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Minister launches plans to improve local water environment

Monday, 25 January 2010

A six-year plan to improve the quality of water in Northern Ireland's rivers was launched today by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.

The implementation of the 'River Basin Management Plans' takes place from 2010 to 2015.

The Minister explained: “We rely on our water environment not only for drinking water but also recreation, industry, tourism and agriculture. As our waters are home to over 50% of our plants, animals and habitats, the quality is vitally important.”

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Water Management Unit will actively work with a range of stakeholders in each river basin area across Northern Ireland to develop focused plans to improve the quality of our water.

The Minister explained: “I have worked with my Executive colleagues to bring forward an ambitious, though balanced, programme of measures to improve the management and quality of our rivers, lakes, marine waters and groundwater. Using river basin planning, we will take an integrated approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable use of the water environment, from source to sea. I look forward to reviewing the success of these measures throughout the 2010 - 2015 period."

Notes to editors:

  1. Publication of the River Basin Management Plans is a requirement of the Water Framework Directive. All 27 EU member states are required to publish similar plans by 22 December 2009.
  2. The plans were the subject of a six month public consultation, which closed on 22 June 2009.
  3. A number of stakeholders who were present at the launch today were given the opportunity to view the inter-active web map which details local water quality. The stakeholders also discussed with NIEA staff the River Basin Plan summary documents and the programme of measures NIEA will be implementing with them over the next six years in each local area.
  4. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned