Water Framework Directive - classification of water bodies
Environmental standards and conditions are needed to:
- classify water bodies (identify the current status of water bodies)
- set objectives
- identify what measures need to be taken to maintain and achieve the objectives
- monitor achievement of objectives
The standards and conditions are being developed in stages by the UK Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG).
Recent developments
On 16th October 2008 Defra published a consultation on the final stage in a process of developing the environmental quality standards and other criteria recommended for use in classification in the first river basin planning cycle.
The draft Directions set out the principles of classification of surface water and groundwater bodies, including water bodies designated as Heavily Modified or Artificial, and the standards and other criteria to be used in classification.
Following this consultation, the Secretary of State and the Welsh Assembly Government will issue the Directions to the Environment Agency. The standards and criteria will then become statutory standards and criteria which the Environment Agency must use in the relevant river basin planning processes.
- Consultation: Water Framework Directive - classification of water bodies.
In January 2006, UK ministers approved a process for developing, consulting on and introducing the environmental standards and conditions, including government consultations.
- Note from the UK administrations on the development of environmental standards and conditions (PDF 200 KB)
This note was issued to coincide with the publication of a report produced by UK Technical Advisory Group seeking comments on the scientific principles underpinning the environmental standards and conditions.
Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government have reviewed the arrangements for consulting on the environmental standards and conditions:
A draft report on the potential costs and benefits of the use by the environmental protection agencies of the first set of standards developed by UKTAG has been prepared:
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Page last modified: 22 October 2008
Page published: 23 March 2001