The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017

River basin management plans: content

27.—(1) A river basin management plan must—

(a) relate to such period as the appropriate authority may direct;

(b) include the information required by the relevant provisions of the WFD, the GWD and the EQSD specified in paragraphs (2) to (4);

(c) in relation to any shellfish water protected area, include the information required by paragraph (2)(d) in relation to protected areas.

(2) The relevant provisions of the WFD are—

(a) Article 9(2) and (4) (recovery of the costs of water services);

(b) Annex II, section 1.3(vi) (exclusion of elements from the assessment of ecological status);

(c) the following provisions of Annex V—

(i) points 1.3 and 1.3.4 (confidence and precision in monitoring surface water);

(ii) point 2.4.1 (confidence and precision in monitoring groundwater);

(iii) points 2.4.5 and 2.5 (presentation of monitoring results for groundwater);

(d) Annex VII, Parts A and B (elements to be covered in river basin management plans).

(3) The relevant provisions of the GWD are—

(a) Article 3(5) and (6) (the threshold values and revisions to them);

(b) Article 4(4) (summary of assessment of groundwater chemical status);

(c) Article 5(4) and (5) (trend assessment and starting points);

(d) Annex II Part C (how groundwater threshold values have been set);

(e) Annex III, point 5 (maps showing exceedances).

(4) The relevant provisions of the EQSD are—

(a) Article 3(5) (information about monitoring and analysis, including alternative matrices);

(b) Article 4(2) (information relating to mixing zones);

(c) Article 5(4) (updated inventories).