The European Commission has published new reports on the state of water in the European Union, which include assessments for Member States that did not provide data in time for the initial reports published in Feb 2025.
The reports cover the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and highlight progress on the state of EU water bodies over the past six years.
They also identify key areas where further efforts are needed.
Assessments of third River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and second Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) are now available for 8 additional Member States: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.
More work needed to ensure water resilience
The reports confirm many of the trends identified in the Commission’s February 2025 assessment. Pollution remains one of the biggest obstacles to achieving good ecological and chemical status, with diffuse nutrient pollution, alongside chemical pollution and other pressures, continuing to impact water bodies. Disruption of natural river flows and other hydromorphological pressures also remain significant obstacles.
The Commission is working directly with Member States to address these challenges.
Structured Dialogues on water policy are taking place with Member States across Europe to accelerate implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the wider EU water acquis, identify barriers and agree practical solutions to improve water resilience.
The European Water Resilience Strategy provides additional tools to accelerate action on the pressures identified in the reports.
At the same time, the Commission updated its original assessment of Member States’ marine programmes of measures required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for five Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece and Malta, which were not included in its original assessment due to late reporting.
Background
As required by law, the Commission assesses Member States’ river basin and flood management plans as well as marine programmes of measures. These reports have highlighted persistent pressures from pollution, insufficient monitoring and lack of ambition and funding to tackle the existing challenges.
The reports on implementing these Directives offer valuable insights into the condition of EU freshwater and marine waters, the actions taken to improve them and measures to reduce flood risks.
They also provide country-specific information and tailored recommendations to support continued progress and sustainable water management across Europe.
More information
7th Implementation Report (2024) | European Commission
2nd cycle implementation of MSFD – programmes of measures | European Commission
