Water bodies
A water body is a delimited and significant volume of surface water or groundwater: a lake, a stretch of river, a stream catchment, an aquifer, part of a fjord or a stretch of coast. It is the smallest management unit in water management in Europe, and each named water body object has its own status, its own environmental objective and its own programme of measures.
The Norwegian legal basis is vannforskriften (the water regulations) from 2006, which implements the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). The regulations divide the country into 11 water regions, each with its own water region authority. Each water body is given a unique identifier (the format xxxxxx-yyy-N for river, lake and so on), a classified ecological status from "very good" to "very poor", and a legally binding environmental objective that at least "good" status must be reached. The most recent planning period is 2022-2027.
The regulations distinguish between three main types:
- Surface water: lakes and rivers.
- Groundwater: water in aquifers.
- Coastal water: out to one nautical mile beyond the baseline.
Status classification has two axes. Ecological status is based on biological quality elements (phytoplankton, benthic fauna, fish), supplemented by physico-chemical parameters. Chemical status measures 45 priority substances against set environmental quality standards. Classification, environmental objectives and programmes of measures are published openly in Vann-Nett, which is run by Miljødirektoratet and NVE.
For land use measures near a water body, a prohibition against deterioration applies: section 4 states that the status of surface water must be protected against deterioration. In practice it works as a last line of defence against loss of environmental status: new measures cannot cause the water body to drop one class, unless particular conditions are met under section 12 (the exemption provision for new activity). This means that discharges, ground works, pollution and crossings near a water body may require a separate permit from Statsforvalteren (the county governor) or NVE, and that the environmental objectives must be assessed in the environmental impact assessment for the zoning plan.
In Placepoint you can see watercourses, the coastline and protected watercourses as a map layer when you assess a property, and nature and pollution themes sit alongside in the nature layer and the pollution layer.
How the dataset appears on the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Water as Water bodies:
From Placepoint's dictionary: Water bodies
More information: Lovdata: Vannforskriften, Vann-Nett, Vannportalen: Vannforekomster
English: Water bodies (rivers, lakes, coastal and groundwater units per the EU Water Framework Directive).
Frequently asked questions
What is a water body?
A water body is a delimited volume of surface water (river, lake, coast) or groundwater that is managed as one unit under the EU Water Framework Directive. It is the smallest unit in Norwegian water management.
Why are water bodies relevant for developers?
Water bodies matter because they are linked to environmental objectives and can carry restrictions on development nearby. Discharges, ground works and pollution close to a water body may require specific permits.
What is the Water Framework Directive?
The Water Framework Directive is the EU framework directive for water, implemented in Norway through vannforskriften. Its purpose is to protect and improve the environmental status of all water bodies within set deadlines.
What do you need to take into account when building near a water body?
Water and wastewater plans, environmental surveys and licence applications for measures connected to the watercourse are the relevant instruments. A permit from Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) and Statsforvalteren may be needed.
Can I see water bodies in Placepoint?
Yes. Placepoint shows water bodies as a map layer and gives information about watercourses and coastal areas near a property, which is useful when planning development close to the coast or a watercourse.