Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004 (L.N. 194 of 2004).

In implementation of the provisions laid down at the European Community level in Directive 2000/60/EC, these Regulations define the framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. There shall be one water catchment district in Malta and Gozo. Regulation 4 determines the environmental objectives to be pursued through the water catchment management plans. Further provisions regard the establishment of a Register of protected areas (reg. 6), waters used for the abstraction of drinking water (reg. 7), monitoring of surface waters and groundwaters (reg. 8), discharges (reg. 11), water catchment management plans (reg 12). Regulation 17 lays down the penalties to be applied to the offences described under regulation 16.