1. 38
  2. Regulation

Regulation

Ecological status

Updated on 13/07/2018
Définition
Sens technique
Assessment of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems associated with surface waters. It is based on criteria called quality elements which can be biological (presence of living plants and animals), hydro-morphological and physico-chemical. The ecological status has five classes: very good, good, fair, poor and bad. For each type of water body, it is characterized by a deviation from reference conditions (conditions representative of surface water which is not or very little influenced by human activity). The "very good" ecological status is defined by very small differences due to human activity compared to the reference conditions of the type of water body considered. The "good" ecological status is defined by small deviations due to human activity compared to the reference conditions…
Source
According to Rhine-Meuse Water Agency

Hydro-ecological area

Updated on 26/10/2022
Définition
Sens technique

Homogeneous area in terms of geology, topography and climate. This is one of the main criteria used in typology and delimitation of surface water bodies. Continental France can be divided into 21 major hydro-ecological areas.

Source
According to the Ministry for the Environment and OFB

Surface waters

Updated on 26/10/2022
Définition
Sens commun
All waters flowing or stagnant on the surface of the earth (lithosphere). Surface waters include inland waters (rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs), with the exception of groundwater, and coastal and transitional waters.
Source
According to OFB

Basin

Updated on 26/10/2022
Définition
Sens technique
The largest French hydrographic area for water planning and management. The Master Plan for Water Development and Management (SDAGE) and its programme of measures are drafted on the scale of a basin or group of basins. The major stakeholders in water management which are basin committees, basin coordinator prefects, basin delegations and the water agencies operate on this scale. There are fourteen basins or groups of basins in France.
Source
According to the Ministry for the Environment and OFB

Ecological potential

Updated on 13/07/2018
Définition
Sens technique
Goal to be achieved by 2015 for artificial water bodies and heavily modified water bodies in accordance with the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. The ecological potential of an artificial or heavily modified water body is defined with reference to the most comparable type of surface water bodies. Compared to the values of quality elements for the most comparable type of surface water bodies, the values of good potential take into account the artificial or heavily modified characteristics of the water body. The ecological potential has four classes: good, moderate, poor and bad. Meanwhile the chemical objective remains unchanged.
Source
According to Seine-Normandy Water Agency

Quantitative status

Updated on 13/07/2018
Définition
Sens technique

Estimate of the balance between, on the one hand, abstractions and needs related to supply inputs to surface water, and on the other, the natural recharge of groundwater. The quantitative status has two classes: good and poor. Good quantitative status of groundwater is achieved when abstractions do not exceed the turnover capacity of the available resource, taking into account the necessary supply inputs to surface water ecosystems, directly dependent sites and wetlands.

Source
According to BRGM

Chemical status

Updated on 13/07/2018
Définition
Sens technique
Water quality assessment based on the concentrations of pollutants including priority substances in particular. The chemical status has two classes: good and poor. Good chemical status of surface water is achieved when the concentrations of pollutants do not exceed the environmental quality standards. Good chemical status of groundwater is reached when the concentrations of pollutants do not show any effect of salt water inflow, do not exceed the quality standards and do not prevent achieving the objectives for associated surface water.
Source
According to Rhine-Meuse Water Agency

Decree

Updated on 19/06/2018
Définition
Sens commun

Regulatory act signed either by the President of the Republic or by the Prime Minister. The decrees called "State Council decrees" can only be taken after collaboration with the Council of State. The decree is a statutory text issued by the executive power and intended to clarify the special terms and conditions for the application of a law passed by the parliament. It is most often complemented by implementation decrees.

Source
According to the Ministry of Ecology

Mandatory

Updated on 13/07/2018
Définition
Sens technique
Value set out by a directive. Member States cannot retain a value less stringent than this value but may set a stricter one (guide value).
Source
According to Poitou-Charentes Regional Council

Guide value

Updated on 13/07/2018
Définition
Sens technique
A value which is often more stringent than the compelling value. The guide value is an objective that Member States should strive to achieve.
Source
According to Poitou-Charentes Regional Council