Significant impacts on groundwater

The Water Framework Directive requires identification of the impacts of pressures acting on a water body. In groundwaters, these include pollution by chemicals and nutrients, lowering of the water table and saline intrusion from over-abstraction. Saline intrusion occurs when salty water moves into freshwater aquifers.

Where groundwater and surface waters are connected, the quality and quantity of groundwater can impact ecosystems. For example, polluted groundwater can affect freshwater ecosystems like wetlands or rivers, while over-abstraction may reduce the amount of groundwater so that the associated ecosystem dries out.