The Water Framework Directive is a piece of European legislation that states that all UK waterbodies (rivers, lakes, seas) must be in ‘good ecological status’ by 2027.
| Waterbody | Overall Waterbody Classification | Reasons for Failure | Hydromorphological Supporting Elements | Supporting Elements (Surface Water) | |
| Ash (from Meesden to confluence with Bury Green Brook) | Moderate | Dissolved Oxygen (Poor) | Hydrological Regime | Does Not Support Good | Not Assessed |
| Morphology | Supports Good | ||||
| Ash (from confluence with Bury Brook to Lee) | Moderate | Fish (Moderate) | Hydrological Regime | Does Not Support Good | Not Assessed |
| Morphology | Supports Good | ||||
