http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2011/10/madeThe Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011PollutionenGovernment Printer for Northern Ireland2019-12-13ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION These Regulations implement Council Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy (O.J. No. L348, 24.12.2008 p.84) and set out the classification schemes used under the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (O.J. No. L327, 22.12.2000 p.60). 2011 No. 10 Environmental Protection The Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 Made 21st January 2011 Coming into operation 14th February 2011 The Department of the Environment being a Department designated for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in relation to the Environment acting in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by that section and by Article 5 of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 makes the following Regulations: Citation and commencement 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and shall come into operation on 14 February 2011. Interpretation 2 1 In these Regulations— “the 2003 Regulations” means the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003; “biological boundary value” in respect of biological quality elements means the classification boundaries for ecological status as set out in Annex V of the Water Framework Directive; “the Department” means the Department of the Environment; “the Directive” means Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy; “mixing zone” means an area designated in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive; “river basin district” has the same meaning as in the 2003 Regulations and, for the purposes of these regulations, shall include “international river basin district” as also defined in the 2003 Regulations; “river basin management plan” means a plan prepared in accordance with regulation 12 of the 2003 Regulations; “the Water Framework Directive” means Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Water Policy, as amended 2 Words and expressions used in these Regulations which are also used in the Directive or in the Water Framework Directive shall have the same meaning as in those Directives. 3 The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Typology and Environmental Standards 3 1 The Department, in exercising the functions listed in paragraph (2) shall in respect of rivers, lakes, transitional waters and coastal waters— a assign a Type or Types in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 1; and b apply environmental standards and biological boundary values to each river, lake, transitional water and coastal water, or part thereof, according to its assigned Type or Types, as, in accordance with Part 2 and Part 3 of Schedule 1. 2 The functions listed in paragraph (1) are— a analysis and review of the characterisation of each river basin district in accordance with regulation 5(2) of the 2003 Regulations; b monitoring of the status of the water environment in each river basin district in accordance with regulation 9 of the 2003 Regulations; c setting of environmental objectives for each body of surface water in each river basin district in accordance with regulation 11(1)(a) of the 2003 Regulations; and d preparing programmes of measures to achieve those objectives in accordance with regulation 11(1)(b) of the 2003 Regulations. Environmental standards for priority substances and other dangerous substances 4 1 Subject to paragraph (2), the Department shall apply, the standards for priority substances and other dangerous substances in Table 38 and Table 39 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to surface waters or parts thereof. 2 The Department may apply the standards for sediment or for biota or for both sediment and biota to the standards in Table 38 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 in certain categories of surface water. If the Department applies this option: a it shall apply any single standard or combination of standards from the following: for mercury and its compounds, a standard of 20 µg/kg, for hexachlorobenzene, a standard of 10 µg/kg, for hexachlorobutadiene, a standard of 55 µg/kg, these standards being for prey tissue (wet weight), choosing the most appropriate indicator from among fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other biota; b it shall ensure that the standards applied for sediment and biota offer at least the same level of protection as the standards for water set out in Table 38 of Part 2 of Schedule 1; and c it shall monitor biota and sediment at least annually, unless technical knowledge and expert judgment justify a different interval. Classification of surface waters 5 1 Subject to paragraph (2), the Department shall classify each body of surface water identified for the purposes of regulation 5 of the 2003 Regulations according to its ecological status, or its ecological potential as the case may be, and its chemical status. 2 The Department shall classify— a the ecological status of bodies of surface water in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2; b the chemical status of bodies of surface water in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 2; c the ecological potential of heavily modified and artificial bodies of surface water in accordance with Part 3 of Schedule 2. 3 The results of classification in accordance with paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) shall be reported within each river basin management plan as follows— a a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of the ecological status for each body of surface water, colour-coded in accordance with Table 1 of Schedule 4; b a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of the ecological potential of each body of surface water designated as artificial or heavily modified, colour-coded in accordance with Table 2 of Schedule 4; c a black dot on the relevant map produced under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) to indicate each body of surface water where failure to achieve good status or good ecological potential is due to non-compliance with one or more of the environmental quality standards that have been established for relevant specific pollutants; d a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of chemical status for each body of surface water, colour-coded in accordance with Table 3 of Schedule 4. 4 The overall status of bodies of surface water shall be determined in accordance with Part 5 of Schedule 2. 5 The Department shall review the classification required by paragraph (1) at least once in every six years in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Classification of Groundwater 6 1 The Department shall classify each body of groundwater identified for the purposes of regulation 5 of the 2003 Regulations according to its chemical status in accordance with regulation 9 of the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009. 2 The Department shall classify each body of groundwater identified for the purposes of regulation 5 of the 2003 Regulations according to its quantitative status in accordance with Schedule 3. 3 The results of classifications in accordance with paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) shall be reported within each river basin management plan as follows— a a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of the chemical status for each body of groundwater, colour-coded in accordance with Table 4 of Schedule 4; b a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of the quantitative status for each body of groundwater, colour-coded in accordance with Table 5 of Schedule 4. 4 The Department shall review the classification required by paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) at least once in every six years in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Designation of Mixing Zones 7 1 The Department may designate mixing zones adjacent to points of discharge. 2 Concentrations of one or more substances listed in Table 38 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 may exceed the relevant standards within mixing zones if they do not affect the compliance of the rest of the body of surface water with those standards. 3 The extent of any mixing zone shall be restricted to the proximity of the point of discharge and shall be proportionate, having regard to concentrations of pollutants at the point of discharge and any conditions contained within the discharge consent or permit. 4 The Department shall include information about designated mixing zones in river basin management plans. This information shall include a description of: a the approaches and methodologies applied to define mixing zones; b measures taken with a view to reducing the extent of mixing zones in the future Inventory of emissions, discharges and losses 8 1 The Department shall establish an inventory, including maps if available, by 31 December 2012 of emissions, discharges and losses of all substances listed in Table 38 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 for each river basin district or part of a river basin district including their concentrations in sediment and biota, as appropriate. 2 The reference period for the estimation of pollutant values to be entered in the inventories referred to in paragraph 1 shall be one year between 2008 and 2010, with the exception of priority substances and pollutants covered by Directive 91/414/EEC, where the entries may be calculated as the average of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. 3 The Department shall communicate the inventories established in accordance with paragraph 1, including the respective reference periods, to the European Commission within three months of the date of their publication. 4 The Department shall update the inventories as part of the review of the analyses specified in Article 5(2) of the Water Framework Directive, and shall publish the updated inventories in the corresponding river basin management plan. 5 The reference period for the establishment of values in the inventories referred to in paragraph 4 shall be the year before that analysis is to be completed, with the exception of priority substances or pollutants covered by Directive 91/414/EEC, where the entries may be calculated as the average of the three years before the completion of that analysis. Revocations 9 The Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 are revoked. Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 21 January 2011. Denis McMahon A senior officer of the Department of the Environment 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 shall 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 shall assign the subsequent Type in accordance with column 1 of Table 2. 3 To determine the reactive phosphorus standards applicable to a river or any part thereof, the Department shall assign to that river or part thereof the Type specified in Table 3 below which corresponds with the applicable site altitude and applicable alkalinity range specified in that Table. 4 To determine the morphological conditions applicable to a river or part thereof, the Department shall assign to that river or part thereof the Type specified in Table 4 below which corresponds with the applicable descriptions in that Table. 5 To determine the river flow standards applicable to a river or any part thereof, the Department shall assign the Type specified in column 1 of Table 5 below which corresponds to the applicable descriptions in specified in columns 2, 3 and 4 of that Table. 6 To determine the dissolved oxygen standards applicable to a lake or any part thereof, the Department shall assign to that lake or part thereof the Type specified in Table 6 below which corresponds with the applicable description specified in that Table. 7 To determine the total phosphorus standards to apply to a lake or any part thereof, the Department shall assign to that lake or part thereof the appropriate geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Tables 7, 8 and 9 respectively. 8 To determine the lake water level standards and morphological conditions applicable to a lake or any part thereof, the Department shall assign— a the physical characteristics of the lake or part thereof specified in column 1 of Table 10 below into the categories specified in column 3 of that Table which correspond to the applicable measurements specified in column 3; b the geological characteristics of the lake or part thereof as being of the category specified in column 1 of Table 11 below which corresponds to the applicable descriptions or measurements specified in columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 of that Table, and c the hydromorphological characteristics of the lake or part thereof as being of the type specified in column 1 of Table 12 below which corresponds to the applicable measurements specified in columns 3 and 4 of that Table. Table 1 Criteria for identifying the types of river to which the dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand standards for rivers apply
Site AltitudeAlkalinity (as mg/l CaCO3)
Less than 1010 to 5050 to 100100 to 200Over 200
Under 80 metresType 1Type 2Type 3Type 5Type 7
Over 80 metresType 4Type 6
Table 2
Final typology for dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand in rivers
Column 1Column 2
Upland and low alkalinityTypes (1+2), 4 and 6
Lowland and high alkalinityTypes 3, 5 and 7
Table 3 Criteria for identifying types of river to which the reactive phosphorus standards for rivers apply
AltitudeAnnual mean alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO3)
< 50≥ 50
Under 80 metresType 1nType 3n
Over 80 metresType 2nType 4n
Table 4 Criteria for identifying types of river to which morphological conditions apply
TypeCharacteristics
Bedrock channelNormally high altitudeChannel cuts down laterallyMay have waterfalls and/or cascadesBedrock substrate
Cascade Step PoolNormally high altitudeChannel cuts downBoth turbulent and tranquil flowsCobble and boulder substrate
Pool-riffle-glideNormally medium altitudeOften not confined within a valleySlightly meanderingPebble and cobble substrate
MeanderingNormally low altitudeFlow laminar and would naturally interact with floodplainMeanderingMore fines than other substrates
Table 5 Criteria for identifying types of river to which the river flow standards apply
Col 1Col 2Col 3Col 4
TypeStandard Average Annual Rainfall mm (period 1961-1990)Base Flow Index (BFI)Catchment area (km2)
A1< 810.5< 0.715Any
≥ 0.715≥ 251.8
A2< 810.5≥ 0.715< 251.8≤ 100 (A2 headwaters) > 100 (A2 downstream)
≥ 810.5 and < 1413≥ 0.7495Any≤ 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< 0.3615Any
Table 6 Categories to which dissolved oxygen standards for lakes apply
TypeDescription
SalmonidFreshwater lakes which would naturally support populations of salmonid fish
CyprinidFreshwater lakes in which populations of salmonid fish do not occur naturally
Table 7 Geological categories to which total phosphorus standards for lakes apply
Geological categoryAnnual mean alkalinity (micro-equivalents per litre)
Low alkalinity< 200
Moderate alkalinity200 – 1000
High alkalinity> 1000
Marl
Table 8 Depth categories to which total phosphorus standards for lakes apply
Depth categoryMean depth (metres)
Very shallow< 3
Shallow3 – 15
Deep> 15
Table 9 Colour categories to which total phosphorus standards for lakes apply
Colour categoryPlatinum (mg/l)
Humic> 30
Non humic≤ 30
Table 10 Physical characteristics used to identify lake types to which lake water level standards apply
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CharacteristicsUnitCategories
Mean depthMetresShallow < 3Deep ≥ 3
AltitudeMetresLow < 200Mid ≥ 200 < 800High ≥ 800
Size (lake area)HectaresSmall < 50Large ≥ 50
Basin formVd = 3Dmean / Dmax where D = depth of lake in metres, Dmean = mean depth and Dmax = maximum depth V Vd < 0.67 L Vd ≥ 0.67
Table 11 Geological characteristics used to identify lake types to which lake water level standards apply
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
CategoriesSolid geology of catchmentAlkalinityConductivityColour
% of catchmentMicro-equivalents per litreMicro Siemens per centimetrePlatinum (mg/l)
Peat> 75% peatn/an/a> 30
Low Alkalinity> 90% siliceous< 200≤ 70≤ 30
Moderate Alkalinity> 50% siliceous and ≤ 90% siliceous200 – 1000> 70 and ≤
High Alkalinity> 50% calcareous> 1000> 250 and ≤ 1000
Marl> 65% limestone
BrackishAnyn/a> 1000
Table 12 Hydromorphological characteristics used to identify lake types to which morphological conditions apply
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
TypeLake-MImAS codeMean DepthAlkalinity
Low Alkalinity Very Shallow P/L-vS<4m< 20 mgl-1 CaCO3
Low Alkalinity Shallow/DeepP/L-ShD>4m< 20 mgl-1 CaCO3
Moderate Alkalinity Very ShallowMA-vS<4m20 – 100 mgl-1 CaCO3
Moderate Alkalinity Shallow/DeepMA-ShD>4m20 – 100 mgl-1 CaCO3
High Alkalinity Very ShallowHA/M-vS<4m> 100 mgl-1 CaCO3
High Alkalinity Shallow/DeepHA/M-ShD>4m> 100 mgl-1 CaCO3
PART 2Environmental Standards Environmental standards for river water quality 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 shall 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 shall 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 shall 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 shall 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 Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part I of this Schedule, assigned to a river or part thereof a Type specified in column 1 of Table 4 below, it shall apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” reactive phosphorus standard specified in columns 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively of that Table to that river or part thereof. 4 The Department shall, as applicable, apply the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” acid condition standards specified in columns 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively of Table 5 below to any river or part thereof. Environmental standards for river flows 5 1 Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 6 of Part I of this Schedule, assigned to a river or part thereof a Type specified in column 1 of Tables 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 below, it shall apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” river flow standards as specified by the boundary values in those Tables to that river or part thereof. 2 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 quality 6 Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 7 of Part I of this Schedule, assigned to a lake or part thereof the Type “salmonid” or “cyprinid”, it shall apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” dissolved oxygen standard specified in Table 11 below to that lake or part thereof. 7 The Department shall apply the “good” salinity standard specified in Table 12 below to all lakes or parts of such lakes. 8 Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 8 of Part I of this Schedule, assigned to a lake or part thereof a geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Tables 7, 8 and 9 in that Part, it shall 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 13 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. 9 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 shall 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 14 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 levels 10 Once the Department has assigned the characteristics of a lake or part thereof, in accordance with paragraph 9 of Part I of this Schedule, it shall apply, as applicable, to the lake or part thereof the “good” lake standard specified in columns 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 of Table 15 below which, in accordance with Table 15, applies to that lake or part thereof with the combination of characteristics applicable to the lake or part thereof. Environmental standards for transitional and coastal water quality 11 The Department shall apply, as applicable, the dissolved oxygen standards for “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” specified in Table 16 and Table 17 below to transitional or coastal waters or parts thereof. 12 The Department shall apply, as applicable, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen standards for “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” specified in Table 18 below to transitional or coastal waters or parts thereof. Environmental standards for specific pollutants 13 The Department shall apply, as applicable, the standards for specific pollutants given in Tables 19 to 37 below to surface waters or parts thereof. Environmental Standards for River Water Quality Table 1 Standards for dissolved oxygen in rivers
Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)
(1) Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid river (as designated by Directive 2006/44/EC ‘on the quality of freshwaters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life’) the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.
(10-percentile)
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5Column 6
TypeHighGoodModeratePoorBad
Upland and low alkalinity80756450< 50
Lowland and high alkalinity70605445< 45
Table 2 Standards for ammonia in rivers
Total ammonia (mg/l)
(90-percentile)
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5Column 6
TypeHighGoodModeratePoorBad
Upland and low alkalinity0.20.30.751.1> 1.1
Lowland and high alkalinity0.30.61.12.5> 2.5
Table 3 Standards for Biochemical Oxygen Demand in rivers
Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)
(i) The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.
(ii) Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid river (as designated by Directive 2006/44/EC ‘on the quality of freshwaters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life’) the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.
(90-percentile)
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5Column 6
TypeHighGoodModeratePoorBad
Upland and low alkalinity3467.5> 7.5
Lowland and high alkalinity456.59> 9
Table 4 Standards for reactive phosphorus in rivers
Reactive phosphorus (ug/l)
(annual mean)
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5Column 6
TypeHighGoodModeratePoorBad
1n3050150500> 500
2n2040150500> 500
3n+4n501202501000> 1000
Table 5 Standards for acid conditions in rivers
pH
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
HighGoodModeratePoorBad
(5 and 95 percentile)(10 percentile)(10 percentile)(10 percentile)
≥ 6 to ≤ 94.74.2< 4.2
Table 6 High environmental standards for river flows
Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Qn)
(1) ‘Qn’ is the naturalized mean daily flow for a specified period of record
(2) ‘Qnx’ is the Qn that is expected to be exceeded by ‘x’ percent of the naturalized mean daily flows within a specified period of record
High
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Maximum permitted % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn95Maximum permitted % abstraction at Qn not exceeding Qn95
A1, A2 (downstream), A2 (headwaters), B1, B2, C2, D2105
Table 7 Good environmental standards for river flows
abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Qn)
Good
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
River typeMaximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn60Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn70Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn95Maximum % abstraction at Qn not exceeding Qn95
A1April-Oct30252015
Nov-Mar35302520
A2 (downstream), B1, B2April-Oct25201510
Nov-Mar30252015
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2April-Oct2015107.5
Nov-Mar25201510
Table 8 Moderate environmental standards for river flows
abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Qn)
Moderate
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
River typeMaximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn60Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn70Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn95Maximum % abstraction at Qn not exceeding Qn95
A1April-Oct55504540
Nov-Mar60555045
A2 (downstream), B1, B2,April-Oct50454035
Nov-Mar55504540
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2April-Oct45403532.5
Nov-Mar50454035
Table 9 Poor environmental standards for river flows
abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Qn)
Poor
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
River typeMaximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn60Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn70Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn95Maximum % abstraction at Qn not exceeding Qn95
A1April-Oct80757065
Nov-Mar85807570
A2 (downstream), B1, B2,April-Oct75706560
Nov-Mar80757065
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2April-Oct70656057.5
Nov-Mar75706560
Table 10 Bad environmental standards for river flows
abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Qn)
Bad
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
River typeMaximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn60Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn70Maximum % abstraction at Qn exceeding Qn95Maximum % abstraction at Qn not exceeding Qn95
A1April-Oct>80>75>70>65
Nov-Mar>85>80>75>70
A2 (downstream), B1, B2,April-Oct>75>70>65>60
Nov-Mar>80>75>70>65
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2April-Oct>70>65>60>57.5
Nov-Mar>75>70>65>60
Environmental Standards for Lake Water Quality Table 11 Standards for dissolved oxygen in lakes
StatusMean in July – August (mg/l)
SalmonidCyprinid
High98
Good76
Moderate44
Poor11
Bad< 1< 1
Table 12 Salinity Standards for lakes with no natural saline influence
StatusProposed Boundary
Annual Mean (micro Siemens per centimetre)
Good1000
Table 13 Total phosphorus standards for lakes
Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
HighGoodModeratePoorBad
R ÷ H; or 5, whichever value is the larger valueR ÷ G; or 8, whichever is the larger value(R ÷ G) ÷ 0.5(R ÷ G) ÷ 0.25> (R ÷ G) ÷ 0.25
Table 14 Type-specific total phosphorus standards for lakes where the standards specified in Table 13 above do not apply
Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5Column 6
Geological and depth categoryHighGoodModeratePoorBad
High alkalinity; shallow16234692> 92
High alkalinity; very shallow233162124> 124
Moderate alkalinity; deep8122448> 48
Moderate alkalinity; shallow11163264> 64
Moderate alkalinity; very shallow15224488> 88
Low alkalinity; deep581632> 32
Low alkalinity; shallow7102040> 40
Low alkalinity; very shallow9142856> 56
Marl; shallow9204080> 80
Marl; very shallow10244896> 96
Table 15 Good environmental standards for lake water levels
Good Lake Standards
percentage reduction in mean daily inflow
Column 1Col 2Col 3Col 4Col 5Col 6Col 7Col 8Col 9Col 10Col 11Col 12Col 13Col 14
GeologyAltitudeLowMidHigh
SizeSmallLargeSmallLargeSmallLarge
Basin formLVLVLVLVLVLV
Depth
PeatSummerDeep151515101515151015151510
Shallow151010101510101015101010
WinterDeep151515101510101012101010
Shallow15101010101010101010105
Low AlkalinitySummerDeep302525253025252530252525
Shallow252525252525252525252525
WinterDeep202020202020201520151515
Shallow202020152015151515151515
Medium AlkalinitySummerDeep202020202020202020202020
Shallow202020152015151515151515
WinterDeep202020202020201520151515
Shallow202020152015151515151515
High Alkalinity, MarlSummerDeep302525253025252530252525
Shallow252525252525252525252525
WinterDeep302525252525252525252525
Shallow252525252525252525252520
BrackishSummerDeep202020202020202020202020
Shallow202020152020201520202015
WinterDeep302525253025252525252525
Shallow252525252525252525252525
Environmental Standards for Transitional and Coastal Water Quality Table 16 Dissolved oxygen standards for transitional and coastal waters with salinities normalised to 35
Dissolved oxygen concentrations (mg/l) as 5-percentile values
High5.7
Good4.0
Moderate2.4
Poor1.6
Bad<1.6
Table 17 Dissolved 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 18 Dissolved 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
High12
Good18
Moderate30
Poor40.5
Bad>40.5
Environmental Standards for Specific Pollutants Table 19 Environmental standards for 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
0.31.30.31.3
Table 20 Environmental standards for 2,4-Dichlorophenol
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standard for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)
2020
Table 21 Environmental standards for arsenic (dissolved)
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standard for transitional and coastal waters
(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
Column 1Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)
5025
Table 22 Environmental standards for chlorine
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standard for transitional and coastal waters
(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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of total available chlorine95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of total available chlorine95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of total residual oxidant
2510
Table 23 Environmental standards for chromium VI
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VIAnnual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI
3.40.632
Table 24 Environmental standards for chromium III
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
(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
Column 1Column 2
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium III95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium III
4.732
Table 25 Environmental standards for copper
Water hardness bands to which the corresponding river and freshwater lake standards in column 2 applyGood standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Annual mean concentration of CaCO3 (mg/l)Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved copperAnnual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved copper
0 – 5015
50 – 1006
100 – 25010
> 25028
Table 26 Environmental standards for cyanide
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanideAnnual mean concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide
1515
Table 27 Environmental standards for cypermethrin
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The 95-percentile standards for cypermethrin must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (ng/l)0.1Annual mean (ng/l)0.1
95-percentile (ng/l)0.495-percentile (ng/l)0.41
Table 28 Environmental standards for diazinon
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards for diazinon 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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
0.010.020.010.1
Table 29 Environmental standards for dimethoate
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards for dimethoate 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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
0.484.00.484.0
Table 30 Environmental standards for iron
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standard for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1Column 2
Annual mean concentration (mg/l) of dissolved ironAnnual mean concentration (mg/l) of dissolved iron
11
Table 31 Environmental standards for linuron
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards for linuron 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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
0.50.90.50.9
Table 32 Environmental standards for mecoprop
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards for mecoprop 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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
1818718187
Table 33 Environmental standards for permethrin
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standard for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1Column 2
95-percentile (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
0.010.01
Table 34 Environmental standards for phenol
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards for phenol 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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
7.7467.746
Table 35 Environmental standards for toluene
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards for toluene 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.
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)95-percentile (µg/l)
5038040370
Table 36 Environmental standards for zinc
Water hardness to which the corresponding river and freshwater lake standards in column 2 applyGood standards for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standards for transitional and coastal waters
(1) The standards applicable to intermediate water hardness must be calculated by simple linear interpolation.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Annual mean concentration of CaCO3 (mg/l)Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of total zincAnnual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved zinc
0 – 50840
50 – 10050
100 – 25075
> 250125
Table 37 Environmental standards for un-ionised ammonia as nitrogen
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakesGood standard for transitional and coastal waters
Annual mean (µg/l)Annual mean (µg/l)
Not applicable21
Environmental Standards for Priority Substances and other Substances Table 38 Environmental quality standards for priority substances and other substances for which standards have been set at EU-level
Name of substanceChemical Abstracts Service numberAll rivers and lakesAll transitional and coastal waters
GoodGood
Annual mean (AA-EQS) (µg/l)Maximum allowable concentration (MAC-EQS) (µg/l)Annual mean (AA-EQS) (µg/l)Maximum allowable concentration (MAC-EQS) (µg/l)
(i) This parameter is the Environmental Quality Standard expressed as an annual average value (AA-EQS). Unless otherwise specified, it applies to the total concentrations of all isomers of the pollutant concerned.
(ii) 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.
(iii) For the group of priority substances covered by brominated diphenylethers listed in Decision 2455/2001/EC, an EQS is established only for congener numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154.
(iv) For cadmium and its compounds 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).
(v) 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).
(vi) If the Department does not apply standards for biota it shall introduce stricter standards for water in order to achieve the same level of protection as the standards for biota set out in regulation 4. The Department shall notify the European Commission of the reasons and basis for using this approach, the alternative standards used, the data and the methodology by which the alternative standards were derived and the categories of surface water to which they would apply.
Application of the standards set out in Table 37For 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. With the exception of cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel (hereinafter “metals”) the standards set out in Table 37 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. 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 or other water quality parameters that affect the bioavailability of metals.
Alachlor15972-60-80.30.70.30.7
Anthracene120-12-70.10.40.10.4
Atrazine1912-24-90.62.00.62.0
Benzene71-43-21050850
Brominated diphenylether32534-81-90.0005not applicable0.0002not applicable
Cadmium and its compounds (depending on water hardness classes)7440-43-9≤ 0.08 (class 1) 0.08 (class 2) 0.09 (class 3) 0.15 (class 4) 0.25 (class 5) ≤ 0.45 (class 1) 0.45 (class 2) 0.6 (class 3) 0.9 (class 4) 1.5 (class 5) 0.2≤ 0.45 (class 1) 0.45 (class 2) 0.6 (class 3) 0.9 (class 4) 1.5 (class 5)
Carbon-tetrachloride56-23-512not applicable12not applicable
C10-13 Chloroalkanes85535-84-80.41.40.41.4
Chlorfenvinphos470-90-60.10.30.10.3
Chlorpyrifos (Chlorpyrifos-ethyl)2921-88-20.030.10.030.1
Cyclodiene pesticides:
Aldrin309-00-2Σ=0.01not applicableΣ=0.005not applicable
Dieldrin60-57-1
Endrin72-20-8
Isodrin465-73-6
DDT totalnot applicable0.025not applicable0.025not applicable
Para-para-DDT50-29-30.01not applicable0.01not applicable
1,2-Dichloroethane107-06-210not applicable10not applicable
Dichloromethane75-09-220not applicable20not applicable
Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP)117-81-71.3not applicable1.3not applicable
Diuron330-54-10.21.80.21.8
Endosulfan115-29-70.0050.010.00050.004
Fluoranthene206-44-00.110.11
Hexachloro-benzene118-74-10.010.050.010.05
Hexachloro-butadiene87-68-30.10.60.10.6
Hexachloro-cyclohexane608-73-10.020.040.0020.02
Isoproturon34123-59-60.31.00.31.0
Lead and its compounds7439-92-17.2not applicable7.2not applicable
Mercury and its compounds7439-97-60.050.070.050.07
Naphthalene91-20-32.4not applicable1.2not applicable
Nickel and its compounds7440-02-020not applicable20not applicable
Nonylphenol (4-Nonylphenol)104-40-50.32.00.32.0
Octylphenol ((4-(1,1’,3,3’-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol))140-66-90.1not applicable0.01not applicable
Pentachloro-benzene608-93-50.007not applicable0.0007not applicable
Pentachloro-phenol87-86-50.410.41
Benzo(a)pyrene50-32-80.050.10.050.1
Benzo(b)fluor-anthene205-99-2Σ=0.03not applicableΣ=0.03not applicable
Benzo(k)fluor-anthene207-08-9
Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene191-24-2Σ=0.002not applicableΣ=0.002not applicable
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene193-39-5
Simazine122-34-91414
Tetrachloro-ethylene127-18-410not applicable10not applicable
Trichloro-ethylene79-01-610not applicable10not applicable
Tributyltin compounds (Tributhyltin-cation)36643-28-40.00020.00150.00020.0015
Trichloro-benzenes12002-48-10.4not applicable0.4not applicable
Trichloro-methane67-66-32.5not applicable2.5not applicable
Trifluralin1582-09-80.03not applicable0.03not applicable
Table 39 Environmental Quality Standards for other dangerous substances
Name of SubstanceChemical Abstracts Service NumberAll Rivers and Lakes Annual Mean Concentration (µg/l) All transitional, coastal and relevant territorial waters Annual Mean Concentration (µg/l)
Good
(1) “relevant territorial waters” means the waters which extend seaward for 3 miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea adjacent to Northern Ireland is measured.
(2) The reference method of measurement shall be gas chromatography with electron capture detection after extraction by means of an appropriate solvent, or an alternative method that is at least as reliable. The limit of detection is 0.1 µg/litre. The accuracy and precision of the method shall be plus or minus 50% at a concentration which represents twice the value of the limit of determination.
(3) Where samples are taken from more than one sampling point in relation to the waters in question, the standard shall be satisfied in relation to the samples from each sampling point.
(4) Maximum Allowable Concentration
Sampling and analysis of the substances set out in Table 38Samples shall be taken at a frequency sufficient to show any changes in the aquatic environment, having regard in particular to natural variations in hydrological conditions. Where a discharge containing any substance listed is made to any river, lake or transitional, coastal or territorial water, samples shall be taken at a point sufficiently close to the discharge point to be representative of the quality of the aquatic environment in the area affected by the discharge.
Perchloroethylene127-18-41010
Azinphos-methyl86-50-00.010.01
Demeton8065-48-30.50.5
Omethoate1113-02-60.01Not determined
Triazophos24017-47-80.0050.005
4-chloro-3-methyl-phenol59-50-74040
Bentazone25057-89-0500500
Fenitrothion122-14-50.010.01
2-chlorophenol95-57-85050
Biphenyl92-52-42525
Malathion121-75-50.010.02
1,1,1-trichloroethane71-55-6100100
Chloronitrotoluenes89-60-11010
Triphenyltin and its derivatives379-52-20.020.008
1,1,2-trichloroethane79-00-5400300
Dichlorvos95828-55-00.0010.04 0.6
Xylene1330-20-73030
PART 3Boundary values for biological quality elements Boundary values for aquatic plants and animals in rivers 1 The Department shall 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 Table 1 and 2 below. 2 The Department shall 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 shall 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. Boundary values for aquatic plants and animals in lakes 4 The Department shall 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, 6, 7 and 8 of Table 5 and columns 2, 3 and 4 of Table 6 respectively. 5 The Department shall apply, as applicable, to any lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” phytobenthos boundary value for lakes specified in Table 7 below. 6 The Department shall 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 8 below. Boundary values for aquatic plants and animals in transitional and coastal waters 7 The Department shall 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 9 and 10 below. 8 The Department shall 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 11 below. 9 The Department shall 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 12 below. 10 The Department shall 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 13 and 14 below. 11 The Department shall 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 15 below. Table 1 Benthic invertebrate fauna boundary values (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
High0.97
Good0.86
Moderate0.75
Poor0.63
Bad< 0.63
Table 2 Benthic invertebrate fauna boundary values (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
High0.85
Good0.71
Moderate0.57
Poor0.47
Bad< 0.47
Table 3 Phytobenthos (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
High0.93
Good0.78
Moderate0.52
Poor0.26
Bad< 0.26
Table 4 Macrophyte 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
High0.80
Good0.60
Moderate0.40
Poor0.20
Bad< 0.20
Table 5 Phytoplankton boundary values for lakes – chlorophyll a
(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.
(2) “mid altitude” means ≥ 200 – 800 metres above sea level.
(3) “low altitude” means < 200 metres above mean sea level.
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
Col 1Col 2Col 3Col 4Col 5Col 6Col 7Col 8
Lake charac-teristics (ii)Marl, shallow; and high alkalinity, shallow. High alkalinity, very shallow.Medium alkalinity, deep; medium alkalinity, shallow; low alkalinity, deep; and low alkalinity, shallow at mid-altitude. Medium alkalinity, very shallow.Low alkalinity, shallow at low altitude & with < 75 % by area of the soils in the catchment being peat.Low alkalinity, shallow at low altitude & with ≥ 75 % by area of the soils in the catchment being peat.Low alkalinity, very shallow.
High0.550.630.500.630.500.500.63
Good0.320.300.330.340.290.300.33
Moderate0.160.150.1650.170.1450.150.165
Poor0.050.050.050.060.050.050.05
Bad< 0.05< 0.05< 0.05< 0.06< 0.05< 0.05< 0.05
Table 6 Phytoplankton boundary values for lakes – percentage cyanobacteria
Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean percentage of cyanobacteria differ from the annual mean percentage of cyanobacteria expected under reference conditions
Ecological quality ratio
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Geological characteristicsHigh alkalinityModerate alkalinityLow alkalinity
High0.970.950.97
Good0.820.770.82
Moderate0.610.610.61
Poor0.150.150.15
Bad< 0.15< 0.15< 0.15
Table 7 Phytobenthos 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 1Column 2Column 3
Low alkalinity lakesModerate alkalinity lakes; high alkalinity lakes; and marl lakes
High0.900.90
Good0.630.66
Moderate0.440.44
Poor0.220.22
Bad< 0.22< 0.22
Table 8 Aquatic macrophyte boundary values for lakes
Boundary values for the degree to which the annual mean abundance of disturbance-sensitive macrophyte taxa differ from the annual mean abundance of those taxa expected under reference conditions
(1) The term “macrophyte” refers to larger plants, typically including flowering plants, mosses and larger algae, but not including single-celled phytoplankton or diatoms.
Ecological quality ratio
Column 1Column 2
High0.90
Good0.68
Moderate0.42
Poor0.33
Bad< 0.33
Table 9 Benthic 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 978-1-906934-16-3)
Ecological quality ratioVas Deferens Stage Index (VDSI)
High0.950.3
Good0.334
Moderate0.175
Table 10 Benthic 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 978-1-906934-13-2)
Ecological quality ratio
High0.75
Good0.64
Moderate0.44
Poor0.24
Bad< 0.24
Table 11 Aquatic angiosperm boundary values in transitional and coastal waters
Aquatic Angiosperm 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 978-1-906934-14-9)
(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.
Ecological quality ratio
High0.8
Good0.6
Moderate0.4
Poor0.2
Bad< 0.2
Table 12 Phytoplankton boundary values for transitional and coastal waters
Boundary values relating to the degree to which biomass, taxonomic composition, bloom frequency and bloom intensity for phytoplankton differ from that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN 978-1-906934-12-5)
(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.
Ecological quality ratio
High0.8
Good0.6
Moderate0.4
Poor0.2
Bad< 0.2
Table 13 Aquatic 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 978-1-906934-17-0)
Ecological quality ratio
High0.8
Good0.6
Moderate0.4
Poor0.2
Bad< 0.2
Table 14 Aquatic macroalgae boundary values in transitional and coastal waters
Boundary values relating to the degree to which opportunistic macroalgal extent, biomass and entrainment differ from that expected under reference conditions (UKTAG Method ISBN978-1-906934-15-6)
(1) The term “macroalgae” refers to multicellular algae such as seaweeds and filamentous algae.
Ecological quality ratio
High0.8
Good0.6
Moderate0.4
Poor0.2
Bad< 0.2
Table 15 Fish boundary values for transitional waters
Boundary values relating to the degree to which the annual mean composition and abundance of disturbance-sensitive fish taxa differ from the annual mean composition and abundance of disturbance-sensitive fish taxa expected under reference conditions
Ecological quality ratio
High0.8
Good0.6
Moderate0.4
Poor0.2
Bad< 0.2
SCHEDULE 2 PART 1Determining Ecological Status of Surface Waters that are not designated Heavily Modified or Artificial 1 The Department shall classify the ecological status of surface water bodies that are not designated as heavily modified or artificial in accordance with the following steps: a Estimate representative values of appropriate indicators of the condition of the relevant biological, physiochemical and hydromorphological quality elements from monitoring or modelling results. The appropriate indicators shall include: i indicators of biological and other quality elements expected to be most sensitive to the pressures to which the water body is subject; ii the values for physicochemical quality elements at risk of being so altered as to be failing a physicochemical standard ; iii the concentrations of those specific pollutants likely to be in the water body in quantities that could cause a failure of a specific pollutant; and iv the criteria for hydromorphological elements relevant to high status. b Compare the values of the appropriate indicators estimated from monitoring or modelling with the applicable standards and biological boundary values in Schedule 1 of these Regulations. c Classify the ecological status of the water body as “high” if the values of all the appropriate indicators of the biological, physicochemical and hydrological quality elements comply with the highest corresponding standards given in Schedule 1; the assessment of morphological condition carried out in accordance with Part 4 Table 1of this Schedule reflects totally or nearly totally undisturbed conditions; and there is no evidence that a high impact alien species has become established and is having an ecological effect on the water body. d Where a surface water body is not classified as “high” ecological status in accordance with paragraph 1(c), the Department shall classify the ecological status of the surface water body according to the lowest classed biological or physicochemical quality element. If the lowest classed quality element is a specific pollutant or other physicochemical quality element, the class assigned shall be no lower than “moderate” ecological status. 2 In this part, “high impact alien species” means a non-native species of plant or animal that has a detrimental effect on the aquatic ecology or environment. PART 2Determining Chemical Status of Surface Waters 1 The Department shall classify the chemical status of surface water bodies in accordance with the following steps: a Estimate from monitoring or modelling results the concentrations in the surface water body of appropriate priority substances and other dangerous substances listed in Schedule 1 of these Regulations. The appropriate substances shall include those likely to be in the surface water body in quantities that could cause a failure of the corresponding environmental quality standard. b Compare the values of the appropriate substances estimated from monitoring or modelling with the applicable standards in Schedule 1. c Classify the chemical status of the surface water body as good unless the standard for one or more priority substances or other dangerous substances is failed. If one or more is failed, classify as failing to achieve good chemical status. PART 3Determining Ecological Potential of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies 1 The Department shall classify a surface water body designated as heavily modified or artificial as— a “good or maximum ecological potential” if the following conditions are met: i all applicable mitigation measures have been taken; and ii the values of all the indicators of the quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation, including biology, specific pollutants and other physicochemical quality elements achieve the standards for “high” or “good”. b “moderate ecological potential” if the following conditions are met: i not all applicable mitigation measures have been taken and the values of one or more of the indicators of the quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation, including biology, specific pollutants and other physicochemical quality elements achieve the standards for “high”, “good” or “moderate”; or ii all applicable mitigation measures have been taken and the values of one or more of the indicators of the quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation, including biology, specific pollutants and other physicochemical quality elements achieve the standards for “moderate”. c “poor ecological potential” if the values of one or more of the indicators of the biological quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation achieve the standards for “poor”. d “bad ecological potential” if the values of one or more of the indicators of biological quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation achieve the standards for “bad”. 2 In order to determine how to classify surface water bodies designated as heavily modified or artificial in accordance with paragraph 1, the Department shall— a determine whether or not all practicable mitigation has been taken to improve the modified or artificial hydromorphological characteristics of the surface water body other than that which would have a significant adverse impact on: i the use served by the modified or artificial characteristics; or ii the wider environment. b estimate representative values of indicators of the condition of the relevant biological and physicochemical quality elements from monitoring or modelling results. The indicators shall include: i indicators of the biological quality elements which are not sensitive to the artificial or heavily modified characteristics of the water body; ii the concentrations of those specific pollutants likely to be in the surface water body in quantities that could cause a failure of a specific pollutant standard; and iii the values for those other physicochemical quality elements at risk of being so altered as to be failing a physicochemical standard. c compare the values of the indicators estimated from monitoring or modelling with the applicable standards in Schedule 1 of these Regulations. 3 When determining whether all practicable mitigation has been taken, mitigation measures may be excluded which would contribute only a very minor improvement in the ecology of the water body. PART 4Determining High Status for Morphological Elements 1 The Department shall undertake detailed screening of morphological conditions to confirm that high status conditions are present within relevant water bodies. a Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 1, assigned a type to a river or part thereof, the Department shall consider both direct and indirect pressures on the physical character of rivers at local scale, water body scale and catchment scale. The physical character of a river includes the condition of the channel bed, banks and riparian zone, channel pattern and river continuity. b To assess the morphological condition of lake water bodies, the Department shall assign a type in accordance with paragraph 8(c) of Part 1 of Schedule 1. The morphological condition of High Status lakes must not be altered by more than 5%. c To assess the morphological condition of transitional and coastal water bodies, the Department shall consider both direct and indirect pressures on the physical character of transitional and coastal waters at local scale, water body scale and catchment scale. 2 High Status morphological condition must not be assigned to a Any water body that has been identified as being at risk of failing to achieve good ecological status due to the extent of morphological pressures; or b Any artificial or heavily modified water body. PART 5Determining Overall Status of Surface Water Bodies 1 The Department shall determine the overall status of a surface water body, other than those designated as heavily modified or artificial, by combining the classification of ecological status and chemical status in one of the following and alternative ways: a where the ecological and hydromorphological status of a surface water body is high and the chemical status of the surface water body is good, then the overall status of the surface water body is “high”. b where the ecological status is good and the chemical status is good, then the overall status is “good”. c where the ecological status is high, good or moderate, and the chemical status is failing to achieve good, then the overall status is “moderate”. d where the ecological status is moderate and irrespective of chemical status, then the overall status is “moderate”. e where the ecological status is poor or bad and irrespective of the chemical status, the overall status shall be the same classification as the ecological status, that is “poor” or “bad”. SCHEDULE 3 Determining Quantitative status of Groundwater 1 1 The Department shall determine the quantitative status of a body of groundwater as follows— a by determining whether or not one or more of the indicators in Column 1 of Table 1 are applicable to the body of groundwater; and b if any of those indicators are applicable, by carrying out appropriate investigations to determine whether or not the criteria in Column 2 of Table 1 corresponding to the applicable indicator or indicators for poor quantitative status are satisfied. 2 The body of groundwater shall be classified as— a “good groundwater quantitative status” where— i none of the indicators set out in Column 1 of Table 1 are applicable, or ii one or more of those indicators are applicable but none of the corresponding criteria for poor groundwater status set out in Column 2 of Table 1 are satisfied; and b in any other case as “poor groundwater quantitative status”. Table 1 Risk indicators and classification criteria for groundwater quantitative status
Column 1Column 2
Saline or other intrusions into a groundwater body: Failure of a threshold value i.e. electrical conductivity for groundwater as derived in accordance with the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009; or Other indications of intrusions of poor quality water into the body of groundwater (Note: “intrusion” is interpreted to be intrusion of poor quality water into a groundwater body from another water body, rather than the movement of a plume of poor quality water within the body). Significant and sustained upward trend in electrical conductivity indicating saline intrusion; Significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of other indicators of intrusion; Existing evidence that a point of abstraction has been rendered unsuitable for use without prior treatment as a result of an intrusion.
Surface water: a) Flow conditions in an associated surface water body are unsatisfactory, and there is reason to suspect that groundwater abstraction impacts (on the surface water body) are a significant component of the failure to achieve flow standards. (Note: Flow conditions are considered unsatisfactory if they are failing to meet the appropriate WFD flow standards and in doing so, preventing the surface water body maintaining of achieving its target status class). i) Flow conditions are preventing the surface water body maintaining or achieving the target status class and the reduction in river flow in the surface water body concerned (resulting solely from groundwater abstraction) represents ≥50% of the value of the allowable abstraction (based on the flow standards).
Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE): a) Indications of damage to a GWDTE caused by insufficient water availability identified through the departure from predefined environmental supporting conditions, including flow and groundwater level (or chemistry) which are required to maintain dependent communities in a favourable state. i) A significant proportion of the departure from the predefined environmental supporting conditions can be attributed to anthropogenic quantitative pressures in the groundwater body, affecting groundwater availability to the GWDTE.
Water balance: a) Indications that the total annual volume of groundwater being abstracted from the groundwater body exceeds the long term annual average rate of recharge to the groundwater body (taking in to account an allowance where relevant for dependent ecosystems). i) The annual average volume of groundwater abstracted from the groundwater body represents more than 20% of the long-term annual average rate of recharge to the groundwater body and there are sustained trends of long term falling groundwater levels within the groundwater body.
SCHEDULE 4 Presentation of monitoring results and classification Table 1 Surface Water Ecological Status
Ecological status classificationColour code
HighBlue
GoodGreen
ModerateYellow
PoorOrange
BadRed
Table 2 Heavily Modified / Artificial Water Bodies Ecological Potential
Ecological potential classificationColour code
Artificial water bodiesHeavily modified
Good and aboveEqual green and light grey stripesEqual green and dark grey stripes
ModerateEqual yellow and light grey stripesEqual yellow and dark grey stripes
PoorEqual orange and light grey stripesEqual orange and dark grey stripes
BadEqual red and light grey stripesEqual red and dark grey stripes
Table 3 Surface Water Chemical Status
Chemical status classificationColour code
GoodBlue
Failing to achieve goodRed
Table 4 Groundwater chemical status
Groundwater chemical statusColour code
GoodGreen
PoorRed
Table 5 Groundwater Quantitative Status
Groundwater quantitative statusColour code
GoodGreen
PoorRed
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy (O.J. No. L348, 24.12.2008 p.84) and set out the classification schemes used under the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (O.J. No. L327, 22.12.2000 p.60).

Regulation 3 and Schedule 1 require the Department to assign a type or types and to apply environmental standards and biological boundary values in respect of rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters.

Regulation 4 requires the Department to apply the standards for priority substances and other dangerous substances.

Regulation 5 and 6 and Schedule 2, 3 and 4 require the Department to classify surface waters and groundwaters and to report this classification in River Basin Management Plans.

Regulation 7 allows for the designation of mixing zones and regulation 8 requires the Department to establish an inventory in respect of priority substances.

Regulation 9 revokes the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998.

 S.I. 2008/301 1972 c.68 1999 (N.I. 6) S.R. 2003 No. 544 O.J. No. L348, 16.12.2008, p.84 O.J. No. L237, 22.12.2000, p.1; amended by Decision 2455/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2001establishing the list of priority substances in the field of water policy and amending Directive 2000/60/EC (O.J. No. L331, 15.12.2001, p.1) 1954 c.33 (N.I.) S.R. 2009 No. 254 OJ No L 230 19.8.1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market S.R. 1998 No. 397 Morphological Impact Assessment System