Latest statistics show that only just over one fifth (22%) of rivers monitored under the Water Framework Directive were of at least a ‘good’ standard in 2010.

The data forms part of the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Environmental Statistics Report with over 50 environmental indicators, which has just been published.

With over 50 environmental indicators, the Report focuses on eight key themes from biodiversity to waste management and the indicators show changes in aspects affecting the environment, ranging from changing attitudes towards the environment, trends in Strangford Lough seal population, the quality of drinking and bathing waters through to the number of housing completions and quantity of household waste produced.

Some key points from the report on water and marine-related issues include:

• River monitoring is carried out routinely against national standards for the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Just over one fifth (22%) of monitored river waterbodies were of at least a ‘good’ standard in 2010.
• Industrial discharge quality and water utility discharge quality have improved since the beginning of the decade. Compliance for private sewage reached its highest level in 2010 (88%) compared to 82% in 2009.
• Drinking water quality is also at the highest level of compliance since 2004, at 99.8%.
• Nineteen percent of all substantiated water pollution incidents in Northern Ireland in 2010 were considered to be of ‘High’ or ‘Medium’ severity in 2010; an increase on the 2009 level of 16%.
• In 2011, all 24 of the beaches monitored in Northern Ireland met the EC Bathing Water Directive mandatory standards, compared to 22 beaches in 2010.
• Almost half (48%) of marine water bodies around Northern Ireland’s shores are classified as high or good, with the remaining waterbody areas being classified as moderate.
• In 2010, all ten designated shellfish waters achieved the mandatory standards and there were no exceedences of the dangerous substances standards in shellfish waters.