# The Surface Waters (Abstraction for Drinking Water) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, Note: Explanatory note

Extent: N.I.

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations prescribe a system for classifying the quality of waters intended for abstraction for drinking water according to their suitability for abstraction by the Department of the Environment for supply after treatment as drinking water.
The classifications DW1, DW2 and DW3 prescribed by regulation 3 reflect the values assigned by Directive 75/440/EEC (the quality required of surface water intended for abstraction of drinking water) to the parameters listed in Schedule 1 to the Regulations. The values in the “I” column of the Schedule (regulation 4) represent those values which the Department is required to meet by the Directive.
The values in the “G” column of the Schedule (regulation 5) are values which the Department is required to endeavour to respect when discharging its water pollution control functions.
Regulation 6 sets out the standards which waters will be required to meet to comply with the Regulations.
The Department is also required to draw up a systematic plan of action for the improvement of the waters (regulation 11).
The Regulations also incorporate the methods of measurement and frequency of sampling and analysis in 79/869/EEC laid down in that Directive for those parameters.
The Surface Waters (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 are revoked as a consequence of these Regulations.
Copies of the Directives may be obtained from The Stationery Office Ltd, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1996/603/note (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/surface-waters-abstraction-for-drinking-water-classification-regulations-northern-ireland-1996/note
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.