Heavily modified water body (HMWB)

A body of surface water which, as a result of physical alterations by human activity, is substantially changed in character. Due to these changes, the water body cannot achieve good status. If the activities cannot be questioned for technical or economic reasons, the water body can be designated as heavily modified and the objectives to be achieved, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, are then adjusted: it must achieve good ecological potential. The objective of good chemical status remains valid; a water body may be designated as heavily modified as a result of polluting discharges.