“Coastal water” means surface water on the landward side of a line, every point of which is at a distance of one nautical mile on the seaward side from the nearest point of the baseline from which the breadth of territorial waters is measured M1, extending where appropriate up to the outer limit of transitional waters.
“Groundwater” means all water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil.
“Inland water” means all standing or flowing water on the surface of the land, and all groundwater on the landward side of the baseline from which the breadth of territorial waters is measured.
“Lake” means a body of standing inland surface water.
“River” means a body of inland water flowing for the most part on the surface of the land but which may flow underground for part of its course.
“Surface water” means inland waters, except groundwater; transitional waters and coastal waters, except in respect of chemical status for which it shall also include territorial waters.
“Transitional waters” are bodies of surface water in the vicinity of river mouths which are partly saline in character as a result of their proximity to coastal waters but which are substantially influenced by freshwater flows.
Marginal Citations
M1The relevant baseline, for the purposes of this definition and the definition of “inland water”, is that from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured and is established by section 1 of the Territorial Sea Act 1987 (c.49) and the Territorial Waters Order in Council 1964 (1965 III, p.6452A).