River Basin Management

The best way to protect and manage water is by close international co-operation between all the countries within the river basin – bringing together all interests upstream and downstream.

All countries of the European Union are using a river basin approach for water management since the adoption of the EU Water Framework Directive.

River basin – a natural unit

Water does not stop at administrative or political boundaries, so the best way to protect and manage water is by close international co-operation between all the countries within the natural geographical and hydrological unit of the river basin – bringing together all interests upstream and downstream.

What are river basin districts?

Areas of land and sea identified as the main managment unit are known as river basin districts. These regions can include one or more neighbouring river basins together with their associated groundwater bodies and coastal waters. The Danube River Basin District covers the Danube River Basin, the Romanian Black Sea coastal catchments and the Black Sea coastal waters along the Romanian and partly the Ukrainian coast.

All European waters are managed using a river basin approach since 2000 when the EU Water Framework Directive was adopted by the European Union – creating a new tool for the effective management of water resources.

Managing the Danube River Basin

To achieve good water status in the water bodies of the Danube region by 2015 (and beyond) and to ensure a sufficient supply of clean water for future generations, the Contracting Parties to the DRPC nominated the ICPDR as the co-ordination body  for the development of a comprehensive management plan for the entire Danube River Basin using the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive. This process involves experts from industry and agriculture, and representatives from environmental and consumer organisations as well as the local and national authorities. The Danube River Basin Management Plan is to be updated every six years according to EU legislation.

The DRBM Plan focuses on the main transboundary problems, so called Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI), that can directly or indirectly affect the quality of rivers and lakes as well as transboundary groundwater bodies:
• Pollution by organic substances
• Pollution by nutrients
• Pollution by hazardous substances
• Hydromorphological alterations

The Plan includes visions and objectives for each SWMI as well as a Joint Programme of Measures. In addition, the Plan includes:

• a description of the significant pressures in the DRB
• an overview on the monitoring networks
• an assessment of the ecological and chemical status
• a final designation of Heavily Modified Water Bodies
• an overview on exemption according to the EU WFD
• an economic analysis of water uses
• a brief overview on water quantity issues and climate changes
• an outline of public consultation and participation
• an inventory of protected areas

The final version of the DRBM Plan is available since end of 2009 and has been adopted at the ICPDR Ministerial Meeting in February 2010. 

Ambitious deadlines

The ICPDR follows the ambitious deadlines set out in the EU Water Framework Directive.

The Water Framework Directive

To meet the challenge of ensuring a sufficient supply of clean water for future generations the European Community adopted in December 2000 the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) - a new and effective tool for water management.

Did you know?

The state of European water resources is relatively favourable compared to other regions of the world. There is generally enough water, but in many areas its quality is inadequate

The WFD establishes a legal framework to protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems; prevent their deterioration and ensure long-term, sustainable use of water resources. The Directive provides for an innovative approach for water management based on river basins, the natural geographical and hydrological units, and sets specific deadlines for EU Member States. The WFD addresses inland surface waters (rivers and lakes), transitional waters, coastal waters, groundwater and, under specific conditions, water dependent terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands. It establishes several integrative principles for water management, including public participation in planning and the integration of economic approaches, and also aims for the integration of water management into other policy areas. For better coordination, the WFD calls for the creation of international districts for river basins that cover the territory of more than one EU Member State. EU Member States should aim to achieve good status in all bodies of surface water and groundwater by 2015, respectively by 2027 at the latest.  

Information and Consultation of the Public

Involvement of the public and proactive information sharing are key principles for river basin management. Therefore, the ICPDR publishes all basin-wide startegic documents and analysis reports.

The latest strategic document is the interim overview on the Significant Water Managment Issues in the Danube River Baisn District, which is the basis for the Danube River Basin Management Plan.

In case you can not find the specific document you are looking for, please do not hesitate contacting us!

For more information

Guidance document No. 11. Planning Processes (see Related Links). A CD-ROM “Common Implementation Strategy for the Water Framework Directive") is available from the Publications Office of the European Communities.

Disclaimer

The information contained in the ICPDR website is intended to enhance public access to information about the ICPDR and the Danube River. The information is correct to the best of the knowledge of the ICPDR Secretariat. If errors are brought to our attention we will try to correct them.
The ICPDR, expert group members, nor other parties involved in preparation of information contained on this website cannot, however, be held responsible for the correctness and validity of the data and information provided, nor accept responsibility or liability for damages or losses arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information conveyed therein.
Only those documents clearly marked ICPDR documents reflect the position of the ICPDR.
Any links to other websites are provided for your convenience only. The ICPDR does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy, availability, or appropriateness to the user's purposes, of any information or services on any other website.
When using the information and material provided on this website, credit should be given to the ICPDR.