The water policy of the European Union is primarily codified in three directives:
*Directive on Urban Waste Water Treatment (91/271/EEC) of 21 May 1991 concerning discharges of municipal and some industrial wastewaters;
*The Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) of 3 November 1998 concerning potable water quality;
*Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) of 23 October 2000 concerning water resources management.