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See all EU institutions and bodiesWISE 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?
Balancing the need for enough water of high quality for human health, economic activities, and nature remains a key challenge.
Restoring Europe’s floodplains and wetlands is essential to improve biodiversity and boost ecosystem services.
Climate change will increase extreme weather events that risk to worsen flood related disasters, and amplify water scarcity and droughts.
Responding to these challenges requires fundamental societal changes
to make our society more sustainable than today
Recently released
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.
Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks
Press release Feb 4, 2025
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.
#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.
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.
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.
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.
Commission reports show faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks
Press release Feb 4, 2025
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.
#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.
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.
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.