Water Framework Directive Summary Report of the characterisation and impact analyses required by Article 5 Northern Ireland 2005

We are modernising the way we manage and protect the water environment as required by the 2000 Water Framework Directive. The Directive requires man-made pressures on the water environment to be assessed and managed in an integrated way across all waters (‘source to sea’).  This report is a comprehensive description of the pressures affecting the water environment in Northern Ireland. The Environment and Heritage Service has undertaken the work with partner organisations including Geological Survey of Northern Ireland.