Freshwater protection: EU policy and the status of freshwater systems

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Series Details February 2017
Publication Date February 2017
ISBN 978-92-846-0629-0
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Please note: Each In-Depth Analysis is assigned a DOI (digital object identifier), which is a safe and long term way of ensuring a hyperlink to the full text of this report. However, when ESO creates this record, on occasion the DOI still has not been activated by the EU Bookshop. If you find the source url hyperlink does not work please use the alternative location hyperlink listed as a related url.Freshwater ecosystems are particularly rich in biodiversity and fulfil important ecosystem services. However, the continuing presence of pollutants still raises concerns for public health, as well as for nature conservation. Surface water bodies and groundwater alike are threatened by synthetic and also naturally occurring substances that can have a negative impact on the aquatic environment and on human health. Increased temperature and over-abstraction of water are further causes for concern.

Meanwhile, heavy modifications to the natural flow and physical changes to water bodies can also cause serious disturbances to water ecosystems. With the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the EU adopted comprehensive legislation for the protection of water within the EU. Under the directive, Member States are required to achieve good status in all bodies of surface water and groundwater by 2015, or 2027 at the latest.

Unfortunately, despite considerable improvements in water quality, this goal was not achieved by the end of 2015 as hoped.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://dx.publications.europa.eu/10.2861/92929
Related Links
European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/
European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: In-Depth Analysis, February 2017: Freshwater protection: EU policy and the status of freshwater systems http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2017/599280/EPRS_IDA(2017)599280_EN.pdf
ESO: Background information: The EU Water Framework Directive - integrated river basin management for Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-water-framework-directive-integrated-river-basin-management-for-europe-2/

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