The purpose of the present Ordinance is to transpose into German law the Council Directive 78/659/EEC on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life of 18 July 1978. In particular, the Ordinance lays down provisions relating to the quality of fresh fish waters. However, the Ordinance shall not apply to waters in natural or artificial fish ponds used for intensive fish farming. Waters are divided into salmonid waters and cyprinid waters and the competent authorities shall carry out sampling operations to comply with the prescribed values. The text consists of 5 articles as follows: Purpose of the Ordinance (1); Sphere of application, definition of terms (2); Requirements as to use of waters (3); Sampling and analysis (4); Entry into force (5). Two Annexes are enclosed.