ABSTRACT
The WFD (Directive 2000/60/EC) is certainly the most advanced regulatory framework for the protection of all (surface and ground) waters that has been developed so far at international level. It is builtup along Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles, with clear objectives (achievement of ‘good status’ by 2015) to be attained on the basis of specific operational milestones that have to be undertaken by Member States of the European Union. With regard to groundwater, Member States have to implement measures necessary to prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater and to prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater. In this context, Member States have to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of groundwater, ensure a balance between abstraction and recharge, with the aim to achieve good groundwater (chemical and quantitative) status by 2015 as a general principle (taking well justified derogation clauses into account). The Directive also requires the implementation of measures necessary to reverse any significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of any pollutant resulting from the impact of human activity (including urban pressures) in order to progressively reduce groundwater pollution.
