The portuguese water law of the XXI century Fourteen years of the water framework directive

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of the transposition and implementation of the WFD in the Portuguese Water Rights. The starting point is the question of ownership of water uses, once the transposition of the Directive was also used to systematize the subject – although the WFD does not address this issue. Also, the paper analyzes the influence of the WFD in fundamental points, as management, planning and economic and financial system of the water. A particularly critical vision is poured over the changes introduced in 2012 and 2013 in the Portuguese Water Management. These changes may have negative consequences on the implementation of the WFD.