The Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

SCHEDULE 5

This schedule has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

PART 1Shellfish Waters Standards

Table 1

Shellfish Water Mandatory Standards

Parameter	Units	Standard
Temperature	◦C	A discharge affecting shellfish waters must not cause the temperature of the water to exceed by more than 2◦C the temperature of the waters not so affected.
pH		pH values will not reach levels outside of the range established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified for the biological quality elements under Good Ecological Status
Silver	Annual mean (AA-EQS) (µg/l)	0.5
Silver	Maximum allowable concentration (MAC-EQS) (µg/l)	1
Salinity	Practical Salinity Units (PSU)	40 PSU A discharge affecting shellfish waters must not cause their salinity to exceed by more than 10% the salinity of waters not so affected.

Table 2

Shellfish Water Salinity Guideline Standard

Parameter	Units	Standard
Salinity	PSU	12-38

PART 2Microbial Guideline Value

Microbial Guideline Value

1. In shellfish waters, the Department must endeavour to respect the microbial guideline value in the shellfish flesh and intervalvular liquid as set out in Table 1 to this Part, in addition to the mandatory standards set out in these Regulations.

Compliance with the microbial guideline value

2.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), in relation to any period of 12 months, shellfish waters shall be treated as complying with the guideline value set out in Table 1 to this Part, if 75 per cent of the samples taken comply with the guideline value.

(2) Non-compliant samples may be ignored for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) if they are the result of natural cause or force majeure.

Sampling and analysis

3.—(1) The Department must ensure that the guideline value adopted as a result of paragraph 1 and samples are analysed in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (1), sampling shall be carried out at least at the minimum frequency specified in Table 1 to this Schedule.

(3) Where sampling shows that the guideline value adopted as a result of paragraph 1 is not being met, the Department must establish whether this is the result of chance, a natural phenomenon or pollution, and must adopt appropriate measures to prevent deterioration.

(4) Samples shall be analysed using the reference methods of analysis specified in Table 1 to this paragraph or methods which are at least as reliable as the reference methods.

Table 1

Microbial Standard for shellfish waters

Parameter	Units	Guideline values and comments	Reference methods of analysis	Minimum sampling and measuring frequency
Escherichia coli (E.coli)	cfu/100ml	≤230 in the shellfish flesh and intervalvular liquid	ISO16649 part 3 or equivalent	Quarterly