The purpose of this consultation paper is to seek your views on the Department’s proposals to introduce new and updated environmental standards for Northern Ireland’s water environment through amendments to the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (the Priority Substances Regulations). These Regulations support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) and transpose the Environmental Quality Standards Directive, also known as the Priority Substances Directive (2008/105/EC).
The proposed updates and amendments are based on recommendations from the Water Framework Directive (WFD) UK Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG) in respect of biological, phosphorus and environmental standards. The intention is that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and DOE Marine Division will apply these updated standards in the second cycle of river basin management planning and will use them as a basis for guiding action to improve and protect water bodies.