JAGDAG

The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Groundwater Daughter Directive (2006/118/EC) require EU Member States to protect groundwater against pollution and deterioration by preventing or limiting entry of pollutants (substances liable to cause pollution) to groundwater. The respective UK and Ireland environment agencies are responsible for considering whether a potential pollutant should be determined to be a hazardous substance or a non-hazardous pollutant. The approach used in assessing substances updates that set out in the old Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC).

 

The Joint Agencies Groundwater Directive Advisory Group (JAGDAG) reviews assessments made by the agencies. JAGDAG comprises the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), the Environmental Protection Agency Ireland (EPA), Health Protection Agency (HPA), Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Welsh Government (WG) and industry representatives. Assessments are then subject to public consultation, and may be subject to further review by the respective governments, before a final determination is made.

 

Hazardous substances must be prevented from entering groundwater and the input of non-hazardous pollutants must be limited to ensure that groundwater does not become polluted. JAGDAG’s role is to advise on the determination of the status of substances. Regulation of activities to protect groundwater is dealt with separately by the respective environment agencies and is currently under active consideration.

 

 

The current list of substances that have been determined as hazardous.

Information about how each of the UK environmental agency's implement these standards can be found here.  

 

 

For the current JAGDAG methodology