Feasibility of a monitoring mechanism supporting a watch list under the water framework directive : final report of a pilot exercise

This report describes work conducted to assess the feasibility of an experimental monitoring exercise in support to a so-called Watch List Mechanism under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC in a collaborative design involving EU Member States laboratories and some 200 official monitoring station operated by the Member States. The report includes all details on sampling stations, performance of analytical methods as well as the results of the analyses of all samples with regard to the occurrence and levels of 20 compounds of concern. The underlying analytical methods are carefully documented with regards to their performance characteristics. Obtained results are assessed statistically. Although the analysed single samples are insufficient to make any statement on the performance of the treatment processes leading to the compost, the collective of data allows having a glance at the pan-European situation as regards the studies compounds. Background information from literature describing the situation before the survey is included, too.