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This table provides the raw data from river monitoring sites including Water Framework Directive monitoring sites. It should be noted that, as the data set is in its raw state, it cannot be used to provide a status without processing. The data set does not show Limits of Detection or Limit of Quantitation which would require a value to be treated as a half value for WFD calculation. In addition both altitude and alkalinity affect status calculations for some parameters. The data set may contain results which are erroneous due to typos, sampling error or contamination, such data points are usually several orders or magnitude above expected values.
This is the first in a series of water data sets being made available as Open Data. Other data sets remain available on request via waterinfo@daera-ni.gov.uk
The European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) has been transposed into Northern Ireland regulations through The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. The Water (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ensures that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (as transposed) and the various supporting pieces of water legislation continue to operate here after 1 January 2021. The regulation encourage the active involvement of interested parties and the general public.
The regulations set out the requirement to achieve 'Good Ecological Status' and 'Good Chemical Status' for all ground and surface waters (rivers, lakes, transitional waters, and coastal waters) within Northern Ireland.
Surface waters are assessed according to the following criteria:
Biological quality (fish, invertebrates, flora)
Hydromorphological
Physico-chemical properties like temperature, oxygenation and nutrient conditions.
Chemical quality assessed against environmental quality standards for specific pollutants and priority substances.
The following physio-chemical and chemical parameters are included in the data set:
NO3-N (mg/l)- Nitrate