Water Framework Directive compliance for businesses
- 4 steps
UK Statutory Instrument
2017
United Kingdom
The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017
These Regulations revoke and replace the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/3242) (“the 2003 Regulations”) which have been amended by several instruments. They continue to transpose for England and Wales Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) (OJ No L 327, 22.12.2000, p1) (“the WFD”) and also transpose aspects of Directive 2006/118/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration (OJ No L 372, 27.12.2006, p19) (“the GWD”) and of Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy (OJ No L 348, 24.12.2008, p84) (the EQSD”). Show full description Show less
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Relevant guidance
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Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 78 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
(1) In the definitions in paragraph (2) (which derive from...
Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 .
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 .
Section 61 of the Water Act 2014 (regulation of the...
The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 .
The Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994...
The Water Protection Zone (River Dee Catchment) (Procedural and Other...
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 ....
The Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations...
The Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations...
The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Wales) Regulations 2009 ....
The Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 .
The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 .
The Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural...
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021....
The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Establishment) Order 2012 ....
The Bathing Water Regulations 2013 .
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021....
The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (Wales) Regulations 2014 ....
The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk...
The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 .
The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 .
The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015 ....
Parts 2 and 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990...
The Water Environment (Control of Pollution) (Oil Storage) (Wales) Regulations...
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 .
Part 4 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (sewerage services)...
Parts 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 of the...
The Land Drainage Act 1991 .
The Environment Act 1995 .
Sections 3, 4, 10, 81 and 83 of the Water...
Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009...
Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment .
Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council...
Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council...
Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution...
Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and...
Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for...
Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council...
Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council...
Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council...
Directive 2009/147/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council...
Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council...
The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Northumbria River Basin District) Regulations 2003
The Flood Risk Regulations 2009
The Marine Strategy Regulations 2010
The Bathing Water Regulations 2013
The London Underground (Northern Line Extension) Order 2014
A reference to the WFD, or to any provision of...
Article 24 is to be ignored.
Annex 1 is to be ignored.
Annex 2 is to be read as if—
Annex 4 is to be read as if—
Annex 5 is to be read as if—
Annex 6 is to be read as if Part A...
Annex 7 is to be read as if, in Part...
A reference to the GWD, or to any provision of...
When interpreting the GWD for the purposes of these Regulations—...
Article 3 is to be read as if—
When interpreting the WFD for the purposes of these Regulations—...
Article 5 is to be read as if, in each...
Article 6(4) is to be read as if the words...
Article 12 is to be ignored.
Annex 1 is to be read as if—
Annex 2 is to be read as if, in Part...
A reference to the EQSD, or to any provision of...
When interpreting the EQSD for the purposes of these Regulations—...
Article 3 is to be read as if—
Article 4 is to be read as if—
Article 5 is to be read as if—
Article 2(24) is to be read as if, for the...
The following Articles are to be ignored—
Article 4 is to be read as if—
Article 7(2) is to be read as if—
Article 10 is to be ignored.
Article 11(3) is to be read as if—
Article 12 is to be ignored.
Article 15 is to be ignored.
Browse 39 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation, commencement, extent and application
Interpretation
Duties on ministers and regulators
Map of river basin districts
Characterisation of river basin districts
Classification of water bodies
Economic analysis of water use in river basin districts
Bodies of water used for the abstraction of drinking water
Designation of shellfish waters
Register of protected areas
Monitoring programmes
Procedure for setting environmental objectives and programmes of measures
The environmental objectives
Environmental objectives: application of regulations 15 to 19
Artificial or heavily modified water bodies
Extended deadlines for environmental objectives
Setting less stringent environmental objectives
Natural causes or force majeure
Modifications to physical characteristics of water bodies
Content of programmes of measures
Charges for water services
Further programmes of measures in relation to certain priority substances
Action in relation to plant protection and biocidal products
Implementation of programmes of measures
Action where environmental objectives are unlikely to be achieved
Application of this Part
River basin management plans: content
Review of river basin management plans
River basin management plans: public participation
River basin management plans: submission for approval
River basin management plans: approval
Supplementary plans
River basin management plans: duties on public bodies
Publication of information
Provision of information and assistance
Directions
Revocation
Transitional provision
Consequential amendments
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Ofwat
PrimaryWater Services Regulation Authority
Economic regulator for the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales. Sets price limits, monitors service quality, and enforces environmental duties. …
Office for Environmental Protection
Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Natural Resources Wales
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …
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Regulators
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