WFD What's New
1 June 2010
Launch of a public consultation on the draft Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
This consultation seeks views on proposed new Regulations which will transpose the requirements of the Priority Substances Directive (2008/105/EC) and which will provide a statutory basis for classification schemes in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD).
The Priority Substances Directive, a daughter directive of the WFD, sets out a list of dangerous substances which present a significant risk to or via the aquatic environment and requires the progressive reduction or phasing out of these substances.
In order to achieve the objectives of the WFD, classification schemes are used to describe where the water environment is of good quality and where it may require improvement.
Download the consultation paper here (1.24 MB) 
Early responses are welcome, but all replies should be received no later than 5 pm on Tuesday 10th August 2010.
Please send your comments by e-mail to: michelle.hull@doeni.gov.uk or by post to:
Michelle Hull
Department of the Environment (NI)
Calvert House
23 Castle Place
Belfast BT1 1FY
22 December 2009
2009 - 2015 River Basin Management Plans published
The River Basin Management Plans will shape the future improvement work the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and its stakeholders will be embarking upon over the next six years to improve the water environment. The plans and background documents can be viewed and downloaded on the NIEA Website
13 January 2009
Priority Substances (Daughter Directive) enters into force
As part of the Water Framework Directive, a European 'priority list' of substances posing a threat to or via the aquatic environment was established, with the aim of reducing (or eliminating) pollution of surface water (rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters) by the pollutants on the list.
There are currently 33 substances on this priority list, which was agreed in 2001 (Decision 2455/2001/EC), and the list forms part of the new directive (2008/105/EC). These substances are referred to as 'priority substances', and those which are thought to pose the greatest threat are further identified as 'priority hazardous substances'.
The new directive must be transposed by 13 July 2010.
22 December 2008
Draft River Basin Management Plans published
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson launched a six month consultation on draft River Basin Management Plans for Northern Ireland.
The Minister said: “River Basin Planning is about taking an integrated approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable use of the water environment, from source to sea. The plans aim to provide a clean and healthy water environment and to deliver considerable benefits for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
The draft plans and background documents can be viewed and downloaded from www.ni-environment.gov.uk/wfd
The consultation begins today, 22 December 2008 and will run for six months until 22 June 2009. Final plans will be published by 22 December 2009 and will cover a planning period of six years until 2015. Further plans will be issued for two subsequent six year planning cycles up until 2027.
10 June 2008
Water Matters - publication of comments received
Following the "Water Matters - Have your Say!" consultation on Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI), a digest of comments and responses to stakeholders' submissions was produced and has now been published. This can be found via the NIEA Website - please click on the link below:
Significant Water Management Issues - Digest of comments (508KB)
The Facilitator's Report of the CSG evening meetings is now also available on the NS SHARE Website - please click on the link below:
Water Matters - Facilitator's Report (1MB)
26 September 2007
Water Matters - "Have Your Say" Evening Meetings
Nine evening meetings are being held across Northern Ireland, to provide individuals and local groups with the opportunity to debate the key problems affecting their local rivers, lakes and coastal waters, and to help find and deliver solutions to protect and sustain our water environment.
These meetings run from Wednesday 26 September to 28 November. Find out more about the Water Matters Evening Meetings.
28 June 2007
Environmental Standards - UKTAG Technical Review Phase 2
UKTAG is seeking comments on the scientific principles underpinning the second phase of environmental standards, set out in three technical reports on: Specific Pollutants; Groundwater Classification Framework (quality/quantity); and the remaining Surface Water Standards and Conditions (including marine morphology).
The UK Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG) is a partnership of the UK environment and conservation agencies established in 2001, to provide coordinated advice on technical aspects of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The Group has been working on developing Environmental Standards (ESs) (89 KB) to support managing the water environment across the UK.
To find out more, or to take part in this technical review process, visit the UKTAG website.
The review closes on 8 August 2007.
22 June 2007
Water Matters - "Have Your Say!"
Reports on the most significant issues affecting water management within each of Northern Ireland's four river basin districts have been published. These reports can be accessed in electronic format on the Environment & Heritage Service website (see below), or in hard-copy by request (contact us).
EHS Website - Significant Water Management Issues reports.
Comments in writing can be made up to 22nd December 2007, and will contribute to the production of draft river basin management plans required by December 2008.
22 March 2007
Monitoring Programme
Environment & Heritage Service have submitted a summary report of the WFD monitoring programme to the Commission via the Water Information System for Europe (WISE), as required by 22 March 2007. Information and maps illustrating the Northern Ireland monitoring networks reported is available to the public in .xml format at:
http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/gb/eu/wfdart8
20 December 2006
UK wide Consultation on Regulatory Impact Assessment for a proposed Water Framework Directive Daughter Directive on priority substances
Defra are inviting views on the proposed Water Framework Directive Daughter Directive on priority substances and a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment.
In July 2006 the European Commission published a proposal for a new Water Framework Directive Daughter Directive on Priority Substances. Defra’s consultants, Risk Policy Analysts Ltd, have carried out a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment of the proposal which indicates the potential for significant implementation and compliance costs.
The consultation is available on the Defra wesbite at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wfd-prioritylist/index.htm
The deadline for consultation responses is 16 March 2007.
15 December 2006
Programme & Timetable for the Production of River Basin Management Plans
The Department has published a document outlining the proposed work programme, key deliverables and deadlines, and a statement of the consultation measures to be taken, in relation to the production of River Basin Management Plans.
Comments are invited from interested parties and can be made in writing for up to six months from the date of publication (from 15 December 2006 to 15 June 2007).
Download the Programme & timetable (357KB) for the production of River Basin Management Plans.
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