1. 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.N.I.
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)—N.I.
(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.N.I.
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.N.I.
6.—(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.
7. 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.N.I.
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—N.I.
“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.N.I.
11. 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.
12. 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.N.I.
14. The Department must apply, as applicable, the standards for specific pollutants given in Tables 18 to 47 below to surface waters or parts thereof.
1 Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply. | |||||
| 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 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. | |||||
| 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 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. | |||||
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 | ||||
| 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 ‘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 | ||
| 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 |
| 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 |
1 incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q60 to ≥ Q90 | ||||
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Status | Proposed Boundary |
|---|---|
| Annual Mean (micro Siemens per centimetre) | |
| Good | 1000 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 | |||
| 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. | |||
| Dissolved oxygen concentrations (mg/l) as 5-percentile values | |
|---|---|
| High | 5.7 |
| Good | 4.0 |
| Moderate | 2.4 |
| Poor | 1.6 |
| Bad | <1.6 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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. | |||
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes | |
|---|---|
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Annual mean (µg/l) | 95-percentile (µg/l) |
| 0.15 | 0.7 |
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. | ||
| 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 |
| Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes | |
|---|---|
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Annual mean (µg/l) | 95-percentile (µg/l) |
| 0.035 | 1.2 |
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 | |
| 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 VI specified in column 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water. | ||
| 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 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. | |
| 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 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. | |||
| 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 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. | |||
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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. |
| Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes |
|---|
| Annual mean (µg/l) bioavailable |
| 1231 |
| 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 |
| Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes | |
|---|---|
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Annual mean (µg/l) | 95-percentile (µg/l) |
| 0.01 | 0.77 |
| Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes | |
|---|---|
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Annual mean (µg/l) | 95-percentile (µg/l) |
| 0.3 | 0.58 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes | |
|---|---|
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Annual mean (µg/l) | 95-percentile (µg/l) |
| 140 | 1848 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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. | |
| 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 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. | ||||||||
13 PCDD: 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. | ||||||||
| 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 | |
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.