Assessment of the third river basin management plans under water framework directives : Slovakia

Slovakia has a centralised approach to water management, with one competent authority, the Ministry of Environment, taking charge of all aspects of WFD implementation. In addition, the Office for Regulation of Network Industries (ÚRSO) regulates both drinking water and sanitation tariffs as well as water abstraction and pollution charges. Slovakia is part of the international agreement and permanent cooperation body on the Danube international RBD (IRBD) (designated as category 1 cooperation), which establishes an international RBMP. On the Vistula IRBD, Slovakia has bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries, designated as category 3 cooperation. Due to the delay in the elaboration of the 2nd Flood Hazard Risk Maps (FHRM) and 2nd Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP), the RBMPs could not be coordinated and integrated with the FRMPs. The coordination with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which should be described under the international coordination aspects, is also absent from the RBMPs due to the fact that Slovakia is landlocked. The timetable, work programme, consultation plan, and overview of the significant water management issues and draft RBMPs were made available for public consultation for the requisite six months.