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The report, “Territorial cohesion and water management in Europe: the spatial perspective” which addresses the basic fact that river basins and administratively distinct regions often have different boundaries, leading to a mismatch between land planning and water management, was published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on the eve of the World Water Week (26 - 31 August). In the 2011 World Water Week, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

According to the report, water basin management should be more closely integrated with spatial planning. This would bring a strategic focus to planning, highlighting decisions which affect water resources. It, therefore, recommends better integration of coordinated spatial planning and water management. The current situation means that costs can fall on those who do not benefit – for example, water pollution from agriculture in one territory that flows downstream to others. Also, benefits may go to those outside the territory who have not paid for them. An example of this is forests in one territory that regulate floodwaters in a different territory downstream. And it's not just human interests which should be considered. Approximately 250 species of macrophytes and 250 species of fish live in European inland surface waters and a significant number of birds, fish and mammals depend on wetlands for breeding or feeding.

The centrepiece of EU water legislation, the Water Framework Directive which is implemented through River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), takes into consideration that river basins and administratively distinct regions often have different boundaries, leading to a mismatch between land planning and water management.