Poots details water quality improvement plans

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today highlighted the need to protect the quality of our local water environment.

The Minister was speaking as he published River Basin Management Plans. These 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 water quality.

The Minister explained:  “We rely on our water environment not only for drinking water but also recreation, industry, tourism and agriculture.  With over 50% of our biodiversity living in the sea our water quality is vitally important for plants, animals and habitats.”

The River Basin Management Plans will be implemented through Local Management Areas during the 2010 to 2015 cycle. NIEA Water Management Unit will work with stakeholders through the NI Water Framework Directive Stakeholder Forum and Catchment Stakeholder Groups to develop focused Local Management Area Plans.

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.”

The Minister encouraged people to visit the NIEA website to use the inter-active web map which will detail local river basin water quality.  It also provides summary documents and the programme of measures NIEA will be implementing over the next six years to improve the local water environment.

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. 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.