Wetland ecosystems are ecologically and functionally significant elements of the water environment, with potentially an important role to play in helping to achieve sustainable river basin management. The water framework directive does not set environmental objectives for wetlands. However,...

This document aims at guiding experts and stakeholders in the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (the water framework directive). It focuses on the implementation of its economic elements in the broader context of the...

This document, produced by Working Group 3.1 GIS, aims at guiding experts and stakeholders in the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (the water framework directive). It focuses on the implementation of its GIS...

This guidance document, produced by Working Group 2.9 Public Participation, aims at assisting competent authorities in the Member States and accession countries with the implementation of Article 14 of the water framework directive in the area of public participation. It can also benefit...

This guidance document, produced by Working Group 2.7 Monitoring, proposes an overall methodological approach to monitoring for the implementation of the WFD. Because of the diversity of catchment pressures, water-body types, biological communities and hydromorphological and physico-chemical...

Building on an assessment of progress in Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation in its 1st cycle, the Blueprint to safeguard Europe's water resources stressed the urgent need to better address over-abstraction of water, the second most common pressure on EU ecological status, and to...