Case study - Water-sharing agreements and treaties

Question 1

What is the purpose of the EU’s water framework directive?

Answer 1

The EU’s Water Framework Directive and Hydropower, agreed in Berlin in 2000, sets targets to restore rivers, lakes, canals and coastal waters to good condition.

Question 2

What are the Helsinki Rules?

Answer 2

The Helsinki Rules are an international guideline which regulates how rivers and their connected groundwaters that cross international boundaries may be used.

Question 3

Give an example of an organisation in the UK which checks the UK’s compliance with the EU’s Water Framework Directive?

Answer 3

The Environment Agency

Question 4

When were the Berlin Rules on Water Resources approved by the International Law Association?

Answer 4

2004

Question 5

What do the Berlin Rules outline?

Answer 5

The rules outline international law relating to freshwater resources, whether within a nation or crossing international boundaries. They replaced the earlier 1966 Helsinki Rules.

Question 6

State three of the nine water management principles that apply to all countries under the Berlin Rules?

Answer 6

• Cooperation over shared water resources
• Sustainability
• Minimisation of environmental harm