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Title: Recommendations for a scheme of water quality classification for setting statutory water quality objectives
Author: National Rivers Authority
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
The Water Act 1989, now consolidated into the Water Resources Act 1991, allows for the Secretaries of State to prescribe by regulations a system of classifying controlled waters and, through this system, to set Water Quality Objectives for specific bodies of such waters. The NRAs role in this process is that, once set, it has a joint duty with the Secretaries of State to ensure that the Water Quality Objectives are met, in so far as it is practicable to do so, by the exercise of the powers available to it. So far, Water Quality Objectives have only been introduced in relation to long-standing EC Directives on the permissible concentrations of certain dangerous substances in both fresh and marine waters, and in relation to bathing water quality. The NRA agreed with the Department of the Environment (DoE) that it would advise on a more general and consistent approach to the derivation of classification schemes and their use for setting Water Quality Objectives. In order to do so, the NRA put together a number of ideas and concepts and, before providing the Secretaries of State with its considered advice, published a consultation document in December 1991 (NRA Water Quality Series No 5) in order to obtain the widest possible public view. An open public discussion forum was also held. Three months were allowed for written responses, but the majority of the detailed replies were not received until after that date.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: [before 1996]
Publication Place: [Bristol]
Subject Keywords: Water qualityWater quality measurementsClassificationRiver Quality Objectives
Geographic Keywords: EnglandWales
Extent: 19
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:3189
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