Designation of Heavily Modified Water Bodies

According to the identification and designation process for Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies (HMWB and AWB) (Fig. 2.1, p. 12), the provisional identification of HMWB is followed by the designation process for HMWB (Steps 7 and 8 of Fig. 2.1). Once a water body has been identified as HMWB, it may be designated as such if according to the WFD Art. 4(3)(a) and (b): a.“The changes to the hydromorphological characteristics of that body which would be necessary for achieving Good Ecological Status would have significant adverse effects on: ithe wider environment;iinavigation, including port facilities, or recreation;iiiactivities for the purpose of which the water is stored, such as drinking water supply, power generation or irrigation;ivwater regulation, flood protection, land drainage; orvother equally important sustainable human development activities”.1andb.“The beneficial objectives served by the artificial or modified characteristics of the water body cannot, for reasons of technical feasibility or disproportionate costs, reasonably be achieved by other means, which are a significantly better environmental option.”