Monitoring aquatic environments and groundwater

In-depth knowledge of aquatic environments is a prerequisite in order to protect and restore their « good status », in compliance with the European water framework directive (WFD1). It is with that objective in mind that, starting in 2006, French authorities modified their monitoring systems, for rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater. The data collected via these monitoring programmes are used to assess the status of water bodies and thus guide preservation policies. This document is based on the exploitation of data reported to the European Commission in 2010.