Good-quality water in Europe (EU water directive)

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2000/60/EC — framework for Community action in the field of water policy

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It sets out rules to halt deterioration in the status of European Union (EU) water bodies and achieve ‘good status’ for Europe’s rivers, lakes and groundwater by 2015.

Specifically, this includes:

protecting all forms of water (surface*, ground*, inland* and transitional*);
restoring the ecosystems in and around these bodies of water;
reducing pollution in water bodies;
guaranteeing sustainable water usage by individuals and businesses.

KEY POINTS

The legislation places clear responsibilities on national authorities. They have to:

identify the individual river basins on their territory — that is, the surrounding land areas that drain into particular river systems;
designate authorities to manage these basins in line with the EU’s rules;
analyse the features of each river basin and set reference conditions for each type of water body to qualify their status;
analyse the impact of human activity and an economic assessment of water use;
monitor the status of the water in each basin;
register protected areas, such as those used for drinking water, which require special attention;
produce and implement ‘river basin management plans’ to prevent the deterioration of surface water, protect and enhance groundwater and preserve protected areas;
ensure the cost of water services is recovered so that the resources are used efficiently and polluters pay;
provide public information and consultation on their river basin management plans.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 22 October 2000 and had to become law in the EU Member States by 22 December 2003.

BACKGROUND

In the EU, water is coming under increasing pressure from the continuous growth in demand for sufficient quantities of good-quality water for a whole range of uses. This directive seeks to protect and improve the quality of water.

For more information, see:

The EU Water Framework Directive — integrated river basin management for Europe (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Surface water: All inland water except groundwater, transitional or coastal waters.

Groundwater: All water below the surface of the ground.

Inland water: All standing or flowing water on the land’s surface.

Transitional waters: Waters near river mouths, which are partly saline but contain substantial flows of freshwater.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, pp. 1–73).

Successive amendments to Directive 2000/60/EC have been incorporated in to the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.