Water Framework Directive (WFD) Risk Assessments for Cycle 3

We have reviewed water quality data and information on the types and magnitude of pressures affecting water bodies across Walest to assess how susceptible they are to those pressures and, in particular, estimate the likelihood of water bodies failing to meet their environmental quality objectives in the future, or deteriorating from their current condition. The methodology for each risk assessment was tailored to the specific pressure, but in general, it was an assessment of the scale of the pressure and the sensitivity of the water body.

The risk assessments are available as maps for each individual pressure, including: chemicals and metals, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphates, dissolved oxygen and ammonia, faecal indicator organisms, acidification, abstraction and flow, invasive non-native species and sediment. They are valid until 2027. We will use the risk assessments to identify where more data is and prioritise our monitoring strategy, and support the development of local and national programmes of measures, including for pressures where Water Framework Directive classification data is missing.

Identifier: NRW_DS124839

Alternative Title

Water Framework Directive Risk Assessments

Metadata Language: English

Lineage: This data was collected to support the cycle 3 river basin management plans. The risk assessments originally compilled in 2014 for cycle 2 and are valid to 2027. The assessments for chemicals and metals, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphates, dissolved oxygen and ammonia were revised in 2019.

Dataset Reference Date (Publication): 2020-10-07

Temporal Extent

Begin date: 2010-01-01

End date: 2020-10-07

Topic category

Environment

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Originator

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Originator

Environment Agency (EA) -

Millbank Tower, 25th Floor, 21//24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4XL, England

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Extent

Geographic Extent: Wales (WLS)

Format Type and Description

Geographic Information System ( )

Specification

ESRI feature class

Data quality

Quality Scope: Dataset

Conformity: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation: This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
Degree: false

Lineage: This data was collected to support the cycle 3 river basin management plans. The risk assessments originally compilled in 2014 for cycle 2 and are valid to 2027. The assessments for chemicals and metals, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphates, dissolved oxygen and ammonia were revised in 2019.

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Area management/restriction/regulation zones and reporting units

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2008-06-01

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus

Water Framework Directive (WFD)

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2026-03-04

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Keywords

NRW SMNR Keywords

Sea and Coast (SMNR)
Natural Resources (Incl. Features and Processes) (SMNR)
Water Quality (SMNR)
Ecosystem (SMNR)
Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR)
Water Resources (SMNR)
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
Management Areas (SMNR)
Hydrological Processes (SMNR)

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2024-06-26

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords

Code: British National Grid (EPSG::27700)

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type: Other restrictions

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations: no limitations

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints: There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.

Use Constraints

Use constraints type: Other restrictions

Other constraints: © CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.

Attribution Statement

Other constraints: Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right.

Licence

Other constraints: Open Government Licence

Metadata

File Identifier: 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313234383339 XML

Metadata Language: English

Resource type: Dataset

Metadata Date: 2026-05-20T10:59:47.996Z

Metadata Standard Name: NRW

Metadata Standard Version: 1.0

pointOfContact

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Publishing Body

Access the portal

Full access to the portal and metadata.

Water Framework Directive (WFD) Risk Assessments for Cycle 3

Identification

Temporal Extent

Extent

Extent

Distribution

Quality

Data quality

Keywords

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Spatial Reference System

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Access Constraints Directive

Access Constraints Text

Use Constraints

Attribution Statement

Licence

Metadata

Metadata

Publishing Body