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WFD Implementation Reports
The Commission has to assess the progress in the implementation of the WFD in certain intervals and to inform the European Parliament, the Council and the public about the results of its assessments (see Article 18 WFD).
- 1st implementation report on the first stage of implementation (22 March 2007)
- 2nd implementation report on monitoring networks (1 April 2009)
- 3rd implementation report on the River Basin Management Plans (November 2012)
The third implementation report – assessment of the River Basin Management Plans (2012)
In accordance with Article 18 (Water Framework Directive) the Commission must publish a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of this Directive at the latest by 22.12.2012. It has to include among other things a review of progress in the implementation of the Directive and a survey of the River Basin Management Plans submitted in accordance with Article 15, including suggestions for the improvement of future plans.
This 3rd WFD implementation report was adopted on 14/11/2012 and consists of the following documents:
- A Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive - River Basin Management Plans (COM(2012)670 of 14.11.2012) (available in all EU languages).
- A European Overview – Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the report: SWD(2012)379 Volume 1 and SWD(2012)379 Volume 2.
- Country-specific assessments for EU Member States and Norway (Volumes 3-30)
Translated versions of the Country-specific assessments may be found hereunder.
A lot of effort has been put into the preparation and drafting of the first RBMPs, and knowledge of the status of water has considerably improved. However, the Commission's assessment shows that more efforts are needed to ensure the achievement of the WFD objectives in the 2015, 2021 and 2027 planning cycles.
The assessment of the RBMPs indicates that progress towards the objective of good status by 2015 is expected, but it will not be achieved for a significant proportion of water bodies. The main pressures on the water environment are hydromorphological pressures, pollution and over-abstraction. The chemical quality of water bodies has significantly improved in the last 30 years, but the situation as regards the priority substances listed in the WFD falls short of the objective.
A significant number of exemptions have been applied in the 1st RBMPs. The WFD requires Member States to justify and explain the reasons in the RBMPs, which is key for transparency and accountability of decision making.
Implementation should ensure that water management is based on a better understanding of the main risks and pressures in a river basin, founded on proper monitoring. This will result in cost-effective interventions to ensure the long-term sustainable supply of clean water for people, business and nature.
- Related to these WFD implementation reports, a number of facts, figures and maps have been produced.
- More background documentation and links to data reported is available here.
The second implementation report : Monitoring networks
The second implementation report was published on 1 April 2009. It addresses the establishment of monitoring programmes for surface waters and groundwater (see Article 8 and Annex V WFD):
- Commission Report (COM(2009) 156 final): "Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with Article 18.3 of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC on programmes for monitoring of water status"
(pdf ~ 119 Kb) - Accompanying Commission Staff Working Document (SEC(2009) 415) (pdf ~ 1,5MB) - Annex 2 (pdf ~ 5,2MB)
Related to these WFD implementation reports, a number of facts, figures and maps were produced and made available.
On 2-3 April 2009, the Commission (DG Environment) organised the 2nd European Water Conference where more than 450 participants were discussing various aspects of river basin management including some of the results of the second implementation report. For more information see the conference website.
The first implementation report : 1st stage of implementation of the Directive
The first implementation report was published on 22 March 2007. This report addresses three aspects: the transposition into national law, the set-up of administrative structures (Article 3 WFD) and the environmental and economic analysis of river basin districts (Article 5 WFD):
- Communication (COM(2007) 128 final) "Towards Sustainable Water Management in the European Union"
- Commission Staff Working Document (SEC(2007) 362 final): "First report on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC" (pdf ~861KB)
Related to these WFD implementation reports, a number of facts, figures and maps were produced and made available.
In addition, the Commission presented two implementation reports on related directives which are essential for the achievement of “good status” under the WFD:
- Commission Staff Working Document (SEC(2007) 363 final): "Fourth report on the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC" (pdf ~ 505KB)
- Commission Report (COM(2007) 120 final): "Third report on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive 91/616/EEC
- Annexes to the Nitrates report (pdf ~2MB)
Furthermore, a press release and a press memo are available.
On 22/23 March 2007, the Commission (DG Environment) organised a conference where more than 400 participants were discussing the first implementation report and the launch of the Water Information System for Europe (WISE). The material related to the European Water Conference 2007 is still available.