Publication Details
Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.4337/9781035336432.00024
Title (Primary) Goals of the water framework directive: prevent deterioration and protect, enhance and restore ecological status
Title (Secondary) Research Handbook on EU Water Law
Author Reese, M. ORCID logo
Publisher van Rijswick, M.; Suykens, C.
Year 2026
Department UPR
Page From 180
Page To 208
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Water Framework Directive; Quality objectives; Ecological status; Chemical status; Exemptions; Less stringent objectives; Deadline extension; Deterioration ban
Abstract
The Water Framework Directive provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for water protection and the management of water bodies in Europe. In 1998, the Member States committed themselves to a long-term, quality-based management approach and defined binding water-quality targets that were or are to be achieved by 2015 or 2027 at the latest. This article presents the system of quality objectives, including exemptions, and discusses key questions of interpretation, as well as implementation problems.
Reese, M. (2026):
Goals of the water framework directive: prevent deterioration and protect, enhance and restore ecological status
In: van Rijswick, M., Suykens, C. (eds.)
Research Handbook on EU Water Law
p. 180 - 208
10.4337/9781035336432.00024