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Groundwater
Groundwater is a limited natural resource with both ecological and economic value. It has vital importance for the sustenance of life, health, agriculture and the integrity of ecosystems, requiring management and protection on a sustainable basis.
In 1980 the European Commission introduced a Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC), which was largely aimed at the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by specific dangerous substances.
The Groundwater Regulations (NI) 1998 implemented the 1980 Groundwater Directive, and supplement water pollution legislation. These Regulations, along with the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, required the Department of the Environment (DOE) to prevent the direct or indirect discharge of list I substances to groundwater and to control pollution resulting from the direct or indirect discharge of list II substances.
On 12th December 2006 a new Directive was adopted by the European Commission known as the Groundwater Daughter Directive (2006/118/EC). It is a 'daughter' Directive of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and its purpose is to clarify certain objectives for groundwater quality in the WFD. The new Directive operates alongside the 1980 Groundwater Directive until 2013 when the 1980 Directive will be repealed. The new Directive includes criteria for the assessment of good chemical status and for identifying and reversing upward trends in pollution. It also details measures to prevent or limit pollutants into groundwater.
A 12 week consultation exercise on the transposition of the Groundwater Daughter Directive closed on 6th May 2009 and the Groundwater Regulations (NI) 2009 were made on 2nd July 2009. These Regulations came into operation on 10th August 2009 revoking the Groundwater Regulations (NI)1998. However the new Groundwater Regulations incorporate the requirements of the 1998 Regulations providing continuity and clarity for groundwater protection. The new Regulations also provide for existing authorisations to remain valid whilst allowing a slightly more comprehensive risk based approach to pollution prevention and control.
A copy of the consultation paper, summary of responses paper and Groundwater Regulations (NI) 2009 can be downloaded below. You will also find a copy of the Groundwater (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 which make a minor technical amendment to regulation 29(a) of the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and a copy of the Northern Ireland guidance on the interpretation and implementation of the 2009 Groundwater Regulations.
Consultation Paper on the transposition of the Groundwater daughter Directive (432kb) 
Summary of Responses Paper (32kb)
Groundwater Regulations (NI) 2009 (64kb)
Groundwater (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (19kb)
Guidance on the Interpretation and implementation of the 2009 Groudwater Regulations. (60kb)
In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (an Executive Agency of the DOE) is responsible for implementing the Groundwater Regulations.
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Groundwater is a limited natural resource with both ecological and economic value. It has vital importance for the sustenance of life, health, agriculture and the integrity of ecosystems, requiring management and protection on a sustainable basis.
In 1980 the European Commission introduced a Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC), which was largely aimed at the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by specific dangerous substances.
The Groundwater Regulations (NI) 1998 implemented the 1980 Groundwater Directive, and supplement water pollution legislation. These Regulations, along with the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, required the Department of the Environment (DOE) to prevent the direct or indirect discharge of list I substances to groundwater and to control pollution resulting from the direct or indirect discharge of list II substances.
On 12th December 2006 a new Directive was adopted by the European Commission known as the Groundwater Daughter Directive (2006/118/EC). It is a 'daughter' Directive of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and its purpose is to clarify certain objectives for groundwater quality in the WFD. The new Directive operates alongside the 1980 Groundwater Directive until 2013 when the 1980 Directive will be repealed. The new Directive includes criteria for the assessment of good chemical status and for identifying and reversing upward trends in pollution. It also details measures to prevent or limit pollutants into groundwater.
A 12 week consultation exercise on the transposition of the Groundwater Daughter Directive closed on 6th May 2009 and the Groundwater Regulations (NI) 2009 were made on 2nd July 2009. These Regulations came into operation on 10th August 2009 revoking the Groundwater Regulations (NI)1998. However the new Groundwater Regulations incorporate the requirements of the 1998 Regulations providing continuity and clarity for groundwater protection. The new Regulations also provide for existing authorisations to remain valid whilst allowing a slightly more comprehensive risk based approach to pollution prevention and control.
A copy of the consultation paper, summary of responses paper and Groundwater Regulations (NI) 2009 can be downloaded below. You will also find a copy of the Groundwater (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 which make a minor technical amendment to regulation 29(a) of the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and a copy of the Northern Ireland guidance on the interpretation and implementation of the 2009 Groundwater Regulations.
Consultation Paper on the transposition of the Groundwater daughter Directive (432kb)
Summary of Responses Paper (32kb)
Groundwater Regulations (NI) 2009 (64kb)
Groundwater (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (19kb)
Guidance on the Interpretation and implementation of the 2009 Groudwater Regulations. (60kb)
In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (an Executive Agency of the DOE) is responsible for implementing the Groundwater Regulations.
