Solutions
In order to address the key pressures on fresh, marine and ground waters, sustainable solutions must be identified and implemented. This presents a huge challenge for people involved in river basin management planning.
An analysis of aspects of key concern for river basin management in the UK and Europe has been undertaken and summarised in WWF's Water and Wetland Index Key areas of concern and include:
- Reduction of agricultural diffuse pollution of surface and groundwater
- Environmental services
- Integration of land and water management policies, practices and funding
- Flood management that works with natural processes
- Promotion of true and satisfactory public participation
- Educational and financial incentives to change current behaviour in relation to domestic water use and water quality
- Role of wetlands in helping to achieve multi-functional objectives
Better River Basins aims to demonstrate what to do to address these priority areas and to give examples of good practice on how to do it - through links to selected case studies, research and advice. The case studies and links focus on addressing priorities in European, but have relevance to river basin management around the world.
In Europe, solutions to the pressures on the fresh and marine water environment are to be tackled collectively under the Water Framework Directive. For more information see WFD tools- River Basins Plans.