Monitoring
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a comprehensive and integrated legislative framework with the primary objective of achieving good status for all European waters by 2027. The directive mandates the establishment of a water status monitoring plan, which encompasses a systematic process of collecting, processing, and analysing data on water quality and quantity. These data are essential for:
The Republic of Croatia has transposed the Water Framework Directive into its national legislation through the Water Act (Official Gazette66/19., 84/21., 47/23.) and the Regulation on Water Quality Standards (Official Gazette, 96/19., 20/23. and 50/23. - amendment), which define the standards for assessing the ecological and chemical status of surface water and groundwater bodies.
Water management and water policy in the Republic of Croatia fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, which proposes laws and regulations, adopts by-laws, conducts administrative and inspection controls, facilitates and creates conditions for international cooperation.
Hrvatske vode is the executive body responsible for water management, the implementation and coordination of the national water policy, the development of the river basin management plans, public information and consultation, and reporting to the European Commission.
The Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute monitors the condition of surface waters (including coastal waters) and groundwater, conducting systematic water status monitoring and compiling annual reports on the state of water, while also providing interpretations of the monitoring results.
Collaborating institutions (Hrvatske vode and the Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute) work closely with other administrative bodies, as well as scientific and professional institutions, to ensure effective protection and sustainable management of water resources. International cooperation in water management is governed by international treaties, conventions, and agreements, which form part of Croatia’s legal framework for water management.