Sensitive extraction areas

Sensitive abstraction areas are designated, on the basis of Section 11a of the Water Supply Act, within Areas with Special Drinking Water Interests (OSD) and in abstraction areas for general water supplies outside the OSD. These areas are particularly sensitive to one or more types of pollution. Two types of sensitive extraction areas are identified; Nitrate-sensitive abstraction areas (NFI) and spray medium-sensitive abstraction areas (SFI). The basis for the establishment of nitrate-sensitive abstraction areas is groundwater mapping. The establishment basis for pesticide-sensitive abstraction areas is a soil map prepared by the National Centre for Food and Agriculture. SFI is designated for sandy soils only (layer fraction < 10 %). Nitrate-sensitive abstraction areas (NFIs) are NOT nitrate vulnerable zones, which are a data set under the Nitrates Directive “Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural source”. Nitrate-sensitive abstraction areas are covered by the Drinking Water Directive. Nitrate-sensitive abstraction areas (NFIs) are identified in groundwater-forming areas where groundwater is already contaminated with nitrates or where there is poor geological protection against nitrates. Nitrate-sensitive abstraction areas are identified on the basis of guidelines in the Zone Management Guide (MST, 2000), where the three main criteria are: 1. OSD and in reclamation areas outside these. 2. Some or large groundwater formation. 3. The nitrate concentration is 25 mg/l or more; 5-25 mg/l and increasing; or where there is little geological protection. Geological protection is poor where groundwater is vulnerable due to an insufficiently protective layer of cover above the aquifer, which leads to a lack of reduction capacity compared to nitrate. For the designation, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance note Nitrat vulnerability and delimitation of NFI and IO, which clarifies the guidelines in the Zonering Guide (MST, 2000). Spray-sensitive abstraction areas (SFIs) are identified from the soil’s sensitivity to pesticides, according to KUPA (Concept for Pesticide-sensitive Areas) for sandy soils. This is based on an assessment of the soil’s content of humus and fine grain fraction (clay and silt) in the upper meter of the soil. SFI is designated for sandy soils that are, or are likely to come, in crop rotation, and where there may be a particular risk of leaching of pesticides into groundwater, even if the pesticides are authorised and used regularly. The criteria for the designation of the SFI are as follows: 1. Within OSD and abstraction areas outside them. 2. Clay fraction < 10 %. 3. Not low ground or non-cultivated land (city, forest, infrastructure etc.). Pesticide-sensitive sand soils are delimited throughout the country. Reference is made to the report Action areas in pesticide-sensitive abstraction areas (NST, 2015). The designation of sensitive abstraction areas and action areas within this area is made in connection with groundwater mapping, and aims to safeguard the interests of drinking water. The designation has been established in order to make a special effort to protect drinking water from pollution, in particular nitrates and pesticides. The designations have an impact on land use and may lead to restrictions on availability. Groundwater mapping is based on Section 11 of the Water Supply Act, cf. Act No 1199 of 30 September 2013 on water supply, etc. Historical data can be obtained from groundwater mapping, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.