- 4.2.2 abstraction of significant quantities of groundwater

 

Article 7 requires the identification of all groundwater bodies used, or intended to be used, for the abstraction of more than 10 m3 of drinking water a day as an average. By implication, this volume could be regarded as a significant quantity of groundwater. Geological strata capable of permitting such levels of abstraction (even only locally) would therefore qualify as aquifers.

If either of the criteria described in Paragraphs 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 are satisfied, the geological strata should be regarded as an aquifer. Most geological strata would be expected to qualify as aquifers as most supply or are intended to supply 10 m3 a day as an average or could serve 50 or more people.
However, it is clear that the requirements are different as regards those groundwater bodies which are being used or are intended to be used for drinking water abstraction (cf. Article 7) and those bodies where groundwater is abstracted for other uses (cf. Annex II 2.3). For the latter, not all groundwater bodies would be identified. The criteria in Annex II 2.3 specify, that only those groundwater bodies must be addressed 'which cross the boundary between two or more Member States or are identified [...] as being at risk of failing to meet the objectives set for each body under Article 4'.

Figure 9: The Directives definition of aquifer requires two criteria to be considered in determining whether geological strata qualify as aquifers. If either of the criteria is met, the strata will constitute an aquifer or aquifers. In practice, the criteria mean that nearly all groundwater in the Community would be expected to be within aquifers.