1. Review the WFD through the years
Bob Dekker – Dutch Water Director

2. The WFD; a 10-year process (I)
Need for a global re-thinking of the European water policy
1994
Proposal for a directive on the ecological quality of water
No simplification and no clear coherence with the existing legal framework
No integrated approach yet
High implementation costs expected
Early 1990’s
Debates on several aspects of EU water policy
Implementation costs vs. achievements
Too sectorial approach
On-going revisions: drinking and bathing waters, hazardous substances
Requests for more subsidiarity
Concerns about ECJ’s pressure

3. The WFD; a 10-year process (II)
Adoption
of WFD
Environmental objectives (2015)
2000
Opening of a tough negotiation round
Proposal
of WFD
Simplification: repeals several directives
Based on river basin
Environmental objectives (2010)
Full cost recovery pricing of water uses
1997
General agreement on leading principles
Discussions on the future of EU water policy
Public hearings held by EP
Council’s call for a framework text
Commission’s communication, roots of WFD

4. 2000-2005 Activities WD – CIS process Guidance documents
MS and EC work commonly on implementation
Stakeholder involvement
Guidance documents
Pilot River Basins

5. 2000-2005 Positive Side effects
A common language and a common mindset
Enhanced trans-European cooperation and water network
Between member states
Between EC and member states
Natural participation of 10 new MS in the process during the accession process
MS obtained a clear view of the current status of their water systems
Notie laatste bullet: dit betreft de artikel 5 rapportages die nog niet iedereen ingestuurd heeft 

6. Remaining Key Issues
Agriculture is main topic, morphology also important. Both already covered in CIS activities
Municipal wastewater might need extra attention
Industries might gain from system of information exchange
Long range transport of air pollution issue not covered under CIS
Several issues would gain from integration with other policy areas
Results of the questionnaire, activity on key issues and research needs.

7. Conclusions We have obtained a clear view on EU water systems
The situation seems to be worse than we expected
A lot has been achieved, much left to be done
Common language and common mindset ease the job

8. Modern European water dialogue - the new, ‘common’ WFD language -
How is your ‘water body’ doing today?
Fine, thanks. We just ‘intercalibrated’, it turns out to be ‘at risk’
At risk? At risk of what?
Of not reaching it’s ‘good ecological potential’! (it is ‘heavily modified’, you know)
Gosh, and now?
We’re considering a ‘time exemption’.
I see. Will ‘the Commission’ agree?
Yes; we have lots of ‘disproportional costs’.
Lucky you! Wish we had too…