site for a period of one year during the period covered by a water catchment management plan for: parameters indicative of all biological quality elements, parameters indicative of all hydromorphological quality elements, parameters indicative of all general physico-chemical quality elements, priority list pollutants which are discharged into the water catchment or sub catchment, and other pollutants discharged in significant quantities in the water catchment or sub-catchment, unless the previous surveillance monitoring exercise showed that the body concerned reached good status and there is no evidence from the review of impact of human activity as described in Annex II that the impacts on the body have changed. In these cases, surveillance monitoring shall be carried out once every three water catchment management plans. 1.3.2. Design of operational monitoring Operational monitoring shall be undertaken in order to: establish the status of those bodies identified as being at risk of failing to meet their environmental objectives, and assess any changes in the status of such bodies resulting from the programmes of measures. B 2741 The programme may be amended during the period of the water catchment management plan in the light of information obtained as part of the requirements of Annex II or as part of this Annex, in particular to allow a reduction in frequency where an impact is found not to be significant or the relevant pressure is removed. Selection of monitoring sites Operational monitoring shall be carried out for all those bodies of water which on the basis of either the impact assessment carried out in accordance with Annex II or surveillance monitoring are identified as being at risk of failing to meet their environmental objectives under Regulation 4 and for those bodies of water into which priority list substances are discharged. Monitoring points shall be selected for priority list substances as specified in the legislation laying down the relevant environmental quality standard. In all other cases, including for priority list substances where no specific guidance is given in such legislation, monitoring points shall be selected as follows: for bodies at risk from significant point source pressures, sufficient monitoring points within each body in order to assess the magnitude and impact of the point source. Where a body is subject to a number of point source pressures monitoring points may be selected to assess the magnitude and impact of these pressures as a whole, for bodies at risk from significant diffuse source pressures, sufficient monitoring points within a selection of the bodies in order to assess the magnitude and impact of the diffuse source pressures. The selection of bodies shall be made such that they are representative of the relative risks of the occurrence of the diffuse source pressures, and of the relative risks of the failure to achieve good surface water status, for bodies at risk from significant hydromorphological pressure, sufficient monitoring points within a selection of the bodies in order to assess the magnitude and impact of the hydromorphological pressures. The selection of bodies shall be indicative of the overall impact of the hydromorphological pressure to which all the bodies are subject. Selection of quality elements In order to assess the magnitude of the pressure to which bodies of surface water are subject the competent authority shall monitor for those quality elements which are indicative of the pressures to which the body or bodies are subject. In order to assess the impact of these pressures, the competent authority shall monitor as relevant: parameters indicative of the biological quality element, or elements, most sensitive to the pressures to which the water bodies are subject, all priority substances discharged, and other pollutants discharged in significant quantities, parameters indicative of the hydromorphological quality element most B 2742 sensitive to the pressure identified. 1.3.3. Design of investigative monitoring Objective Investigative monitoring shall be carried out: where the reason for any exceedances is unknown, where surveillance monitoring indicates that the objectives set out in regulation 4 for a body of water are not likely to be achieved and operational monitoring has not already been established, in order to ascertain the causes of a water body or water bodies failing to achieve the environmental objectives, or to ascertain the magnitude and impacts of accidental pollution, and shall inform the establishment of a programme of measures for the achievement of the environmental objectives and specific measures necessary to remedy the effects of accidental pollution. 1.3.4. Frequency of monitoring For the surveillance monitoring period, the frequencies for monitoring parameters indicative of physico-chemical quality elements given below should be applied unless greater intervals would be justified on the basis of technical knowledge and expert judgement. For biological or hydromorphological quality elements monitoring shall be carried out at least once during the surveillance monitoring period. For operational monitoring, the frequency of monitoring required for any parameter shall be determined by the competent authority so as to provide sufficient data for a reliable assessment of the status of the relevant quality element. As a guideline, monitoring should take place at intervals not exceeding those shown in the table below unless greater intervals would be justified on the basis of technical knowledge and expert judgement. Frequencies shall be chosen so as to achieve an acceptable level of confidence and precision. Estimates of the confidence and precision attained by the monitoring system used shall be stated in the water catchment management plan. Monitoring frequencies shall be selected which take account of the variability in parameters resulting from both natural and anthropogenic conditions. The times at which monitoring is undertaken shall be selected so as to minimise the impact of seasonal variation on the results, and thus ensure that the results reflect changes in the water body as a result of changes due to anthropogenic pressure. Additional monitoring during different seasons of the same year shall be carried out, where necessary, to achieve this objective. B 2743 Quality element Rivers Lakes Transitional Coastal Biological Phytoplankton 6 months 6 months 6 months 6 months Other aquatic flora 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years Macro invertebrates 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years Fish 3 years 3 years 3 years Hydromorphological Continuity 6 years Hydrology continuous 1 month Morphology 6 years 6 years 6 years 6 years Physico-chemical Thermal conditions 3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months Oxygenation 3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months Salinity 3 months 3 months 3 months Nutrient status 3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months Acidification status 3 months 3 months Other pollutants 3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months Priority substances 1 month 1 month 1 month 1 month 1.3.5. Additional monitoring requirements for protected areas The monitoring programmes required above shall be supplemented in order to fulfil the following requirements: Drinking water abstraction points Bodies of surface water designated in Regulation 7 which provide more than 100 m 3 a day as an average shall be designated as monitoring sites and shall be subject to such additional monitoring as may be necessary to meet the requirements of that Regulation. Such bodies shall be monitored for all priority substances discharged and all other substances discharged in significant quantities which could affect the status of the body of water and which are controlled under the provisions of the any regulations on the quality of water intended for human consumption. Monitoring shall be carried out in accordance with the frequencies set out below: Community served Frequency <10 000 4 per year 10 000 to 30 000 8 per year >30 000 12 per year. Habitat and species protection areas Bodies of water forming these areas shall be included within the operational monitoring programme referred to above where, on the basis of the impact assessment and the surveillance monitoring, they are identified as being at risk of failing to meet their environmental objectives under regulation 4. Monitoring shall be carried out to assess the magnitude and impact of all relevant significant pressures on these bodies and, where necessary, to assess changes in the status of such bodies resulting from the programmes of measures. Monitoring shall continue B 2744 until the areas satisfy the water-related requirements of the legislation under which they are designated and meet their objectives under regulation 4. 1.3.6. Standards for monitoring of quality elements Methods used for the monitoring of type parameters shall conform to the international standards listed below or such other national or international standards which will ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality and comparability. Macroinvertebrate sampling MSA EN ISO 5667-3:2000 Water quality - Sampling - PART 3: Guidance on the preservation and handling of samples MSA EN 27828:2000 Water quality - Methods for biological sampling Guidance on hand net sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates MSA EN 28265:2000 Water quality - Methods of biological sampling Guidance on the design and use of quantitative samplers for benthic macroinvertebrates on stony substrata in shallow waters MSA EN ISO 9391:2000 Water quality - Sampling in deep waters for macroinvertebrates – Guidance on the use of colonisation, qualitative and quantitative samplers MSA EN ISO 8689-1:2000 Biological classification of rivers PART I: Guidance on the interpretation of biological quality data from surveys of benthic macroinvertebrates in running waters MSA EN ISO 8689-2:2002 Biological classification of rivers PART II: Guidance on the presentation of biological quality data from surveys of benthic macroinvertebrates in running waters Macrophyte sampling Relevant MSA standards when developed Fish sampling Relevant MSA standards when developed Phytoplankton sampling Relevant MSA standards when developed Standards for physico-chemical parameters Any relevant MSA standards B 2745 Standards for hydromorphological parameters Any relevant MSA standards 1.4. Classification and presentation of ecological status 1.4.1. Comparability of monitoring results The competent authority shall establish monitoring systems for the purpose of estimating the values of the biological quality elements specified for each surface water category or for heavily modified and artificial bodies of surface water. In applying the procedure set out below to heavily modified or artificial water bodies, references to ecological status should be construed as references to ecological potential. Such systems may utilise particular species or groups of species which are representative of the quality element as a whole. In order to ensure comparability of such monitoring systems, the results shall be expressed as ecological quality ratios for the purposes of classification of ecological status. These ratios shall represent the relationship between the values of the biological parameters observed for a given body of surface water and the values for these parameters in the reference conditions applicable to that body. The ratio shall be expressed as a numerical value between zero and one, with high ecological status represented by values close to one and bad ecological status by values close to zero. The competent authority shall divide the ecological quality ratio scale for their monitoring system for each surface water category into five classes ranging from high to bad ecological status, as defined in Section 1.2, by assigning a numerical value to each of the boundaries between the classes. The value for the boundary between the classes of high and good status, and the value for the boundary between good and moderate status shall be established through the intercalibration exercise. 1.4.2. Presentation of monitoring results and classification of ecological status and ecological potential (i) For surface water categories, the ecological status classification for the body of water shall be represented by the lower of the values for the biological and physico chemical monitoring results for the relevant quality elements classified in accordance with the first column of the table set out below. The competent authority shall provide a map for each water catchment district illustrating the classification of the ecological status for each body of water, colour-coded in accordance with the second column of the table set out below to reflect the ecological status classification of the body of water: Ecological status classification Colour code High Blue Good Green Moderate Yellow Poor Orange Bad Red B 2746 (ii) For heavily modified and artificial water bodies, the ecological potential classification for the body of water shall be represented by the lower of the values for the biological and physico-chemical monitoring results for the relevant quality elements classified in accordance with the first column of the table set out below. The competent authority shall provide a map for each water catchment district illustrating the classification of the ecological potential for each body of water, colour-coded, in respect of artificial water bodies in accordance with the second column of the table set out below, and in respect of heavily modified water bodies in accordance with the third column of that table: Ecological potential classification Colour code Artificial Water Bodies Heavily Modified Good and high Equal green and light grey stripes Equal green and dark grey stripes Moderate Equal yellow and light grey stripes Equal yellow and dark grey stripes Poor Equal orange and light grey stripes Equal orange and dark grey stripes Bad Equal red and light grey stripes Equal red and dark grey stripes (iii) The competent authority shall also indicate, by a black dot on the map, those bodies of water where failure to achieve good status or good ecological potential is due to non compliance with one or more environmental quality standards which have been established for that body of water in respect of specific synthetic and non-synthetic pollutants (in accordance with the compliance regime established by the competent authority). 1.4.3. Presentation of monitoring results and classification of chemical status Where a body of water achieves compliance with all the environmental quality standards established in Annex IX and under other relevant legislation setting environmental quality standards, that body of water shall be recorded as achieving good chemical status. If not, the body shall be recorded as failing to achieve good chemical status. The competent authority shall provide a map for each water catchment district illustrating chemical status for each body of water, colour-coded in accordance with the second column of the table set out below to reflect the chemical status classification of the body of water: Chemical status classification Colour code Good Blue Failing to achieve good Red 2. GROUNDWATER B 2747 2.1. Groundwater quantitative status 2.1.1. Parameter for the classification of quantitative status Groundwater level regime 2.1.2. Definition of quantitative status Elements Good status Groundwater level The level of groundwater in the groundwater body is such that the available groundwater resource is not exceeded by the long-term annual average rate of abstraction. Accordingly, the level of groundwater is not subject to anthropogenic alterations such as would result in: • failure to achieve the environmental objectives specified under Regulation 4 for associated surface waters, • any significant diminution in the status of such waters, • any significant damage to terrestrial ecosystems which depend directly on the groundwater body, and alterations to flow direction resulting from level changes may occur temporarily, or continuously in a spatially limited area, but such reversals do not cause saltwater or other intrusion, and do not indicate a sustained and clearly identified anthropogenically induced trend in flow direction likely to result in such intrusions. 2.2. Monitoring of groundwater quantitative status 2.2.1. Groundwater level monitoring network The groundwater monitoring network shall be established in accordance with the requirements of regulations 7 and 8. The monitoring network shall be designed so as to provide a reliable assessment of the quantitative status of all groundwater bodies or groups of bodies including assessment of the available groundwater resource. The competent authority shall provide a map or maps showing the groundwater monitoring network in the water catchment management plan. 2.2.2. Density of monitoring sites B 2748 The network shall include sufficient representative monitoring points to estimate the groundwater level in each groundwater body or group of bodies taking into account short and long-term variations in recharge and in particular: for groundwater bodies identified as being at risk of failing to achieve environmental objectives under regulation 4, the competent authority shall ensure sufficient density of monitoring points to assess the impact of abstractions and discharges on the groundwater level. 2.2.3. Monitoring frequency The frequency of observations shall be sufficient to allow assessment of the quantitative status of each groundwater body or group of bodies taking into account short and long term variations in recharge. In particular, for groundwater bodies identified as being at risk of failing to achieve environmental objectives under Regulation 4, the competent authority shall ensure sufficient frequency of measurement to assess the impact of abstractions and discharges on the groundwater level 2.2.4. Interpretation and presentation of groundwater quantitative status The results obtained from the monitoring network for a groundwater body or group of bodies shall be used to assess the quantitative status of that body or those bodies. Subject to point 2.5. The competent authority shall provide a map of the resulting assessment of groundwater quantitative status, colour-coded in accordance with the following regime: Good: green Poor: red 2.3. Groundwater chemical status 2.3.1. Parameters for the determination of groundwater chemical status Conductivity Concentrations of pollutants 2.3.2. Definition of good groundwater chemical status Elements Good status General The chemical composition of the groundwater body is such that the concentrations of pollutants: as specified below, do not exhibit the effects of saline or other intrusions do not exceed the quality standards applicable under other relevant legislation are not such as would result in failure to achieve the environmental objectives specified under Regulation 4 B 2749 for associated surface waters nor any significant diminution of the ecological or chemical quality of such bodies nor in any significant damage to terrestrial ecosystems which depend directly on the groundwater body Conductivity Changes in conductivity are not indicative of saline or other intrusion into the groundwater body 2.4. Monitoring of groundwater chemical status 2.4.1. Groundwater monitoring network The groundwater monitoring network shall be established in accordance with the requirements of regulations 7 and 8. The monitoring network shall be designed so as to provide a coherent and comprehensive overview of groundwater chemical status within each water catchment and to detect the presence of long-term anthropogenically induced upward trends in pollutants. On the basis of the characterisation and impact assessment carried out in accordance with regulation 5 and Annex II, the competent authority shall for each period to which a water catchment management plan applies, establish a surveillance monitoring programme. The results of this programme shall be used to establish an operational monitoring programme to be applied for the remaining period of the plan. Estimates of the level of confidence and precision of the results provided by the monitoring programmes shall be given in the plan. 2.4.2. Surveillance monitoring Objective Surveillance monitoring shall be carried out in order to: • supplement and validate the impact assessment procedure, • provide information for use in the assessment of long term trends both as a result of changes in natural conditions and through anthropogenic activity. Selection of monitoring sites Sufficient monitoring sites shall be selected for bodies identified as being at risk following the characterisation exercise undertaken in accordance with Annex II. Selection of parameters The following set of core parameters shall be monitored in all the selected groundwater bodies: • oxygen content • pH value B 2750 • conductivity • nitrate • ammonium Bodies which are identified in accordance with Annex II as being at significant risk of failing to achieve good status shall also be monitored for those parameters which are indicative of the impact of these pressures. 2.4.3. Operational monitoring Objective Operational monitoring shall be undertaken in the periods between surveillance monitoring programmes in order to: • establish the chemical status of all groundwater bodies or groups of bodies determined as being at risk, • establish the presence of any long term anthropogenically induced upward trend in the concentration of any pollutant. Selection of monitoring sites Operational monitoring shall be carried out for all those groundwater bodies or groups of bodies which on the basis of both the impact assessment carried out in accordance with Annex II and surveillance monitoring are identified as being at risk of failing to meet objectives under regulation 4. The selection of monitoring sites shall also reflect an assessment of how representative monitoring data from that site is of the quality of the relevant groundwater body or bodies. Frequency of monitoring Operational monitoring shall be carried out for the periods between surveillance monitoring programmes at a frequency sufficient to detect the impacts of relevant pressures but at a minimum of once per annum. 2.4.4. Identification of trends in pollutants The competent authority shall use data from both surveillance and operational monitoring in the identification of long-term anthropogenically induced upward trends in pollutant concentrations and the reversal of such trends. The base year or period from which trend identification is to be calculated shall be identified. The calculation of trends shall be undertaken for a body or, where appropriate, group of bodies of groundwater. Reversal of a trend shall be demonstrated statistically and the level of confidence associated with the identification stated. 2.4.5. Interpretation and presentation of groundwater chemical status In assessing status, the results of individual monitoring points within a groundwater body shall be aggregated for the body as a whole. Without prejudice toany legislation concerned, B 2751 for good status to be achieved for a groundwater body, for those chemical parameters for which environmental quality standards have been set in legislation: • the mean value of the results of monitoring at each point in the groundwater body or group of bodies shall be calculated, and • these mean values shall be used to demonstrate compliance with good groundwater chemical status. Subject to point 2.5, the competent authority shall provide a map of groundwater chemical status, colour-coded as indicated below: Good: green Poor: red The competent authority shall also indicate by a black dot on the map, those groundwater bodies which are subject to a significant and sustained upward trend in the concentrations of any pollutant resulting from the impact of human activity. Reversal of a trend shall be indicated by a blue dot on the map. These maps shall be included in the water catchment management plan. 2.5. Presentation of Groundwater Status The competent authority shall provide in the water catchment management plan a map showing for each groundwater body or groups of groundwater bodies both the quantitative status and the chemical status of that body or group of bodies, colour-coded in accordance with the requirements of points 2.2.4 and 2.4.5. The competent authority may choose not to provide separate maps under points 2.2.4 and 2.4.5 but shall in that case also provide an indication in accordance with the requirements of point 2.4.5 on the map required under this point, of those bodies which are subject to a significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of any pollutant or any reversal in such a trend. B 2752 ANNEX VI LISTS OF MEASURES TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE PROGRAMMES OF MEASURES PART A Measures required under the following regulations, and any amendements issued thereto : (i) Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 380 of 2003) (The Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC)); (ii) The Protection of Birds and Wild Rabbit Regulations, 1993 (L.N. 146 of 1993) as amended (The Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)); (iii) Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption Regulations, 2004 (L.N. 23 of 2004) (The Drinking Water Directive (80/778/EEC) as amended by Directive (98/83/EC)); (iv) Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 37 of 2003) (The Major Accidents (Seveso) Directive (96/82/EC)); (v) Environment Impact Assessment Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 204 of 2001) (The Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC))1; (vi) The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 212 of 2001) (The Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC))2; (vii) Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 340 of 2001) (The Urban Waste-water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC))3; (viii) The Plant Protection Products Directive (91/414/EEC); (ix) Protection of Waters Against Pollution Caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 343 of 2001) (The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC))4; (x) Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 257 of 2003) (The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)); (xi) Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, 2002 (L.N. 234 of 2002) (The Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive (96/61/EC))5. PART B The following is a non-exclusive list of supplementary measures which the competent authority within each water catchment district may choose to adopt as part of the programme of measures required under regulation 11(4): (i) provisions established through the Malta Resources Authority Act and the Environment Protection Act (ii) administrative instruments (iii) economic or fiscal instruments (iv) negotiated environmental agreements 1 Environment Impact Assesment Regualtions , 2001 (LN 204/2001) 2 The Sludge regualtions, 2001 (LN 212/2001) 3 Urban Waste Water Treatement regulations, 2001 ( LN 340/2001) 4 Protection of Waters against Pollution caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources regulations, 2001 (LN 343/2001) 5 Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regualtions, 2002 (LN 234/2002) B 2753 (v) emission controls (vi) codes of good practice (vii) recreation and restoration of wetlands areas (viii) abstraction controls (ix) demand management measures, inter alia, promotion of adapted agricultural production such as low water requiring crops in areas affected by drought (x) efficiency and reuse measures, inter alia, promotion of water-efficient technologies in industry and water-saving irrigation techniques (xi) construction projects (xii) desalination plants (xiii) rehabilitation projects (xiv) artificial recharge of aquifers (xv) educational projects (xvi) research, development and demonstration projects (xvii) other relevant measures B 2754 ANNEX VII WATER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS A. Water catchment management plans shall cover the following elements: 1. a general description of the characteristics of the water catchment district required under regulation 5 and Annex II. This shall include: 1.1. for surface waters: mapping of the location and boundaries of water bodies, mapping of the ecoregions and surface water body types within the water catchment, identification of reference conditions for the surface water body types; 1.2. for groundwaters: mapping of the location and boundaries of groundwater bodies; 2. a summary of significant pressures and impact of human activity on the status of surface water and groundwater, including: estimation of point source pollution, estimation of diffuse source pollution, including a summary of land use, estimation of pressures on the quantitative status of water including abstractions, analysis of other impacts of human activity on the status of water; 3. identification and mapping of protected areas as required by regulation 6 and Annex IV; 4. a map of the monitoring networks established for the purposes of regulation 8 and Annex V, and a presentation in map form of the results of the monitoring programmes carried out under those provisions for the status of: 4.1. surface water (ecological and chemical); 4.2. groundwater (chemical and quantitative); 4.3. protected areas; B 2755 5. a list of the environmental objectives established under regulation 4 for surface waters, groundwaters and protected areas, including in particular identification of instances where use has been made of regulation 4(4), (5), (6) and (7), and the associated information required under that regulation; 6. a summary of the economic analysis of water use as required by regulation 5 and Annex III; 7. a summary of the programme or programmes of measures adopted under regulation 11, including the ways in which the objectives established under regulation 4 are thereby to be achieved; 7.1. a summary of the measures required to implement legislation for the protection of water; 7.2. a report on the practical steps and measures taken to apply the principle of recovery of the costs of water use in accordance with regulation 9; 7.3. a summary of the measures taken to meet the requirements of regulation 7; 7.4. a summary of the controls on abstraction and impoundment of water, including reference to the registers and identifications of the cases where exemptions have been made under regulation 11(3)(e); 7.5. a summary of the controls adopted for point source discharges and other activities with an impact on the status of water in accordance with the provisions of regulation 11(3)(g) and 11(3)(i); 7.6. an identification of the cases where direct discharges to groundwater have been authorised in accordance with the provisions of regulation 11(3)(j); 7.7. a summary of the measures taken on priority substances; 7.8. a summary of the measures taken to prevent or reduce the impact of accidental pollution incidents; 7.9. a summary of the measures taken under regulation 11(5) for bodies of water which are unlikely to achieve the objectives set out under regulation 4; 7.10. details of the supplementary measures identified as necessary in order to meet the environmental objectives established; 7.11. details of the measures taken to avoid increase in pollution of marine waters in accordance with regulation 11(6); 8. a register of any more detailed programmes and management plans for the water catchment district dealing with particular sub-catchments, sectors, issues or water types, together with a summary of their contents; 9. a summary of the public information and consultation measures taken, their results and the changes to the plan made as a consequence; B 2756 10. a list of competent authorities in accordance with Annex I; 11. the contact points and procedures for obtaining the background documentation and information referred to in regulation 13(1), and in particular details of the control measures adopted in accordance with regulation 11(3)(g) and 11(3)(i) and of the actual monitoring data gathered in accordance with regulation 8 and Annex V. B. The first update of the water catchment management plan and all subsequent updates shall also include: 1. a summary of any changes or updates since the publication of the previous version of the water catchment management plan, including a summary of the reviews to be carried out under regulation 4(4), (5), (6) and (7); 2. an assessment of the progress made towards the achievement of the environmental objectives, including presentation of the monitoring results for the period of the previous plan in map form, and an explanation for any environmental objectives which have not been reached; 3. a summary of, and an explanation for, any measures foreseen in the earlier version of the water catchment management plan which have not been undertaken; 4. a summary of any additional interim measures adopted under regulation 11(5) since the publication of the previous version of the water catchment management plan. B 2757 ANNEX VIII INDICATIVE LIST OF THE MAIN POLLUTANTS 1. Organohalogen compounds and substances which may form such compounds in the aquatic environment. 2. Organophosphorous compounds. 3. Organotin compounds. 4. Substances and preparations, or the breakdown products of such, which have been proved to possess carcinogenic or mutagenic properties or properties which may affect steroidogenic, thyroid, reproduction or other endocrine-related functions in or via the aquatic environment. 5. Persistent hydrocarbons and persistent and bioaccumulable organic toxic substances. 6. Cyanides. 7. Metals and their compounds. 8. Arsenic and its compounds. 9. Biocides and plant protection products. 10. Materials in suspension. 11. Substances which contribute to euthrophication (in particular, nitrates and phosphates). 12. Substances which have an unfavourable influence on the oxygen balance (and can be measured using parameters such as BOD, COD, etc). B 2758 ANNEX IX EMISSION LIMIT VALUES AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STANDARDS The ‘limit values’ and ‘quality objectives’ established under the regulations following the Pollution Caused by Certain Dangerous Substances Discharged into the Aquatic Environment Regulations, 2001(L.N. 213 of 2001) shall be considered emission limit values and environmental quality standards, respectively, for the purposes of these regulations. They are established in the following regulations: (i) Limit Values and Quality Objectives for Mercury Discharges by Sectors Other Than the Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis Industry Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 219 of 2001); (ii) Limit Values and Quality Objectives for Cadmium Discharges Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 221 of 2001); (iii) Limit Values and Quality Objectives for Mercury Discharges by the Chlor-alkali Electrolysis Industry Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 220 of 2001); (iv) Limit Values and Quality Objectives for Hexachlorocyclohexane Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 218 of 2001); and (v) Limit Values and Quality Objectives for Discharges of Certain Dangerous Substances Discharged into the Aquatic Environment Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 227 of 2001). B 2759 ANNEX X LIST OF PRIORITY SUBSTANCES IN THE FIELD OF WATER POLICY (*) CAS number (1) EU number (2) Name of priority substance Identified as priority hazardous substance (1) 15972-60-8 240-110-8 Alachlor (2) 120-12-7 204-371-1 Anthracene (X) (***) (3) 1912-24-9 217-617-8 Atrazine (X) (***) (4) 71-43-2 200-753-7 Benzene (5) not applicable not applicable Brominated diphenylethers(**) X (****) (6) 7440-43-9 231-152-8 Cadmium X (7) 85535-84-8 287-476-5 C10-13-chloroalkanes (**) X (8) 470-90-6 207-432-0 Chlorfenvinphos (9) 2921-88-2 220-864-4 Chlorpyrifos (X) (***) (10) 107-06-2 203-458-1 1,2-Dichloroethane (11) 75-09-2 200-838-9 Dichloromethane (12) 117-81-7 204-211-0 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) (X) (***) (13) 330-54-1 206-354-4 Diuron (X) (***) (14) 115-29-7 204-079-4 Endosulfan (X) (***) 959-98-8 not applicable (alpha-endosulfan) (15) 206-44-0 205-912-4 Fluoranthene (*****) (16) 118-74-1 204-273-9 Hexachlorobenzene X (17) 87-68-3 201-765-5 Hexachlorobutadiene X (18) 608-73-1 210-158-9 Hexachlorocyclohexane X 58-89-9 200-401-2 (gamma-isomer, Lindane) (19) 34123-59-6 251-835-4 Isoproturon (X) (***) (20) 7439-92-1 231-100-4 Lead and its compounds (X) (***) (21) 7439-97-6 231-106-7 Mercury and its compounds X (22) 91-20-3 202-049-5 Naphthalene (X) (***) (23) 7440-02-0 231-111-4 Nickel and its compounds (24) 25154-52-3 246-672-0 Nonylphenols X 104-40-5 203-199-4 (4-(para)-nonylphenol) (25) 1806-26-4 217-302-5 Octylphenols (X) (***) 140-66-9 not applicable (para-tert-octylphenol) (26) 608-93-5 210-172-5 Pentachlorobenzene X (27) 87-86-5 201-778-6 Pentachlorophenol (X) (***) (28) not applicable not applicable Polyaromatic hydrocarbons X 50-32-8 200-028-5 (Benzo(a)pyrene), 205-99-2 205-911-9 (Benzo(b)fluoranthene), 191-24-2 205-883-8 (Benzo(g,h,i)perylene), 207-08-9 205-916-6 (Benzo(k)fluoranthene), 193-39-5 205-893-2 (Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) (29) 122-34-9 204-535-2 Simazine (X) (***) B 2760 Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment ta’ l-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) Valletta - Published by the Department of Information - (doi.gov.mt) - Valletta Mitbug] fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern - Printed at the Government Printing Press Prezz Lm3.32` - Price Lm3.32c (30) 688-73-3 211-704-4 Tributyltin compounds X 36643-28-4 not applicable (Tributyltin-cation) (31) 12002-48-1 234-413-4 Trichlorobenzenes (X) (***) 120-82-1 204-428-0 (1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene) (32) 67-66-3 200-663-8 Trichloromethane (Chloroform) (33) 1582-09-8 216-428-8 Trifluralin (X) (***) (*) Where groups of substances have been selected, typical individual representatives are listed as indicative parameters (in brackets and without number). The establishment of controls will be targeted to these individual substances, without prejudicing the inclusion of other individual representatives, where appropriate. (**) These groups of substances normally include a considerable number of individual compounds. At present, appropriate indicative parameters cannot be given. (***) This priority substance is subject to a review for identification as possible “priority hazardous substance”. (****) Only Pentabromobiphenylether (CAS-number 32534-81-9). (*****) Fluoranthene is on the list as an indicator of other, more dangerous Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. (1) CAS: Chemical Abstract Services. (2) EU-number: European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances (EINECS) or European List of Notified Chemical Substances (ELINCS).