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1.1.        Methodologies characterisation

1.1.1.           Introduction

Article 5 of the WFD requires Member States to identify surface water bodies that will be used for assessing progress with, and achievement of, the WFD’s Environmental Objectives. In addition, under certain conditions, Article 4(3) of the WFD permits Member States to identify and designate artificial water bodies (AWB) and heavily modified water bodies (HMWB). AWB and HMWB are required to achieve Good Ecological Potential (GEP) by 2015.

Identifying the size of surface water bodies was an important parameter that had implications on the design of the monitoring programmes and on the development of appropriate programmes of measures. A stepwise process for the identification of AWB and HMWB resulted in a provisional identification by 2004. Full identification should have been completed by 2010 for publication in the first RBMPs. The characterisation of surface water body types, including the identification of AWB and HMWB, may have been reviewed and revised as part of the review and update (if necessary) of the Article 5 analysis, required by December 2013.

Article 5 also requires Member States to analyse the characteristics of surface water bodies and to provide a summary report on surface water characterisation, including general information on their typology.