Groundwater Drinking Water Protected Areas (DWPA's)
submitted as part of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2nd cycle reporting in
2016. The extent of each protected area
was created by NIEA Land & Groundwater team.In order to provide water for people to drink we abstract
raw water from reservoirs, rivers and the ground (known as groundwater). These areas are referred to a Drinking Water
Protected Areas (DWPAs) within the Water Framework Directive. Where necessary this
raw water is treated to purify it for us to drink.
Groundwater DWPA's include areas where water is/ can be
abstracted for public or private drinking water supplies, for direct inclusion
within food (e.g. cooking or food preparation including processing,
preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human
consumption), but not water intended for indirect uses such as spray
irrigation.