Progress and challenges in managing our catchments effectively

Abstract

Effective implementation of the integrated catchment management approach, catchment characterisation and suitable catchment management strategies and measures are the means of ensuring protection of satisfactory water resources and improvement of unsatisfactory water resources, and achievement of Water Framework Directive requirements.Lessons have been learned from the firstcycle River Basin Management Plans, particularly on the need for proper public and community engagement and involvement, improved governance and targeting of appropriate mitigation measures.However, challenges need to be overcome: there needs to be genuine integration of the work of discipline-or process-based sections in public bodies and better collaboration between these bodies; the environment must be at the core of sustainable intensification; appropriate mitigation measures for diffuse and small point sources will need to be analysed and targeted to the pressures; and there is a need to ensure the involvement, cooperation and co-ownership of water (and biodiversity) management by local people and communities.The approach currently being undertaken is laying a solid foundation for integrating science and people, and is a basis for optimism.. It is a major piece of EU legislation designed to protect, preserve and improve the aquatic environment while encouraging the sustainable use of water. .It encourages integration of all water types* groundwater, rivers, lakes, and transitional and coastal waters*and both water quantity and quality as the basis for water management, and regards river basins or catchments as the means of connecting all waters with human activities. .It is linked to a number of other EU directives (Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG), 2015), such as Groundwater, Nitrates, Habitats, Birds, Drinking Water, Bathing Waters, Urban Waste Water, Industrial Emissions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Floods, Marine Strategy Framework, Sustainable Use of Pesticides and the Sewage Sludge directives. .It requires adequate monitoring and characterisation as the basis for decision-making. .It sets clear targets while allowing exemptions for situations where this is not practical or is disproportionately expensive. .It requires engagement with and participation of catchment communities. .The requirement to implement the WFD has given impetus to a suite of applied research projects that have increased our understanding of water science. .Perhaps most importantly of all, sustainability is a core concept.