Water Framework Directive

Water Framework Directive

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) was adopted into Irish law in 2003 and provides a comprehensive framework for water quality management across the EU.  It requires that we take a holistic approach to water and how it sustains life – it is concerned with the protection of all our waters including rivers, lakes, coastal water and groundwater.

The directive requires that all member states adopt a comprehensive integrated basin-based approach to water management.  For this purpose, Ireland has been divided into 8 River Basin Districts – all waters within the DLRCC administrative area are located within the Eastern River Basin District (ERBD).  Dublin City Council is the co-ordinating authority for the ERBD River Basin Management Plan – DLRCC are currently providing information to the project team with regard to water resources within the county to facilitate the preparation of a Characterisation report for the water bodies within the river basin.

The key objectives of the directive are to:-

  • Maintain “high status of waters where it exists”
  • Prevent any deterioration in the existing status of waters
  • Achieve at least “good status” in relation to all waters by 2015.

The directive requires that all member states adopt a comprehensive integrated basin-based approach to water management.  By basin-based it means viewing water bodies as they are rather than as they fall into distinct administrative areas.  Waters within the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown administrative area fall within the Eastern River Basin District along with 12 other counties. Dublin City Council is the co-ordinating authority for the project and work has commenced in 2003 on the preparation of the Characterisation report of waters within the ERBD area.

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