Climate Change Policy: Paving the way to a water quality future
Water is essential for life. Access to safe drinking water is vital for human health and is a basic human right (WHO, 2017) (United Nations General Assembly, 2010). One way in which the sustainability of safe drinking water for future generations is being driven is through long term thinking, by investigating current practices and utilising innovation to improve them. The use of chemicals to treat drinking water has been used since water treatment was developed in the 19th century and today chemicals are used at many different points during the journey of water from source to tap. However, the use of chemicals to treat drinking water has numerous disadvantages, including health concerns, environmental damage, high purchasing costs and poor or unknown long term availability. Current research is investigating how these chemicals can be removed from treatment processes while still maintaining the compliant drinking water currently provided by water utilities. One example is the use of chlorine which is a very effective disinfectant capable of a 99.95% bacteria reduction but it is able to form disinfection byproducts that are known to have carcinogenic properties (Hill, 2014) (Kärrman, et al., 2004) (Cozzolino, et al., 2005).
The research into chemical free drinking water is a long-term goal but future challenges put this and similar research aims in jeopardy. Climate change, for instance, has many likely impacts on the planet, including higher average air temperatures, increased precipitation intensity, sea level rises, hot extremes and increased frequency of extremes of the hydrologic cycle, floods and droughts (Patz, et al., 2008) (Coffey, et al., 2013) (IPCC, 2018) (Johnson, et al., 2009). These impacts will alter the amount, distribution, timing, and quality of available drinking water. As The Pacific Institute (2007) stated “according to the United Nations, if present consumption patterns continue, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed conditions by the year 2025” (World Water Assessment Programme, 2012). Evidentially, priorities may have to shift and, for instance, the use of chlorine may be implemented more frequently than at present, in an effort to cope with water demand, despite the harmful side effects. Chemical free drinking water will no longer be prioritised.
One way in which the impacts of climate change could be further incorporated into EU legislation is that the EU Water Framework Directive could include climate specific components to the assessment systems, such as metrics particularly reflecting the temperature sensitivity of species (European Commission, 2016) (European Commission, 2016) (Hering, et al., 2010). As, currently assessment metrics are often focussed on traditional stressors, such as organic pollution and eutrophication, rather than metrics for the effects of emerging stressors, such as climate change. Emerging stressors are likely factors that will shift and change over time, meaning that the assessment systems used should have a greater degree of flexibility to address other changes in future. Furthermore, the additions to these systems that are directly linked to climate change could be more clear about this link and the reasons for adding to this legislation, potentially by using a supplement or recommended guidelines.
Overall communication could be improved in several ways, including policy that is easier to understand so experts in other areas feel comfortable working with it and know what is expected of them. Knowledge sharing between different regulators will help ensure linked policies (such as water policy and agriculture policy) work synergistically. Overall, climate change research efforts and legislation could be better communicated between regulators, water utilities and research institutions, which in turn should be translated into a format that can be understood by the general public (Frances, et al., 2017). Currently, the major regulatory frameworks do not explicitly address the risks posed by climate change in a straightforward manner.
To conclude, EU water legislation has identified climate change as a major future challenge, the impacts of which have been gradually incorporated into regulation. However, there are further adaption measures that need to be developed and assessed, including: improved monitoring and reporting of climate-related extremes, the addition of climate specific components to assessment systems, better integration of water policies into other policies, cost benefit analyses of the different adaptation options and continued and improved communication between those who regulation impacts, including the general public. Climate change, as well as other challenges to the global water sector, such as increasing water demand, population growth and demographic changes, will require the use of innovation and development to better manage water resources so as to ensure adequate provision and quality of drinking water (World Water Assessment Programme, 2012). It is essential that legislation helps water researchers and providers to tackle the impacts of climate change proactively rather than reactively so that research to improve water quality, such as chemical free drinking water, continues to take priority.
Works Cited
Coffey, R. et al., 2013. Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on Waterborne Microorganisms: Implications for EU and U.S. Water Policy. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, Volume 20, pp. 724-742.
Cozzolino, L., Pianese, D. & Pirozzi, F., 2005. Control of DBPs in Water Distribution Systems Through Optimal Chlorine Dosage and Disinfection Station Allocation. Desalination, 176(1-3), pp. 113-125.
European Commission, 2016. Legislation: The Directive Overview. [Online]
Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-drink/legislation_en.html
[Accessed 20 September 2016].
European Commission, 2016. The EU Water Framework Directive- Integrated River Basin Management for Europe. [Online]
Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html
[Accessed 4 January 2019].
Frances, G., Quevauviller, P., Gonzalez, E. & Amelin, E., 2017. Climate Change Policy and Water Resources in the EU and Spain. A Closer Look into the Water Framework Directive. Environmental Science and Policy, Volume 69, pp. 1-12.
Hering, D. et al., 2010. The European Water Framework Directive at the Age of 10: A Critical Review of the Achievements with Recommendations for the Future. Science Of The Total Environment, 408(19), pp. 4007-4019.
Hill, D., 2014. Basic Microbiology for Drinking Water. 3rd ed. Denver: American Water Works Association.
IPCC, 2018. Global Warming of 1.5°C: Summary for Policymakers, Switzerland: IPCC.
Johnson, A. et al., 2009. The British River of the Future: How Climate Change and Hhuman Activity Might Affect Two Contrasting River Ecosystems in England. Science of the Total Environment, 407(17), pp. 4787-4798.
Kärrman, E. et al., 2004. Systemanalys av dricksvattenförsörjning med avseende på mikrobiologiska barriärer ochmiljöpåverkan, Stockholm: VA-Forsk.
Pacific Institute referencing Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007. Making Every Drop Count, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Patz, J., Vavrus, S., Uejio, C. & McLellan, S., 2008. Climate Change and Waterborne Disease Risk in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 35(5), pp. 451-458.
United Nations General Assembly, 2010. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 28 July 2010: 64/292. The human right to water and sanitation, s.l.: United Nations General Assembly.
WHO, 2017. Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, Fourth Edition Incorporating The First Addendum, Geneva: World Health Organization.
World Water Assessment Programme, 2012. The United Nations World Water Development Report 4: Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk, Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Water is essential for life. Access to safe drinking water is vital for human health and is a basic human right (WHO, 2017) (United Nations General Assembly, 2010). One way in which the sustainability of safe drinking water for future generations is being driven is through long term thinking, by investigating current practices and utilising innovation to improve them. The use of chemicals to treat drinking water has been used since water treatment was developed in the 19th century and today chemicals are used at many different points during the journey of water from source to tap. However, the use of chemicals to treat drinking water has numerous disadvantages, including health concerns, environmental damage, high purchasing costs and poor or unknown long term availability. Current research is investigating how these chemicals can be removed from treatment processes while still maintaining the compliant drinking water currently provided by water utilities. One example is the use of chlorine which is a very effective disinfectant capable of a 99.95% bacteria reduction but it is able to form disinfection byproducts that are known to have carcinogenic properties (Hill, 2014) (Kärrman, et al., 2004) (Cozzolino, et al., 2005).
The research into chemical free drinking water is a long-term goal but future challenges put this and similar research aims in jeopardy. Climate change, for instance, has many likely impacts on the planet, including higher average air temperatures, increased precipitation intensity, sea level rises, hot extremes and increased frequency of extremes of the hydrologic cycle, floods and droughts (Patz, et al., 2008) (Coffey, et al., 2013) (IPCC, 2018) (Johnson, et al., 2009). These impacts will alter the amount, distribution, timing, and quality of available drinking water. As The Pacific Institute (2007) stated “according to the United Nations, if present consumption patterns continue, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed conditions by the year 2025” (World Water Assessment Programme, 2012). Evidentially, priorities may have to shift and, for instance, the use of chlorine may be implemented more frequently than at present, in an effort to cope with water demand, despite the harmful side effects. Chemical free drinking water will no longer be prioritised.
One way in which the impacts of climate change could be further incorporated into EU legislation is that the EU Water Framework Directive could include climate specific components to the assessment systems, such as metrics particularly reflecting the temperature sensitivity of species (European Commission, 2016) (European Commission, 2016) (Hering, et al., 2010). As, currently assessment metrics are often focussed on traditional stressors, such as organic pollution and eutrophication, rather than metrics for the effects of emerging stressors, such as climate change. Emerging stressors are likely factors that will shift and change over time, meaning that the assessment systems used should have a greater degree of flexibility to address other changes in future. Furthermore, the additions to these systems that are directly linked to climate change could be more clear about this link and the reasons for adding to this legislation, potentially by using a supplement or recommended guidelines.
Overall communication could be improved in several ways, including policy that is easier to understand so experts in other areas feel comfortable working with it and know what is expected of them. Knowledge sharing between different regulators will help ensure linked policies (such as water policy and agriculture policy) work synergistically. Overall, climate change research efforts and legislation could be better communicated between regulators, water utilities and research institutions, which in turn should be translated into a format that can be understood by the general public (Frances, et al., 2017). Currently, the major regulatory frameworks do not explicitly address the risks posed by climate change in a straightforward manner.
To conclude, EU water legislation has identified climate change as a major future challenge, the impacts of which have been gradually incorporated into regulation. However, there are further adaption measures that need to be developed and assessed, including: improved monitoring and reporting of climate-related extremes, the addition of climate specific components to assessment systems, better integration of water policies into other policies, cost benefit analyses of the different adaptation options and continued and improved communication between those who regulation impacts, including the general public. Climate change, as well as other challenges to the global water sector, such as increasing water demand, population growth and demographic changes, will require the use of innovation and development to better manage water resources so as to ensure adequate provision and quality of drinking water (World Water Assessment Programme, 2012). It is essential that legislation helps water researchers and providers to tackle the impacts of climate change proactively rather than reactively so that research to improve water quality, such as chemical free drinking water, continues to take priority.
Works Cited
Coffey, R. et al., 2013. Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on Waterborne Microorganisms: Implications for EU and U.S. Water Policy. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, Volume 20, pp. 724-742.
Cozzolino, L., Pianese, D. & Pirozzi, F., 2005. Control of DBPs in Water Distribution Systems Through Optimal Chlorine Dosage and Disinfection Station Allocation. Desalination, 176(1-3), pp. 113-125.
European Commission, 2016. Legislation: The Directive Overview. [Online]
Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-drink/legislation_en.html
[Accessed 20 September 2016].
European Commission, 2016. The EU Water Framework Directive- Integrated River Basin Management for Europe. [Online]
Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html
[Accessed 4 January 2019].
Frances, G., Quevauviller, P., Gonzalez, E. & Amelin, E., 2017. Climate Change Policy and Water Resources in the EU and Spain. A Closer Look into the Water Framework Directive. Environmental Science and Policy, Volume 69, pp. 1-12.
Hering, D. et al., 2010. The European Water Framework Directive at the Age of 10: A Critical Review of the Achievements with Recommendations for the Future. Science Of The Total Environment, 408(19), pp. 4007-4019.
Hill, D., 2014. Basic Microbiology for Drinking Water. 3rd ed. Denver: American Water Works Association.
IPCC, 2018. Global Warming of 1.5°C: Summary for Policymakers, Switzerland: IPCC.
Johnson, A. et al., 2009. The British River of the Future: How Climate Change and Hhuman Activity Might Affect Two Contrasting River Ecosystems in England. Science of the Total Environment, 407(17), pp. 4787-4798.
Kärrman, E. et al., 2004. Systemanalys av dricksvattenförsörjning med avseende på mikrobiologiska barriärer ochmiljöpåverkan, Stockholm: VA-Forsk.
Pacific Institute referencing Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007. Making Every Drop Count, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Patz, J., Vavrus, S., Uejio, C. & McLellan, S., 2008. Climate Change and Waterborne Disease Risk in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 35(5), pp. 451-458.
United Nations General Assembly, 2010. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 28 July 2010: 64/292. The human right to water and sanitation, s.l.: United Nations General Assembly.
WHO, 2017. Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, Fourth Edition Incorporating The First Addendum, Geneva: World Health Organization.
World Water Assessment Programme, 2012. The United Nations World Water Development Report 4: Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk, Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
