# The Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, Regulation 24: Transboundary Pollution


(1) If the Department is found to be in breach of its obligations under the Directive as a result of the exceedance of an environmental quality standard it shall be a defence for the Department if it can demonstrate that—
(a) the exceedance was due to a source of pollution outside its jurisdiction;
(b) it was unable as a result of such transboundary pollution to take effective measures to comply with the relevant environmental quality standard; and
(c) it had applied the coordination mechanisms set out in Article 3 of the Water Framework Directive and, as appropriate, taken advantage of the provisions of Article 4(4), (5) and (6) of that Directive for those water bodies affected by transboundary pollution.
(2) The Department must record measures it has taken to address the issue of transboundary pollution in the relevant river basin management plan.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2015/351/regulation/24 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/water-framework-directive-classification-priority-substances-and-shellfish-waters-regulations-northern-ireland-2015/regulation-24
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.