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The Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule

Publication 2015-10-02

Last updated 2025-02-27

State In force

Jurisdiction Northern Ireland

Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland

Source legislation.gov.uk

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articles 7

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Salmonid waters	Salmonid waters	Salmonid waters	Salmonid waters
	Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)	Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)	Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)
Return period	1 hour	6 hours	24 hours
1 month	5.0	5.5	6.0
3 months	4.5	5.0	5.5
1 year	4.0	4.5	5.0
*Cyprinid waters*	*Cyprinid waters*	*Cyprinid waters*	*Cyprinid waters*
	Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)	Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)	Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l)
Return period	1 hour	6 hours	24 hours
1 month	4.0	5.0	5.5
3 months	3.5	4.5	5.0
1 year	3.0	4.0	4.5
The standards apply when the concurrent concentration of un-ionised ammonia concentration is below 0.02 mg/l. The following correction factors apply at higher concurrent un-ionised concentrations: Where the un-ionised ammonia lies between 0.02-0.15mg NH3-N/I: the correction factor is an additioin of (0.97 x log (mg NH3-N/I) + 3.8) mg O2/l. For concentrations that exceed 0.15 mg NH3-N/I, the correction factor is +2 mg O2/litre. A correction factor of 3mg O2/l is added for salmonid spawning grounds.	The standards apply when the concurrent concentration of un-ionised ammonia concentration is below 0.02 mg/l. The following correction factors apply at higher concurrent un-ionised concentrations: Where the un-ionised ammonia lies between 0.02-0.15mg NH3-N/I: the correction factor is an additioin of (0.97 x log (mg NH3-N/I) + 3.8) mg O2/l. For concentrations that exceed 0.15 mg NH3-N/I, the correction factor is +2 mg O2/litre. A correction factor of 3mg O2/l is added for salmonid spawning grounds.	The standards apply when the concurrent concentration of un-ionised ammonia concentration is below 0.02 mg/l. The following correction factors apply at higher concurrent un-ionised concentrations: Where the un-ionised ammonia lies between 0.02-0.15mg NH3-N/I: the correction factor is an additioin of (0.97 x log (mg NH3-N/I) + 3.8) mg O2/l. For concentrations that exceed 0.15 mg NH3-N/I, the correction factor is +2 mg O2/litre. A correction factor of 3mg O2/l is added for salmonid spawning grounds.	The standards apply when the concurrent concentration of un-ionised ammonia concentration is below 0.02 mg/l. The following correction factors apply at higher concurrent un-ionised concentrations: Where the un-ionised ammonia lies between 0.02-0.15mg NH3-N/I: the correction factor is an additioin of (0.97 x log (mg NH3-N/I) + 3.8) mg O2/l. For concentrations that exceed 0.15 mg NH3-N/I, the correction factor is +2 mg O2/litre. A correction factor of 3mg O2/l is added for salmonid spawning grounds.
Salmonid waters	Salmonid waters	Salmonid waters	Salmonid waters
---	---	---	---
	Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)	Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)	Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)
Return period	1 hour	6 hours	24 hours
1 month	0.065	0.025	0.018
3 months	0.095	0.035	0.025
1 year	0.105	0.040	0.030
*Cyprinid waters*	*Cyprinid waters*	*Cyprinid waters*	*Cyprinid waters*
	Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)	Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)	Un-ionised Ammonia concentration (mg NH3-N/l)
Return period	1 hour	6 hours	24 hours
1 month	0.150	0.075	0.030
3 months	0.225	0.125	0.050
1 year	0.250	0.150	0.065
The above limits apply when the concurrent concentration of dissolved oxygen is above 5 mg/l. At lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen the following correction factor applies: For dissolved oxygen less than 5mg/l DO, multiply the standard by 0.0126 and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in mg O/litre, C, raised to the power of 2.72, that is, 0.0126 C2.72. The standards also assume that the concurrent pH is greater than 7 and temperature is greater than 5 degress Centigrade. For lower pH and temperatures the following correction factors apply: Where the pH is less than 7, multiply the standard by 0.0003 and by the value of the pH, p, raised to the power of 4.17, that is: 0.0003p4.17. Where the temperature is less than 5 degrees Centigrade, multiply this correction factor by a further 0.5.	The above limits apply when the concurrent concentration of dissolved oxygen is above 5 mg/l. At lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen the following correction factor applies: For dissolved oxygen less than 5mg/l DO, multiply the standard by 0.0126 and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in mg O/litre, C, raised to the power of 2.72, that is, 0.0126 C2.72. The standards also assume that the concurrent pH is greater than 7 and temperature is greater than 5 degress Centigrade. For lower pH and temperatures the following correction factors apply: Where the pH is less than 7, multiply the standard by 0.0003 and by the value of the pH, p, raised to the power of 4.17, that is: 0.0003p4.17. Where the temperature is less than 5 degrees Centigrade, multiply this correction factor by a further 0.5.	The above limits apply when the concurrent concentration of dissolved oxygen is above 5 mg/l. At lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen the following correction factor applies: For dissolved oxygen less than 5mg/l DO, multiply the standard by 0.0126 and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in mg O/litre, C, raised to the power of 2.72, that is, 0.0126 C2.72. The standards also assume that the concurrent pH is greater than 7 and temperature is greater than 5 degress Centigrade. For lower pH and temperatures the following correction factors apply: Where the pH is less than 7, multiply the standard by 0.0003 and by the value of the pH, p, raised to the power of 4.17, that is: 0.0003p4.17. Where the temperature is less than 5 degrees Centigrade, multiply this correction factor by a further 0.5.	The above limits apply when the concurrent concentration of dissolved oxygen is above 5 mg/l. At lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen the following correction factor applies: For dissolved oxygen less than 5mg/l DO, multiply the standard by 0.0126 and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in mg O/litre, C, raised to the power of 2.72, that is, 0.0126 C2.72. The standards also assume that the concurrent pH is greater than 7 and temperature is greater than 5 degress Centigrade. For lower pH and temperatures the following correction factors apply: Where the pH is less than 7, multiply the standard by 0.0003 and by the value of the pH, p, raised to the power of 4.17, that is: 0.0003p4.17. Where the temperature is less than 5 degrees Centigrade, multiply this correction factor by a further 0.5.
Status	Types of river	99th percentile BOD (mg/l)
---	---	---
High	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	7.0
High	3,5 and 7	9.0
Good	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	9.0
Good	3,5 and 7	11.0
Moderate	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	14.0
Moderate	3,5 and 7	14.0
Poor	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	16.0
Poor	3,5 and 7	19.0
Status	Types of river	Total ammonia (mg NH4-N/l)	Un-ionised ammonia (mg NH3-N/l)
---	---	---	---
Status	Types of river	99th percentile	99th percentile
High	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	0.5	0.04
High	3,5 and 7	0.7	0.04
Good	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	0.7	0.04
Good	3,5 and 7	1.5	0.04
Moderate	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	1.8	0.04
Moderate	3,5 and 7	2.6	0.04
Poor	1,2,4,6 and salmonid	2.6	0.04
Poor	3,5 and 7	6.0	-
Alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO₃)	Alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO₃)	Alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO₃)	Alkalinity (as mg/l CaCO₃)
---	---	---	---
Altitude	Less than 10	10-50	50-100
Under 80 metres	Type 1	Type 2	Type 3
Over 80 metres	Type 1	Type 2	Type 4

SCHEDULE 2

PART 1 — Determining Ecological Status of Surface Waters that are not designated Heavily Modified or Artificial

1

The Department must classify the ecological status of surface water bodies that are not designated as heavily modified or artificial in accordance with the following steps:

(a) estimate representative values of appropriate indicators of the condition of the relevant biological, physiochemical and hydromorphological quality elements from monitoring or modelling results. The appropriate indicators shall include:

(i) indicators of biological and other quality elements expected to be most sensitive to the pressures to which the water body is subject;

(ii) the values for physicochemical quality elements at risk of being so altered as to be failing a physicochemical standard ;

(iii) the concentrations of those specific pollutants likely to be in the water body in quantities that could cause a failure of a specific pollutant;

(iv) the concentrations of those priority substances likely to be in the water body in quantities that could cause failure of chemical status; and

(v) the criteria for hydromorphological elements relevant to high status.

(b) compare the values of the appropriate indicators estimated from monitoring or modelling with the applicable standards and biological boundary values in Schedule 1 of these Regulations.

(c) classify the ecological status of the water body as “high” if the values of all the appropriate indicators of the biological, physicochemical, chemical and hydrological quality elements comply with the highest corresponding standards given in Schedule 1; the assessment of morphological condition carried out in accordance with Part 4 paragraph 1 of this Schedule reflects totally or nearly totally undisturbed conditions; and there is no evidence that a high impact alien species, as identified on the Ecoregion 17 list, has become established and is having an ecological effect on the water body.

(d) where the biological quality elements and the general chemical and physiochemical elements and specific pollutants are high and the chemical status is good but the hydromorphological status is less than high, then the overall status of the surface water body is “good”.

(e) where a surface water body is not classified as “high” ecological status in accordance with paragraph 1(c), the Department must classify the ecological status of the surface water body according to the lowest classed biological or physicochemical quality element. If the lowest classed quality element is a specific pollutant or other physicochemical quality element, the class assigned shall be no lower than “moderate” ecological status.

2

In this part, “high impact alien species” means a non-native species of plant or animal that has a detrimental effect on the aquatic ecology or environment.

PART 2 — Determining Chemical Status of Surface Waters

1

The Department must classify the chemical status of surface water bodies in accordance with the following steps:

(a) estimate from monitoring or modelling results the concentrations in the surface water body of appropriate priority substances listed in Schedule 1 of these Regulations. The appropriate substances shall include those likely to be in the surface water body in quantities that could cause a failure of the corresponding environmental quality standard.

(b) compare the values of the appropriate substances estimated from monitoring or modelling with the applicable standards in Schedule 1.

(c) classify the chemical status of the surface water body as good unless the standard for one or more priority substances is failed. If one or more is failed, classify as failing to achieve good chemical status.

PART 3 — Determining Ecological Potential of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies

1

The Department must classify a surface water body designated as heavily modified or artificial as—

(a) “good ecological potential” if the following conditions are met:

(i) all applicable mitigation measures have been taken; and

(ii) the values of all the indicators of the quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation, including biology, specific pollutants and other physicochemical quality elements achieve the standards for “high” or “good”.

(b) “moderate ecological potential” if the following conditions are met:

(i) not all applicable mitigation measures have been taken and the values of one or more of the indicators of the quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation, including biology, specific pollutants and other physicochemical quality elements achieve the standards for “high”, “good” or “moderate”; or

(ii) all applicable mitigation measures have been taken and the values of one or more of the indicators of the quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation, including biology, specific pollutants and other physicochemical quality elements achieve the standards for “moderate”.

(c) “poor ecological potential” if the values of one or more of the indicators of the biological quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation achieve the standards for “poor”.

(d) “bad ecological potential” if the values of one or more of the indicators of biological quality elements not sensitive to hydromorphological pressures directly related to the heavily modified or artificial water body designation achieve the standards for “bad”.

2

In order to determine how to classify surface water bodies designated as heavily modified or artificial in accordance with paragraph 1, the Department must —

(a) determine whether or not all practicable mitigation has been taken to improve the modified or artificial hydromorphological characteristics of the surface water body other than that which would have a significant adverse impact on:

(i) the use served by the modified or artificial characteristics; or

(ii) the wider environment.

(b) estimate representative values of indicators of the condition of the relevant biological and physicochemical quality elements from monitoring or modelling results. The indicators shall include:

(i) indicators of the biological quality elements which are not sensitive to the artificial or heavily modified characteristics of the water body;

(ii) the concentrations of those specific pollutants likely to be in the surface water body in quantities that could cause a failure of a specific pollutant standard; and

(iii) the values for those other physicochemical quality elements at risk of being so altered as to be failing a physicochemical standard.

(c) compare the values of the indicators estimated from monitoring or modelling with the applicable standards in Schedule 1 of these Regulations.

3

When determining whether all practicable mitigation has been taken, mitigation measures may be excluded which would contribute only a very minor improvement in the ecology of the water body.

PART 4 — Determining High Status for Morphological Elements

1

The Department must monitor morphological conditions within relevant water bodies.

(a) Once the Department has, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 1, assigned a type to a river or part thereof, the Department must consider both direct and indirect pressures on the physical character of rivers at local scale, water body scale and catchment scale. The physical character of a river includes the condition of the channel bed, banks and riparian zone, channel pattern and river continuity. Classification shall be assigned according to the ecological quality ratio in the River Hyrdromorphology Assessment Technique specified in Table 1 of this Part.

(b) Once the Department has in accordance with paragraphs 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 assigned a type to a lake, the Department must consider both direct and indirect pressures on the physical character of lakes in the shore zone and open water. Morphological Condition Limits are used to represent thresholds of alteration in morphological conditions beyond which conditions could be altered in ways that could result in deterioration in status. A Morphological Condition Limit of 5% is the boundary between High Ecological Status and Good Ecological Status and a Morphological Condition Limit of 15% is the boundary between Good Ecological Status and Moderate Ecological Status.

(c) To assess the morphological condition of transitional and coastal water bodies, the Department must consider both direct and indirect pressures on the physical character of transitional and coastal waters at local scale, water body scale and catchment scale.

2

High Status morphological condition must not be assigned to

(a) Any water body that has been identified as being at risk of failing to achieve good ecological status due to the extent of morphological pressures; or

(b) Any artificial or heavily modified water body.

Boundary values for the River Hydromorphology Assessment Technique	Boundary values for the River Hydromorphology Assessment Technique
	Ecological quality ratio
High	>=0.8
Good	0.6 - < 0.8
Moderate	0.4 - <0.6
Poor	0.2 - <0.4
Bad	<0.2

PART 5 — Determining Overall Status of Surface Water Bodies

1

The Department must determine the overall status of a surface water body, other than those designated as heavily modified or artificial, by combining the classification of ecological status and chemical status in one of the following and alternative ways:

(a) where the ecological and hydromorphological status of a surface water body is high and the chemical status of the surface water body is good, then the overall status of the surface water body is “high”.

(b) where the biological quality elements and the general chemical and physiochemical elements and specific pollutants are high and the chemical status is good but the hydromorphological status is less than high, then the overall status of the surface water body is “good”

(d) where the ecological status is high, good or moderate, and the chemical status is failing to achieve good, then the overall status is “moderate”.

(e) where the ecological status is moderate and irrespective of chemical status, then the overall status is “moderate”.

(f) where the ecological status is poor or bad and irrespective of the chemical status, the overall status shall be the same classification as the ecological status, that is “poor” or “bad”.

SCHEDULE 3 — Determining Quantitative status of Groundwater

1

(1) The Department must determine the quantitative status of a body of groundwater as follows—

(a) by determining whether or not one or more of the indicators in Column 1 of Table 1 are applicable to the body of groundwater; and

(b) if any of those indicators are applicable, by carrying out appropriate investigations to determine whether or not the criteria in Column 2 of Table 1 corresponding to the applicable indicator or indicators for poor quantitative status are satisfied.

(2) The body of groundwater must be classified as—

(a) “good groundwater quantitative status” where—

(i) none of the indicators set out in Column 1 of Table 1 are applicable, or

(ii) one or more of those indicators are applicable but none of the corresponding criteria for poor groundwater status set out in Column 2 of Table 1 are satisfied; and

(b) in any other case as “poor groundwater quantitative status”.

Column 1	Column 2
Saline or other intrusions into a groundwater body:a) Failure of a threshold value i.e. electrical conductivity for groundwater as derived in accordance with the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009; orb) Other indications of intrusions of poor quality water into the body of groundwater(Note: “intrusion” is interpreted to be intrusion of poor quality water into a groundwater body from another water body, rather than the movement of a plume of poor quality water within the body).	i) Significant and sustained upward trend in electrical conductivity indicating saline intrusion;ii) Significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of other indicators of intrusion;iii) Existing evidence that a point of abstraction has been rendered unsuitable for use without prior treatment as a result of an intrusion.
Surface water:a) Flow conditions in an associated surface water body are unsatisfactory, and there is reason to suspect that groundwater abstraction impacts (on the surface water body) are a significant component of the failure to achieve flow standards.(Note: Flow conditions are considered unsatisfactory if they are failing to meet the appropriate WFD flow standards and in doing so, preventing the surface water body maintaining of achieving its target status class).	i) Flow conditions are preventing the surface water body maintaining or achieving the target status class and the reduction in river flow in the surface water body concerned (resulting solely from groundwater abstraction) represents ≥50% of the value of the allowable abstraction (based on the flow standards).
Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE):a) Indications of damage to a GWDTE caused by insufficient water availability identified through the departure from predefined environmental supporting conditions, including flow and groundwater level (or chemistry) which are required to maintain dependent communities in a favourable state.	i) A significant proportion of the departure from the predefined environmental supporting conditions can be attributed to anthropogenic quantitative pressures in the groundwater body, affecting groundwater availability to the GWDTE.
Water balance:a) Indications that the total annual volume of groundwater being abstracted from the groundwater body exceeds the long term annual average rate of recharge to the groundwater body (taking in to account an allowance where relevant for dependent ecosystems).	i) The annual average volume of groundwater abstracted from the groundwater body represents more than the long-term annual average rate of recharge to the groundwater body and there are sustained trends of long term falling groundwater levels within the groundwater body.

SCHEDULE 4 — Presentation of monitoring results and classification

Ecological status classification	Colour code
High	Blue
Good	Green
Moderate	Yellow
Poor	Orange
Bad	Red
Ecological potential classification	Colour code
---	---
Ecological potential classification	Artificial water bodies
Good and above	Equal green and light grey stripes
Moderate	Equal yellow and light grey stripes
Poor	Equal orange and light grey stripes
Bad	Equal red and light grey stripes
Chemical status classification	Colour code
---	---
Good	Blue
Failing to achieve good	Red
Groundwater chemical status	Colour code
---	---
Good	Green
Poor	Red
Groundwater quantitative status	Colour code
---	---
Good	Green
Poor	Red

SCHEDULE 5

PART 1 — Shellfish Waters Standards

Parameter	Units	Standard
Temperature	◦C	A discharge affecting shellfish waters must not cause the temperature of the water to exceed by more than 2◦C the temperature of the waters not so affected.
pH		pH values will not reach levels outside of the range established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified for the biological quality elements under Good Ecological Status
Silver	Annual mean (AA-EQS) (µg/l)	0.5
Silver	Maximum allowable concentration (MAC-EQS) (µg/l)	1
Salinity	Practical Salinity Units (PSU)	$≤$40 PSU A discharge affecting shellfish waters must not cause their salinity to exceed by more than 10% the salinity of waters not so affected.
Parameter	Units	Standard
---	---	---
Salinity	PSU	12-38

PART 2 — Microbial Guideline Value

Microbial Guideline Value

1

In shellfish waters, the Department must endeavour to respect the microbial guideline value in the shellfish flesh and intervalvular liquid as set out in Table 1 to this Part, in addition to the mandatory standards set out in these Regulations.

Compliance with the microbial guideline value

2

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), in relation to any period of 12 months, shellfish waters shall be treated as complying with the guideline value set out in Table 1 to this Part, if 75 per cent of the samples taken comply with the guideline value.

(2) Non-compliant samples may be ignored for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) if they are the result of natural cause or force majeure.

Sampling and analysis

3

(1) The Department must ensure that the guideline value adopted as a result of paragraph 1 and samples are analysed in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (1), sampling shall be carried out at least at the minimum frequency specified in Table 1 to this Schedule.

(3) Where sampling shows that the guideline value adopted as a result of paragraph 1 is not being met, the Department must establish whether this is the result of chance, a natural phenomenon or pollution, and must adopt appropriate measures to prevent deterioration.

(4) Samples shall be analysed using the reference methods of analysis specified in Table 1 to this paragraph or methods which are at least as reliable as the reference methods.

Parameter	Units	Guideline values and comments	Reference methods of analysis	Minimum sampling and measuring frequency
Escherichia coli (E.coli)	cfu/100ml	≤230 in the shellfish flesh and intervalvular liquid	ISO16649 part 3 or equivalent	Quarterly

Signed

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 2nd October 2015.

Dave Foster — A senior officer of the — Department of the Environment

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Footnotes

S.I. 2008/301

1972 c.68

S.I. 1999/662 (N.I. 6)

S.R. 2003 No.544

EU Commission Decision 2013/480/EU

OJ L201, 1.8.2009, p.36

OJ L348, 16.12.2008, p.84

OJ L226, 24.8.2013, p.1

OJ L348, 16.12.2008, p.84

OJ L226, 24.08.2013, P.1

OJ L327,22.12.2000, p.1-73; as amended by Decision 2455/2001/EC (OJ L331, 15.12.2001, p.1), Directive 2008/32/EC (OJ L81, 20.3.2008, p.60), Directive 2008/105/EC (OJ L348, 24.12.2008, p.84), Directive 2009/31/EC (OJ L140, 5.6.2009, p.114), Directive 2013/39/EU (OJ L226, 24.8.2013, p.1) and Commission Directive 2014/101/EU (OJ L311, 31.10.2014, p.32).

OJ L311, 31.10.2014, p.32

1954 c.33 (N.I.)

Commission Implementing Decision 2015/495. OJ L 78, 24.3.2015, p40

OJ L78, 24.3.2015, p40

S.R. 2009 No. 254

OJ L309, 24.11.2009, p.1, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 518/2013 (OJ L158, 10.6.2013, p.72) and Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L189, 27.6.2014, p.1)

OJ L167, 27.6.2012, p.1, as last amended by Regulation (EU) No 334/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L103, 5.4.2014, p.22)

S.R. 2011 No.295

S.R. 2013 No.206

OJ L41, 14.2.2003, p.26

S.R. 2011 No.10

S.R. 2012 No.442

S.R. 2015 No.45

Monitoring

Watch List

Intermittent Standards

Standards for shellfish waters

Classification of surface waters

Classification of Groundwater

Designation of Mixing Zones

Inventory of emissions, discharges and losses

Transboundary Pollution

Coordination

Information to be included in River Basin Management Plan

Revocations and Savings

¹ Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	¹ Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	¹ Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	¹ Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	¹ Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	¹ Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.
Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)	Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)	Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)	Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)	Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)	Dissolved oxygen (percent saturation)
(10-percentile)	(10-percentile)	(10-percentile)	(10-percentile)	(10-percentile)	(10-percentile)
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5	Column 6
Type¹	High	Good	Moderate	Poor	Bad
Upland and low alkalinity	80	75	64	50	< 50
Lowland and high alkalinity	70	60	54	45	< 45
¹ Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.	¹ Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.	¹ Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.	¹ Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.	¹ Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.	¹ Note that Ammonia is a Specific Pollutant and considered as such for compliance. It is included in this section as it is commonly assessed alongside the other inorganic chemistry elements.
---	---	---	---	---	---
Total ammonia¹ (mg/l)	Total ammonia¹ (mg/l)	Total ammonia¹ (mg/l)	Total ammonia¹ (mg/l)	Total ammonia¹ (mg/l)	Total ammonia¹ (mg/l)
(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5	Column 6
Type	High	Good	Moderate	Poor	Bad
Upland and low alkalinity	0.2	0.3	0.75	1.1	> 1.1
Lowland and high alkalinity	0.3	0.6	1.1	2.5	> 2.5
¹ The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.	¹ The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.	¹ The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.	¹ The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.	¹ The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.	¹ The standard for Biochemical Oxygen Demand shall be used when deciding action to meet the standard for dissolved oxygen.
---	---	---	---	---	---
² Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	² Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	² Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	² Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	² Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.	² Where a lowland, high alkalinity river is a salmonid water the standards for the upland, low alkalinity type will apply.
Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)¹	Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)¹	Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)¹	Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)¹	Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)¹	Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/l)¹
(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)	(90-percentile)
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5	Column 6
Type²	High	Good	Moderate	Poor	Bad
Upland and low alkalinity	3	4	6	7.5	> 7.5
Lowland and high alkalinity	4	5	6.5	9	> 9
Temperature (◦C) as an annual 98th percentile standard	Temperature (◦C) as an annual 98th percentile standard	Temperature (◦C) as an annual 98th percentile standard	Temperature (◦C) as an annual 98th percentile standard	Temperature (◦C) as an annual 98th percentile standard
---	---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Type	High	Good	Moderate	Poor
Salmonid waters	20	23	28	30
Cyprinid waters	25	28	30	32
¹ Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less	¹ Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less	¹ Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less	¹ Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less	¹ Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of 10mg/l or less
---	---	---	---	---
² Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l	² Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l	² Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l	² Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l	² Waters with a Dissolved Organic Carbon Value of greater than 10mg/l
³ As assessed by the Cantrell method	³ As assessed by the Cantrell method	³ As assessed by the Cantrell method	³ As assessed by the Cantrell method	³ As assessed by the Cantrell method
⁴ A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies	⁴ A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies	⁴ A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies	⁴ A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies	⁴ A 95% upper limit of 9 also applies
	Clear waters¹	Clear waters¹	Humic waters²	Humic waters²
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
	Annual mean	Annual mean	Annual mean	Annual mean
	pH	ANC³	pH	ANC³
High	6.60⁴	80	5.10⁴	80
Good	5.95	40	4.55	50
Moderate	5.44	15	4.22	10
Poor	4.89	-10	4.03	5
¹ ‘Q’ is the mean daily flow for a specified period of time	¹ ‘Q’ is the mean daily flow for a specified period of time	¹ ‘Q’ is the mean daily flow for a specified period of time
---	---	---
² ‘Qx’ is the Q that is expected to be exceeded by ‘x’ percent for a specified period of time	² ‘Qx’ is the Q that is expected to be exceeded by ‘x’ percent for a specified period of time	² ‘Qx’ is the Q that is expected to be exceeded by ‘x’ percent for a specified period of time
Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)¹	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)¹	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)¹
High	High	High
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Column 1	Maximum permitted % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₉₅²	Maximum permitted % abstraction at Q notexceeding Q₉₅
A1, A2 (downstream), A2 (headwaters), B1, B2, C2, D2	10	5
Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)
---	---	---	---	---
Good	Good	Good	Good	Good
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
River type	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₆₀	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₇₀	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₉₅	Maximum % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q₉₅
A1	35	30	25	20
A2 (downstream), B1, B2	30	25	20	15
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2	25	20	15	10
¹ incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q₆₀ to ≥ Q₉₀	¹ incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q₆₀ to ≥ Q₉₀	¹ incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q₆₀ to ≥ Q₉₀	¹ incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q₆₀ to ≥ Q₉₀	¹ incremental increase in allowable take at flows <Q₆₀ to ≥ Q₉₀
---	---	---	---	---
Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)
Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
River type	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₆₀	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₇₀	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₉₅	Maximum % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q₉₅
A1	70	50-70¹	50	45
A2 (downstream), B1, B2,	70	45-70¹	45	40
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2	70	40-70¹	40	35
Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)	Permitted abstraction per day as a percentage of the natural mean daily flow(Q)
---	---	---	---	---
Poor	Poor	Poor	Poor	Poor
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
River type	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₆₀	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₉₀	Maximum % abstraction at Q exceeding Q₉₅	Maximum % abstraction at Q not exceeding Q₉₅
A1	Qx less 25% of Q₉₀	Qx less 25% of Q₉₀	75	70
A2 (downstream), B1, B2,	Qx less 30% of Q₉₀	Qx less 30% of Q₉₀	70	65
A2 (headwaters), C2, D2	Qx less 35% of Q₉₀	Qx less 35% of Q₉₀	65	60
Status	Mean in July – August (mg/l)	Mean in July – August (mg/l)
---	---	---
Status	Salmonid waters	Cyprinid waters
High	9	8
Good	7	6
Moderate	4	4
Poor	1	1
Bad	< 1	< 1
Status	Proposed Boundary
---	---
Status	Annual Mean (micro Siemens per centimetre)
Good	1000
Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorous (µg/l)
---	---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
High	Good	Moderate	Poor	Bad
R ÷ H; or 5, whichever is the larger value	R ÷ G; or 8, whichever is the larger value	(R ÷ G) ÷ 0.5	(R ÷ G) ÷ 0.25	> (R ÷ G) ÷ 0.25
Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)	Annual mean concentration of total phosphorus (µg/l)
---	---	---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5	Column 6
Geological and depth category	High	Good	Moderate	Poor	Bad
High alkalinity; shallow	16	23	46	92	> 92
High alkalinity; very shallow	23	31	62	124	> 124
Moderate alkalinity; deep	8	12	24	48	> 48
Moderate alkalinity; shallow	11	16	32	64	> 64
Moderate alkalinity; very shallow	15	22	44	88	> 88
Low alkalinity; deep	5	8	16	32	> 32
Low alkalinity; shallow	7	10	20	40	> 40
Low alkalinity; very shallow	9	14	28	56	> 56
Marl; shallow	9	20	40	80	> 80
Marl; very shallow	10	24	48	96	> 96
	Dissolved oxygen concentrations (mg/l) as 5-percentile values
---	---
High	5.7
Good	4.0
Moderate	2.4
Poor	1.6
Bad	<1.6
	Dissolved oxygen concentrations (mg/l) as 5-percentile values
---	---
High	≥5.7
Good	≥4.0 and <5.7
Moderate	≥2.4 and <4.0
Poor	≥1.6 and <2.4
Bad	<1.6
	Mean dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration (micromoles per litre) during the period 1st December to 28th February
---	---
High	12
Good	18
Moderate	30
Poor	40.5
Bad	>40.5
¹ The standards for 2,4 D specified in Column 2 and Column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for 2,4 D specified in Column 2 and Column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for 2,4 D specified in Column 2 and Column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for 2,4 D specified in Column 2 and Column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.
---	---	---	---
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1	Column 2¹	Column 3	Column 4¹
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.3	1.3	0.3	1.3
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
4.2	140	0.42	6
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.2	5.4	0.2	5.4
¹ The standard for arsenic refers to the dissolved fraction of a water sample obtained by filtration through a 0.45µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment	¹ The standard for arsenic refers to the dissolved fraction of a water sample obtained by filtration through a 0.45µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment
---	---
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1¹	Column 2¹
Annual mean (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)
50	25
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
7.5	51	0.75	10
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
---	---
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.15	0.7
¹ The standards for chlorine specified in Column 2 and 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for chlorine specified in Column 2 and 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for chlorine specified in Column 2 and 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.
---	---	---
² The term “total residual oxidants” refers to the sum of all oxidising agents existing in water, expressed as available chlorine.	² The term “total residual oxidants” refers to the sum of all oxidising agents existing in water, expressed as available chlorine.	² The term “total residual oxidants” refers to the sum of all oxidising agents existing in water, expressed as available chlorine.
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1	Column 2¹	Column 3¹
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of total available chlorine	95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of total available chlorine	95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of total residual oxidant²
2	5	10
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
---	---
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.035	1.2
¹ The standard for chromium III specified in column 2 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water	¹ The standard for chromium III specified in column 2 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water
---	---
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
Column 1	Column 2¹
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium III	95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium III
4.7	32
¹ The standard for chromium VI specified in column 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standard for chromium VI specified in column 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standard for chromium VI specified in column 3 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.
---	---	---
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3¹
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI	Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI	95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of dissolved chromium VI
3.4	0.6	32
¹ bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of copper likely to result in toxic effects as determined using the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool (also referred to as a PNEC Estimator) for copper.	¹ bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of copper likely to result in toxic effects as determined using the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool (also referred to as a PNEC Estimator) for copper.
---	---
² The recommended salt water standard applies to the fraction of a water sample that passes through a 0.45-µm filter or that is obtained by any equivalent pre-treatment.	² The recommended salt water standard applies to the fraction of a water sample that passes through a 0.45-µm filter or that is obtained by any equivalent pre-treatment.
³ “DOC” means the annual mean concentration of dissolved organic carbon in mg/l.	³ “DOC” means the annual mean concentration of dissolved organic carbon in mg/l.
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters²
Column 2	Column 3
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved copper	Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of dissolved copper
1(bioavailable)¹	3.76 µg/l dissolved, where DOC³ ≤ 1 mg/l
1(bioavailable)¹	3.76 +(2.677 × ((DOC/2) - 0.5)) µg/l dissolved, where DOC > 1 mg/l
¹ The standards for cyanide specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for cyanide specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for cyanide specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	¹ The standards for cyanide specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purpose of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.
---	---	---	---
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1	Column 2¹	Column 3	Column 4¹
Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of ‘free’ cyanide (HCN and CN)	95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of ‘free’cyanide (HCN and CN)	Annual mean concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide	95-percentile concentration (µg/l) of hydrogen cyanide
1	5	1	5
¹ Cypermethrin ceases to be a specific pollutant from 22 December 2018, when it shall be listed as a priority substance.	¹ Cypermethrin ceases to be a specific pollutant from 22 December 2018, when it shall be listed as a priority substance.	¹ Cypermethrin ceases to be a specific pollutant from 22 December 2018, when it shall be listed as a priority substance.	¹ Cypermethrin ceases to be a specific pollutant from 22 December 2018, when it shall be listed as a priority substance.
---	---	---	---
² The standards for cypermethrin specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purposes of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	² The standards for cypermethrin specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purposes of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	² The standards for cypermethrin specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purposes of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.	² The standards for cypermethrin specified in column 2 and column 4 must not be used for the purposes of classifying the ecological status or potential of bodies of surface water.
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes¹²	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes¹²	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters¹²	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters¹²
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.1	0.4	0.1	0.41
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.01	0.02	0.01	0.26
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.48	4.0	0.48	4.0
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
196	398	196	398
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean concentration (mg/l) of dissolved iron	Annual mean concentration (mg/l) of dissolved iron
1	1
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.5	0.9	0.5	0.9

¹ bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of manganese likely to result in toxic effects as determined in accordance with the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool for manganese.
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes
Annual mean (µg/l) bioavailable
123¹

Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
18	187	18	187
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
---	---
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.01	0.77
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
---	---
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.3	0.58
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.001	0.01	0.0002	0.001
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
7.7	46	7.7	46
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes
---	---
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
140	1848
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
74	380	74	370
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---	---	---
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)	95-percentile (µg/l)
0.1	0.28	0.1	0.28
Good standard for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standard for transitional and coastal waters
---	---
Annual mean (µg/l)	Annual mean (µg/l)
Not applicable	21
¹ bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of zinc likely to result in toxic effects as determined using the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool (also referred to as a PNEC Estimator) for zinc.	¹ bioavailable means the fraction of the dissolved concentration of zinc likely to result in toxic effects as determined using the Metal Bioavailability Assessment Tool (also referred to as a PNEC Estimator) for zinc.
---	---
² Ambient Background Concentration is an estimate of background levels of zinc based on a low percentile of monitoring data. A figure of 1 µg/l has been estimated for freshwaters in Northern Ireland.	² Ambient Background Concentration is an estimate of background levels of zinc based on a low percentile of monitoring data. A figure of 1 µg/l has been estimated for freshwaters in Northern Ireland.
Good standards for rivers and freshwater lakes	Good standards for transitional and coastal waters
Column 1	Column 2
Annual mean	Annual mean
10.9 bioavailable¹ plus Ambient Background Concentration² (µg/l) dissolved	6.8 dissolved plus Ambient Background Concentration (µg/l)

Application of the standards set out in Table 47 For any given surface water body, applying the AA-EQS means that, for each representative monitoring point within the water body, the arithmetic mean of the concentrations measured at different times during the year does not exceed the standard. The calculation of the arithmetic mean, the analytical method used and, where there is no appropriate analytical method meeting the minimum performance criteria, the method of applying a standard must be in accordance with implementing acts adopting technical specifications for chemical monitoring and quality of analytical results, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. For any given surface water body, applying the MAC-EQS means that the measured concentration at any representative monitoring point within the water body does not exceed the standard. However, in accordance with section 1.3.4. of Annex V to the Water Framework Directive, the Department may introduce statistical methods, such as a percentile calculation, to ensure an acceptable level of confidence and precision for determining compliance with the MAC-EQS. Where the Department introduces statistical methods, such methods must apply with rules laid down in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 9(2) of Directive 2008/105/EC. With the exception of cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel (hereinafter “metals”) the standards set out in Table 47 are expressed as total concentrations in the whole water sample. In the case of metals the standards refer to the dissolved concentration i.e. the dissolved phase of a water sample obtained by filtration through a 0.45 µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment, or, where specifically indicated, to the bioavailable concentration. The Department may, when assessing the monitoring results against the standards, take into account:

natural background concentrations for metals and their compounds, if they prevent compliance with the standard; and

hardness, pH, dissolved organic carbon or other water quality parameters that affect the bioavailability of metals, the bioavailable concentrations being determined using appropriate bioavailability modelling.

Editorial notes

S.I. 2008/301

1972 c.68

S.I. 1999/662 (N.I. 6)

EU Commission Decision 2013/480/EU

OJ L201, 1.8.2009, p.36

OJ L348, 16.12.2008, p.84

OJ L226, 24.8.2013, p.1

OJ L348, 16.12.2008, p.84

OJ L226, 24.08.2013, P.1

OJ L311, 31.10.2014, p.32

1954 c.33 (N.I.)

Commission Implementing Decision 2015/495. OJ L 78, 24.3.2015, p40

OJ L78, 24.3.2015, p40

S.R. 2009 No. 254

OJ L41, 14.2.2003, p.26

S.R. 2011 No.10

S.R. 2012 No.442

S.R. 2015 No.45

Words in reg. 20(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(5) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 21(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(6) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 21(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(7) (with reg. 37)

Reg. 3(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(4) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 2(1) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(a) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(b) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(2)(c) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 2(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(b), 4(1) of the amending Rule) by The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/81), reg. 1(a), Sch. 4 para. 1(3) (with reg. 37)

Words in reg. 15(2)(b) substituted (24.12.2018) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (S.R. 2018/200), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 13

Sch. 6 inserted (31.1.2020) by The Water (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/112), regs. 1(1), 11(9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

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