On October 23, 2000, the European Union finally adopted its uniform and comprehensive water regulation framework, namely EU Water Framework Directive, to prevent further deterioration of water systems, protect ecosystems, promote sustainable water use, help combat floods and droughts, and phase out the discharge of hazardous substances into waterways. It has been almost half a century before the European countries have water protection regulation in the community level since its foundation treaty of Rome Treaty in 1957.
However, the enactment of water framework directive in 2000 does not mean non-existence of any previous water regulations within EU community. Virtually, there have been many Directives and Regulations setting water quality standards, among which are Council Directives concerning surface water drinking, drinking water measuring methods, water for human consumption, quality of bathing water, dangerous substances discharges, municipal water treatment, etc. However, these water legislations have disparate or conflicting standards according to their various uses or discharges of dangerous substances or pollution sources.
The Water Framework Directive attempts to address these concerns within a single flexible framework. The most striking feature of the Directive is that it chose the water management model by river basin rather than according to administrative or political boundaries. Towards this purpose, the Directive mandates that each river basin district must establish its own river basin management plan within a specified period of the member state's entry into the Directive.
Although the Directive has invited some criticisms from several member countries and environmental organizations for not being aggressive enough, it appears to be a good step in a right direction toward preventing pollution of Community water and enhancing the long-term sustainable use of water resource.