Water Framework Directive

The WFD was created in December 2000 and implemented in 2003 with the aim of improving the quality of our water environment.

  • Its purpose is also to integrate existing European directives into the new legislation.
  • The directive requires each Member State to implement changes to the management of water bodies, taking account of all aspects of the water cycle.
  • The principal objective of the directive is “to achieve good status in all waters by 2015 and to ensure that status does not deteriorate in any waters.”