THE EVOLUTION OF WATER-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN-IRELAND

There is no shortage of a basic water resource in Northern Ireland because average rainfall across the province varies from 900 mm to 1100 mm per annum, east to west. However, as elsewhere, there is a constant need to ensue the provision of adequate water sourceworks. In 1973, the Water Executive of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland took over responsibility for the water and sewerage services which were previously controlled by 76 local and district authorities. In some cases, source schemes which had been inherited reflected the parochial nature of the promoters rather than the wider regional approach Upland impoundments were traditionally favoured and still account for 40% of all sources. Freshwater loughs were also used and Lough Neagh (the largest freshwater lough in the UK) accounts for 27% of all public supplies, with other loughs contributing a further 9%. River intakes at 13% and groundwater and springs at 11% make up the remaining sources. This paper outlines how water resource developments have evolved in Northern Ireland and describes the approach and recommendations of the study.