Key Facts about: Inland Water Quality and Use
Chemical river water quality: 1990-2006
United Kingdom
|
Percentage of rivers of good quality |
||||||
|
|
1990 |
2000 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Wales |
86 |
93 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
95 |
|
Scotland [1] |
.. |
87 |
88 |
87 |
87 |
88 |
|
England |
43 |
64 |
62 |
62 |
64 |
66 |
|
Northern Ireland [2] |
.. |
(59) |
58 |
58 |
63 |
74 |
This is a UK Government sustainable development strategy indicator
In England 66 per cent of rivers were of good quality in 2006 compared with 43 per cent in 1990. In Northern Ireland quality fell in the mid-1990s and then recovered. In all years since 1993 over 90 per cent of rivers in Wales have been of good chemical quality. In Scotland, 88 per cent of rivers were of good quality in 2006, compared to 87 per cent in 2000, based on a combined chemical, biological and aesthetic assessment.
- Notes:
- [1] Scotland network changed from 2000
- [2] Northern Ireland network expanded significantly in 2002. Data from smaller network are shown in brackets.
In Detail:
- Chemical river quality surveys
- River Water Quality Database for regional and local authority areas in England and Wales
- First published in July 2002, the database provides chemical and biological river water quality data on monitored rivers for each Government Office Region and Local Authority.
Further Information:
- Source:
- Environment Agency, SEPA, Environment and Heritage Service
- Press Release:
- River Water Quality framework indicator for Sustainable Development: 2006, 28 August 2007 (272/07)
- Key Facts:
- Biological river water quality
- Nitrate concentrations in rivers
- Phosphate concentrations in rivers
- Water pollution incidents
- Drinking water quality
- Sustainable Development Indicators:
- Protecting our natural resources and enhancing the environment: River water quality
- Explanation of indicators
Data Tables:
Download Chart Data: Microsoft Excel
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Page last modified: 28 August 2007
Page published: 28 August 2007