Sensitive areas - whole of France

Article R211-94 of the Environmental Code, transposing into French law Article 5 and Annex II of the Urban Residual Waters Directive (91/271/EEC UWWT) defines sensitive areas as bodies of water particularly sensitive to pollution, in particular those which are found to be eutrophic or could become eutrophic in the short term if measures are not taken, and in which discharges of phosphorus, nitrogen or both must, if they are the cause of this imbalance, be reduced.
Note: The term water body had already been introduced by Directive 91/271/EEC UWWT before the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) reused it. These are two different concepts.
In fact, during reporting under the Urban Residual Waters Directive (91/271/EEC UWWT) and the Water Framework Directive, watersheds in sensitive areas are also reported as sensitive areas.
On the basis of the results obtained by the water status monitoring programme and any other available data, the Basin Coordinating Prefect, with the assistance of the departmental prefects, shall draw up a draft delimitation of sensitive areas in consultation with representatives of municipalities and their groups, water users, public or private persons involved in wastewater treatment, water distribution and approved environmental protection associations involved in water matters and consumer associations.
The Basin Coordinating Prefect transmits the draft delimitation of sensitive areas to the prefects concerned, who consult the general councils and regional councils and, in Corsica, the territorial collectivity, as well as the chambers of agriculture.
The basin co-ordinating prefect shall decide on the delimitation of sensitive areas after consulting the basin committee.
Opinions shall be deemed to be favourable if they do not take place within two months of the date on which the request for an opinion was sent.
The identification of sensitive water bodies is reviewed at least every four years by the basin coordinating prefect (Article R. 211-95).