Water resources: quantity and flows - SOER 2010 thematic assessment

Publication Created 26 Oct 2010 Published 25 Nov 2010

4 min read

This page was archived on 12 Aug 2025 with reason: Other (Moved to https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/the-european-environment-state-and-outlook-2010-synthesis)

Europe's freshwaters are affected by water scarcity, droughts, floods and physical modifications. Many water bodies are at risk of failing to meet the aim of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good status by 2015. Future policies should encourage demand management through actions such as increasing water efficiency. In addition, water management will benefit from applying an ecosystems perspective, using floodplains and groundwater aquifers for storing water, and making room (space) for rivers.