Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) : common implementation strategy for the water framework directive and the floods directive

This guidance has been drafted in response to a mandate from the CIS Working Group on Groundwater. This mandate required the development of a technical document to increase the understanding of the general principles of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and outline the requirements of EU legislation with respect to the application of MAR techniques. The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a framework for the protection of water bodies which inter alia is intended to promote sustainable water use based on a long-term protection of available water resources and ensure the progressive reduction of pollution of groundwater and prevent its further pollution. MAR could support the sustainable use of water resources by increasing the available resource-base, provided that this does not jeopardize the chemical status of the receiving body of groundwater or that of associated or dependent ecosystems.