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Groundwater quality monitoring

We monitor groundwater quality across England and Wales to help us protect and manage groundwater resources, and meet our legal duties.

We monitor nearly 3500 sites across England and Wales. The information is used to:

  • Identify areas that require special protection, such as nitrate vulnerable zones
  • Identify where we need to clean up groundwater where it has already become polluted
  • Observe the effects of climate change and man's activities
  • Report on groundwater quality for England, Wales and Europe

The statutory drivers that require effective monitoring include the following EU and UK legislation:

  • Water Framework Directive (2000)
  • Nitrates Directive (1991)
  • Environment Act (1995)
  • Groundwater Regulations (1998)
  • Water Resources Act (1991)
  • Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act (1990)

Through effective monitoring we will be able to better understand pressures on groundwater and know where to target our effort.