The Water Framework Directive

In 2000, the EU Water Framework Directive was adopted to establish a unified management approach for the water resources of its member states. The directive aims to protect and improve the quality of all water resources within the EU, ensuring that future generations have access to sufficient quantities of high-quality water.

Objectives

Protect all forms of water in the EU, including surface water, groundwater, inland waters, and transitional waters.
Restore ecosystems in and around these water bodies.
Reduce pollution in water bodies.
Ensure sustainable water use for both individuals and businesses.

Definitions

Surface water= All inland water except groundwater, water in a transitional zone, and coastal waters.

Groundwater= All water beneath the earth’s surface.

Inland waters= All standing or flowing water on the earth’s surface.

Transitional water= Surface water near river mouths that is partially saline but contains significant freshwater inflows.

Implementation of the directive in Sweden

The Water Management Ordinance (2004:660) plays a central role in Sweden’s implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. The ordinance serves as a guiding document for how water management should be organized and carried out.

In addition to the Water Management Ordinance, Sweden has adapted several other laws and regulations to fully implement the EU Water Framework Directive. This includes the Environmental Code, specific ordinances, and regulations from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. The work is carried out at several levels—national, regional, and local—to protect and improve water resources in line with the directive’s goals.

Evening view over Stockholm

The role of regulatory authorities

The EU Water Framework Directive imposes clear responsibilities on national regulatory authorities. These authorities must map individual catchment areas within their territories, which involves identifying the geographical areas where water flows are collected and directed into specific river systems. They are also required to appoint responsible authorities for the management of river basin areas in accordance with EU guidelines.

Furthermore, the regulatory authorities are tasked with assessing the characteristics of each catchment area and establishing reference values for different types of water bodies to determine their status. They must also evaluate the impact of human activities and conduct economic analyses of how water resources are used.

Another central responsibility is to regularly monitor water quality and the status of each catchment area. The authorities must also identify and record protected areas, such as drinking water sources, that require special measures.

To ensure sustainable management, the regulatory authorities must develop and implement catchment area plans. These plans aim to prevent the deterioration of surface water, protect and improve groundwater resources, and preserve protected areas. Additionally, they must ensure that the costs of water services are covered, contributing to efficient resource use and the application of the “polluter pays” principle.

Finally, the authorities are also responsible for informing and involving the public in the work with catchment area plans. This is done through consultation and dialogue to ensure transparency and participation.

Sweden’s water authorities and water districts

To designate the responsible regulatory authorities in Sweden, the water bordering the country has been divided into five districts: Bottenviken, Bottenhavet, Norra Östersjön, Södra Östersjön, and Västerhavet. In each district, a county administrative board has been appointed as the water authority. Additionally, each water district has a water delegation that makes decisions on behalf of the water authorities.

The work carried out by these authorities aims, among other things, to map and analyze the status of water bodies and assess how human activities impact this status. The water authorities collaborate closely on certain issues, such as when developing action programs and environmental quality standards. Other issues are planned and implemented within each district, particularly when it comes to cooperation between local and regional actors.

You can read more about the Water Framework Directive here: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/water/water-framework-directive_en