The government is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Groundwater Regulations 1998. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its consultation and feedback is sought from anyone who discharges substances which can cause groundwater pollution, or who currently follows the existing groundwater regulations.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas said the practical consequences of the proposed changes for those involved with groundwater would be minor.

"It's a priority for the proposed guidelines to be as simple, workable and cost-neutral as possible, all while safeguarding groundwater. While a slightly wider range of hazardous substances will be subject to controls, there will also be greater flexibility around these controls," he said.

Regular meetings with stakeholders from the water, chemicals, mining, waste, and agricultural sectors, and green NGOs, have taken place to inform the proposed amendments. The list of consultees  The amendments to the Groundwater Regulations 1998 are aimed at ensuring that the UK meets the requirements of Article 6 of the 2006 Groundwater Directive, a 'daughter' directive under Article 17 of the EU Water Framework Directive.

The consultation paper, including information on how submissions can be received, is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wfdgroundwater-transpose-artile6/ Submissions will close on 20th August, 2008. Requests for comment have been sent to a wide-ranging list of consultees – some 259 in total.

The new Groundwater Directive (2006/118/EC) (GwD) was adopted in December 2006 and came into force on 16 January 2007. The GwD is a “daughter” of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and clarifies certain objectives of the WFD relating to prevention and control of groundwater pollution. The timetable in the WFD requires early action on certain aspects of the new GwD - other elements will be consulted on and transposed at a later date. The amended regulations are also a necessary stepping-stone in bringing groundwater authorisations into the Environmental Permitting Programme.