The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD)

The EU WFD extends its provisions to provide transboundary or international river basins. According to the Directive groundwater is assigned to the most appropriate river basin.  Each Member State will have to find and set the most appropriate administrative arrangements at the level of the river basin. In case of international river basin districts, whether shared by two or more Member States, or extending beyond the territory of the EU, each Member State has the obligation to ensure the administrative arrangements within the portion of his territory that comply with the rules of the Directive. Member States are required to coordinate with non Member States, when it is the case, for meeting the requirements of the Directive.