ANALYSIS
Water Framework Directive
The European Commission’s Water Framework Directive has been hailed as the most significant
piece of water legislation in more than 20 years, changing the legal framework for waters across
Europe. Ian Rippin, from the National Laboratory Service, explains how it will work
PROTECTING THE
WATERS
B
ack in December 2000, the European
Commission introduced a brand new
piece of legislation, the Water
Framework Directive (WFD). Transforming
the face of water legislation, the WFD is set to
eventually protect and improve, as well as
achieve a sustainable use of the whole water
environment throughout all of Europe.
The official title for the WFD is 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. The timetable for the UK to
react to the WFD was set when it was first
adopted by UK law in 2003. Since that point it
has become the responsibility of the
Environment Agency, alongside the agency lab,
the National Laboratory Service, to implement
the directive throughout England and Wales.
The WFD has already replaced some existing
water legislation and it is now also set to take
over a number of European directives, like the
Freshwater Fish Directive and Shellfish
Directive, by the end of 2013.
Ultimately, the WFD expands the scope of
water protection and dictates that by 2015 all
waters, surface waters and groundwaters –
including lakes, streams and rivers, as well as into a certain river basin that could result in model to follow in order to allow for this single
estuaries and coastal waters to one mile from higher pollution levels than what is permitted system of water management.
low water – must achieve ‘good water status’. under the WFD. Once established, each river basin manage-
This ‘good water status’ incorporates both Ahead of the introduction of the directive, ment area would fall under a certain district –
chemical parameters (meaning low levels of companies will be looking at exactly what they these districts will then be used, under the
pollution), as well as ecological ones. Good are permitted to discharge into waters and they guidance of the WFD, to manage all water
ecological status is an innovative step for EU will be testing for those in their waters to make environments. Across both England and Wales,
water legislation and means that Member States sure they comply with the low levels as laid out 11 River Basin Districts have been identified,
will also be required to address the factors under the WFD. alongside 40 international river basins within
harming water eco-systems. Successful implementation of the WFD will the European Union. Several Member States
Under the directive any company that holds a ultimately help to protect every element of the have already adopted the innovative river basin
permit to discharge water, such as businesses water cycle and improve the quality and approach, however this is not universal
within the food and drink industry, must carry sustainability of all waters. At the heart of the everywhere.
out tests to ensure that they are not introducing WFD lies the requirement of countries to Instructions within the directive dictate that
pollutants into the water. The monitoring will designate river basin management areas, which each of these river basin districts must produce
revolve around assessing exactly what is going have been championed as the most appropriate a River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) – that
16 November/December 2009 ❘ Sustainable Business
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