Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2015/351
Timestamp: 2019-10-19 05:53:56
Document Index: 214437800

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'ART 1', 'art 2', 'ART 2', 'art 1', 'ART 3', 'ART 4', 'ART 1', 'ART 2', 'ART 3', 'ART 4', 'ART 5', 'ART 1', 'ART 2', 'art 2']

Changes over time for: The Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
The Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 October 2019. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
The Department of the Environment being a Department designated F1 for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 F2 in relation to the Environment acting in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by that section and by Article 5 of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 F3 makes the following Regulations:
[F5“the 2017 Regulations” means the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017;]
“biological boundary value” in respect of biological quality elements means the classification boundaries for ecological status as set out in Annex V of the Water Framework Directive and as agreed following the EU intercalibration exercise F6;
“cyprinid waters” means a type of lake or river which, in the Department's judgement, would support a sustainable fish population dominated by cyprinid species;
“Directive 2009/90/EC” means Commission Directive 2009/90/EC laying down, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, technical specifications for chemical analysis and monitoring of water status F7;
“existing obligations” means the obligations (on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy) under Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council F8 (“the original Directive”) before it was amended by Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council F9 including, in particular, the achievement of good surface water chemical status in relation to the substances and the associated environmental quality standards listed in the original Directive;
“river basin district” has the same meaning as in [F10the 2017 Regulations] and, for the purposes of these regulations, shall include “international river basin district” as also defined in [F10the 2017 Regulations] ;
[F11“river basin management plan” has the same meaning as in the 2017 Regulations]
“salmonid waters” means a type of lake or river which, in the Department's judgement, would support a sustainable fish population dominated by salmonid species;
[F12“shellfish waters” means a shellfish water protected area designated in accordance with regulation 9 of the 2017 Regulations;]
“the Directive” means Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy F13 as amended by Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council F14;
“the Water Framework Directive” means Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Water Policy F15 as last amended by Commission Directive 2014/101/EU F16.
(2) Any word or expression used in these Regulations and the Directive, the Water Framework Directive, Directive 2009/90/EC, or [F17the 2017 Regulations] and not otherwise defined in these Regulations shall have the same meaning for the purposes of these Regulations as it has for the purposes of the applicable Directive or Regulations.
(3) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 F18 applies to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
F4Words in reg. 2(1) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(a) (with reg. 37)
F5Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(b) (with reg. 37)
F6EU Commission Decision 2013/480/EU
F7OJ L201, 1.8.2009, p.36
F8OJ L348, 16.12.2008, p.84
F9OJ L226, 24.8.2013, p.1
F10Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(c) (with reg. 37)
F11Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(d) (with reg. 37)
F12Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(e) (with reg. 37)
F13OJ L348, 16.12.2008, p.84
F14OJ L226, 24.08.2013, P.1
F15OJ L327,22.12.2000, p.1-73; as amended by Decision 2455/2001/EC (OJ L331, 15.12.2001, p.1), Directive 2008/32/EC (OJ L81, 20.3.2008, p.60), Directive 2008/105/EC (OJ L348, 24.12.2008, p.84), Directive 2009/31/EC (OJ L140, 5.6.2009, p.114), Directive 2013/39/EU (OJ L226, 24.8.2013, p.1) and Commission Directive 2014/101/EU (OJ L311, 31.10.2014, p.32).
F16OJ L311, 31.10.2014, p.32
F17Words in reg. 2(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(3) (with reg. 37)
F181954 c.33 (N.I.)
Typology and Environmental StandardsN.I.
3.—(1) The Department, in exercising the functions listed in paragraph (2) must in respect of the rivers, lakes, transitional waters and coastal waters—
(a)assign a Type or Types in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 1; and
(b)apply environmental standards and biological boundary values to each river, lake, transitional water and coastal water, or part thereof, according to its assigned Type or Types, in accordance with Part 2 and Part 3 of Schedule 1.
[F19(2) The functions listed in paragraph (1) are
(d)preparing programmes of measures to achieve those objectives in accordance with regulation 12(1)(b) of the 2017 Regulations.]
F19Reg. 3(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(4) (with reg. 37)
Environmental standards for priority substancesN.I.
4. Without prejudice to existing obligations and subject to regulation 5, the Department must apply the environmental quality standards set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1for the priority substances numbered 1-33 in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to surface waters or parts thereof.
6. Without prejudice to existing obligations, for the priority substances numbered 34 to 45 in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1, with the aim of achieving good surface water chemical status in relation to those substances by 2027 and preventing deterioration in the chemical status of surface water bodies in relation to those substances, the Department must—
(a)from 22 December 2018, apply the environmental quality standards set out in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 for those substances;
(b)by 22 December 2018, establish and submit to the Commission a supplementary monitoring programme and a preliminary programme of measures covering those substances;
(c)establish a final programme of measures for those substances by 22 December 2021; and
(d)make the final programme of measures fully operational as soon as possible after 22 December 2021, and not later than 22 December 2024.
(3) The second condition is that the Department's method of analysis for the chosen matrix or biota taxon fulfils the minimum performance criteria laid down in Article 4 of Directive 2009/90/EC. Where those criteria are not met for any matrix, the monitoring must be carried out using the best available techniques not entailing excessive costs and the method of analysis for the relevant substance must perform at least as well as that available for the matrix specified in regulation 7.
MonitoringN.I.
13.—(1) On the basis of monitoring of surface water status carried out in accordance with Article 8 of the Water Framework Directive, the Department must conduct a long-term trend analysis of concentrations of those priority substances listed in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 that tend to accumulate in sediment and/or biota, giving particular consideration to the substances numbered 2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, 28, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43 and 44.
(2) The Department must take measures aimed at ensuring, subject to Article 4 of the Water Framework Directive, that such concentrations do not significantly increase in sediment and/or relevant biota.
Watch ListN.I.
15.—(1) The Department must, within the deadlines set out in paragraph (3), monitor each substance in the watch list produced by the Commission F20 under Article 8b (1) and (2) of the Directive.
(2) The monitoring referred to in paragraph (1) must be carried out—
(a)at selected monitoring stations over at least a 12-month period; and
(b)in accordance with any Commission guidance published for these purposes under Article 8b of the [F21the Directive] .
(3) The Department must select at least one monitoring station.
(4) The 12-month monitoring period must—
(a)for each substance included in the watch list as first established by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/495 F22, commence on 24th October 2015; and
(b)for each substance included in subsequent lists, commence within six months of its inclusion in the list.
(5) In selecting representative monitoring stations, and the monitoring frequency and timing for each substance, the Department must—
F20Commission Implementing Decision 2015/495. OJ L 78, 24.3.2015, p40
F21Words in reg. 15(2)(b) substituted (24.12.2018) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (S.R. 2018/200), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 13
F22OJ L78, 24.3.2015, p40
17.—(1) The Department must report the results of the monitoring carried out pursuant to regulation 15 to the Commission in accordance with the following deadlines—
(a)for the first watch list, within 21 months of the establishment of the watch list; and every 12 months thereafter while the substance is kept on the list.
(b)for each substance included in subsequent lists, within 21 months of the inclusion of the substance in the watch list, and every 12 months thereafter while the substance is kept on the list.
(2) The reports referred to in paragraph (1) must include information on the representativeness of the monitoring stations and monitoring strategy.
Intermittent StandardsN.I.
Standards for shellfish watersN.I.
Classification of surface watersN.I.
20.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Department must classify each body of surface water identified for the purposes of [F23regulation 6 of the 2017 Regulations] according to its ecological status, or its ecological potential as the case may be, and its chemical status.
(2) The Department must classify—
(a)the ecological status of bodies of surface water in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2;
(b)the chemical status of bodies of surface water in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 2;
(c)the ecological potential of heavily modified and artificial bodies of surface water in accordance with Part 3 of Schedule 2.
(a)a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of the ecological status for each body of surface water, colour-coded in accordance with Table 1 of Schedule 4;
(b)a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of the ecological potential of each body of surface water designated as artificial or heavily modified, colour-coded in accordance with Table 2 of Schedule 4;
(c)a black dot on the relevant map produced under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) to indicate each body of surface water where failure to achieve good status or good ecological potential is due to non-compliance with one or more of the environmental quality standards that have been established for relevant specific pollutants;
(d)a map for the relevant river basin district illustrating the classification of chemical status for each body of surface water, colour-coded in accordance with Table 3 of Schedule 4.
(4) The overall status of bodies of surface water must be determined in accordance with Part 5 of Schedule 2.
(5) The Department must review the classification required by paragraph (1) at least once in every six years in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.
F23Words in reg. 20(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(5) (with reg. 37)
Classification of GroundwaterN.I.
21.—(1) The Department must classify each body of groundwater identified for the purposes of [F24regulation 6 of the 2017 Regulations] according to its chemical status in accordance with regulation 9 of the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 F25.
(2) The Department must classify each body of groundwater identified for the purposes of [F26regulation 6 of the 2017 Regulations] according to its quantitative status in accordance with Schedule 3.
F24Words in reg. 21(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(6) (with reg. 37)
F25S.R. 2009 No. 254
F26Words in reg. 21(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(7) (with reg. 37)
Designation of Mixing ZonesN.I.
22.—(1) The Department may designate mixing zones adjacent to points of discharge.
(2) Concentrations of one or more substances listed in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 may exceed the relevant standards within mixing zones if they do not affect the compliance of the rest of the body of surface water with those standards.
(3) The extent of any mixing zone must be restricted to the proximity of the point of discharge and must be proportionate, having regard to concentrations of pollutants at the point of discharge and any conditions contained within the discharge consent or permit.
(4) The Department must include information about designated mixing zones in river basin management plans. The information must include a description of:
(a)the approaches and methodologies applied to define mixing zones;
(b)measures taken with a view to reducing the extent of mixing zones in the future.
Inventory of emissions, discharges and lossesN.I.
Transboundary PollutionN.I.
CoordinationN.I.
25.—(1) Where the result of assessments undertaken by the Commission, in accordance with Article 7a of the Directive, show that additional measures may be necessary to facilitate compliance with the Water Framework Directive in relation to a particular substance approved pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council F27 as amended from time to time or Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council F28 as amended from time to time, the competent authority must apply—
(a)Article 44 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009; or
(b)Article 48 of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012,
as appropriate, to that substance, or any product containing that substance.
(2) In applying the provisions of the relevant Regulations referred to in Article 7a of the Directive, the competent authority must take into account any risk evaluations and socio-economic or cost-benefit analyses required under those Regulations, including as regards the availability of alternatives.
(3) The competent authority for the purposes of this regulation is the authority defined—
(a)in respect of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, under regulation 3 of the Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 F29;
(b)in respect of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, under regulation 5 of the Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 F30.
F27OJ L309, 24.11.2009, p.1, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 518/2013 (OJ L158, 10.6.2013, p.72) and Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L189, 27.6.2014, p.1)
F28OJ L167, 27.6.2012, p.1, as last amended by Regulation (EU) No 334/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L103, 5.4.2014, p.22)
F29S.R. 2011 No.295
F30S.R. 2013 No.206
Information to be included in River Basin Management PlanN.I.
26.—(1) The Department must include the following information in the updated river basin management plans produced in accordance with Article 13(7) of the Water Framework Directive—
(b)for the substances for which the option in regulation 8 is used–
(ii)where relevant, the alternative environmental quality standard established evidence that those environmental quality standards would offer at least the same level of protection as the environmental quality standards laid down in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1, including the data and methodology used to derive the environmental quality standards, and the categories of surface water to which they would apply;
(iii)for comparison with the information referred to in paragraph (a), the limits of quantification of the methods of analysis for the matrices specified in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1, including information on the performance of those methods in relation to the minimum performance criteria laid down in Article 4 of Directive 2009/90/EC.
(c)justification for the frequency of monitoring applied in accordance with regulations 11 and 12, if monitoring intervals are longer than one year.
(2) The Department must take measures to ensure that the updated river basin management plans, containing the results and impact of the measures taken to prevent chemical pollution of surface water, and the interim report describing progress on the implementation of the planned programme of measures in accordance with Article 15(3) of the Water Framework Directive, are provided through a central portal which is accessible to the public electronically in accordance with Article 7(1) of Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on public access to environmental information F31.
F31OJ L41, 14.2.2003, p.26
27. The Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 F32 are revoked.
F32S.R. 2011 No.10
28. The Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 F33 are revoked.
F33S.R. 2012 No.442
29. The Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 F34 are revoked.
F34S.R. 2015 No.45
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 2nd October 2015.
PART 1 N.I.Criteria for identifying the types of river, lake or transitional water to which the environmental standards specified in Part 2 of this Schedule apply
1. Subject to paragraph 2, to determine the dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand standards applicable to a river or any part thereof, the Department must assign to that river or part thereof the Type specified in Table 1 below which corresponds with the applicable site altitude and applicable alkalinity range specified in that Table.N.I.
2. Having assigned a Type in accordance with Table 1, the Department must assign the subsequent Type in accordance with column 1 of Table 2 below.N.I.
3. To determine the morphological conditions applicable to a river or part thereof, the Department must assign to that river or part thereof the Type specified in Table 3 below which corresponds with the applicable descriptions in that Table.N.I.
4. To determine the river flow standards applicable to a river or any part thereof, the Department must assign the Type specified in column 1 of Table 4 below which corresponds to the applicable descriptions specified in columns 2, 3 and 4 of that Table.N.I.
5. To determine the total phosphorus standards to apply to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign to that lake or part thereof the appropriate geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Tables 5, 6 and 7 below respectively.N.I.
6. To determine the lake level standards applicable to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign the Type specified in Columns 1 and 2 of Table 8.N.I.
7. To determine the morphological conditions applicable to a lake or any part thereof, the Department must assign the hydromorphological characteristics of the lake or part thereof as being of the type specified in column 1 of Table 9 below which corresponds to the applicable measurements specified in columns 3 and 4 of that Table.N.I.
Less than 10 10 to 50 50 to 100 100 to 200 Over 200
1 Morphological Impact Assessment System
Lake-MImAS1 code
PART 2 N.I.Environmental Standards
Environmental standards for river water qualityN.I.
3. The Department must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” reactive phosphorus standard to that river or part thereof, calculated in accordance with the formula specified in sub paragraph (a)—N.I.
“altitude” means the site's altitude above sea level in metres. For sites with an altitude greater than 355 metres, altitude is set to 355 metres.
4. The Department must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good” “moderate” or “poor” temperature standards specified in columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively of Table 4 below.N.I.
Environmental standards for river flowsN.I.
Environmental standards for lake water qualityN.I.
8. The Department must apply the “good” salinity standard specified in Table 11 below to all lakes or parts of such lakes.N.I.
9. Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 5 of Part 1 of this Schedule, assigned to a lake or part thereof a geological category, depth category and colour category specified in Tables 5, 6 and 7 in that Part, it must apply, as applicable, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” total phosphorus standard to that lake or part thereof, calculated in accordance with the formulae specified in columns 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively of Table 12 below, where in relation to those formulae—N.I.
10. If the Department does not have the necessary data to calculate the total phosphorus standard applicable to a lake or part thereof in accordance with paragraph 8, it must apply, as applicable to the lake or part thereof, the “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” total phosphorus standard specified in column 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively, of Table 13 below which corresponds with the combination of geological category and depth categories specified in column 1 of that Table that is applicable to the lake or part thereof.N.I.
Environmental standards for protection of inland lake water levelsN.I.
Environmental standards for transitional and coastal water qualityN.I.
13. The Department must apply, as applicable, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen standards for “high”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor” or “bad” specified in Table 17 below to transitional or coastal waters or parts thereof.N.I.
Environmental standards for specific pollutantsN.I.
1 Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.
Type1 High Good Moderate Poor Bad
1 Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.
Total ammonia1 (mg/l)
1 The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.
2 Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.
Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)1
Type2 High Good Moderate Poor Bad
1 Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less
2 Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l
3 As assessed by the Cantrell method
4 A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies
Clear waters1
Humic waters2
pH ANC3 pH ANC3
High 6.604 80 5.104 80
1 ‘Q’ is the mean daily flow for a specified period of time
2 ‘Qx’ is the Q that is expected to be exceeded by ‘x’ percent for a specified period of time
Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)1
Maximum permitted % abstraction at Q exceeding Q952 Maximum permitted % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q95
1 incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q60 to ≥ Q90
A1 70 50-701 50 45
A2 (downstream), B1, B2, 70 45-701 45 40
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2 70 40-701 40 35
Salmonid waters Cyprinid waters
1 The reference conditions lake surface area means the natural lake surface area in the absence of any abstractions, discharges or other man-made influences
The habitable zone lake surface area means the proportion of the reference conditions1 lake surface area from the shore to a depth 5 metres deeper than the depth to which light penetration to the lake bed would be sufficient to enable the growth of rooted plants (macrophytes) or bottom-living algae.
Environmental Standards for Priority Substances and other SubstancesN.I.
1 This parameter is the EQS expressed as an annual average value (AA-EQS). Unless otherwise specified, it applies to the total concentration of all isomers.
2 Inland surface waters encompass rivers and lakes and related artificial or heavily modified water bodies.
3 This parameter is the Environmental Quality Standard expressed as a maximum allowable concentration (MAC-EQS). Where the MAC-EQS are marked as “not applicable”, the AA-EQS values are considered protective against short-term pollution peaks in continuous discharges since they are significantly lower than the values derived on the basis of acute toxicity.
4 For the group of priority substances covered by brominated diphenylethers (No 5), the EQS refers to the sum of the concentrations of congener numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154.
5 For cadmium and its compounds (No 6) the EQS values vary dependent upon the hardness of the water as specified in five class categories (class 1: <40mg CaCO3/l, class 2: 40 to <50mg CaCO3/l, class 3: 50 to <100mg CaCO3/l, class 4: 100 to <200mg CaCO3/l and class 5: ≥200mg CaCO3/l).
6 This substance is not a priority substance but one of the other pollutants for which the EQS are identical to those laid down in the legislation that applied prior to 13 January 2009.
8 DDT total comprises the sum of the isomers 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 50-29-3; EU number 200-024-3); 1,1,1-trichloro-2 (o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 789-02-6; EU number 212-332-5); 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (CAS number 72-55-9; EU number 200-784-6); and 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 72-54-8; EU number 200-783-0).
9 There is insufficient information available to set a MAC-EQS for these substances.
10 For the group of priority substances of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (No 28), the biota EQS and corresponding AA-EQS in water refer to the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene, on the toxicity of which they are based. Benzo(a)pyrene can be considered as a marker for the other PAHs, hence only benzo(a)pyrene needs to be monitored for comparison with the biota EQS or the corresponding AA-EQS in water.
11 Unless otherwise indicated, the biota EQS relate to fish. An alternative biota taxon, or another matrix, may be monitored instead, as long as the EQS applied provides an equivalent level of protection. For substances numbered 15 (Fluoranthene) and 28 (PAHs), the biota EQS refers to crustaceans and molluscs. For the purpose of assessing chemical status, monitoring of Fluoranthene and PAHs in fish is not appropriate. For substance number 37 (Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds), the biota EQS relates to fish, crustaceans and molluscs, in line with section 5.3 of the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1259/2011 of 2 December 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs (OJ L 320, 3.12.2011, P.18).
12 These EQS refer to bioavailable concentrations of the substances.
13 PCDD: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins; PCDF: polychlorinated dibenzofurans; PCB-DL: dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls; TEQ: toxic equivalents according to the World Health Organisation 2005 Toxic Equivalence Factors.
EQS Biota11
AA-EQS (µg/l)1 Inland surface waters2 MAC-EQS (µg/l)3 Inland surface waters2 AA-EQS (µg/l)1 MAC-EQS (µg/l)3
5 Brominated diphenylethers4 32534-81-9 14/09/15-21/12/15 0.0005 not applicable 0.0002 not applicable
6 Cadmium and its compounds (depending on water hardness classes)5 7440-43-9
6a Carbon-tetrachloride6 56-23-5 12 not applicable 12 not applicable
Chloroalkanes7
Aldrin6 309-00-2
Dieldrin6 60-57-1
Endrin6 72-20-8
Isodrin6 465-73-6
9b DDT total68 not applicable 0.025 not applicable 0.025 not applicable
Para-para-DDT6 50-29-3 0.01 not applicable 0.01 not applicable
22/12/15 onwards 1.212 14 1.3 14
22/12/15 onwards 412 34 8.6 34
((4-(1,1',3,3'-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol))
28 Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)10 - not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable
29a Tetrachloroethylene6 127-18-4 10 not applicable 10 not applicable
29b Trichloroethylene6 79-01-6 10 not applicable 10 not applicable
34 Dicofol 115-32-2 22/12/18 onwards 1.3 x 10-3 not applicable9 3.2 x 10-5 not applicable9 33
37 Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds See footnote 9 in Annex X to Directive 2000/60/EC 22/12/18 onwards not applicable not applicable Sum of PCDD +PCDF+PCB-DL 0.0065 µg.kg-1 TEQ 13
Application of the standards set out in Table 47 For any given surface water body, applying the AA-EQS means that, for each representative monitoring point within the water body, the arithmetic mean of the concentrations measured at different times during the year does not exceed the standard. The calculation of the arithmetic mean, the analytical method used and, where there is no appropriate analytical method meeting the minimum performance criteria, the method of applying a standard must be in accordance with implementing acts adopting technical specifications for chemical monitoring and quality of analytical results, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. For any given surface water body, applying the MAC-EQS means that the measured concentration at any representative monitoring point within the water body does not exceed the standard. However, in accordance with section 1.3.4. of Annex V to the Water Framework Directive, the Department may introduce statistical methods, such as a percentile calculation, to ensure an acceptable level of confidence and precision for determining compliance with the MAC-EQS. Where the Department introduces statistical methods, such methods must apply with rules laid down in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 9(2) of Directive 2008/105/EC. With the exception of cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel (hereinafter “metals”) the standards set out in Table 47 are expressed as total concentrations in the whole water sample. In the case of metals the standards refer to the dissolved concentration i.e. the dissolved phase of a water sample obtained by filtration through a 0.45 µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment, or, where specifically indicated, to the bioavailable concentration. The Department may, when assessing the monitoring results against the standards, take into account:
PART 3 N.I.Boundary values for biological quality elements
PART 4 N.I.Intermittent Discharge Standards
PART 1 N.I.Determining Ecological Status of Surface Waters that are not designated Heavily Modified or Artificial
PART 2 N.I.Determining Chemical Status of Surface Waters
PART 3 N.I.Determining Ecological Potential of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies
PART 4 N.I.Determining High Status for Morphological Elements
PART 5 N.I.Determining Overall Status of Surface Water Bodies
SCHEDULE 3N.I.Determining Quantitative status of Groundwater
SCHEDULE 4N.I.Presentation of monitoring results and classification
SCHEDULE 5N.I.
PART 1 N.I.Shellfish Waters Standards
PART 2 N.I.Microbial Guideline Value
These Regulations implement Council Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy (OJ No. L348, 24.12.2008 p.84) as amended by Directive 2013/39/EU (OJ L226, 24.08.2013, p.1) and set out the classification schemes used under the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ No. L327, 22.12.2000 p.1-73).
Regulation 3 and Schedule 1 require the Department to assign a type or types and to apply environmental standards and biological boundary values in respect of rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters.
Regulations 4 to 8 require the Department to apply the standards for priority standards, including biota standards, as set out in Table 47 of Part 2 of Schedule 1.
Regulations 9 to 14 set out requirements for the Department with respect to the monitoring of biota and sediment standards.
Regulations 15 to 17 require the Department to carry out monitoring for substances identified by the Commission on the first Watch List (Commission Implementing Decision 2015/495) as well as substances which are subsequently added to it.
Regulation 19 and Schedule 5 require the Department to apply pH, silver, temperature, salinity standards and endeavour to respect a microbial value with respect to shellfish waters.
Regulations 20 and 21 and Schedules 2, 3 and 4 require the Department to classify surface waters and groundwaters and to report this classification in the River Basin Management Plans produced for the purposes of implementing Directive 2000/60/EC.
Regulation 22 allows for the designation of mixing zones and regulation 23 requires the Department to update the inventories of emissions, discharges and losses in respect or priority substances which have been established for each of the River Basin Districts in Northern Ireland.
Regulation 27 revokes the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Regulation 28 revokes the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
Regulation 29 revokes the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.