The European Water Framework Directive was transposed to national legislation through the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. The Water (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ensures that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (as transposed) and the various supporting pieces of water legislation remain implemented in Northern Ireland as National legislation. Surface Drinking Water Protected Areas as defined by Article 10 of the Water Framework Directive were identified as part of the 2nd Cycle in 2016. The protected areas were created from the 2016 updated 450 river water bodies with input and agreement from Northern Ireland Water. This layer forms part of the designated protected areas as defined under the Water Framework Directive legislation.There are no plans to update the Surface Drinking Water Protected Areas
