Chemistry
SEPA's chemistry function plays an integral role in ensuring
that the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) are
achieved in terms of the chemical monitoring, analysis and data
assessment that SEPA carries out.
Priority substances
The WFD's objective of achieving good ecological status of a water
body will be achieved when, amongst other criteria, good chemical
status is achieved. The achievement of good chemical status is
dependant on meeting agreed environmental quality standards (EQS),
including EQS for priority substances.
The European Commission has identified a list of 33 priority
substances based on their toxicity, persistence and liability to
bio-accumulate in the environment. The list will be reviewed by the
Commission every four years and is divided into two categories
(depending on the level of concern):
- Priority substances
- Priority hazardous substances
Measures to address these priority substances must be
implemented with the aim of:
- Cessation or phasing-out of discharges, emissions and losses of
priority hazardous substances by 2025;
- Progressive reduction of pollution from all priority
substances.
Specific pollutants
The WFD provides an indicative list of main pollutants to be
considered as 'specific pollutants'. Good ecological status also
requires concentrations of specific pollutants to be below the EQS.
Member States are responsible for developing appropriate EQS for
specific pollutants.
UK work
Chemistry involvement in the implementation of the WFD on a UK
national scale is managed through the UK Technical Advisory Group
(UKTAG) Chemistry Task Team. This group is part of the UKTAG
network and exists to provide technical advice on chemical aspects
of the Directive.
Further information on SEPA's chemistry function can be found in
the Scotland's environment section.