Water quality matters
In this section, you can explore currently available information about Lough Neagh and its Catchment area, as well as information and data about water quality from source to sea across Northern Ireland.
This includes why water quality is vital for sustaining ecosystems, local livelihoods and the wider economy.
Water can be considered as surface waters (such as rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waterbodies - the water we can see above ground), and groundwater - (the water we can't see but flows below surface, helping to support rivers and lakes through baseflow).
In Northern Ireland, waterbodies are defined in support of implementation of the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 and monitored for water quality. There are 450 river waterbodies, 21 lakes, 25 transitional and coastal waterbodies, and 75 groundwater bodies across Northern Ireland.
Find out more about groundwater and surface waters, including Lough Neagh using the links below.
Understanding groundwater
Find out more about groundwater, a hidden resource that has many uses across our economy and society.
- What is groundwater and why is it important?
- Download a leaflet explaining more about groundwater
- Find out more about groundwater, what it's important and how you can protect it in this short video animation
Understanding surface water
The term ‘surface water’ refers to the water we can see above ground and includes, rivers, lakes and marine waters out to one nautical mile. These marine waters out to one nautical mile are also referred to as ‘coastal and transitional waterbodies.
Lough Neagh's Environmental Designations
The largest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom and Ireland has received special designations due to its international significance.
These designations are aimed at protecting Lough Neagh’s vital ecology and safeguarding its biodiversity.
More information on Lough Neagh’s environmental designations is available at https://loughneaghpartnership.org/lough-neaghs-environmental-designations/.
About Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh Catchment Map provides some information on the scale and value of Lough Neagh.
To view near real time data on water quality in Lough Neagh, visit the Lough Neagh Water Quality Dashboard
- Lough Neagh Catchment - find out how what happens in rivers across Northern Ireland and beyond has the potential to impact on Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh Partnership videos
- Lough Neagh Catchment - find out how what happens in rivers across Northern Ireland and beyond has the potential to impact on Lough Neagh
- Biodiversity and Lough Neagh - find out why Lough Neagh is so important for biodiversity both nationally and internationally
- Importance of the Curlew - find out more about the curlew including why it’s endangered and the work that’s underway to protect it.
- Birds on Lough Neagh - why understanding the dramatic drop in bird numbers around Lough Neagh is so critical