Assessing the European Water Stewardship Standard in the Context ...

3 Theoretical Background 5
overexploitation of sources can lead to higher pollution, as less water is available for dilution
(EEA 2010a). Especially in southern Europe, groundwater can be significantly affected by
water abstraction lowering groundwater levels for tens of meters by exceeding the natural
refill capacity of aquifers. This often results in reduced river flow and river volumes with
severe impacts on water-related ecosystems and habitats (DOGDU & SAGNAK 2008).
Furthermore, saline intrusion of over-pumped coastal aquifers is increasing throughout
Europe, with rising salt concentration in groundwater and cutting off the use of coastal
aquifers (PETALAS et al. 2009).
In accordance with these facts, a report of the European Commission (EC) estimates that 17%
of the EU territory is currently affected by water scarcity, with a cost of 100 billion Euros
throughout the past 30 years (EC 2007a).
Impacts of water scarcity in the EU are different depending on the sector. Abstraction and
storage of water can heavily contribute to water shortages especially in periods of low rainfall
and natural droughts. This is becoming a key-issue in determining availability of freshwater
resources. The relationship between water demand and availability is not always linear,
leading to problems especially over longer periods of droughts particularly as agriculture
substitutes missing rainfalls with irrigation, resulting in a greater water abstraction. Peak
abstraction is mostly during summer months when water sources are naturally scarce (EEA
2010a). This can have dramatic effects on both society and nature. Low availability of water
for ecosystems can create hostile conditions for water biota and terrestrial ecosystems causing
declines of plant and animal populations (ALLIBONE 1996). For society, meeting the critical
level of water availability, can lead to threats in various sectors like agriculture, tourism and
industry, implying economic losses. To mitigate risks, the interest towards the different water
resources have to be managed wisely, aiming on SWM within the watersheds.
3.1.2 Water Quality
The quality of Europe´s water bodies was recently assessed in the context of the WFD
throughout national monitoring programmes. The assessment was manifold considering all
anthropogenic pollutants entering water resources such as nutrients and heavy metals. Threats
to freshwater quality are pollutants released from different sectors such as industry,
households, agriculture, tourism and urban areas with the agricultural sector being the
dominating polluter (EEA 2010b). However water pollution can also have importance on a
local level from mines, aquaculture, dwellings and others (JARVIE et al. 2006). In general
pollution can be minimised technically through optimising the effectiveness of treatment
plants and strategically by means of policy (OVERVELD 2008). Technically tremendous efforts
have been made leading to a significant decrease of pollution especially for industry and