1. Introduction

This section introduces the Water Framework Directive Regulations and describes the range and use of mechanisms available to implement measures.

The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England & Wales) Regulations 2017 (referred to as the WFD Regulations) provide a framework for managing the water environment in England.

Under the WFD Regulations, a river basin management plan must be prepared for each river basin district. The plan includes environmental objectives and a summary of the programmes of measures required to achieve those objectives.

The information on mechanisms presented here underpins the summary programmes of measures in the plan. It focuses on the statutory and non-statutory mechanisms used to deliver actions and translate measures into outcomes.

Mechanisms describe the policy, legal or financial tools needed to implement a particular measure. For example, a legal mechanism may require that a particular activity can only be carried out in accordance with an environmental permit and its conditions. In this case the measure would be to ensure that all such activities have appropriate permits in place, and the legislation underpinning it provides the ‘mechanism’ to ensure the environment is protected.

A range of mechanisms can be used, from regulatory interventions for example, permitting and enforcement to non-legislative approaches such as providing advice and guidance. Mechanisms are often used in combination to give effect to particular measures.

A range of mechanisms are available to implement measures.

The legislative measures include:

  • product controls
  • bans, prohibitions, notices
  • environmental permits, licences and statutory requirements, including registrations, general binding rules, standard permits, bespoke permits, tradable permits and quotas
  • spatial planning policies
  • byelaws

The financial measures include:

  • financial incentives
  • financial disincentives

The non-legislative measures include:

  • cooperative agreements
  • voluntary guidance, codes of practice
  • voluntary assurance schemes
  • education, targeted information
  • general campaigns
  • face-to-face advice
  • naming and shaming
  • shared learning, research
  • demonstration projects
  • network building
  • locally driven direct action including catchment based approach