Northern Ireland Water Framework Directive Groundwater Status Update 2020 Statistics Released

Northern Ireland Water Framework Directive Groundwater status update statistics for 2020 have been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Thursday 14th January 2021.

This statistical report contains summary information on the status of groundwater for the three River Basin Districts in Northern Ireland based on data collected up to the end of December 2019.

The key points are:

• In 2020, 63 of the 75 groundwater bodies in Northern Ireland were classified as having overall 'Good' status and 12 of the 75 groundwater bodies in Northern Ireland were classified as having overall ‘Poor” status. This was determined by using data from 2015 to 2019

• This compares to 2015, where 49 of the 75 groundwater bodies in Northern Ireland were classified as having overall 'Good' status and 26 of the 75 groundwater bodies in Northern Ireland were classified as having overall ‘Poor” status. This was determined by using data from 2009 to 2015

• This report is being published as a precursor to the publication of third cycle River Basin Management Plans for all water bodies. The draft plans are currently in preparation and final plans will be published in 2021 in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Further Information

The statistical report containing more detail.

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