European Sediment Network
SedNet
SedNet is a European, multi-stakeholder network aimed at incorporating sediment issues and knowledge into European strategies to support the achievement of a good status or potential and to develop new tools for sediment management.
ID: 869733426891-60
Lobbying Activity
Response to European Water Resilience Strategy
4 Mar 2025
SEDNET: The European Sediment Network SedNet strongly welcomes the initiative to develop a European Water Resilience Strategy. It will help to improve the effectiveness of the European policies and regulations for integral management of water systems. SedNet is in the opinion that this strategy must include a dedicated focus on sediment and its management as sediment is an intrinsic part of such systems. Sediment management plays a critical role related to two key aspects of the water resilience strategy: Ensuring clean and affordable water and sanitation; and Restoring and protecting water cycles. ENSURING CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE WATER AND SANITATION: Several of the contaminants that enter surface waters have a preference to associate to and thus accumulate in sediment. Thus, it is well known that there is a legacy of contaminants present in the sediments of European as well as global water systems. Sediment contamination can be managed by taking prevention, mitigation or remediation measures. Priority should always be given to prevention so aiming at addressing pollution at its source. Sediment remediation measures may be necessary if contaminated sediments pose a threat to water quality. However, so far, remediation measures prove to be hardly effective and are very costly since sediments cover large areas. A common sense approach to managing legacy pollution is therefore crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of a European Water Resilience Strategy. RESTORING AND PROTECTING WATER CYCLES: Restoring water cycles will also increase the flow of sediments, as sediment flows with water, but not at the same speed. Restoring the natural flow of sediments is often positive, but can lead to mobilisation and thus up-downstream transport of historically polluted sediments. How to deal with legacy pollution? A risk-based management approach is suggested as common sense approach to deal with legacy pollution. For more details, see the WFD CIS sediment guidance document: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-09/CISdocumentsedimentfinalTO_BE_PUBLISHED_1430554724.pdf OUR OFFER: SedNet aggregated more than 20 years of multi-stakeholder (science, policy and management) experience on sediment and its management and application. SedNet is pleased to share that experience in the further development of the European Water Resilience Strategy. Our expertise is already being leveraged in key EU water policy forums, including the WFD CIS SCG, WG ECOSTAT and WG CHEMICALS, the ZPSP and the eSEG.
Read full responseResponse to Soil Health Law – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils
16 Mar 2022
Thank you very much for this important initiative which we fully endorse. However, we miss any mentioning of/reference to sediments.
Under the “Practical need for EU action” section:
Where stated “Soils play a major role in the nutrient, carbon and water cycles, and these processes are not constrained by physical and political borders ” it should be stated “Soils play a major role in the nutrient, carbon, SEDIMENT and water cycles, and these processes are not constrained by physical and political borders. ”.
Where stated “Contaminants can become mobile via the air, surface water and groundwater and in the end pollute the soil in another country” it should be stated “Contaminants can become mobile via the air, SEDIMENT, surface water and groundwater and in the end pollute the soil in another country”.
PS: besides dissolved contamination in water it is also (and mostly) contamination associated to sediment which is transported by water from up- to downstream countries. When it is deposited at downstream floodplains, it may pollute the soil in another country. For further underpinning please see the upcoming WFD CIS document “Integrated sediment management Guidelines and good practices in the context of the Water Framework Directive”
Under the “Objectives and policy options” section:
Where stated “adequate integration and coordination of soil and water management” it should be stated “adequate integration and coordination of soil, SEDIMENT and water management”
Under the “Likely impacts” section:
Where stated “…use of resources, quality of other environmental media such as water and air, waste management, ….” it should state “…use of resources, quality of other environmental media such as water, SEDIMENT and air, waste management, ….”
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