Decision Support For Water Framework Directive Implementation

Decision Support For Water Framework Directive Implementation Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle version is available to download in english. Read online anytime anywhere directly from your device. Click on the download button below to get a free pdf file of Decision Support For Water Framework Directive Implementation book. This book definitely worth reading, it is an incredibly well-written.

Decision Support for Water Framework Directive Implementation

Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Decision Support for Water Framework Directive Implementation Book PDF

Author : Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Publisher : IWA Publishing
Page : 219 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2011-03-31
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781843393276

Get Book

Decision Support for Water Framework Directive Implementation by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Pdf

Special Offer: Water Framework Directive Series Set Click here to buy all four titles including Volume 3 and Save £100! Decision Support for Water Framework Directive Implementation: Volume 3 is a concrete outcome from the Harmoni-CA concerted action as part of a 4-volume series of Guidance Reports that guide water professionals through the implementation process of the Water Framework Directive, with a focus on the use of ICT-tools (and in particular modelling). They are complementary to the Guidance Documents produced by the EU Directorate General for Environment. Water resources planning and management and the development of appropriate policies require methodologies and tools that are able to support systematic, integrative and multidisciplinary assessments at various scales. It also requires the quantification of various uncertainties in both data and models, and the incorporation of stakeholders participation and institutional mechanisms into the various tools and risk assessment methodologies, to help decision makers understand and evaluate alternative measures and decisions. Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/IntegratedAssessmentforWaterFrameworkDirectiveImplementation The other three volumes in the Water Framework Directive Series are: Water Framework Directive: Model supported Implementation - A Water Manager’s Guide edited by Fred Hattermann and Zbigniew W Kundzewicz Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation - Volume 1 edited by Prof. Peter A. Vanrolleghem Integrated Assessment for WFD implementation: Data, economic and human dimension - Volume 2 edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem

Water Framework Directive

Fred F Hattermann,Zbigniew W. Kundzewicz
Water Framework Directive Book PDF

Author : Fred F Hattermann,Zbigniew W. Kundzewicz
Publisher : IWA Publishing
Page : 289 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 2009-11-01
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781843392736

Get Book

Water Framework Directive by Fred F Hattermann,Zbigniew W. Kundzewicz Pdf

Special Offer: Water Framework Directive Series Set. Visit www.iwapublishing.com to buy all four titles including Volume 3 and save £100! Water resources planning and management and the development of appropriate policies requires methodologies and tools that are able to support systematic, integrative and multidisciplinary assessments at various scales. It also requires the quantification of various uncertainties in both data and models, and the incorporation of stakeholders participation and institutional mechanisms into the various tools and risk assessment methodologies, to help decision makers understand and evaluate alternative measures and decisions. This requirement has been explicitly recognised in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). This book is one of the concrete outcomes of the Harmoni-CA concerted action (supported by the European Commission). It provides a framework for model-supported participatory planning of measures at various river basin scales and practical guidance to water managers and other interested stakeholders on the model-supported implementation of the WFD. The objective of the book is to offer guidance to water managers on the model-supported implementation of the Water Framework Directive at the level of a river basin district and at other levels (such as sub-basins, national, or international scale in the case of international river basins). It should help water managers to better understand how models may be used for planning purposes, while special attention is given to the problem of predicting an uncertain future, one very likely to differ from the present. Six case studies from different parts of Europe are provided to illustrate the practical applicability of the planning framework in the WFD implementation. They are very important for illustrating how concepts from earlier parts of the document are applied to real-world situations. The case studies cover several aspects of mesoscale river basin management, water quantity and quality issues, and the role of modelling, with two case studies located in pilot river basins. This text is intended for use by water managers and hydrologists engaged in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The other three volumes in the Water Framework Directive Series are: Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation - Volume 1 edited by Prof. Peter A. Vanrolleghem Integrated Assessment for WFD implementation: Data, economic and human dimension - Volume 2 edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Decision support for WFD implementation - Volume 3 edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem

Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation

Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation Book PDF

Author : Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Publisher : IWA Publishing
Page : 353 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2010-04-30
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781843392231

Get Book

Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Pdf

Special Offer: Water Framework Directive Series Set. To buy all four titles including Volume 3 and save £100, visit: http://iwapublishing.com/books/9781780400013/water-framework-directive-series-set Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation: Volume 1 is a concrete outcome from the Harmoni-CA concerted action as part of a 4-volume series of Guidance Reports that guide water professionals through the implementation process of the Water Framework Directive, with a focus on the use of ICT-tools (and in particular modelling). They are complementary to the Guidance Documents produced by the EU Directorate General for Environment. Water resources planning and management and the development of appropriate policies require methodologies and tools that are able to support systematic, integrative and multidisciplinary assessments at various scales. It also requires the quantification of various uncertainties in both data and models, and the incorporation of stakeholders participation and institutional mechanisms into the various tools and risk assessment methodologies, to help decision makers understand and evaluate alternative measures and decisions. The other three volumes in the Water Framework Directive Series are: Water Framework Directive: Model supported Implementation - A Water Manager’s Guide edited by Fred Hattermann and Zbigniew W Kundzewicz Integrated Assessment for WFD implementation: Data, economic and human dimension - Volume 2, edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Decision support for WFD implementation - Volume 3, edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem. Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/IntegratedAssessmentforWaterFrameworkDirectiveImplementation

Participation for Effective Environmental Governance

Elisa Kochskämper,Edward Challies,Nicolas W. Jager,Jens Newig
Participation for Effective Environmental Governance Book PDF

Author : Elisa Kochskämper,Edward Challies,Nicolas W. Jager,Jens Newig
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 161 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2017-09-27
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781351758697

Get Book

Participation for Effective Environmental Governance by Elisa Kochskämper,Edward Challies,Nicolas W. Jager,Jens Newig Pdf

Does participatory governance benefit the environment? The European Water Framework Directive (WFD), which came into force in 2000 with the aim of revolutionizing European water governance, mandates participatory river basin management planning across the European Union. The belief of European policymakers and the European Commission is that participation will deliver better policy outputs and implementation. This book examines a range of approaches to participatory river basin management planning, and considers whether and how participation impacted on the environmental standard of planning documents, quality of implementation, and social outcomes. It draws on evidence from WFD implementation in eight case studies from Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom on the basis of a matched comparative case study design. The Directive sets common timeframes and procedural requirements, which provides a perfect test-bed and unique opportunity to study the effects of participation on implementation and outcomes in comparative perspective.

Water Resources and Decision-Making Systems

Cecilia Tortajada,Kevin Parris
Water Resources and Decision Making Systems Book PDF

Author : Cecilia Tortajada,Kevin Parris
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 165 pages
File Size : 52,6 Mb
Release : 2016-03-23
Category : Nature
ISBN : 9781134931866

Get Book

Water Resources and Decision-Making Systems by Cecilia Tortajada,Kevin Parris Pdf

Water data and information are essential to support efforts to understand, manage, allocate, utilize and protect water resources. The linkages between Water Information Systems and needs of decision makers are complex, but can be encapsulated in a Driving Force (Policy Needs) – Monitoring – Data Management – Reporting framework. The rapid development in water policy reforms in many sectors and growing emphasis on demand-side policy solutions to water resources management has created an information imbalance. This imbalance can be characterised in terms of an inverted pyramid with implementation of many water policy initiatives supported by little data and information, especially related to economic and financial elements, to help guide decision makers toward more effective and efficient water resources management strategies. Additionally, as stress and demands on water systems increase and water becomes a more valued resource, this tends to increase the value of water information both for water providers and users. Nevertheless, many countries are reporting that the capacity to collect water information is being undermined by a lack of resources, while expertise to collect, analyse and interpret water data for decision makers is being lost. Finally, the impact of climate change on hydrological regimes represents a key potential stress on water systems. This issue could be the catalyst for adapting policies to provide more efficient and effective use and management of water resources and advance institutional and governance reforms in the water sector. This book is based on a special issue of the International Journal of Water Resources Development.

Integrated Assessment for Water Framework Directive Implementation

Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Integrated Assessment for Water Framework Directive Implementation Book PDF

Author : Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Publisher : IWA Publishing
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2010-08-14
Category : Science
ISBN : 1843393263

Get Book

Integrated Assessment for Water Framework Directive Implementation by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Pdf

Special Offer: Water Framework Directive Series Set To buy all four titles including Volume 3 and save £100, visit: http://www.iwapublishing.com/books/9781780400013/water-framework-directive-series-set Implementing the comprehensive Water Framework Directive requires a thorough planning process that consists of several consecutive steps. The least one can say is that it is a challenging task which needs appropriate ICT tools that are able to cope with the complexity of the water system and this planning process. Integrated assessment, participatory processes and the science-policy interface are one of the newer elements in this overall implementation process that have developed greatly thanks to the WFD. Economic methods, models and instruments are integrative to the WFD implementation as well, with such concepts as cost recovery of water resources being central to debate with stakeholders. Economic valuation of natural resources (willingness-to-pay, willingness-to-accept, ...) should get sufficient attention and the human dimension (perception, needs, wants, values and behaviours) should be incorporated in the modelling frameworks for decision-making. In the same line there is also a human dimension to the use of models: how do non-modellers, such as managers, policy-makers, other stakeholders feel about models and their use in their day-to-day activities. And finally, this volume deals with the large issue of data: its quality, availability and, not to forget, accessibility. And can we use data both for monitoring purposes (surveillance, operational and investigative in the WFD context) and for modelling. Is there a synergy to be found? These tasks, the underlying concepts, methods, tools and procedures are the subject of this volume. The other three volumes in the Water Framework Directive Series are: Water Framework Directive: Model supported Implementation - A Water Manager’s Guide edited by Fred Hattermann and Zbigniew W Kundzewicz Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation - Volume 1 edited by Prof. Peter A. Vanrolleghem Decision Support for WFD implementation - Volume 3, edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/IntegratedAssessmentforWaterFrameworkDirectiveImplementation

Development of a web-based spatial decision support system (WSDSS) for river restoration

Andreas Zitek
Development of a web based spatial decision support system WSDSS for river restoration Book PDF

Author : Andreas Zitek
Publisher : diplom.de
Page : 66 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2010-01-05
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783836640473

Get Book

Development of a web-based spatial decision support system (WSDSS) for river restoration by Andreas Zitek Pdf

Inhaltsangabe:Introduction: The main goal of this thesis is to develop a framework for a Web based Spatial Decision Support System (WSDSS) for supporting the development of river restoration strategies. Due to their free availability, open source/free GIS tools and technology are used to develop this decision support framework supporting a multi-user decision support platform via the web. The integration of latest multi-scale river ecological knowledge is assured by the strong relatedness of this thesis to a project that has been run at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna between 2005 and 2008 the MIRR project (Model based Instrument for River Restoration). By order of the Austrian Ministry of Life, being responsible for the implementation of the EU-Water Framework Directive, a strategic instrument to identify hydro-morphological restoration measures for running waters to enhance the ecological status of rivers in Austria measured by fish was developed at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management (IHG) at the BOKU based on comprehensive multivariate analyses of fish/pressure relationships using data from Lower Austria. The identification and quantification of the effects of the main relevant pressure types allowed the development of flow charts for guiding restoration activities at multiple scales. Up to now no tool exists allowing an automated evaluation of the effects of different restoration strategies on the ecological status of the so called water bodies, the relevant scale for action and reporting with regard to the EU-WFD. Furthermore existing web based GIS tools related to rivers and the implementation of the EU WFD in Austria and on an EU level do not allow any interaction with the data, and are therefore not well suited for decision support (for example the Water Information system of Austria WISA , or the Water Information System of Europe WISE ). The following parts of the MIRR project conducted under the supervision of the author of this thesis as work package leader, and can be seen as part of this thesis, although mainly content relevant for the development of the WSDSS framework is reproduced here: Literature research and definition of relevant parameters to model fish/pressure relationships on multiple spatial and temporal scales, Investigation and collection of the available GIS datasets in Austria, that might be of relevance for the MIRR project, and matching [...]

Decision Support Systems for Risk-Based Management of Contaminated Sites

Antonio Marcomini,Glenn Walter Suter II,Andrea Critto
Decision Support Systems for Risk Based Management of Contaminated Sites Book PDF

Author : Antonio Marcomini,Glenn Walter Suter II,Andrea Critto
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 446 pages
File Size : 42,8 Mb
Release : 2008-12-16
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780387097220

Get Book

Decision Support Systems for Risk-Based Management of Contaminated Sites by Antonio Marcomini,Glenn Walter Suter II,Andrea Critto Pdf

Decision Support Systems for Risk-Based Management of Contaminated Sites addresses decision making in environmental risk management for contaminated sites, focusing on the potential role of decision support systems in informing the management of chemical pollutants and their effects. Considering the environmental relevance and the financial impacts of contaminated sites all over the post-industrialized countries and the complexity of decision making in environmental risk management, decision support systems can be used by decision makers in order to have a more structured analysis of a problem at hand and define possible options of intervention to solve the problem. Accordingly, the book provides an analysis of the main steps and tools for the development of decision support systems, namely: environmental risk assessment, decision analysis, spatial analysis and geographic information system, indicators and endpoints. Sections are dedicated to the review of decision support systems for contaminated land management and for inland and coastal waters management. Both include discussions of management problem formulation and of the application of specific decision support systems. This book is a valuable support for environmental risk managers and for decision makers involved in a sustainable management of contaminated sites, including contaminated lands, river basins and coastal lagoons. Furthermore, it is a basic tool for the environmental scientists who gather data and perform assessments to support decisions, developers of decision support systems, students of environmental science and members of the public who wish to understand the assessment science that supports remedial decisions.

Water Framework Directive Series Set

Peter A. Vanrolleghem,Fred Hattermann,Zbigniew W. Kundewicz
Water Framework Directive Series Set Book PDF

Author : Peter A. Vanrolleghem,Fred Hattermann,Zbigniew W. Kundewicz
Publisher : International Water Assn
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 2011-01-10
Category : Nature
ISBN : 1780400012

Get Book

Water Framework Directive Series Set by Peter A. Vanrolleghem,Fred Hattermann,Zbigniew W. Kundewicz Pdf

Buy all four titles including Volume 3 and Save &p

Water Resources Management Sustaining Socio-Economic Welfare

Phoebe Koundouri,Nikos A. Papandreou
Water Resources Management Sustaining Socio Economic Welfare Book PDF

Author : Phoebe Koundouri,Nikos A. Papandreou
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 181 pages
File Size : 45,5 Mb
Release : 2013-11-29
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9789400776364

Get Book

Water Resources Management Sustaining Socio-Economic Welfare by Phoebe Koundouri,Nikos A. Papandreou Pdf

The aim of this book is to offer a river-basin management plan which is directly implementable and consistent with the European Union -Water Framework Directive (EU WFD).The contributors, who are leading world experts in their respective fields, develop an integrated water resources management plan for the Asopos river basin in Greece which is economically efficient, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. The program offers explicit technical and investment solutions, socioeconomic and legal instruments and recommendations for institutional restructuring. The introductory chapter describes the water situation in Greece and assesses the potential of timely implementation of the EU WFD. Special emphasis is given to the cost-recovery principle. Chapter 2 introduces the case study area highlighting the particular pressures and impacts as well as the environmental functions and values of Asopos River and Oropos Lagoon. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the economic characterisation of Asopos River Basin in order to identify the economic sectors and social groups that will bear the cost and benefits of the implementation of the EU WFD. In particular, Chapter 3 presents the main water uses and pricing for water supply in the industrial and the agricultural sectors. Chapter 4 completes the baseline appraisal, presenting the details of water use by the residential and touristic sectors. The following chapters assess valuation and decision-making tools from a range of perspectives, including agricultural needs, valuing the impacts of industrial activity, the costs and benefits of environmental preservation and management. The water resources management plan is presented in Chapter 9; the concluding chapter offers recommendations on institutional changes and presents the lessons learned as resources applicable to other river basins in Greece and elsewhere. The book applies state-of-the art market and non-market valuation methods to estimate water demands in the residential, industrial, agricultural, tourism, environmental and health sectors and to balance these, over time and space, with water supply. Given the well-known challenge of managing natural resources in a way that maximizes and sustains social welfare, this book will provide an invaluable point of reference for applied researchers and policy makers working in water resources management.

Water System Science and Policy Interfacing

Philippe Quevauviller
Water System Science and Policy Interfacing Book PDF

Author : Philippe Quevauviller
Publisher : Royal Society of Chemistry
Page : 463 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2010
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9781847558619

Get Book

Water System Science and Policy Interfacing by Philippe Quevauviller Pdf

Recent discussions among scientists and policy-makers have highlighted that knowledge generated by many research and demonstration projects is not reaching policymakers in an efficient way. Conversely, the consideration of research results by the policy making community is not straightforward, and difficulties arise in integrating the latest research developments in legislation. The difficulty is enhanced by the fact that the policy-making community is not defining its role as "client" sufficiently well and the dialogue and communication channels are far from ideal to ensure an efficient flow of information. An increasing number of experts consider that improvements could be achieved through the development of a "science-policy interface" so that R&D results are synthesised in a way to efficiently feed policy implementation and that short, medium and long term research needs may be identified. This book examines the issue of integrating science into policy, with an emphasis on water system knowledge and related policies. An important feature of the book is the discussion of science-policy interfacing needs, illustrated by examples from authors from different countries in relation to water system management. This publication is timely in that the science-policy interfacing is now identified as a key challenge worldwide with regard to integrated water resource management, and therefore the book will be of great interest to scientists, water managers and stakeholders. Readers will also benefit from a better understanding of the needs, benefits and drawbacks of an established transfer mechanism of scientific outputs to policies.

Integrated Deliberative Decision Processes for Water Resources Planning and Evaluation

Giorgos Kallis,Nuno Videira,Paula Antunes,Rui Santos
Integrated Deliberative Decision Processes for Water Resources Planning and Evaluation Book PDF

Author : Giorgos Kallis,Nuno Videira,Paula Antunes,Rui Santos
Publisher : IWA Publishing
Page : 74 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2007-02-15
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781843391678

Get Book

Integrated Deliberative Decision Processes for Water Resources Planning and Evaluation by Giorgos Kallis,Nuno Videira,Paula Antunes,Rui Santos Pdf

Integrated Deliberative Decision Processes for Water Resources Planning and Evaluation is part of the ADVISOR ("Integrated Evaluation for Sustainable River Basin Governance") research project funded by the EC, under the "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" theme of the 5th Framework Research Programme. The aim of ADVISOR is to improve the understanding of evaluation processes as part of river basin planning and management and to provide a framework supported by a toolkit for the conduct of integrated and participatory evaluations. Integrated Deliberative Decision Processes for Water Resources Planning and Evaluation is Work Package 4 of the project and helps to transfer the experience and lessons learned during the ADVISOR project to policy makers, contributing especially to the implementation process of the Water Framework Directive. An Integrated Deliberative Decision Process (IDDP) is proposed to be adopted as the platform to achieve integrated evaluations and this book explains and provides a step-by-step guidance on how to design and run such a process. Integrated Deliberative Decision Processes for Water Resources Planning and Evaluation has been written especially for policy makers, with theoretical reflections also provided where these bear importance to practical implementation.

Water Governance

R.K. Mishra,Samanta Sahu
Water Governance Book PDF

Author : R.K. Mishra,Samanta Sahu
Publisher : Allied Publishers
Page : 268 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2013-01-15
Category : Water resources development
ISBN : 9788184247527

Get Book

Water Governance by R.K. Mishra,Samanta Sahu Pdf

This present volume contains 18 contributions, papers presented in four technical sessions during the national seminar on Governance and Management of water. The volume analyses the present crisis of water from different aspects and provides an opportunity to address the challenges on effective water governance and management. By focusing on different cases from around the country, the colume generates new ideas and hopes for probable of such challenges.

Public Participation : Contributing to Better Water Management

Anonim
Public Participation Contributing to Better Water Management Book PDF

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 58 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2014
Category : Environmental policy
ISBN : 9292134825

Get Book

Public Participation : Contributing to Better Water Management by Anonim Pdf

In the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), public participation (PP) is viewed as a means of improving water management through better planning and more informed decision-making. The active involvement of all interested parties and influencers in the deliberation and decision-making process is generally expected to foster an environment of accessibility, receptiveness and mutual respect that ultimately promotes transparency and trust among participants and can then increase the success rate of policies due to better acceptance by stakeholders. Naturally, this kind of setting is highly desirable, especially when the topic under discussion is a cross-cutting issue involving multiple stakeholders and reflecting numerous interests While the concept of PP is now well established, and commonly plays a part in the environment and sustainability agendas of international organisations and national authorities, its effectiveness in achieving European water-policy goals is still being assessed. This report evaluates whether the provisions for PP included in the WFD actually contribute to achieving the objectives of the directive or at least support the ongoing implementation process by, for example, improving the integration of water management between different actors, incorporating local knowledge and promoting informed decision-making. Common criteria are identified based on key principles of PP, and are tested by analysing eight case studies from across the EU. The report addresses the fundamental question of how PP can improve water-related policies, plans and implementation, especially in the context of river-basin planning and the WFD.

The EU Water Framework Directive

P. Chave
The EU Water Framework Directive Book PDF

Author : P. Chave
Publisher : IWA Publishing
Page : 226 pages
File Size : 55,7 Mb
Release : 2001-09-30
Category : Science
ISBN : 1900222124

Get Book

The EU Water Framework Directive by P. Chave Pdf

Taking over 10 years to develop, the new EU Water Framework Directive is the most significant legal instrument in the water field to emerge from Brussels for some time and will have a profound effect on how water is managed in Europe over the next 25 years. The book outlines its basic features. It explains how the current approach to water management will have to change in order that European Member states and those countries currently in accession negotiations can meet the requirements of the directive, describing a number of examples of current practices as possible systems which could be used in the new approach. The concept of river basin management is outlined, and the potential institutional problems associated with implementing such a system are discussed including the problems associated with cross-border river basins, a common situation in Europe. Examples of existing river basin authorities and international collaboration are given as possible models. The directive requires the establishment of programmes of measures to improve water status. Some countries already use such a concept, and examples are quoted. As a result of its implementation, the directive aims to achieve good water status in all natural surface waters and groundwater in 15 years. For surface waters, the definition of 'good' is based on a new concept of 'ecological quality' taking into account biology, chemistry and their physical features. For groundwater, it includes quantitative status. The approach taken is an integrated one which has to consider all the naturally occurring and human factors which affect the waters. The difficulties of interpretation of the new concept of 'ecological water status' are discussed and some of the examples of current biological and chemical classification schemes that are used in Europe are examined. The directive also alters the way in which pollution is to be controlled - the 'combined' approach. This concept is explained. The EU Water Framework Directive: An Introduction is an invaluable source of guidance on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive for all those concerned with water management including water quality planners and scientists, pollution control and environmental staff in the water and wastewater industries and environmental regulators who all have to adapt to the new approach to their work. Contents Introduction The EU Water Framework Directive Principal Obligations of the Directive Implementation of the Directive River Basin Districts River Basin Characteristics Environmental Objectives Programme of Measures River Basin Plans Groundwater Waters Requiring Special Protection Priority Substances Monitoring Economic Instruments Recording and Reporting Summary Timescales and Future Developments