The WFD requires SEPA, and other responsible
organisations in Scotland, to develop new monitoring
and classification systems by December 2006. The
monitoring and classification systems will cover all
surface water and groundwater bodies, and be based on a
new Ecological Classification system, with five quality
classes.
The classification system will be underpinned by
a range of biological quality elements, supported by
measurements of physico-chemistry, hydrology and
morphology. The range of quality elements used in the
new ecological classification system includes several
that SEPA has little or no experience of measuring and
evaluating.
SEPA will carry out monitoring and classification
duties on behalf of the Executive. Details of this can
be viewed on the
SEPA
web site.