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Abstract
A
critical assessment of the implications of the European Water Framework
Directive (WFD) for a small urban watercourse - the Bourne Stream in Poole
and Bournemouth was undertaken. Secondary data was available for the
majority of the general physico-chemical quality elements of the WFD, and
limited data on the biological quality elements was available. A stream
survey was designed to assess the hydromorphological quality elements and
so a general assessment of the stream under the new legislation was
conducted.
The
stream, which has been responsible for occasional reductions in water
quality at Bournemouth beach where it flows from an outfall, was shown to
have major changes to its morphology and to some extent its hydrology. The
physico-chemical general elements were shown to be variable, probably due
to the large number of outfalls that run from the surrounding development
to the stream.
The
stream was provisionally split into two water bodies under the WFD. The
first section was designated as a natural water body due to fewer
morphological changes and the spatial extent of protective designations
such as Ramsar designation. The second section was provisionally
designated as a Heavily Modified Water Body, due to large stretches of
culverting and channel modifications.
Issues
raised included the influence of adjacent water bodies in running waters,
the reliance on typology, urbanisation as an important sustainable human
activity, and the need for reference conditions for Heavily Modified Water
Bodies.
Contact
the author:
ed_hallett@hotmail.com
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