Dee and Western Wales river basin management plans 2021-2027

We are now consulting on the next River Basin Management Plans for Western Wales and the Dee. 

 

Find out how you can get involved by visiting our consultation page. 

River basin management plans provide the overarching framework for water management, helping to protect and improve our water environment.

Our rivers, lakes, canals, groundwaters, estuaries and coastal waters - including those in protected areas - all fall under these plans.

We update the plans every six years. Through this process we develop our understanding on the state of the water environment, the pressures acting upon it and what measures are required to improve and protect it by using existing and new evidence.

What the river basin management plans include

Our river basin management plans comprise:

  • river basin management plan summaries for Dee and Western Wales
  • strategic environmental assessment screening decisions for Dee and Western Wales
  • a habitat regulations assessment
  • evidence and data on waterbodies in Wales
  • a list of protected areas within river basin districts

Dee and Western Wales river basin management plan summaries

The summaries describe:

  • the current state of the water environment
  • pressures affecting the water environment
  • environmental objectives for protecting and improving the waters
  • the programme of measures and actions needed to achieve the objectives
  • progress since the 2015 plan

Western Wales river basin management plan (2021-2027) summary.

Dee river basin management plan (2021-2027) summary.

Dee river basin district in England

The Environment Agency manage the English part of the Dee river basin district.

River basin planning process overview: Dee River Basin District in England (Planning Overview (Dee in England)) sets out:

  • how the water environment is defined and described
  • the processes used for updating the objectives
  • the programmes of measures in England 

The range of mechanisms available for implementing river basin planning measures in England is described in Dee River Basin District in England programmes of measures: mechanisms summary (Mechanisms Summary).

Strategic environmental assessment screening decisions

Use these documents to understand how we have considered the potential effects of implementing the 2021-2027 river basin management plans on people and the wider environment, e.g. human health, cultural heritage and the landscape.

Western Wales strategic environmental assessment screening decision.

Dee strategic environmental assessment screening decision.

Habitat regulations assessment

Use this document to understand the potential impacts of implementing the Dee and Western Wales river basin management plans on designated European sites.

It also states where mitigation measures are needed to prevent adverse effects on these sites.

Habitats regulations assessment: Western Wales and Dee.

Evidence and data about the water environment

Find information on the current state of the water environment in Wales, measures and objectives for improving it, and opportunity catchments at Water Watch Wales.

Protected areas in river basin districts

Search the register of protected areas in the Dee and Western Wales river basin districts for information on:

  • drinking water protected areas
  • shellfish waters
  • bathing (recreational) waters
  • European sites
  • nutrient sensitive areas


How the plans for Wales were developed

A summary of the technical, economic and engagement process used to develop the Dee and Western Wales river basin management plans:

Planning overview annex (Wales).

Explore more

Last updated