These Regulations lay down a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. These provisions are adopted pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, and they provide for the implementation in Malta and Gozo of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for priority substances and certain other pollutants, with the aim of achieving good surface water chemical status. Specific provisions concern the adoption of environmental objectives for water catchment management plans; coordination of administrative arrangements within water catchment districts; identification of water used for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption; establishment of programmes for the monitoring of water status in order to establish a coherent and comprehensive overview of water status within each water catchment district.