Regulatory overview of fluorescent dye tracer testing in the EU
Resources:
• Wolkersdorfer, C., & LeBlanc, J. (2012). Regulations, legislation, and guidelines for artificial surface water and groundwater tracer tests in Canada. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, 47(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrjc.2012.042
• National Geological Surveys
• Local hydrogeological experts from EU Member States involved in fluorescent dye tracer testing
Country
Austria Yes X Yes
Belgium X X X
Bulgaria X X X
Croatia X X Yes
Cyprus (Republic of) X X Yes
ÖWAV-Regelblatt 214: Markierungsversuche in der Hydrologie und Hydrogeologie
Recommended to inform local authority
Recommended to inform local authority
Authorisation from ‘Hrvatske Vode’ (Croatian Waters)
Authorisation to import new tracer from Croatian Public Health Institute.
Authorisation required to inject any type of substance in groundwater. Permit from the Department of Environment.
ÖWAVRegelblatt 214
Hrvatske Vode
Public Health Institute (HZJZ)
Department of Environment
Czech Republic X X Yes
Denmark X X Yes
Contact up to 4 authorities to carry out a dye tracer test: (1) Water Authority (2) Public Health Authority (drinking water) (3) Local Nature Protection Authority (in nature reserves) (4) Owner of water supply system (if risk for drinking water)
Authorisation from local authority (commune).
Estonia X X X No information
Finland X Yes Yes
France X X X
Germany Yes (regional) X Yes
Greece X X Yes
Hungary Yes X Yes
National Water Act 27.5.2011/587
Recommended to inform local authority
German Water Budget Law. Guidelines for f.e Bavaria Länder (region).
Water Act No. 254/2001 Coll.
Ministry of EnvironmentWater Authority
Ireland X X X
Italy X X X
Latvia X X X
Authorisation from local authority
Authorized for scientific research or to protect groundwater resources.
Environmental Protection Authority and the National Health Organization give strict regulations for the concentration values.
Recommended to inform local authority
Recommended to inform local authority (regional ARPA) and other stakeholders
Recommended to inform local authority (Regional Environmental Board)
Lithuania X X X No information
Luxembourg X X X No information
National Water Act
Federal Ministry for the Environment
Tracer tests guidelines Bavaria
Decree No. 219 of 2004 (VII. 21.) Korm. of the Government on the protection of underground waters
Malta X X X No information
The Netherlands X X X No information
Poland X X Yes
Portugal X X Yes
Romania X X X
Slovakia X X Yes
Slovenia X X X
Authorisation required according to Water Law OJ. 2017 no. 1566
Water Law
Authorisation required according to Water Act No. 58/2005 Water Act
Tracer test required for Drinking Water Zones (Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests Ordinance no. 1278/2011)
Paragraph 18 of Water Law no. 364/2004 Z.z.
Currently no authorization required (before required from the Slovenian Environment Agency ARSO).
GIS database with all previous tracer tests available on ARSO website.
Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests
Water Law
ARSO GIS database
Article on Tracer Test Inventory
Spain Yes (regional) X Yes
Sweden X X X
Switzerland Yes X Yes
Authorisation from regional authority (Hydrographic Confederations –Confederationes Hidrogáficas). Guidelines for Basque Country.
Recommended to inform local authority. If a tracer test is combined with a pumping test, it may be necessary to obtain a ruling on water rights.
Database and guidelines Basque Country
Authorisation and guidelines on InfoTracer platform. InfoTracer
England: Authorisation from Environment Agency.
Wales: Authorization from Natural Resources
Wales
Scotland: Authorisation from SEPA, but not for low concentrations. Draft authorisation approach for groundwater tracer tests.
NI: Guidelines and authorisation required for marine environment.
England: Environment Agency
Wales: Natural Resources
Wales
Scotland: SEPA
NI: Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs
Tracer test database by CNCC
Remarks:
• This regulatory overview is subject to changes and updates
• If you have any updates or comments on the information in this overview, please don't hesitate to contact Sofie de Volder at contact@traqua be
• This regulatory overview has not been established with the aim of proposing a regulation on fluorescent dye tracing at EU level, but simply to facilitate the performance of tracer tests in the EU Member States and to highlight some 'good practices' put in place by countries such as Switzerland (InfoTracer) and Slovenia (GIS database)
• This overview was prepared by Sofie de Volder (TRAQUA S A ), Rudy Plouvier (Polytech Montpellier, Cabinet Tramoy), and Jérémy Reboul (Polytech Montpellier, ASH Ingénierie).
• We wish to express our gratitude to all experts who have answered our questionnaires on regulations of fluorescent dye tracing in their respective countries