{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2000-60/annex-V/division-1/division-1.2/division-1.2.5",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2000-60/annex-V/division-1/division-1.2/division-1.2.5.json",
  "legislation": "eudr/2000/60",
  "legislation_title": "Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2000-60",
  "path": "annex/V/division/1/division/1.2/division/1.2.5",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "1.2.5",
  "heading": "Definitions for maximum, good and moderate ecological potential for heavily modified or artificial water bodies",
  "text": "Application of the standards derived under this protocol shall not require reduction of pollutant concentrations below background levels.\nElement\nMaximum ecological potential\nGood ecological potential\nModerate ecological potential\nBiological quality elements\nThe values of the relevant biological quality elements reflect, as far as possible, those associated with the closest comparable surface water body type, given the physical conditions which result from the artificial or heavily modified characteristics of the water body.\nThere are slight changes in the values of the relevant biological quality elements as compared to the values found at maximum ecological potential.\nThere are moderate changes in the values of the relevant biological quality elements as compared to the values found at maximum ecological potential.\nThese values are significantly more distorted than those found under good quality.\nHydromorphological elements\nThe hydromorphological conditions are consistent with the only impacts on the surface water body being those resulting from the artificial or heavily modified characteristics of the water body once all mitigation measures have been taken to ensure the best approximation to ecological continuum, in particular with respect to migration of fauna and appropriate spawning and breeding grounds.\nConditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nConditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nPhysico-chemical elements\nGeneral conditions\nPhysico-chemical elements correspond totally or nearly totally to the undisturbed conditions associated with the surface water body type most closely comparable to the artificial or heavily modified body concerned.\nNutrient concentrations remain within the range normally associated with such undisturbed conditions.\nThe levels of temperature, oxygen balance and pH are consistent with the those found in the most closely comparable surface water body types under undisturbed conditions.\nThe values for physico-chemical elements are within the ranges established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nTemperature and pH do not reach levels outside the ranges established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nNutrient concentrations do not exceed the levels established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nConditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nSpecific synthetic pollutants\nConcentrations close to zero and at least below the limits of detection of the most advanced analytical techniques in general use.\nConcentrations not in excess of the standards set in accordance with the procedure detailed in section 1.2.6 without prejudice to Directive 91/414/EC and Directive 98/8/EC. (< EQS)\nConditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.\nSpecific non-synthetic pollutants\nConcentrations remain within the range normally associated with the undisturbed conditions found in the surface water body type most closely comparable to the artificial or heavily modified body concerned (background levels = bgl).\nConcentrations not in excess of the standards set in accordance with the procedure detailed in section 1.2.6 without prejudice to Directive 91/414/EC and Directive 98/8/EC. (< EQS)\nConditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "Application of the standards derived under this protocol shall not require reduction of pollutant concentrations below background levels."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2000/60/annex/V/division/1/division/1.2/division/1.2.5",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:23:01.769169+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}