Water Framework Directive
Overview of the WFD
Directive 2000/60/EC ‘establishing a framework for
community action in the field of water policy’, or the Water Framework
Directive (WFD), provides the European Community framework for the
protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal
waters and groundwater. The fundamental aim of the WFD is to promote
the sustainable use of water, while progressively reducing or
eliminating pollutants for the long-term protection and enhancement of
the aquatic environment.
The WFD provides the legislative basis for the
maintenance and recovery of water quality to achieve good surface and
groundwater status. Some of the elements of the WFD's new and
innovative approach to managing Europe’s water resources include:
- Ambitious objectives and clear deadlines;
- The introduction of River Basin Management on a
Europe wide scale;
- The requirement for cross-border co-operation in
water management between countries and all involved parties;
- Pollution prevention and control on the basis of the
so called ‘combined approach’;
- Greater public participation in water management;
- Economic analysis of water use.
The WFD was published and entered into force in December
2000. As of September 2005, Member States should have transposed the
Directive into national law and identified River Basin Districts (RBDs)
and Competent Authorities (by December 2003) and carried out a
characterisation process for each of the RBDs (by December 2004).
The text of the Water Framework Directive and other related
legislation can be found in the
Legislation section.
Sources of additional information
Additional information relating to the WFD can be found
on the EUROPA
website, and in an easy to read brochure and leaflet (currently only
available in 11 languages). To view the leaflet or brochure in your
language, click on the relevant link below.
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