The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

PART 2 River basin districts and water bodies

River basin district and international river basin districts

4.—(1) For the purposes of these regulations, the area shown on the official map and named as “North Eastern” is identified as a river basin district and the areas shown on the official map and named as “Neagh Bann”, “North Western” and “Shannon” are identified as international river basin districts.

(2) The Department must publish the official map on its website.

(3) The Department must make the official map available to the public at its principal offices.

(4) In this regulation, “the official map” means the map of river basin districts produced by the Department and published on its website.

Characterisation of river basin district and international river basin districts

5.—(1) The Department must maintain and periodically review and (if necessary) update, in accordance with Annex II to the Directive (characterisation of waters)—

(a) an analysis of the characteristics of each river basin district and the part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland; and

(b) a review of the impact of human activity on the status of surface water and groundwater in the river basin district and the part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland.

(2) A review and any update must be done—

(a) by 22nd December 2019; and

(b) subsequently, by 22nd December of the sixth year following that date and of each sixth year following that.

(3) In relation to a review of the characteristics of each river basin district and part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland in accordance with paragraph 1(a), the Department must include in the relevant river basin management plan an explanation of the approach taken to the use of System A or B in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 to 1.2.4 (characterisation of surface water body types) of Annex II to the Directive.

Classification of water bodies

6.  The Department must classify the status of bodies of water in accordance with Annex V to the Directive.

Economic analysis of water use in river basin district and international river basin districts

7.—(1) The Department must maintain and periodically review and (if necessary) update, in accordance with Annex III to the Directive (economic analysis), an economic analysis of water use in the river basin district and the part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland.

(2) A review and any update must be done—

(a) by 22nd December 2019; and

(b) subsequently, by 22nd December of the sixth year following that date and of each sixth year following that.

(3) The Department for Infrastructure must, in accordance with a timetable established by the Department—

(a) provide the Department with so much of the information specified in paragraph (a) of Annex III to the Directive as relates to its functions;

(b) review and, if necessary, update that information; and

(c) provide any such updated information to the Department.