The Water Framework Directive is a European directive that monitors waterbodies for a range of issues, including pollution from chemicals and excess nutrients, as well as the health of wildlife communities such as plants and fish. Rivers are then rated as high, good, moderate, poor or bad status.
Only the rivers that are described as ‘good’ or ‘high’ are in a sustainable and healthy condition; the rest all need a greater level of protection and management if they are to improve to a good level of health.
Please note, this tool uses data from the Environment Agency’s 2016 assessment of rivers, canals and surface water transfer waterbodies.