.The enrichment of waters by nutrients, or eutrophication, is one of the major issues for water quality in Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to freshwaters. The Department of Environment (DOE) is committed to a cross-sectoral approach, taking action across all sectors contributing to the problem.There are three European directives that deal with nutrient discharges into waterways: 1)the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) 2) the Nitrates Directive (ND) 3) the Water Framework Directive (WFD)
.Council Directive 91/271/EEC covers the protection of waters from domestic sewage, industrial waste and surface water run-off, known as the Urban Waste Water Treatment directive. It was adopted on May 21st, 1991. The directive wasp put into Northern Ireland legislation by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 S.R. No. 12 (as amended by S.R. 2003 No. 278).
Council Directive 91/676/EEC covers the protection of waters caused by nitrates from agricultural sources - the EC Nitrates Directive - and was adopted by the Commission on December 19th, 1991. The Directive wasput into Northern Ireland legislation by the Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 S.R. No. 217.
The goals of both directives are complementary and aimed at reducing nutrient inputs into waters from the urban and agricultural sectors.
Urban Waste Water DirectiveThe UWWTD Directive aims to protect the freshwater, estuarine and coastal environment from the effects of phosphorus and/or nitrate pollution from domestic sewage, industrial waste water, and surface water run-off.
Where waters are vulnerable to nutrient enrichment, the directive outlines higher standards of treatment. This involves nutrient removal from the sewage discharges to directive standards. Qualifying treatment works are those works serving populations greater than 10,000.
Nitrates DirectiveThe Nitrates Directive is focused on both the control of discharges of nitrates from agricultural activity.
Given the level of nutrient enrichment in our waters, and the extent of the agricultural contribution to that problem, it was decided that widespread controls on agriculture were needed to reduce the impact of farming practices on water quality.
As a result, it was agreed by the Department of Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to adopt a "total territory" approach to the implementation of the Nitrates Directive. The result was a plan to introduce an action programme that would apply to all farmers.
Review process 2005Full implementation of both Directives is fundamental to the achievement of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) target of Good Ecological Status for all fresh, coastal, estuarine waters by 2015.
The nutrient status of coastal, estuarine and freshwaters are also required under both directives and assessments for the review are carried out on the basis of scientific criteria agreed for the UK
.The waters may be identified as 'sensitive' if found to contain excessive levels of nutrient waste as outlined by both directives, or likely to become eutrophic if action is not taken. Areas requiring a Sensitive Area (SA) identification under Annex IIAc of the UWWTD, (i.e. those areas where further treatment than that prescribed in Article 4) are also considered.
The SA review process rests is carried out by the Department Of Environment (DOE). Once an area has been identified, qualifying Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTWs) discharging either directly or indirectly into a Sensitive Area will be obliged to remove all phosphorus and /or nitrogen removal to directive standards within seven years.The directive includes a requirement to review SAs every four years and report to the Commission.
The DOE formally identified the Lough Erne and Lough Neagh catchments as SAs in 1994. Following a review in 2001, a further three areas were identified: Inner Belfast Lough, the tidal River Lagan, and the Quoile Pondage at Downpatrick.
Newly designated areasNorthern Ireland Environment Agency(NIEA), the Environment and Heritage Service unitl July 2008, has completed a review of the trophic status of the coastal, estuarine, and freshwaters for the 2005 review.
The Executive Summary of the 2005 review findings(.PDF 1.60Mb).
In addition to the areas already identified the report recommends 11 new identifications, including eight freshwater areas and three coastal waters.
The newly identified areas are as follows:
Freshwaters: the freshwater Foyle catchment; the Roe catchment; the Faughan catchment; the Lagan catchment; the Lower Bann catchment; the Enler catchment; the Bush catchment; and the Newry River catchment.
Coastal Waters: the north end of Strangford Lough; Newcastle bathing water and Ardmillan shellfish water (the latter two in accordance with Annex IIA (c) of the Directive).
These new identifications will mean that the proportion of Northern Ireland's surface area identified as SAs has increased from 50% to more than 80% and 29 out of 41 waste water treatment works will be required to meet the criteria for additional treatment.
There are catchments recommended for designation within this review that do not include any qualifying discharges (Bush, Enler/Blackwater, Newry and Faughan).
However it should be noted that nutrient removal in non-qualifying discharges - that is, for water works serving populations of less than 10,000 - in all catchments may be required to meet all quality objectives of other directives, including the Water Framework Directive.
The Legal Notice of intention to designate 11 new areas as sensitive under UWWTD 2005
NOTE: NEEDS TO OPEN IN NEW WINDOW & need to find page to link rather than html format
Maps of identified Sensitive Areas(SA) 1994, 2001 and 2005All maps on this site are reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) © 2005. Permit Number MOU 31.
It is illegal to copy or publish digital data or paper maps, which belong to the Crown without prior written permission. Visit OSNI website for further information.
If you cannot download any of the documents or maps you can request hard copy versions by emailing WaterInfo@doeni.gov.uk or by writing to the address below:
Water Management Unit
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
17 Antrim Road
Lisburn
Co Antrim
BT28 3AL.