Improving understanding of the possible relationship between improving freshwater and coastal water quality and bird interest on designated sites - phase 1 review

Over the past 50 years there has been widespread improvement in water quality in many freshwater and coastal systems driven by domestic and European legislation, most recently the EU Water Framework Directive (EC Directive 2000/60/EC), but also including the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (EC Directive 91/271/EEC) and Bathing Water Directive (EC Directive 76/160/EEC).