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Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a key initiative aimed at improving water quality throughout the EU.  It applies to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal waters.  The Directive requires an integrated approach to managing water quality on a river basin basis; with the aim of maintaining and improving water quality.  The Directive requires that management plans be prepared on a river basin basis and specifies a structured approach to developing those plans.  It requires that a programme of measures for improving water quality be brought into effect by 2012 at the latest.  River Basin Management Plans are to be prepared and renewed in six year cycles and the first plans cover the period to 2015. 

Eight RBDs have been identified on the island of Ireland for the purpose of implementing the Directive.  Three of these are shared with Northern Ireland (Shannon, Neagh Bann, and North Western), four RBDs are wholly within the state (Eastern, South Eastern, South Western and Western) and one is wholly within Northern Ireland (North Eastern).

Development of the river basin management plans has involved a coordinated effort across a wide range of organisations, including a high level of coordination with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the cross-border RBDs.  A key requirement of the Directive is public participation and a number of major public consultations have contributed towards development of the plans.

Consultation on Policy Options for the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Waters

 

The European Commission has invited submissions online from stakeholders and the public on policy options for the forthcoming "Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Waters", which is expected to be a major policy document on ensuring the quality of Europe's waterways and water quality, within the framework of the EU Water Framework Directive.

The consultation period is open until 7 June 2012.

Further information on the consultation (external link)





Current Position


River Basin Management Plans were finalised for each of our 7 river basin districts in July 2010.  These plans are a blueprint for the protection and improvement of our waters in the period to 2015 and beyond.  They cover approximately 800 groundwater bodies and 5,000 surface water bodies (canals, rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters).   The plans set out the current status of our waters, the objectives to be achieved by 2015, and the programme of measures to be implemented in order to achieve those objectives. 

The plans are ambitious yet realistic.  They aim for significant improvements in water quality but they also recognise that in some cases soils and waters will take time to recover even where measures to address pollution have been put in place.  The plans aim to improve the proportion of rivers and canals at good or high status from 54% currently to 68% by 2015, and the proportion of lakes at good or high status from 65% currently to 84% by 2015.  The river basin plans are supplemented by Water Management Unit Action Plans which provide more detail on measures at a sub river basin level.

Copies of the plans are available on the websites of each River Basin District.

  • Eastern River Basin District (external link)
  • Neagh Bann International River Basin District (external link)
  • North Eastern River Basin District (external link) 
  • North Western International River Basin District (external link)
  • Shannon International River Basin District (external link)
  • South East River Basin District (external link) 
  • South West River Basin District (external link)
  • Western River Basin District (external link)


    The programmes of measures set out the key priorities for water quality management in the period to 2015.  Many measures have already been put in place and a range of supporting legislation has been enacted in recent years.  Further measures will be implemented over the course of the plans. 

    The two most significant impacts on water quality in Ireland are discharges from wastewater treatment plants and pollution arising from agricultural activities.  Measures to address wastewater discharges are being implemented through the Water Services Investment Programme which has been fully aligned with the environmental priorities identified in the River Basin Management Plans.   In addition, all local authority wastewater discharges must now be authorised by the EPA and conditions may be imposed in order to protect the environment.  Diffuse pollution from agriculture is primarily addressed through the Nitrates Action Programme.  This programme was renewed at the end of 2010 and will run until the end of 2013.  The effectiveness of the measures under the Nitrates Action Programme is being assessed through a research programme - the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP). 

    The results of this research programme will help to inform future Nitrates Action Programmes and will provide a basis for any modifications of the measures that might be required in order to achieve the objectives of the Nitrates Directive and the Water Framework Directive. 

    Following the publication of the river basin management plans, we now enter the implementation phase. Responsibility for implementing the measures rests with the local authorities, various Government Departments and Agencies, and other sectors such as agriculture and industry.  Implementing the plans will require a high level of coordination across public bodies.  An interim report outlining progress in implementing the programmes of measures is to  be submitted to the EU Commission by the end of 2012.

     

    Previous Developments


    Previous major milestones in the WFD implementation process include the completion of Characterisation Reports, the commencement of a new monitoring programme, public consultation on the Significant Water Management Issues in each RBD and public consultation on draft river basin management plans.

    In December 2004, Characterisation Reports were completed for each of the RBDs. These reports comprised a comprehensive assessment of waters; they classified the different ecological types of water bodies, identified each individual water body by type and set out the baseline data for managing and monitoring progress in the future.  The reports described all activities which take place in the district which might have an impact on the quality or quantity of waters.  The reports reviewed the impact of these activities on water status and they set out an economic analysis of water use.

    In June 2006, the EPA undertook a public consultation on a draft Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme. The programme was brought into effect at the end of December 2006.  The comprehensive programme assigns monitoring reponsibilities to a number of public bodies.

    In June 2007, reports on the Significant Water Management Issues in each RBD were published for public consultation. These reports describe the water management issues within the RBD, the activities which impact on water quality, the existing controls on these activities, and the additional controls and measures which may be necessary in order to meet the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. The reports were intended to provide all interested parties with an early overview of the water management issues affecting each RBD. Publication of the reports was followed by a 6 month period of public consultation.  Input from this consultation contributed  to the development of the draft River Basin Management Plans.

    On 22 December 2008, Draft River Basin Management Plans for each of the RBDs were published for public consultation.  The draft plans provided an assessment of the current status of our water bodies, the environmental objectives to be achieved, and the measures required in order to achieve these objectives. Input from this consultation contributed to the finalisation of the River Basin Management Plans.


    Further Information


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