North Eastern River Basin District

The principle river systems are the Lagan, Bush and Quoile as well as the smaller systems draining from the glens of antrim, and the County Down Coastline.  The NE RBD has an extensive coastline including Larne, Belfast and Strangford Loughs, with Lough Mourne, Clea Lakes and Silent Valley the main lakes.

• NE RBD first cycle river basin management plan summary 2009 - 2015 
• NE RBD second cycle river basin management plan summary 2015 -2021

A list of documents to support the second cycle plans can be viewed below. The documents can be found using our publication search facility.
second cycle RBMP supporting documents

The baseline second cycle 2015 Classification results showed the 24% of the surface water bodies in this RBD were at good or better status. Of the remaining, 61% were moderate, 13% poor and 2% bad. The majority of individual elements monitored are at good status however the one out all out rule for classification i.e. status is determined by the lowest from all the standards that are assessed, has led to many not achieving good.  Groundwater bodies unlike surface waters are classified as good or poor for quantitative and chemical status, which combine to produce an overall.  There are 14 groundwater bodies in the NE RBD, 6 are at overall good status.

By 2021 we aim to increase the number of surface water bodies achieving good or better status to 52%.

The interactive web map allows the quality of the water bodies to be viewed.

• NIEA Catchment Data Map Viewer

This area has 2 dedicated catchment management officers who cover the catchments within the NE RBD – Bush, Antrim Glens, Larne Lough, Lagan, Belfast Lough, Quoile, Strangford and South Down as well as the Carlingford & Newry area within the Neagh Bann River Basin District. 

• Steven McDowell

The Catchment Officers continually work with groups of stakeholders - details on becoming involved can be obtained by contacting them.