30/10/09
Making the most of the water framework directive will depend on greater understanding and collaboration between member states. That, in summary, was the conclusion of a meeting in Stockholm in (August 20-21).
There were three big themes: draft river basin management plans, particularly public participation; climate change and water management; and Programmes of Measures particularly the economic aspects. There was agreement on three needs: meaningful plans at local level; sustainability of water services and water resources; and new international structures and commissions that reinforce existing ones.
The Commission presented a snapshop of its first review of draft plans. Among its findings:
• only 60% of plans referred to water pricing
• there were serious shortcomings in reporting but it was unclear if this was the result of poor implementation or inadequate reporting
• France, UK and the Netherlands were noted as ahead in the process and reporting on time.
France reported on its unique twinning collaboration with Bulgaria in which the primary objective is strengthening administrative capacity and use of economic instruments in water management.
Participants expressed serious concerns about lack of adequate measures to tackle diffuse pollution and poor application of the polluter pays principle.
There was a call for appropriate funding mechanisms and development of new instruments for delivery of the WFD.
The event also served as the official Europe – International Network of Basin Organisation (INBO) 2009 meeting. Members of INBO called for a total transformation of agriculture to help deliver the objectives of the Directive. The EU Presidency was asked to include water issues in the negotiations on Climate Change at the Copenhagen.
Water Framework Directive - Sharing experiences and meeting future challenges.
Published in The View from Water UK, October 2009
