Northern Ireland Groundwater Classification Statistics Report 2026 released
Date published:
The 2026 Northern Ireland Groundwater Classification Statistics Report has been published today by the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
This statistical report contains updated groundwater body status (classification) for Northern Ireland, based on monitoring data covering the period 2020 to 2025 inclusive.
The key points are:
- In 2026, 48 (64%) of the 75 groundwater bodies achieved good overall status, lower than the 51 (68%) which achieved good overall status in 2021.
- When assessing the status, both the quantitative and qualitative (chemical) status is considered.
In 2026, 71 (95%) of the 75 groundwater bodies achieved good quantitative status which was the same as the number achieving good quantitative status in 2021. In 2026, 49 (65%) of the 75 groundwater bodies achieved good qualitative (chemical) status which was lower than the 53 (71%) achieving good qualitative (chemical) status in 2021.
Notes to editors:
- This report is an update on the status of groundwater bodies. The previous status report for groundwater was in 2021 which is included the Northern Ireland Water Framework Statistics Report December 2021.
- Groundwater bodies are assessed against a number of tests as required by the Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 and Groundwater Regulation (Northern Ireland) 2009. For groundwater the status is assessed against two classifications: good status and poor status.
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