All the sectors of the catchment area most vulnerable to diffuse pollution. It corresponds to a realistic intervention scale to improve the quality of water at the catchment. Depending on the type of catchment and its environment, there may be one or more distinct zones.
Area identified by the intersection of the cartographic zoning of intrinsic vulnerability and the zoning of agricultural pressures developed following technical-economic studies focused on risk assessment. The catchment area protection area is identified as part of the definition of action programs on catchment areas. This is an optional process leading to the identification of an area subject to environmental constraints (ZSCE), the protection area of the catchment area. The founding regulatory text of the catchment area protection zone is the departmental decree delimiting this same zone.
Domain consisting of rivers and lakes belonging to the State, local authorities or their groupings, and classified in their public domain fluvial. The delimitation of state watercourses is determined by decree in Council of State.
A Local public institution located overseas, similar to the water agencies in continental France, which is responsible for facilitating the various activities of common interest in the management of water and aquatic environments to help achieving the objectives of the river basin management plans (SDAGEs). There is currently a water board in the Reunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana. Since Mayotte became a Department, there are thoughts of creating a water board.
Direct management (operation) of a public utility/service by the municipality or the public inter-municipal cooperation institution which is in charge of this utility/service.