This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to water pollution. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
For more information about EMS, see our guide on environmental management systems - the basics.
- Anti-Pollution Works Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2003/7. Anti-pollution works notices, how to appeal and claim compensation for access rights in connection with anti-pollution works. Find the Anti-Pollution Works Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Control of Pollution (Applications and Registers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2001/284. Procedures for applying or varying consents, including advertising applications and details for the water pollution control register. Find the Control of Pollution (Applications and Registers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2009/252. Rules to force polluters to prevent and repair damage to water systems, land quality, species and their habitats and protected sites. Find the Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2009/254. Introduces classification systems in line with European developments. Find the Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Water (Northern Ireland) Order SR 1999/662. Makes provision for discharge consents. Find the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2003/544. Sets out requirements for managing, protecting and improving the quality of water resources, particularly river basins. Find the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2011/10. Sets out classification schemes, requiring NIEA to assign a type to each water body and apply defined environmental standards. Find the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
Find guidance on current and future environmental legislation on the NetRegs website.