PART 2River basin districts and water bodies
Characterisation of river basin district and international river basin districts5
1
The Department must maintain and periodically review and (if necessary) update, in accordance with Annex II to the Directive (characterisation of waters)—
a
an analysis of the characteristics of each river basin district and the part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland; and
b
a review of the impact of human activity on the status of surface water and groundwater in the river basin district and the part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland.
2
A review and any update must be done—
a
by 22nd December 2019; and
b
subsequently, by 22nd December of the sixth year following that date and of each sixth year following that.
3
In relation to a review of the characteristics of each river basin district and part of each international river basin district falling within Northern Ireland in accordance with paragraph 1(a), the Department must include in the relevant river basin management plan an explanation of the approach taken to the use of System A or B in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 to 1.2.4 (characterisation of surface water body types) of Annex II to the Directive.