ABSTRACT
The European Union established The Water Framework Directive in 2000. The Directive is a legal framework for water management across Europe. It commits EU Member States to achieve good qualitative and quantitative status of all water bodies, and addresses inland surface waters (including lakes, streams and rivers), groundwater and its dependent ecosystems such as wetlands, and marine coastal waters. The purpose is to: a) Prevent further deterioration and protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems; b) Promote sustainable water use; c) Ensure a progressive reduction of groundwater pollution and prevent further pollution; and d) Develop and reinforce measures for prevention of impacts of fl oods and droughts. The goals of the Directive should be reached during the period 2015-2021. Climate change impacts will further underline the need to achieve these goals as part of a sustainable adaptation.
