Water framework directive to apply to all projects - court

Obligations on improving water quality and preventing its deterioration as provided under the water framework directive apply to all individual projects, including the deepening of a navigable river. However, following a judgement from the EU Court of Justice on 1 July (Case C-461/13), the authorisation of such a project can now be refused if it may cause a deterioration of the status of the body of water concerned, and where no derogation applies. The court has found in favour of…