EU Water Standards
The Surface Waters Dangerous Substances Classification Regulation requires the Department to establish water quality objectives for dangerous substances as laid down in the EU Directive on Dangerous Substances. It must classify inland freshwaters, coastal waters, and territorial waters. The requirements are also reflected in the Department’s powers in relation to water quality objectives.
The groundwater regulations implement the groundwater directive, which is designed to prevent the discharge of certain toxic substances into groundwater. The controlled substances are listed in the legislation. The competent authorities in each state must monitor the effects of discharges.
There are also distinct regulations dealing with the control of other specific and dangerous substances into water, including asbestos and detergent.
The Surface Water Directive aims to achieve minimum quality standards in relation to the composition of surface water. Surface waters below certain standards may not be used for drinking water. Samples must comply with the parameters in respect of water quality. Surface Waters Classification and Surface Waters Abstraction for Drinking Water Classification Regulations 1995 and 1996 provide implementation of the directive in Northern Ireland.
The drinking water directive sets out quality requirements and parameters for drinking water. The Water and Sewerages Amendment Order 1993 amends the 1973 order to introduce a mechanism for the implementation of the regulation. They are now implemented in the Drinking Quality Regulations NI 1984. The Private Water Supplies Regulations NI 1994 govern private water supply standards.
The bathing waters directive has been implemented in Northern Ireland through the public health quality of bathing water regulation. The Department is obliged to set limits for bathing waters in accordance with the directive. As with other regulations, sampling must be regularly undertaken to ensure compliance, and a register of the samples is available and published.
The Freshwater Fish Directive relates to water quality for salmonids and coarse fish. States must ensure the water quality at least complies with the directive minimums and provide for analysis and verification. The Surface Waters Fish Life Classification Regulations implement the regulations in Northern Ireland.
The Shellfish Waters Directive is implemented in Northern Ireland by the Surface Waters Shellfish Classification Regulations 1997.
The Nitrate Regulations require states to identify surface and ground waters affected by nitrates pollution, particularly from agriculture. States must designate zones that are vulnerable to this type of pollution.
States must monitor the water quality. A new part of the Sewage Sludge Directive regulates the use of sewage sludge in agriculture.
The Nitrate Pollutions Regulation and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Regulations provide for the identification of nitrate vulnerable zones, the establishment of codes of agricultural practice, and action programs.mThe Department has powers to serve notices on occupiers requiring compliance.
The Sludge Use in Agriculture Regulations NI and the Codes of Good Agricultural Practices established by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development promote practices dealing with the risk of pollution from silos, slurry, pesticides, fertilisers, nitrates, phosphates.
The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive relates to standards in respect of the collection, treatment, and discharge of wastewater. The Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 1995 implement the directive.
The Water Framework Directive requires the designation of authorities for each river basin, and states must produce a management plan and measures to prevent deterioration and enhance surface water, achieving chemical and ecological status, reducing pollution from discharges and emissions of hazardous substances, protecting and enhancing water, preventing pollution and deterioration, abstraction and recharge groundwater, and preserving protected areas. This is a more comprehensive approach to the existing legislation dealing with more specific aspects of water pollution.