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Using the Lough

Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive came into force on 22 December 2000 and applies to all surface freshwater bodies (including lakes, streams and rivers), groundwaters, estuaries and coastal waters out to one mile from low-water... Each European Member State has three years from this date to ‘transpose’ the Directive into domestic legislation.

The Directive embodies the concept of integrated river basin management. It sets out environmental objectives for water status based on:

Ecological and chemical parameters
Common monitoring and assessment strategies
Arrangements for river basin administration and planning
A programme of measures in order to meet the objectives.

The Directive aims to;

prevent further deterioration and protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems and associated wetlands.
promote sustainable water consumption
progressively reduce or phase out discharges, emissions and losses of priority substances and priority hazardous substances.
progressively reduce the pollution of groundwater, and contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts.

For further information on the EU Water Framework Directive click here.