Water Framework Directive

INTRODUCTION
The Water Framework Directive is the most substantial piece of European water legislation to be produced. It requires all inland and coastal waters to reach "good" ecological status by 2015 and will achieve this by establishing a river basin structure within, which demanding environmental objectives will be set, including ecological targets for surface waters.

OBJECTIVE
To establish a Community framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater, in order to prevent and reduce pollution, promote sustainable water use, protect the aquatic environment, improve the status of aquatic ecosystems and mitigate the effects of floods and droughts.

ACT
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000, establishing a framework for Community action in field of water policy.

SUMMARY
Under this Directive, Member States have to identify all the river basins lying within their national territory and assign them to individual river basin districts. River basins covering the territory of more than one Member State will be assigned to an international river basin district.

Nine years after the date of entry into force of the Directive, a management plan and programme of measures must be produced for each river basin district.

The measures provided for in the river basin management plan seek to:

• prevent deterioration, enhance and restore bodies of surface water, achieve good chemical and ecological status of such water and reduce pollution from discharges and emissions of hazardous substances;
• protect, enhance and restore all bodies of groundwater, prevent the pollution and deterioration of groundwater, and ensure a balance between abtraction and recharge of groundwater;
• preserve protected areas.

The above mentioned objectives have to be achieved at least 15 years after the date of entry into force of the Directive, but this deadline may be extended or relaxed, albeit under conditions laid down by the Directive.

The Member States will encourage the active involvment of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive, in particular as regards the river basin management plans.

By 2010, Member States must ensure that water pricing policies provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources effciently and that various economic sectors contribute to the recovery of the costs of water services including those relating to the environment and resources.
At the least 12 years after the date of entry into force of this Directive and everysix years thereafter, the Comission will publish a report on the implementation of the Directive. The Comission will convene when appropriate a conference of interested parties on Community water policy which will involve Member States, representatives from the competent authorities, the European Parliament, NGO's, the social and economic partners, consumer bodies, academics and other experts. The Directive lays down that Member States will determine penalties applicable to breaches of the provisions adopted which are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

MAIN IMPACT FOR UTdR PARTNERSHIP

The main involvement for the UTdR partners relates to Articles 13 and 14 of the Water Framework Directive.

Article 13
River basin management plans 1. Member States shall ensure that a river basin management plan is produced for each river basin district lying entirely within their territory.

Article 14
Public information and consultation 1. Member States shall encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive, in particular in the production, review and updating of the river basin management plans.

The EU Water Framework Directive 2000/00/EC is published in full at
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html

A presentation given at the Expo Rome in November 2006, on the impact of the Water Framework Directive and the Ecosystem Approach is available for download by clicking here (File size: 1,769kb - Format: Adobe PDF)

Further information on the Water Framework Directive in England and Wales, can be found in the Environment section of the website, or by clicking here