2000

Water Framework Directive entered into force

Article 22
Article 25

3 years for Member States to prepare

2003

• Transpose requirements to national legislation
• Define River Basin Districts and Authorities

Article 23

Article 3

2004

Characterise river basins: pressures, impact and economic analysis

Article 5

6 years to analyse issues and prepare the River Basin Management Plans

2005

Identify significant trends in groundwater pollution

Article 17

2006

• Establish environmental monitoring programmes
• Publish and consult on a work programme for the production of the first River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs)
• Establish environmental quality standards (EQSs) for surface water

Article 8

Article 14

Article 16

2007

• Report monitoring programmes to the EC
• Publish and consult on summary of significant water management issues (SWMI) for each River Basin District

Article 14

2008

Publish and consult on drafts of the RBMPs

Article 14

2009

• Publish the first RBMP for each River Basin District
• Establish programmes of measures
  (PoMs) in each River Basin District
  in order to deliver environmental
  objectives 

Article 13

Article 11

3 years to put programmes of measures in place

2010

• Report RBMPs, including PoMs to the EC
• Introduce water pricing policies

Article 9

2012

• Ensure all POMs are fully operational
• Report progress in implementing the first RBMPs

Article 11
Article 15

2013

Review progress of the first RBMP cycle

3 years to achieve specified objectives

2015

Main environmental objectives specified in the first RBMPs met?

Article 4

2015

Review and update first RBMPs

Articles 13, 14 and 15

Further 6 years’ planning, consultation and implementation cycles

2021

• Main environmental objectives specified in the second RBMPs met?
• Review and update second RBMPs

Article 4
 

Articles 13, 14 and 15

2027

• Main environmental objectives specified in the third RBMPs met?
• Review and update third RBMPs

Article 4

Articles 13, 14 and 15