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HTML Document Water institutional framework in Greece

The transposition of the WFD (European Water Framework directive) into Greek legislation has led to a new institutional organisation with a new Central Water Agency, 13 Regional Water Directorates, a National water Committee (interministerial political body), national and regional water councils (consultative bodies). All the legislative instruments are available only in Greek in the Hellenic Ministry for the Environment website. The protection and management of the river basins and the implementation of the WFD are a responsibility of the 13 Regional Water Directorates. In case of shared river basins, the National Water Committee must determine which regional authority is responsible. The National Water Agency is responsible for defining a national water policy and coordinating the activities of the regional directorates. Note that the regional directorates are under the General Secretary of each region. The new General Secretary of the Central Water Agency is Mr. Ioannis Sibetheros.

Released 27/09/2006
Geographical coverage Greece
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According to the L. 3199/2003 "transposition of the WFD into national legislation" with a Central Water Agency has been set. The structure and organisation of the Central Water Agency and the Regional Water Directorates were defined by 2 official texts, which were published in December 2005 (3 years after the L. 3199/2003). All these legislative instruments are available only in greek in the address: http://www.minenv.gr/nera/

The responsibilities in the country according to the new Law and the decrees:

  • According to the Article 5 of the L. 3199, the protection and management of the river basins and the implementation of the WFD are a responsibility of the 13 Regional Water Directorates. In case of shared river basins, the National Water Committee must determine which regional authority is responsible. The regional directorates are under the Gen. Secretary of each region.
  • According to the Article 4 of the L. 3199, the National Water Agency is responsible for defining a national water policy and coordinating the activities of the regional directorates.
  • The National Water Committee is a political body, consisting of 6 ministers. They meet once per year.
  • The National and Regional Water Councils are consultation bodies, consisting of stakeholders, NGOs, etc.