The report ‘Northern Ireland Coastal Zone – Indicators of Sustainable Development, 1997-2007" contains over 30 indicators and seven goals to measure coastal sustainability.
It considers the full range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the coastal environment – from trends in unemployment, the number of blue flag beaches through to visitor numbers and the level of public awareness about sustainable development.
Examples of progress made during the period of the report include an improvement in the number of coastal waste water treatment works complying with European discharge standards.
Goal 4 of the Report is to ensure that beaches are clean and that coastal waters are unpolluted. In 2000, Northern Ireland achieved 100% compliance standards for bathing waters; in 2007 compliance was approximately 91%, with two beaches (out of 23 monitored) failing to meet the mandatory standards.
Almost half of marine water bodies around Northern Ireland’s shores in 2008 were classified as ‘high’ or ‘good’, with the remainder being classified as 'moderate'.
Compliance levels of coastal waste water treatment works fell from 65% in 2001, to 48% in 2003; by 2007 the compliance levels had reached 76%.Welcoming the new report. Northern Ireland Environment Minister Alex Attwood said:
“The report generally shows progress has been made over the period between 1997 and 2007, but equally indicates there is room for further improvement which I am committed to pursuing."
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Coastal and Marine Forum, Professor Andrew Cooper said the report would help all stakeholders to focus efforts to improve the management of Northern Ireland's coastal area.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
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