Drinking water shortage (level « red »)

Chemical status of the water bodies 2009

Status of the water bodies 2009

Drinking water shortage (level « orange »)

Representation of heavily modified waterbodies which have been physically altered by human activity that they can not achieve good ecological status as defined by the water framework directive (DIR 2000/60/CE) and that no technical feasibility or cost-effective option exist to stop that human activity. These water bodies have the good ecological potential as the environmental objective. They have nevertheless to achieve good chemical status.

The surface water of Luxembourg are subdivided in 102 water bodies. The identification of water bodies is based on geographical and hydrological determinants. 3 surface water bodies are integrated in the river basin of the "Chiers", part of the river basin district of the Meuse. 99 surface water bodies are integrated in the river basin of the "Moselle", part of the river basin district of the Rhine.

Luxembourg has designated its whole territory as vulnerable zone according to article 3, paragraph 2 of the Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC.

The chemical status of the water bodies is assessed as being good or failing to achieve good chemical surface. The definition of good chemical status is based on the annex X of the water framework directive which contains a list of priority substances and environmental quality standards (EQS) for each of these substances. This list is regularly updated in compliance with the directive 2008/105/EC and its revisions.

Overall evaluation of the hydromorphological status per surface water body. It is a “pessimistic assessment” because only the worst of the two parameters morphology an continuity is retained. The hydromorphological status is assessed in 5 classes.

A groundwater body is a distinctive volume of groundwater inside one or more aquifers. The identification of a groundwater body is made by geological criteria. A groundwater body is a management unit in order to evaluate the environmental objectives (good status) according to article 6 of the national water law of the 19th December 2008.