Water Quality

Southern Group Water Quality staff act on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service (E.H.S) which is an agency within the Department of the Environment (DOE). We have a duty to promote the conservation of the water resources of Northern Ireland and the cleanliness of water in waterways and underground strata. In performing this duty we must have regard to the needs of industry and agriculture, the protection of fisheries, the protection of public health, the preservation of amenity and the conservation of flora and fauna. 

We strive to maintain or improve the quality of surface waters and waters in underground strata in Northern Ireland as required by EC Directives, national policy and international agreements. Many waterways support ecological habitats and species of national and international importance. Water pollution can reduce the quality of these waterways and habitats. Water quality staff play a vital role in the monitoring and protection of these waterways through their day to day activities such as river sampling, processing and monitoring domestic and trade discharge consents and pollution investigations with associated enforcement action. There are two full time Water Quality Sampling Officers employed in the Southern Group area to carry out daily monitoring of waterways and trade effluent discharges. In addition, five Water Quality Inspectors and two Senior Water Quality Inspectors are based in either the Armagh or Newry offices, providing incident response and the other water quality functions for the five council areas within the Southern Group area.

Part of the water quality function is to provide a 24 hour 365 day on call emergency response to reports of water pollution on behalf of the E.H.S. One call to the Free phone number 0800807060 is all that is required to report a pollution incident and this service is completely confidential. Southern Group Water quality staff are now responsible for dealing with pollution incidents originating from the agricultural sector and from the newly formed Northern Ireland Water Limited. Staff also participate in the cross-compliance inspections of farm businesses with a view to enforcing regulations such as the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) and Nitrates Directive.

Article 14 of the EC Water Framework Directive requires the publication of a Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI) Report for each River Basin District (RBD) at least 2 years before the beginning of each river basin planning period. Southern Group Water Quality Staff have participated in stakeholder meetings to fulfil this obligation which should ensure that water quality for future generations is safe guarded. For any questions in relation to environmental issues, the E.H.S website at www.ehsni.gov.uk will provide the relevant links.

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