Resource information
The Regulations require the Department of the Environment to use its new powers under the Regulations and its existing powers under the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 to prevent the direct or indirect discharge of list I substances to groundwater and to control pollution resulting from the direct or indirect discharge of list II substances (regs. 4 to 14). The new powers are conferred by regulations 13 and 16 to 20 which introduce: (a) a new requirement for an authorization for the disposal, or tipping for the purposes of disposal, of list I or II substances: (b) a new procedure for prohibiting or regulating by notice other activities in or on land which pose an indirect threat to groundwater from list I or II substances. There are exceptions from the main controls (subject to certain safeguards) in relation to: (a) discharges to groundwater unsuitable for other uses, (b) water used for geothermal purposes or pumped out of mines, quarries or civil engineering works, and (c) artificial recharges of groundwater for management purposes (regs. 4(6) and 12). The Regulations apply certain modifications to section 8 of the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 in connection with the new controls (regs. 15 and 16). Regulation 21 deals with information to be included on registers maintained under section 9(9) of the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. Regulation 22 makes transitional provisions in relation to the new authorization procedure. Regulation 23 makes provision for consultation with the competent authorities in the Republic of Ireland if the Department intends to grant an authorization which might affect transfrontier groundwater.
Implements: Council Directive 80/68/EEC on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances. (1979-12-17)
Amended by: Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. No. 493 of 2003). (2003-11-28)
Amended by: Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. No. 46 of 2003). (2003-01-31)
Amended by: Waste Management Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. No. 280 of 2006). (2006-06-26)
Repealed by: Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.I. No. 254 of 2009). (2009-07-02)
