The timetable for implementation of the Water Framework Directive is outlined below, up to the end of the third cycle, in 2027. Submissions to the European Commission are highlighted.
| Date | Requirement |
| December 2003 | Bring Directive into domestic law
(Article 24 of the WFD requires this) |
| Define River Basin Districts (RBDs) | |
| December 2004 | Complete first analysis of physical characteristics of the RBDs (Art. 5) and assessment of pollution, human and other impacts on them |
| Establish a register of protected areas in each RBD (Art. 6 and 7) | |
| December 2005 | Identify significant upward trends in groundwater and establish trend reversal (Art. 17) |
| Classification of water body status | |
| December 2006 | Establish environmental monitoring programmes (Art. 8) |
| Publish a work programme for producing the first River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) (Art. 14) | |
| Establish Environmental Quality Standards for priority substances and controls on principal sources (Art. 16) | |
| December 2007 | Publish an interim overview of the significant water management issues in each RBD for general consultation (Art. 14) |
| December 2008 | Publish draft RBMPs for consultation (Art. 14) |
| December 2009 | Finalise and publish first RBMPs (Art. 13) |
| Finalise a programme of measures to meet objectives and include a summary of first RBMPs (Art. 11) | |
| December 2010 | Ensure water pricing policies are in place (Art. 9) |
| December 2012 | Ensure all programmes of measures are fully operational (Art. 11) |
| Publish timetable and work programme for second RBMPs | |
| Report progress in implementing the first RBMPs (Art. 15) | |
| December 2013 | Review progress of the first RBMP cycle: |
| Review characterisation and impact assessments for RBDs and the economic analysis of water use | |
| Publish an interim overview of the significant water management issues to be addressed in the second RBMPs | |
| December 2014 | Publish second draft RBMPs for consultation |
| December 2015 | Achieve environmental objectives specified in first RBMPs (Art. 4) |
| Finalise and publish second RBMPs with revised programme of measures | |
|
End of 1st cycle |
|
| December 2021 | Achieve environmental objectives specified in second RBMPs |
| Finalise and publish third RBMPs with revised programme of measures | |
|
End of 2nd cycle |
|
| December 2027 | Achieve environmental objectives specified in third RBMPs |
|
End of 3rd cycle |
Sources: Environment Agency WFD timetable; Water UK
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