Vesienhoitodirektiivi

Vesienhoitodirektiivi, known in English as the Water Framework Directive (WFD), is a core piece of European Union environmental legislation enacted in 2000 as Directive 2000/60/EC. It aims to create a unified, long-term framework for protecting and restoring all waters within the EU.

The directive covers all freshwater and coastal waters, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, transitional waters, and coastal areas. Its central objective is to prevent deterioration of water bodies and to achieve good ecological and chemical status for all waters. It promotes an integrated, river-basin-based approach to water management and requires member states to work toward sustainable water use, ecosystem protection, and pollution reduction.

Key instruments of the WFD include River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and programmes of measures. Member states designate river basin districts and assess the status of each water body, setting environmental objectives and timetables. Plans are prepared in cycles (with public consultation) and are updated every six years. The directive also requires monitoring networks, classification of water bodies by status (high, good, moderate, poor, bad), and consideration of economic analyses, including cost recovery for water services where appropriate. Public participation and transparency are emphasized, along with coordination with other EU environmental policies and sectoral directives.

Implementation has driven extensive monitoring, pollution reductions, habitat restoration, and improvements in water infrastructure across the EU. While the original target was to achieve good status by 2015, extensions to 2027 have been used for certain water bodies or regions. The WFD remains a foundational framework for EU water policy and national water management.