Appendix Annex III GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING WATER-QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA

Water-quality objectives and criteria shall:

1. (a)

   take into account the aim of maintaining and, where necessary, improving the existing water quality;

2. (b)

   aim at the reduction of average pollution loads (in particular hazardous substances) to a certain degree within a certain period of time;

3. (c)

   take into account specific water-quality requirements (raw water for drinking-water purposes, irrigation, etc.);

4. (d)

   take into account specific requirements regarding sensitive and specially protected waters and their environment, e.g. lakes and groundwater resources;

5. (e)

   be based on the application of ecological classification methods and chemical indices for the medium-and long-term review of water-quality maintenance and improvement;

6. (f)

   take into account the degree to which objectives are reached and the additional protective measures, based on emission limits, which may be required in individual cases.