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Marine and the Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive will improve and protect inland and coastal waters.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is European legislation which promotes water management through river basin planning. It changes the emphasis of water protection from a historic focus on chemical water quality to include the aquatic wildlife itself. This gives us a better understanding and integration of the whole water environment.This directive is the foundation for changes that are happening in the management of the water environment.

The Directive will help to protect and enhance the quality of:

  • surface freshwater (including lakes, streams and rivers)
  • groundwaters
  • groundwater dependant ecosystems
  • transitional waters (estuaries)
  • coastal waters out to one mile from low-water.

As the competent Authority we are working very hard with partners to ensure that any works carried out in the coastal and marine environments are compliant with WFD and have been working with the ports sector to make sure this happens.

Ports sector guidance for WFD

See our environmental river engineering manual for guidance on mitigation measures in flood risk management and land drainage activites

We are working closely with the Marine Management Organisation and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that any marine planning and licensing decisions are Water Framework Directive Compliant.

For information on your nearest coastal water body or estuary see

What's in your Back Yard