Northern Ireland’s water catchments
Northern Ireland comprises three River Basin Districts (RBDs), defined for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, which are: Neagh Bann River Basin District, North Western River Basin District, and North Eastern River Basin District.
Further details of the RBDs can be found on the River Basin Management web page.
The NIEA Catchment Data Interactive Web Map shows the River Basin Districts and all associated waterbodies spatially, as well as the quality of the waterbodies.
Priority Catchments Team
The Priority Catchments Team based in NIEA Water Catchment Unit plays an essential role in catchment management in Northern Ireland.
The Priority Catchments Team comprises Catchment Management Officers who are responsible for investigating key issues in waterbodies across the RBDs to determine sources of pollution and recommend appropriate actions.
The team also plays a key role in engagement with local stakeholders, groups and public to encourage everyone to get involved and provide technical support for groups undertaking works to improve water quality in a catchment area.
Contact the Priority Catchments Team to find out more: riverbasinplanning@daera-ni.gov.uk
Delivery and Public Participation
Every six years, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) produces a river basin management plan for each river basin district within Northern Ireland. This outlines an assessment of waterbodies across Northern Ireland and strategic level actions to feed into all sectors to improve waterbody status. It highlights that everyone has a role to play in improving water quality.
The 3rd Cycle River Basin Management Plan has been published and covers the period 2021 to 2027. Please follow the link below to the current River Basin Management Plan documents.
Third River Basin Management Plan for Northern Ireland
Find out more about water catchments and how to get involved with improving the water environment by following the links below.