competencies for water quality aspects were transferred to the Regions in 1980, and
the same occurred in 1990 for the quantity aspects.
The Region of Flanders’ initial approach to water management was the implementation of the 1971 (‘federal’) law on the protection of surface and groundwater
against pollution (Bressers and Kuks 2004). In 2003 the Integrated Water Decree
was passed in Parliament. The WFD is transposed with the coming into effect of the
Integrated Water Decree. River basin management planning is an important part of
the Decree.
The Integrated Water Decree applies to the water systems which are situated in
the Flemish Region. Water systems are defined as ‘a coherent and functional entity
of surface water, groundwater, water beds and banks, including all living communities therein with all physical, chemical and biological processes thereof, and
the corresponding technical infrastructure’ (CIW 2003). Thus, the scope of the
Flemish Decree covers surface waters and groundwater, as well as infrastructure
such as bridges, dikes, locks and dams. Furthermore, the Decree contains regulations on water quality management as well as on water quantity management. In
2010, the implementation of the European Flood Directive was integrated in the
Decree.
In accordance with the Decree, one minister in the Flemish Government is
appointed to be responsible for the coordination and organization of the integrated
water policy. He will be assisted by the CIW chaired by VMM. This
multi-disciplinary commission unites different levels of water management and
governance. It is responsible for the preparation, planning and the monitoring of
integrated water policy, and it is responsible for the implementation of the decisions
on integrated water policy of the Flemish government. The CIW also watches over
the uniform approach to the management of each basin.
The First Flemish Water Policy Note was prepared by CIW in 2005 and presents
the Flemish Vision on water policy (CIW 2005). The vision was updated in 2013
with the Second Flemish Water Policy Note (CIW 2013). This document holds the
goals of the Flemish government with regard to water management for the years
2014–2021. It names as its main goal the financing and implementation of integrated water management principles. It organizes the five current water management tasks in a framework of six guiding notions:
(1) Better protection and improvement of the quality of the water system:
Corresponding water management tasks: (1) the restoration of the good
environmental status of the surface water and (2) the chemical water quality
of groundwater resources require additional effort.
(2) Sustainable management of water resources and ensuring sustainable water
supply: Corresponding water management task: (3) the water use requires
further actions for improving water use quantity.
(3) Integrated management of water scarcity and flooding: Corresponding water
management task: (4) the damage caused by water scarcity and flooding
needs to be minimized further.
7 Flanders: Regional Organization of Water and Drought …
143
the same occurred in 1990 for the quantity aspects.
The Region of Flanders’ initial approach to water management was the implementation of the 1971 (‘federal’) law on the protection of surface and groundwater
against pollution (Bressers and Kuks 2004). In 2003 the Integrated Water Decree
was passed in Parliament. The WFD is transposed with the coming into effect of the
Integrated Water Decree. River basin management planning is an important part of
the Decree.
The Integrated Water Decree applies to the water systems which are situated in
the Flemish Region. Water systems are defined as ‘a coherent and functional entity
of surface water, groundwater, water beds and banks, including all living communities therein with all physical, chemical and biological processes thereof, and
the corresponding technical infrastructure’ (CIW 2003). Thus, the scope of the
Flemish Decree covers surface waters and groundwater, as well as infrastructure
such as bridges, dikes, locks and dams. Furthermore, the Decree contains regulations on water quality management as well as on water quantity management. In
2010, the implementation of the European Flood Directive was integrated in the
Decree.
In accordance with the Decree, one minister in the Flemish Government is
appointed to be responsible for the coordination and organization of the integrated
water policy. He will be assisted by the CIW chaired by VMM. This
multi-disciplinary commission unites different levels of water management and
governance. It is responsible for the preparation, planning and the monitoring of
integrated water policy, and it is responsible for the implementation of the decisions
on integrated water policy of the Flemish government. The CIW also watches over
the uniform approach to the management of each basin.
The First Flemish Water Policy Note was prepared by CIW in 2005 and presents
the Flemish Vision on water policy (CIW 2005). The vision was updated in 2013
with the Second Flemish Water Policy Note (CIW 2013). This document holds the
goals of the Flemish government with regard to water management for the years
2014–2021. It names as its main goal the financing and implementation of integrated water management principles. It organizes the five current water management tasks in a framework of six guiding notions:
(1) Better protection and improvement of the quality of the water system:
Corresponding water management tasks: (1) the restoration of the good
environmental status of the surface water and (2) the chemical water quality
of groundwater resources require additional effort.
(2) Sustainable management of water resources and ensuring sustainable water
supply: Corresponding water management task: (3) the water use requires
further actions for improving water use quantity.
(3) Integrated management of water scarcity and flooding: Corresponding water
management task: (4) the damage caused by water scarcity and flooding
needs to be minimized further.
7 Flanders: Regional Organization of Water and Drought …
143