SCHEDULE 1

PART 1Criteria for identifying the types of river, lake or transitional water to which the environmental standards specified in Part 2 of this Schedule apply

1

Subject to paragraph 2, to determine the dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand standards applicable to a river or any part thereof, the Department must assign to that river or part thereof the Type specified in Table 1 below which corresponds with the applicable site altitude and applicable alkalinity range specified in that Table.

2

Having assigned a Type in accordance with Table 1, the Department must assign the subsequent Type in accordance with column 1 of Table 2 below.

3

To determine the morphological conditions applicable to a river or part thereof, the Department must assign to that river or part thereof the Type specified in Table 3 below which corresponds with the applicable descriptions in that Table.

4

To determine the river flow standards applicable to a river or any part thereof, the Department must assign the Type specified in column 1 of Table 4 below which corresponds to the applicable descriptions specified in columns 2, 3 and 4 of that Table.

5

To determine the total phosphorus standards to apply to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign to that lake or part thereof the appropriate geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Tables 5, 6 and 7 below respectively.

6

To determine the lake level standards applicable to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign the Type specified in Columns 1 and 2 of Table 8.

7

To determine the morphological conditions applicable to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign the hydromorphological characteristics of the lake or part thereof as being of the type specified in column 1 of Table 9 below which corresponds to the applicable measurements specified in columns 3 and 4 of that Table.

Table 1Criteria for identifying the types of river to which the dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand standards for rivers apply

Site Altitude

Alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO3)

Less than 10

10 to 50

50 to 100

100 to 200

Over 200

Under 80 metres

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

Type 5

Type 7

Over 80 metres

Type 4

Type 6

Table 2

Final typology for dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand in rivers

Column 1

Column 2

Upland and low alkalinity

Types (1+2), 4 and 6

Lowland and high alkalinity

Types 3, 5 and 7

Table 3Criteria for identifying types of river to which morphological conditions apply

Type

Characteristics

Bedrock channel

Normally high altitude

Channel cuts down laterally

May have waterfalls and/or cascades

Bedrock substrate

Cascade Step Pool

Normally high altitude

Channel cuts down

Both turbulent and tranquil flows

Cobble and boulder substrate

Pool-riffle-glide

Normally medium altitude

Often not confined within a valley

Slightly meandering

Pebble and cobble substrate

Meandering

Normally low altitude

Flow laminar and would naturally interact with floodplain

Meandering

More fines than other substrates

Table 4Criteria for identifying types of river to which the river flow standards apply

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Type

Standard Average Annual Rainfall mm (period 1961-1990)

Base Flow Index (BFI)

Catchment area (km2)

A1

< 810.5

< 0.715

Any

≥ 0.715

≥ 251.8

A2

< 810.5

≥ 0.715

< 251.8

≤ 100 (A2 headwaters)

> 100 (A2 downstream)

≥ 810.5 and < 1413

≥ 0.7495

Any

≤ 100 (A2 headwaters)

> 100 (A2 downstream)

B1

≥ 810.5 and < 1155

≥ 0.3615 and < 0.7495

< 267.4

B2

≥ 810.5 and < 1413

≥ 0.3615 and < 0.7495

< 267.4

C2

≥ 1155 and < 1413

≥ 0.3615 and < 0.7495

< 267.4

≥ 1413

≥ 0.3615

≥ 32.33

D2

≥ 1413

≥ 0.3615

< 32.33

≥ 810.5

< 0.3615

Any

Table 5Geological categories to which total phosphorus, phytoplankton and phytobenthos standards for lakes apply

Geological category

Annual mean alkalinity (micro-equivalents per litre)

Low alkalinity

< 200

Moderate alkalinity

200 – 1000

High alkalinity

> 1000

Marl

Table 6Depth categories to which total phosphorus standards for lakes apply

Depth category

Mean depth (metres)

Very shallow

< 3

Shallow

3 – 15

Deep

> 15

Table 7Colour categories to which total phosphorus standards for lakes apply

Colour category

Platinum (mg/l)

Humic

> 30

Non humic

≤ 30

Table 8Geological characteristics used to identify lake types to which lake level standards apply

Categories

Column 1

Column 2

Peat

Non-Peat

mean water colour ≥90 hazen units; or

mean water colour <90 hazen units; or

≥75% of solid catchment area comprised of peat

<75% of solid catchment area comprised of peat

Table 9Hydromorphological characteristics used to identify lake types to which morphological conditions apply

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Type

Lake-MImAS1 code

Mean Depth

Alkalinity

Low Alkalinity

Very Shallow

P/L-vS

<4m

< 20 mgl-1 CaCO3

Low Alkalinity Shallow/Deep

P/L-ShD

>4m

< 20 mgl-1 CaCO3

Moderate Alkalinity Very Shallow

MA-vS

<4m

20 – 100 mgl-1 CaCO3

Moderate Alkalinity Shallow/Deep

MA-ShD

>4m

20 – 100 mgl-1 CaCO3

High Alkalinity Very Shallow

HA/M-vS

<4m

> 100 mgl-1 CaCO3

High Alkalinity Shallow/Deep

HA/M-ShD

>4m

> 100 mgl-1 CaCO3

1 Morphological Impact Assessment System

PART 2Environmental Standards

Environmental standards for river water quality1

Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I of this Schedule, assigned to a river or any part thereof a Type—

a

specified in column 1 of Table 1 below, it must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” dissolved oxygen standard specified in columns 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively of that Table to that river or part thereof;

b

specified in column 1 of Table 2 below, it must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” ammonia standard specified in columns 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively of that Table to that river or part thereof;

c

specified in column 1 of Table 3 below, it must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” biochemical oxygen demand standard specified in columns 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively of that Table to that river or part thereof.

2

The Department must apply the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” biochemical oxygen demand standard specified in Table 3 below only for the purpose of deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.

3

The Department must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” reactive phosphorus standard to that river or part thereof, calculated in accordance with the formula specified in sub paragraph (a)—

a

RP standard = 10^((1.0497 x log10(A)+1.066) x (log10(reference condition RP)- log10(3,500)) + log10(3,500));

b

In relation to the above formula—

  • “RP standard” is the annual mean concentration of reactive phosphorus in ug/l estimated for the lower class boundary of high, good, moderate and poor ecological status, depending on the value of “A” used;

  • “A” has the value 0.702 when calculating the standard for high; 0.532 when calculating the standard for good; 0.356 when calculating the standard for moderate; and 0.166 when calculating the standard for poor;

  • “reference condition RP” = 10^(0.454 (log10alk) – 0.0018 (altitude) + 0.476) and represents the annual mean concentration of reactive phosphorus at near natural conditions. If the predicted value of reference condition RP is <7ug/l, reference condition RP is set to 7ug/l;

  • “log10alk” means log10(alkalinity), where alkalinity is the concentration of CaCO3 in mg/l. For sites with an alkalinity greater than 250, alkalinity is set to 250. For sites with an alkalinity less than 2, it is set to 2;

  • “altitude” means the site's altitude above sea level in metres. For sites with an altitude greater than 355 metres, altitude is set to 355 metres.

4

The Department must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good” “moderate” or “poor” temperature standards specified in columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively of Table 4 below.

5

The Department must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate” or “poor” acid condition standards specified in columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Table 5 to any river or part thereof.

Environmental standards for river flows6

1

Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 4 of Part 1 of this Schedule, assigned to a river or part thereof a Type specified in column 1 of Tables 6, 7, 8 or 9 below, it must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate” or “poor” river flow standards as specified by the boundary values in those Tables to that river or part thereof.

2

The Department may, when assessing the water balance results against the “high”, “good”, “moderate” and “poor” boundary values, take into account the spatial extent of the river flow standard based upon the contiguous length or percentage length of the river water body.

3

The result of this classification shall be used only to determine “high” status in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2.

Environmental standards for lake water quality7

The Department must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” dissolved oxygen standard specified in Table 10 below to all lakes or parts of such lakes.

8

The Department must apply the “good” salinity standard specified in Table 11 below to all lakes or parts of such lakes.

9

Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 5 of Part 1 of this Schedule, assigned to a lake or part thereof a geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Tables 5, 6 and 7 in that Part, it must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” total phosphorus standard to that lake or part thereof, calculated in accordance with the formulae specified in columns 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively of Table 12 below, where in relation to those formulae—

  • “R” represents the annual mean total phosphorus concentration expected for the lake in the absence of more than very minor phosphorus inputs to the lake resulting from human activities and, where a reliable estimate of ‘C’ is available, shall have the value given by the formula: Antilog10 [1.36 – (0.09 x A) + (0.24 x B)] for non-humic lakes; and Antilog10 [1.62 – (0.09) x A + (0.24 x B)] for humic lakes;

  • “A” = Log10 of the altitude in metres above mean sea level of the lake;

  • “B” = Log10 (C÷D);

  • “C” = the mean alkalinity of the lake in milli-equivalents per litre estimated for the lake;

  • “D” = the mean depth of the lake in metres;

  • “H” = 0.755 + (0.012 x C) – (0.001 x D); or 0.7, whichever is larger value; and

  • “G” = 0.506 + (0.023 x C) – (0.002 x D); or 0.46, whichever is the larger value.

10

If the Department does not have the necessary data to calculate the total phosphorus standard applicable to a lake or part thereof in accordance with paragraph 8, it must apply, as applicable to the lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” total phosphorus standard specified in column 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively, of Table 13 below which corresponds with the combination of geological category and depth categories specified in column 1 of that Table that is applicable to the lake or part thereof.

Environmental standards for protection of inland lake water levels11

Once the Department has assigned the characteristics of a lake or part thereof, in accordance with paragraph 7 of Part I of this Schedule, it must apply, as applicable, to the lake or part thereof the “high”, “good”, “moderate” or “poor” lake standards specified in columns 1,2, 3 and 4 of Table 14.

Environmental standards for transitional and coastal water quality12

The Department must apply, as applicable, the dissolved oxygen standards for “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” specified in Table 15 and Table 16 below to transitional or coastal waters or parts thereof.

13

The Department must apply, as applicable, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen standards for “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” specified in Table 17 below to transitional or coastal waters or parts thereof.

Environmental standards for specific pollutants14

The Department must apply, as applicable, the standards for specific pollutants given in Tables 18 to 47 below to surface waters or parts thereof.

Environmental Standards for River Water Quality
Table 1Standards for dissolved oxygen in rivers

Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)

(10-percentile)

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Type1

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Bad

Upland and low alkalinity

80

75

64

50

< 50

Lowland and high alkalinity

70

60

54

45

< 45

1 Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.

Table 2Standards for ammonia in rivers

Total ammonia1 (mg/l)

(90-percentile)

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Type

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Bad

Upland and low alkalinity

0.2

0.3

0.75

1.1

> 1.1

Lowland and high alkalinity

0.3

0.6

1.1

2.5

> 2.5

1 Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.

Table 3Standards for Biochemical Oxygen Demand in rivers

Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)1

(90-percentile)

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Type2

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Bad

Upland and low alkalinity

3

4

6

7.5

> 7.5

Lowland and high alkalinity

4

5

6.5

9

> 9

1 The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.

2 Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.

Table 4Standards for temperature in rivers

Temperature (◦C) as an annual 98th percentile standard

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Type

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Salmonid waters

20

23

28

30

Cyprinid waters

25

28

30

32

Table 5Standards for acid conditions in rivers. Either pH or Acid Neutralising Capacity (ANC) or both may be used

Clear waters1

Humic waters2

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Annual mean

pH

ANC3

pH

ANC3

High

6.604

80

5.104

80

Good

5.95

40

4.55

50

Moderate

5.44

15

4.22

10

Poor

4.89

-10

4.03

5

1 Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less

2 Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l

3 As assessed by the Cantrell method

4 A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies

Table 6High environmental standards for river flows

Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)1

High

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Maximum permitted % abstraction at Q exceeding Q952

Maximum permitted % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q95

A1, A2 (downstream), A2 (headwaters), B1, B2, C2, D2

10

5

1 ‘Q’ is the mean daily flow for a specified period of time

2 ‘Qx’ is the Q that is expected to be exceeded by ‘x’ percent for a specified period of time

Table 7Good environmental standards for river flows

Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)

Good

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

River type

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q60

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q70

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q95

Maximum % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q95

A1

35

30

25

20

A2 (downstream), B1, B2

30

25

20

15

A2 (headwaters), C2, D2

25

20

15

10

Table 8Moderate environmental standards for river flows

Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)

Moderate

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

River type

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q60

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q70

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q95

Maximum % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q95

A1

70

50-701

50

45

A2 (downstream), B1, B2,

70

45-701

45

40

A2 (headwaters), C2, D2

70

40-701

40

35

1 incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q60 to ≥ Q90

Table 9Poor environmental standards for river flows

Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)

Poor

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

River type

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q60

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q90

Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q95

Maximum % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q95

A1

Qx less 25% of Q90

Qx less 25% of Q90

75

70

A2 (downstream), B1, B2,

Qx less 30% of Q90

Qx less 30% of Q90

70

65

A2 (headwaters), C2, D2

Qx less 35% of Q90

Qx less 35% of Q90

65

60

Environmental Standards for Lake Water Quality
Table 10Standards for dissolved oxygen in lakes

Status

Mean in July – August (mg/l)

Salmonid waters

Cyprinid waters

High

9

8

Good

7

6

Moderate

4

4

Poor

1

1

Bad

< 1

< 1

Table 11Salinity Standards for lakes with no natural saline influence

Status

Proposed Boundary

Annual Mean (micro Siemens per centimetre)

Good

1000

Table 12Total phosphorus standards for lakes

Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Bad

R ÷ H; or 5, whichever is the larger value

R ÷ G; or 8, whichever is the larger value

(R ÷ G) ÷ 0.5

(R ÷ G) ÷ 0.25

> (R ÷ G) ÷ 0.25

Table 13Type-specific total phosphorus standards for lakes where the standards specified in Table 12 above do not apply

Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Geological and depth category

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

Bad

High alkalinity; shallow

16

23

46

92

> 92

High alkalinity; very shallow

23

31

62

124

> 124

Moderate alkalinity; deep

8

12

24

48

> 48

Moderate alkalinity; shallow

11

16

32

64

> 64

Moderate alkalinity; very shallow

15

22

44

88

> 88

Low alkalinity; deep

5

8

16

32

> 32

Low alkalinity; shallow

7

10

20

40

> 40

Low alkalinity; very shallow

9

14

28

56

> 56

Marl; shallow

9

20

40

80

> 80

Marl; very shallow

10

24

48

96

> 96

Table 14Environmental standards for lake water levels

Daily maximum % reduction in the habitable zone lake surface area for 99% of the days in any year

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

High

Good

Moderate

Poor

1

5

10

20

The habitable zone lake surface is dependent on whether the lake is considered to have the geological sub-type “Peat” or “Non-Peat”.

The habitable zone lake surface area means the proportion of the reference conditions1 lake surface area from the shore to a depth 5 metres deeper than the depth to which light penetration to the lake bed would be sufficient to enable the growth of rooted plants (macrophytes) or bottom-living algae.

In the absence of field data to the contrary, the depth to which light penetration to the lake bed is sufficient to enable the growth of rooted plants (macrophytes) or bottom-living algae may be taken to be 2 metres for lakes with the geological sub-type of “Peat” and 7 metres for “Non-Peat” lakes. The lake habitable zone extends 5m below the level of light penetration to account for impacts on the aphotic habitat.

1 The reference conditions lake surface area means the natural lake surface area in the absence of any abstractions, discharges or other man-made influences

Environmental Standards for Transitional and Coastal Water Quality
Table 15Dissolved oxygen standards for transitional and coastal waters with salinities normalised to 35

Dissolved oxygen concentrations (mg/l) as 5-percentile values

High

5.7

Good

4.0

Moderate

2.4

Poor

1.6

Bad

<1.6

Table 16Dissolved oxygen standards for transitional and coastal waters with salinities <35

Dissolved oxygen concentrations (mg/l) as 5-percentile values

High

≥5.7

Good

≥4.0 and <5.7

Moderate

≥2.4 and <4.0

Poor

≥1.6 and <2.4

Bad

<1.6

Table 17Dissolved inorganic nitrogen standards for coastal waters with salinities from 30-34.5 normalised to salinity of 32, and transitional waters with salinities < 30 normalised to a salinity of 25.

Mean dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration (micromoles per litre) during the period 1st December to 28th February

High

12

Good

18

Moderate

30

Poor

40.5

Bad

>40.5

Environmental Standards for Specific Pollutants
Table 18Environmental standards for 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 21

Column 3

Column 41

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.3

1.3

0.3

1.3

1 The standards for 2,4 D specified in Column 2 and Column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.

Table 19Environmental standards for 2,4-Dichlorophenol

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

4.2

140

0.42

6

Table 20Environmental standards for 3,4-Dichloroaniline

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.2

5.4

0.2

5.4

Table 21Environmental standards for arsenic (dissolved)

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 11

Column 21

Annual mean (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

50

25

1 The standard for arsenic refers to the dissolved fraction of a water sample obtained by filtration through a 0.45µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment

Table 22Environmental standards for benzyl butyl phthalate

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

7.5

51

0.75

10

Table 23Environmental standards for carbendazim

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.15

0.7

Table 24Environmental standards for chlorine

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 21

Column 31

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of total available chlorine

95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of total available chlorine

95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of total residual oxidant2

2

5

10

1 The standards for chlorine specified in Column 2 and 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.

2 The term “total residual oxidants” refers to the sum of all oxidising agents existing in water, expressed as available chlorine.

Table 25Environmental standards for chlorothalonil

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.035

1.2

Table 26Environmental standards for chromium III

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Column 1

Column 21

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium III

95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium III

4.7

32

1 The standard for chromium III specified in column 2 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water

Table 27Environmental standards for chromium VI

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 31

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI

95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI

3.4

0.6

32

1 The standard for chromium VI specified in column 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.

Table 28Environmental standards for copper

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters2

Column 2

Column 3

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved copper

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved copper

1(bioavailable)1

3.76 µg/l dissolved, where DOC3 ≤ 1 mg/l

3.76 +(2.677 × ((DOC/2) - 0.5)) µg/l dissolved, where DOC > 1 mg/l

1 bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of copper likely to result in toxic effects as determined using the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool (also referred to as a PNEC Estimator) for copper.

2 The recommended salt water standard applies to the fraction of a water sample that passes through a 0.45-µm filter or that is obtained by any equivalent pre-treatment.

3 “DOC” means the annual mean concentration of dissolved organic carbon in mg/l.

Table 29Environmental standards for cyanide

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 21

Column 3

Column 41

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of ‘free’ cyanide (HCN and CN)

95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of ‘free’cyanide (HCN and CN)

Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide

95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide

1

5

1

5

1 The standards for cyanide specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.

Table 30Environmental standards for cypermethrin

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes12

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters12

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.1

0.4

0.1

0.41

1 Cypermethrin ceases to be a specific pollutant from 22 December 2018, when it shall be listed as a priority substance.

2 The standards for cypermethrin specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purposes of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.

Table 31Environmental standards for diazinon

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.01

0.02

0.01

0.26

Table 32Environmental standards for dimethoate

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.48

4.0

0.48

4.0

Table 33Environmental standards for glyhosate

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

196

398

196

398

Table 34Environmental standards for iron

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean concentration (mg/l) of dissolved iron

Annual mean concentration (mg/l) of dissolved iron

1

1

Table 35Environmental standards for linuron

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.5

0.9

0.5

0.9

Table 36Environmental standards for manganese

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Annual mean (µg/l) bioavailable

1231

1 bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of manganese likely to result in toxic effects as determined in accordance with the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool for manganese.

Table 37Environmental standards for mecoprop

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

18

187

18

187

Table 38Environmental standards for methiocarb

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.01

0.77

Table 39Environmental standards for pendimethalin

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.3

0.58

Table 40Environmental standards for permethrin

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.001

0.01

0.0002

0.001

Table 41Environmental standards for phenol

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

7.7

46

7.7

46

Table 42Environmental standards for tetrachloroethane (TCE)

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

140

1848

Table 43Environmental standards for toluene

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

74

380

74

370

Table 44Environmental standards for triclosan

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

95-percentile (µg/l)

0.1

0.28

0.1

0.28

Table 45Environmental standards for un-ionised ammonia as nitrogen

Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standard for transitional and coastal waters

Annual mean (µg/l)

Annual mean (µg/l)

Not applicable

21

Table 46Environmental standards for zinc

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes

Good standards for transitional and coastal waters

Column 1

Column 2

Annual mean

Annual mean

10.9 bioavailable1 plus Ambient Background Concentration2 (µg/l) dissolved

6.8 dissolved plus Ambient Background Concentration (µg/l)

1 bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of zinc likely to result in toxic effects as determined using the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool (also referred to as a PNEC Estimator) for zinc.

2 Ambient Background Concentration is an estimate of background levels of zinc based on a low percentile of monitoring data. A figure of 1 µg/l has been estimated for freshwaters in Northern Ireland.

Environmental Standards for Priority Substances and other Substances
Table 47Environmental quality standards for priority substances and other substances for which standards have been set at EU-level

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Column 7

Column 8

Column 9

Number

Name of substance

Chemical Abstracts Service number

Date from which standards apply

All rivers and lakes

All transitional and coastal waters

EQS Biota11

Good

Good

AA-EQS (µg/l)1 Inland surface waters2

MAC-EQS (µg/l)3 Inland surface waters2

AA-EQS (µg/l)1

MAC-EQS (µg/l)3

1

Alachlor

15972-60-8

0.3

0.7

0.3

0.7

2

Anthracene

120-12-7

14/09/15-21/12/15

0.1

0.4

0.1

0.4

22/12/15 onwards

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

3

Atrazine

1912-24-9

0.6

2.0

0.6

2.0

4

Benzene

71-43-2

10

50

8

50

5

Brominated diphenylethers4

32534-81-9

14/09/15-21/12/15

0.0005

not applicable

0.0002

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

not applicable

0.14

not applicable

0.014

0.0085

6

Cadmium and its compounds (depending on water hardness classes)5

7440-43-9

≤ 0.08

(class 1)

≤ 0.45

(class 1)

0.2

≤ 0.45

(class 1)

0.08

(class 2)

0.45

(class 2)

0.45

(class 2)

0.09

(class 3)

0.6

(class 3)

0.6

(class 3)

0.15

(class 4)

0.9

(class 4)

0.9

(class 4)

0.25

(class 5)

1.5

(class 5)

1.5

(class 5)

6a

Carbon-tetrachloride6

56-23-5

12

not applicable

12

not applicable

7

C10-13

Chloroalkanes7

85535-84-8

0.4

1.4

0.4

1.4

8

Chlorfenvinphos

470-90-6

0.1

0.3

0.1

0.3

9

Chlorpyrifos (Chlorpyrifos-ethyl)

2921-88-2

0.03

0.1

0.03

0.1

9a

Cyclodiene pesticides:

Σ=0.01

not applicable

Σ=0.005

not applicable

Aldrin6

309-00-2

Dieldrin6

60-57-1

Endrin6

72-20-8

Isodrin6

465-73-6

9b

DDT total68

not applicable

0.025

not applicable

0.025

not applicable

Para-para-DDT6

50-29-3

0.01

not applicable

0.01

not applicable

10

1,2-Dichloroethane

107-06-2

10

not applicable

10

not applicable

11

Dichloro-methane

75-09-2

20

not applicable

20

not applicable

12

Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP)

117-81-7

1.3

not applicable

1.3

not applicable

13

Diuron

330-54-1

0.2

1.8

0.2

1.8

14

Endosulfan

115-29-7

0.005

0.01

0.0005

0.004

15

Fluoranthene

206-44-0

14/09/15-21/12/15

0.1

1

0.1

1

22/12/15 onwards

0.0063

0.12

0.0063

0.12

30

16

Hexachlorobenzene

118-74-1

0.05

0.05

10

17

Hexachlorobutadiene

87-68-3

0.6

0.6

55

18

Hexachloro-cyclohexane

608-73-1

0.02

0.04

0.002

0.02

19

Isoproturon

34123-59-6

0.3

1.0

0.3

1.0

20

Lead and its compounds

7439-92-1

14/09/15-21/12/15

7.2

not applicable

7.2

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

1.212

14

1.3

14

21

Mercury and its compounds

7439-97-6

0.07

0.07

20

22

Naphthalene

91-20-3

14/09/15-21/12/15

2.4

not applicable

1.2

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

2

130

2

130

23

Nickel and its compounds

7440-02-0

14/09/15-21/12/15

20

not applicable

20

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

412

34

8.6

34

24

Nonylphenol

(4-Nonylphenol)

104-40-5

0.3

2.0

0.3

2.0

25

Octylphenol

((4-(1,1',3,3'-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol))

140-66-9

0.1

not applicable

0.01

not applicable

26

Pentachlorobenzene

608-93-5

0.007

not applicable

0.0007

not applicable

27

Pentachlorophenol

87-86-5

0.4

1

0.4

1

28

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)10

-

not applicable

not applicable

not applicable

not applicable

Benzo(a)pyrene

50-32-8

14/09/15-21/12/15

0.05

0.1

0.05

0.1

22/12/15 onwards

1.7 x 10-4

0.27

1.7 x 10-4

0.027

5

Benzo(b)fluor-anthene

205-99-2

14/09/15-21/12/15

Σ=0.03

not applicable

Σ=0.03

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

see footnote 10

0.017

see footnote 10

0.017

see footnote 10

Benzo(k)fluor-anthene

207-08-9

14/09/15-21/12/15

Σ=0.03

not applicable

Σ=0.03

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

see footnote 10

0.017

see footnote 10

0.017

see footnote 10

Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene

191-24-2

14/09/15-21/12/15

Σ=0.02

not applicable

Σ=0.02

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

see footnote 10

8.2 x 10-3

see footnote 10

8.2 x 10-4

see footnote 10

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene

193-39-5

14/09/15-21/12/15

Σ=0.02

not applicable

Σ=0.02

not applicable

22/12/15 onwards

see footnote 10

not applicable

see footnote 10

not applicable

see footnote 10

29

Simazine

122-34-9

1

4

1

4

29a

Tetrachloroethylene6

127-18-4

10

not applicable

10

not applicable

29b

Trichloroethylene6

79-01-6

10

not applicable

10

not applicable

30

Tributyltin compounds (Tributhyltin-cation)

36643-28-4

0.0002

0.0015

0.0002

0.0015

31

Trichlorobenzenes

12002-48-1

0.4

not applicable

0.4

not applicable

32

Trichloromethane

67-66-3

2.5

not applicable

2.5

not applicable

33

Trifluralin

1582-09-8

0.03

not applicable

0.03

not applicable

34

Dicofol

115-32-2

22/12/18 onwards

1.3 x 10-3

not applicable9

3.2 x 10-5

not applicable9

33

35

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS)

1763-23-1

22/12/18 onwards

6.5 x 10-4

36

1.3 x 10-4

7.2

9.1

36

Quinoxyfen

124495-18-7

22/12/18 onwards

0.15

2.7

0.015

0.54

37

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds

See footnote 9 in Annex X to Directive 2000/60/EC

22/12/18 onwards

not applicable

not applicable

Sum of PCDD +PCDF+PCB-DL 0.0065 µg.kg-1 TEQ 13

38

Aclonifen

74070-46-5

22/12/18 onwards

0.12

0.12

0.012

0.012

39

Bifenox

42576-02-3

22/12/18 onwards

0.012

0.04

0.0012

0.004

40

Cybutryne

28159-98-0

22/12/18 onwards

0.0025

0.016

0.0025

0.016

41

Cypermethrin

52315-07-8

22/12/18 onwards

8 x 10-5

6 x 10-4

8 x 10-6

6 x 10-5

42

Dichlorvos

62-73-7

22/12/18 onwards

6 x 10-4

7 x 10-4

6 x 10-5

7 x 10-5

43

Hexabromo-cyclododecane (HBCDD)

See footnote 11 in Annex X to Directive 2000/60/EC

22/12/18 onwards

0.0016

0.5

0.0008

0.05

167

44

Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide

76-44-8 /1024-57-3

22/12/18 onwards

2 x 10-7

3 x 10-4

1 x 10-8

3 x 10-5

6.7 x 10-3

45

Terbutryn

886-50-0

22/12/18 onwards

0.065

0.34

0.0065

0.034

1 This parameter is the EQS expressed as an annual average value (AA-EQS). Unless otherwise specified, it applies to the total concentration of all isomers.

2 Inland surface waters encompass rivers and lakes and related artificial or heavily modified water bodies.

3 This parameter is the Environmental Quality Standard expressed as a maximum allowable concentration (MAC-EQS). Where the MAC-EQS are marked as “not applicable”, the AA-EQS values are considered protective against short-term pollution peaks in continuous discharges since they are significantly lower than the values derived on the basis of acute toxicity.

4 For the group of priority substances covered by brominated diphenylethers (No 5), the EQS refers to the sum of the concentrations of congener numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154.

5 For cadmium and its compounds (No 6) the EQS values vary dependent upon the hardness of the water as specified in five class categories (class 1: <40mg CaCO3/l, class 2: 40 to <50mg CaCO3/l, class 3: 50 to <100mg CaCO3/l, class 4: 100 to <200mg CaCO3/l and class 5: ≥200mg CaCO3/l).

6 This substance is not a priority substance but one of the other pollutants for which the EQS are identical to those laid down in the legislation that applied prior to 13 January 2009.

7 No indicative parameter is provided for this group of substances. The indicative parameter(s) must be defined through the analytical method.

8 DDT total comprises the sum of the isomers 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 50-29-3; EU number 200-024-3); 1,1,1-trichloro-2 (o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 789-02-6; EU number 212-332-5); 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (CAS number 72-55-9; EU number 200-784-6); and 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 72-54-8; EU number 200-783-0).

9 There is insufficient information available to set a MAC-EQS for these substances.

10 For the group of priority substances of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (No 28), the biota EQS and corresponding AA-EQS in water refer to the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene, on the toxicity of which they are based. Benzo(a)pyrene can be considered as a marker for the other PAHs, hence only benzo(a)pyrene needs to be monitored for comparison with the biota EQS or the corresponding AA-EQS in water.

11 Unless otherwise indicated, the biota EQS relate to fish. An alternative biota taxon, or another matrix, may be monitored instead, as long as the EQS applied provides an equivalent level of protection. For substances numbered 15 (Fluoranthene) and 28 (PAHs), the biota EQS refers to crustaceans and molluscs. For the purpose of assessing chemical status, monitoring of Fluoranthene and PAHs in fish is not appropriate. For substance number 37 (Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds), the biota EQS relates to fish, crustaceans and molluscs, in line with section 5.3 of the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1259/2011 of 2 December 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs (OJ L 320, 3.12.2011, P.18).

12 These EQS refer to bioavailable concentrations of the substances.

13PCDD: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins; PCDF: polychlorinated dibenzofurans; PCB-DL: dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls; TEQ: toxic equivalents according to the World Health Organisation 2005 Toxic Equivalence Factors.

Application of the standards set out in Table 47 For any given surface water body, applying the AA-EQS means that, for each representative monitoring point within the water body, the arithmetic mean of the concentrations measured at different times during the year does not exceed the standard. The calculation of the arithmetic mean, the analytical method used and, where there is no appropriate analytical method meeting the minimum performance criteria, the method of applying a standard must be in accordance with implementing acts adopting technical specifications for chemical monitoring and quality of analytical results, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. For any given surface water body, applying the MAC-EQS means that the measured concentration at any representative monitoring point within the water body does not exceed the standard. However, in accordance with section 1.3.4. of Annex V to the Water Framework Directive, the Department may introduce statistical methods, such as a percentile calculation, to ensure an acceptable level of confidence and precision for determining compliance with the MAC-EQS. Where the Department introduces statistical methods, such methods must apply with rules laid down in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 9(2) of Directive 2008/105/EC. With the exception of cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel (hereinafter “metals”) the standards set out in Table 47 are expressed as total concentrations in the whole water sample. In the case of metals the standards refer to the dissolved concentration i.e. the dissolved phase of a water sample obtained by filtration through a 0.45 µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment, or, where specifically indicated, to the bioavailable concentration. The Department may, when assessing the monitoring results against the standards, take into account:

  • natural background concentrations for metals and their compounds, if they prevent compliance with the standard; and

  • hardness, pH, dissolved organic carbon or other water quality parameters that affect the bioavailability of metals, the bioavailable concentrations being determined using appropriate bioavailability modelling.

PART 3Boundary values for biological quality elements

Boundary values for aquatic plants and animals in rivers1

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any river or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” benthic invertebrate fauna boundary value for rivers specified in Tables 1 and 2 below.

2

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any river or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” phytobenthos boundary value for rivers specified in Table 3 below.

3

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any river or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” aquatic macrophyte boundary value for rivers specified in Table 4 below.

4

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any river or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “poor” or “bad” freshwater fish boundary value for rivers specified in Table 5 below.

Boundary values for aquatic plants and animals in lakes5

To determine the phytoplankton and phytobenthos boundaries to apply to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign to that lake or any part thereof, the appropriate geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Schedule 1 Part 1, Tables 5, 6 and 7 respectively.

6

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” phytoplankton boundary values for lakes specified in columns 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Table 6 below and columns 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Table 7 below and columns 2 and 3 of Table 8 below respectively.

7

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” phytobenthos boundary value for lakes specified in Table 9 below.

8

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” aquatic macrophyte boundary value for lakes specified in Table 10 below.

9

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” freshwater fish boundary value for lakes specified in Table 11 below.

Boundary values for aquatic plants and animals in transitional and coastal waters10

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any transitional water, coastal water or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” benthic invertebrate fauna boundary values for transitional and coastal waters specified in Tables 12 and 13 below.

11

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any transitional water, coastal water or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” aquatic angiosperm boundary value for transitional and coastal waters specified in Table 14 below.

12

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any transitional water, coastal water or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” phytoplankton boundary value for transitional and coastal waters specified in Table 15 below.

13

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any transitional water, coastal water or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” aquatic macroalgae boundary values for transitional and coastal waters specified in Tables 16 and 17 below.

14

The Department must apply, as applicable, to any transitional water or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” fish boundary value for transitional waters specified in Table 18 below.

Table 1Benthic invertebrate fauna Walley Hawkes Paisley Trigg (WHPT) boundary values (WHPT Average Score per Taxon) for rivers

Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean sensitivity to disturbance of the observed taxa differs from the annual mean sensitivity of the taxa expected under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.97

Good

0.86

Moderate

0.72

Poor

0.59

Bad

< 0.59

Table 2Benthic invertebrate fauna Walley Hawkes Paisley Trigg (WHPT) boundary values (WHPT Number of TAXA) for rivers

Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean number of disturbance-sensitive taxa differs from the annual mean number of taxa expected under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.80

Good

0.68

Moderate

0.56

Poor

0.47

Bad

< 0.47

Table 3Phytobenthos (Diatom) boundary values for rivers

Boundary values for the degree to which the relative annual mean abundances of nutrient-sensitive and nutrient-tolerant groups of diatom taxa differ from the relative annual mean abundances of these groups of taxa expected under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.80

Good

0.60

Moderate

0.40

Poor

0.20

Bad

< 0.20

Table 4Macrophyte boundary values for rivers

Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean abundances of disturbance-sensitive and disturbance-tolerant macrophyte taxa differ from the annual mean abundances of those taxa under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.80

Good

0.60

Moderate

0.40

Poor

0.20

Bad

< 0.20

Table 5Freshwater Fish FCS2 (Ireland) boundary values for rivers

Ecological quality ratio1

High

0.845 < EQR<= 1.0

Good

0.54 < EQR <= 0.854

Moderate

0.12 < EQR <= 0.54

Poor

0.007 < EQR <= 0.12

Bad

0 <= EQR <= 0.007

1 FCS2 (Ireland) is the Fisheries Classification Scheme 2 (Ireland) model developed for WFD Ecoregion 17 which is the island of Ireland

Table 6Phytoplankton boundary values for lakes – chlorophyll a

Boundary values for the degree to which the biomass of phytoplankton taxa (as represented by the annual mean chlorophyll a concentration) differ from the biomass of those phytoplankton taxa (annual mean chlorophyll a concentration) expected under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Lake Type

High alkalinity, shallow

Marl shallow

High alkalinity, very shallow

Moderate alkalinity, very shallow

Low alkalinity, very shallow

Marl very shallow

Moderate alkalinity, deep

Moderate alkalinity, shallow

Moderate alkalinity

shallow humic

Low alkalinity, shallow

Low alkalinity, shallow humic

Low alkalinity deep

High

0.55

0.63

0.50

0.64

0.64

Good

0.32

0.30

0.33

0.29

0.33

Moderate

0.16

0.15

0.17

0.15

0.17

Poor

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

Bad

< 0.05

< 0.05

< 0.05

< 0.05

< 0.05

Table 7Phytoplankton boundary values for lakes – plankton trophic index

Ecological quality ratio

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6

Lake Type

High alkalinity, shallow

Moderate alkalinity very shallow

Low alkalinity very shallow humic

Marl very shallow

High alkalinity very shallow

Moderate alkalinity, deep

Moderate alkalinity shallow

Low alkalinity, shallow humic

Low alkalinity very shallow Clear

Marl Shallow

Low alkalinity

Deep Clear Water

Low alkalinity shallow Clear Water

Low alkalinity shallow humic

High

0.93

0.91

0.95

0.98

0.96

Good

0.82

0.80

0.84

0.87

0.85

Moderate

0.70

0.68

0.72

0.75

0.73

Poor

0.58

0.56

0.60

0.63

0.61

Bad

<0.58

<0.56

<0.60

<0.63

<0.61

Table 8Phytoplankton boundary values for lakes – cyanobacteria biomass

Ecological quality ratio

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Lake Type

All Low and Moderate alkalinity and Marl Lakes

High alkalinity Lakes

High

0.47

0.63

Good

0.32

0.43

Moderate

0.23

0.34

Poor

0.13

0.21

Bad

< 0.13

< 0.21

Table 9Phytobenthos boundary values for lakes

Boundary values for the degree to which the relative annual mean abundances of nutrient-sensitive and nutrient-tolerant groups of diatom taxa differ from the relative annual mean abundances of these groups of taxa expected under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

High and Low alkalinity lakes

Moderate alkalinity lakes

High

0.92

0.93

Good

0.70

0.66

Moderate

0.46

0.46

Poor

0.23

0.23

Bad

< 0.23

< 0.23

Table 10Aquatic macrophyte boundary values for lakes

Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean abundance of disturbance-sensitive macrophyte1 taxa differ from the annual mean abundance of those taxa expected under reference conditions

Ecological quality ratio

Column 1

Column 2

High

0.90

Good

0.68

Moderate

0.42

Poor

0.33

Bad

< 0.33

1 The term “macrophyte” refers to larger plants, typically including flowering plants, mosses and larger algae, but not including single-celled phytoplankton or diatoms.

Table 11Freshwater Fish FiL2 boundary values for lakes

Ecological quality ratio1

High

0.76 < EQR<= 1.0

Good

0.53 < EQR <= 0.76

Moderate

0.32 < EQR <= 0.53

Poor/Bad

0 <= EQR <= 0.32

1 FiL2 is the Fish in Lakes version 2 model developed for WFD Ecoregion 17 which is the island of Ireland

Table 12Benthic invertebrate fauna boundary values for IMPOSEX in coastal waters

Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean occurrence and degree of tributyl tin (TBT) -induced imposex in the common dog whelk, Nucella lapillus, differs from the annual mean occurrence and degree of imposex expected under reference conditions using the Vas Deferens Stage Index (VDSI) (UKTAG Method ISBN 978-1-906934-35-4)

Ecological quality ratio

Vas Deferens Stage Index (VDSI)

High

0.95

0.3

Good

0.33

4

Moderate

0.17

5

Table 13Benthic invertebrate fauna boundary values for the INFAUNAL Quality Index (IQI) for transitional and coastal waters

Boundary values relating to the degree to which the annual mean number of benthic invertebrate taxa in soft sediments, the diversity of taxa, and the ratio of disturbance-sensitive and disturbance-tolerant taxa differ from that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN 978-1-906934-34-7)

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.75

Good

0.64

Moderate

0.44

Poor

0.24

Bad

< 0.24

Table 14Aquatic angiosperm boundary values in transitional and coastal waters

Aquatic Angiosperm1 Boundary values relating to the degree to which the annual mean shoot density, and spatial extent of sea grass beds, differ that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN 978-1-906934-36-1)

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.8

Good

0.6

Moderate

0.4

Poor

0.2

Bad

< 0.2

1 The term “angiosperm” refers to flowering plants. In transitional waters and coastal waters, angiosperms include sea grasses and the flowering plants found in salt marshes, salt marsh tools have not yet been developed.

Table 15Phytoplankton boundary values for transitional and coastal waters

Boundary values relating to the degree to which biomass, taxonomic composition, bloom frequency and bloom intensity for phytoplankton1 differ from that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN 978-1-906934-41-5 for Transitional waters and UKTAG method ISBN 978-1-906934-33-0 for Coastal Waters)

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.8

Good

0.6

Moderate

0.4

Poor

0.2

Bad

< 0.2

1 The term “phytoplankton” refers to solitary and colonial unicellular algae and cyanobacteria that live in the water column, at least for part of their lifecycle.

Table 16Aquatic macroalgae boundary values in transitional and coastal waters

Boundary values relating to the degree to which mean species richness, proportion of red, green and opportunist seaweeds and ecological status group ratio on rocky intertidal areas differ from that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN 978-1-906934-39-2)

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.8

Good

0.6

Moderate

0.4

Poor

0.2

Bad

< 0.2

Table 17Aquatic macroalgae boundary values in transitional and coastal waters

Boundary values relating to the degree to which opportunistic macroalgal1 extent, biomass and entrainment differ from that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN978-1-906934-37-8)

Ecological quality ratio

High

0.8

Good

0.6

Moderate

0.4

Poor

0.2

Bad

< 0.2

1 The term “macroalgae” refers to multicellular algae such as seaweeds and filamentous algae.

Table 18Fish boundary values for transitional waters

Boundary values relating to the degree to which transitional water fish communities deviate from expectations in terms of species diversity and composition, species abundance, estuarine utilisation, and trophic composition using the Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index (EMFI)

Ecological quality ratio

High

≥ 0.92

Good

0.65

Moderate

0.35

Poor

0.10

Bad

< 0.10

PART 4Intermittent Discharge Standards

Table 1Intermittent standards for dissolved oxygen in rivers

Salmonid waters

Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)

Return period

1 hour

6 hours

24 hours

1 month

5.0

5.5

6.0

3 months

4.5

5.0

5.5

1 year

4.0

4.5

5.0

Cyprinid waters

Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)

Return period

1 hour

6 hours

24 hours

1 month

4.0

5.0

5.5

3 months

3.5

4.5

5.0

1 year

3.0

4.0

4.5

The standards apply when the concurrent concentration of un-ionised ammonia concentration is below 0.02 mg/l. The following correction factors apply at higher concurrent un-ionised concentrations:

Where the un-ionised ammonia lies between 0.02-0.15mg NH3-N/I: the correction factor is an additioin of (0.97 x log (mg NH3-N/I) + 3.8) mg O2/l. For concentrations that exceed 0.15 mg NH3-N/I, the correction factor is +2 mg O2/litre.

A correction factor of 3mg O2/l is added for salmonid spawning grounds.

Table 2Intermittent standards for un-ionised ammonia in rivers

Salmonid waters

Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)

Return period

1 hour

6 hours

24 hours

1 month

0.065

0.025

0.018

3 months

0.095

0.035

0.025

1 year

0.105

0.040

0.030

Cyprinid waters

Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)

Return period

1 hour

6 hours

24 hours

1 month

0.150

0.075

0.030

3 months

0.225

0.125

0.050

1 year

0.250

0.150

0.065

The above limits apply when the concurrent concentration of dissolved oxygen is above 5 mg/l. At lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen the following correction factor applies: For dissolved oxygen less than 5mg/l DO, multiply the standard by 0.0126 and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in mg O/litre, C, raised to the power of 2.72, that is, 0.0126 C2.72.

The standards also assume that the concurrent pH is greater than 7 and temperature is greater than 5 degress Centigrade. For lower pH and temperatures the following correction factors apply: Where the pH is less than 7, multiply the standard by 0.0003 and by the value of the pH, p, raised to the power of 4.17, that is: 0.0003p4.17. Where the temperature is less than 5 degrees Centigrade, multiply this correction factor by a further 0.5.

Table 399th percentile standards for biochemical oxygen demand in rivers

Status

Types of river

99th percentile BOD (mg/l)

High

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

7.0

High

3,5 and 7

9.0

Good

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

9.0

Good

3,5 and 7

11.0

Moderate

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

14.0

Moderate

3,5 and 7

14.0

Poor

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

16.0

Poor

3,5 and 7

19.0

Table 499th percentile standards for ammonia in rivers

Status

Types of river

Total ammonia (mg NH4-N/l)

Un-ionised ammonia (mg NH3-N/l)

99th percentile

99th percentile

High

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

0.5

0.04

High

3,5 and 7

0.7

0.04

Good

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

0.7

0.04

Good

3,5 and 7

1.5

0.04

Moderate

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

1.8

0.04

Moderate

3,5 and 7

2.6

0.04

Poor

1,2,4,6 and salmonid

2.6

0.04

Poor

3,5 and 7

6.0

-

Table 5Types of river to which the proposed 99th percentile standards in Tables 3 and 4 apply

Alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO3)

Altitude

Less than 10

10-50

50-100

100-200

Over 200

Under 80 metres

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

Type 5

Type 7

Over 80 metres

Type 4

Type 6