According to the water framework directive WFD (DIR 2000/60/CE), important physico chemical parameters are measured in the surface water bodies for the assessment of the ecological status. The modalities for this monitoring are stated in the grand ducal Regulation of 15 January 2016 (règlement grand-ducal du 15 janvier 2016 concernant l'évaluation of the dimension d'eau de surface). General physico-chemical parameters are used together with the river basin specific pollutants for evaluation of the ecological status.

According to the water framework directive WFD (DIR 2000/60/CE), important physico chemical parameters and river basin specific pollutants are measured in the surface water bodies for the assessment of the ecological status. The modalities for this monitoring are stated in the grand ducal Regulation of 15 January 2016 (règlement grand-ducal du 15 janvier 2016 concernant l'évaluation of the dimension d'eau de surface).

Overall evaluation of the hydromorphological status per surface water body. The assessment of the hydromorphological status is based on the mapping and the assessment of the structural quality of the Luxembourgish watercourses. The quality elements which have been covered in the framework of the structural quality mapping are: morphology, continuity and hydrological regime. The hydromorphological status is assessed in 5 classes. It is a “pessimistic assessment” because only the worst of the three parameters morphology, continuity and hydrological regime is retained.

Typical river restoration technique. Re-meandering and restoration of the riverbed in order to recreate a new meandering course compliant with the river typology, with a riverbed and riverbanks rich in structures.

Restoration of near-natural flow regime at hydropower plants, discharges and diversions. Adapted operation of hydropower plants, verification and, if necessary, restoration of the natural state of discharge points and verification and possible elimination of water abstractions by means of specific studies of alternative solutions and proposals for mitigation measures.

The "good ecological potential" is the environmental quality objective defined by the water framework directive for artificial and heavily modified surface water bodies. The assessment of the ecological potential is presented in four classes ranging from 1 to 4 (good and higher, moderate, poor, bad). The classification of the ecological potential is based on the biological, physico-chemical and in some cases also the hydromorphological quality elements.

Surface water quality monitoring network for the period 2021-2026 regarding the water framework directive (2000/60/CE). The results of this monitoring will be used for assessing the surface water body status in relation to the 4th river basin managament plan. The stations for the global physico-chemical status are the same as those used for the chemical status but not necessarily the same as those used for the biological status.

Restoration of a near-natural water and sediment balance. Near-natural flow conditions (in particular an ecological minimum flow) at individual structures such as transversal structures, impoundment areas or diversions, by removing or reconstructing transversal structures, removal or shortening backwater areas or abandoning or reducing diversions.

The chemical status of the groundwater bodies is assessed as being good or failing to achieve good chemical status. The assessment of the chemical status for the third river basin management plan is based on the list of substances of directive 2008/105/EC as well as its environmental quality standards.

The evaluation of the hydromorphological structure of surface water is made in two steps: First the method for the surface water development ability is applied. For this method the current structure of the surface water is analyzed for the different surface water sections. Constructing on the section-referred evaluation a total evaluation of the surface water development ability per surface water body takes place.