WISE Freshwater

Press release Feb 4, 2025

Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks

The European Commission has published its latest reports on the state of water in the European Union.

Covering the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the reports highlight the progress made to improve the state of EU water bodies over the past six years. They also identify key areas where further efforts are needed.

The reports offer valuable insights into the condition of EU freshwater and marine waters and the actions taken to improve it, as well as measures to reduce flood risks. They also provide country-specific information and tailored recommendations to support continued progress and sustainable water management across Europe.

Information provided by the reports will play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming Water Resilience Strategy, which aims to address the most pressing water-related challenges in Europe.

Go to the reports

New EEA report 07/2024

Europe's state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience

Pollution, habitat degradation, impacts of climate change, and the over-use of freshwater resources are putting pressure on Europe’s lakes, rivers, coastal waters and groundwaters like never before. According to the largest assessment on the health of Europe’s water bodies, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), Europe is not on track to meet its targets to improve the health of waters under EU rules. Better water management is key to improve water resilience, to alleviate pressures on water and to ensure European citizens, nature and industry have enough good-quality water.

Go to the report

WaterWISECampaign

#WaterWiseEU Campaign

Understand why Europe’s water systems are under increasing stress. Find out how we can all work together to transform the way water is managed, used and valued. Discover why we need to protect nature and ecosystems that are at the heart of the water cycle. Learn about the many water solutions out there.

Go to the campaign

Go to the EU Flood risk areas viewer

EU flood risk areas viewer

The EU Flood risk areas viewer is provided by the European Commission with the support of the European Environment Agency to raise flood risk awareness. It reflects work carried out by the Member States under the Floods Directive. Flood risk may change over time, for various reasons.

The map displays relevant information and links to the Member States’ preliminary flood risk assessments, flood hazard and risk maps, and flood risk management plans in the national language/s.

Go to the Floods Directive page

Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse

The new rules are applicable as of 26 June 2023 and are expected to encourage and facilitate the water reuse in the EU.

More information on the new rules and regular update of the state of play in the Member States is available in the WISE Freshwater Water reuse page.

Go to the Water reuse page

Press release Feb 4, 2025

Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks

The European Commission has published its latest reports on the state of water in the European Union.

Covering the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the reports highlight the progress made to improve the state of EU water bodies over the past six years. They also identify key areas where further efforts are needed.

The reports offer valuable insights into the condition of EU freshwater and marine waters and the actions taken to improve it, as well as measures to reduce flood risks. They also provide country-specific information and tailored recommendations to support continued progress and sustainable water management across Europe.

Information provided by the reports will play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming Water Resilience Strategy, which aims to address the most pressing water-related challenges in Europe.

Go to the reports

New EEA report 07/2024

Europe's state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience

Pollution, habitat degradation, impacts of climate change, and the over-use of freshwater resources are putting pressure on Europe’s lakes, rivers, coastal waters and groundwaters like never before. According to the largest assessment on the health of Europe’s water bodies, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), Europe is not on track to meet its targets to improve the health of waters under EU rules. Better water management is key to improve water resilience, to alleviate pressures on water and to ensure European citizens, nature and industry have enough good-quality water.

Go to the report

WaterWISECampaign

#WaterWiseEU Campaign

Understand why Europe’s water systems are under increasing stress. Find out how we can all work together to transform the way water is managed, used and valued. Discover why we need to protect nature and ecosystems that are at the heart of the water cycle. Learn about the many water solutions out there.

Go to the campaign

Go to the EU Flood risk areas viewer

EU flood risk areas viewer

The EU Flood risk areas viewer is provided by the European Commission with the support of the European Environment Agency to raise flood risk awareness. It reflects work carried out by the Member States under the Floods Directive. Flood risk may change over time, for various reasons.

The map displays relevant information and links to the Member States’ preliminary flood risk assessments, flood hazard and risk maps, and flood risk management plans in the national language/s.

Go to the Floods Directive page

Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse

The new rules are applicable as of 26 June 2023 and are expected to encourage and facilitate the water reuse in the EU.

More information on the new rules and regular update of the state of play in the Member States is available in the WISE Freshwater Water reuse page.

Go to the Water reuse page

Welcome to WISE-Freshwater
The source of data and information on European freshwaters

WISE Freshwater provides information and data on the state of Europe’s rivers, lakes, groundwaters, the pressures affecting them, and the measures and actions taken to protect and conserve the aquatic environment.

In the spotlight

What are the main challenges for European freshwaters?

Responding to these challenges requires fundamental societal changes
to make our society more sustainable than today

Recently released

Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks

Europe's state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience

#WaterWiseEU Campaign

EU flood risk areas viewer

Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse

Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks

Europe's state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience

#WaterWiseEU Campaign

EU flood risk areas viewer

Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse

Welcome to WISE-Freshwater The source of data and information on European freshwaters

WISE Freshwater provides information and data on the state of Europe’s rivers, lakes, groundwaters, the pressures affecting them, and the measures and actions taken to protect and conserve the aquatic environment.

In the spotlight

What are the main challenges for European freshwaters?

Responding to these challenges requires fundamental societal changes to make our society more sustainable than today

Recently released

Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks

Welcome to WISE-Freshwater
The source of data and information on European freshwaters

Responding to these challenges requires fundamental societal changes
to make our society more sustainable than today