Our Catchment Team have developed a Catchment Management Plan for each of our drinking water catchment areas, which identifies catchment pressures and solutions. NI Water collaborate with many different partners to plan and implement catchment measures which protect and improve our raw water based on catchment risks and our Team’s knowledge about our catchments.
Altnahinch
Altnahinch catchment is an upland catchment in the Glens of Antrim.
| Catchment Area: | 817 hectares |
| Main Water put into distribution | Max 12 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Altnahinch reservoir |
| Supplies: | 16,000 people |
| Nearest town: | Loughguile, Co. Antrim |
| Main land use: | Peat and heathland, coniferous commercial forestry, transitional woodland scrub |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity(Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risk are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
- Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- Moyle Moorlands and Forest Landscape Character Area (LCA)
- Slieveanorra and Croaghan Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
- Altnahinch and the Slieveanorra Moor Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
- Antrim Hills Special Protection Area (SPA)
Partnerships
DAERA Forest Service, Ulster Wildlife
Ballinrees
Ballinrees is mostly a lowland river and lough catchment
| Catchment area: | 2,804 hectares in Lower Bann corridor and upland sub-catchments (570,126 hectares including Lough Neagh) |
| Catchment yield: | 14 ML/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 50 ML/day |
| Water comes from: | Ballinrees reservoir, fed by River Bann and 8 upland sub-catchments |
| Supplies: | 96,0000 people |
| Nearest town: | Coleraine, Co. Derry/Londonderry |
| Main land use: | Agriculture, coniferous commercial forestry, peat and heathland and transitional woodland scrub |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment
Landscape Designations
- Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- Binevenagh Landscape Character Area (LCA)
- Eastern Binevenagh Slopes LCA
- Coleraine Farmland and Lower Bann Floodplain LCAs
- Altikeeragh Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
- Gortycavan ASSI
- There are four Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs) contained within the River Bann sub-catchment - Agivey Bridge, Dromore Wood, Colebreene Wood and Knockantern.
Partnerships
DAERA Forest Service, the Water Catchment Partnership (Rush Solution without Pollution project), Binevenagh Red Squirrel Group
Belleek
Belleek catchment is a lowland lake catchment in the Fermanagh Lakelands and is cross-border
| Catchment Area: | 123,126 Hectares |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 26 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Lower Lough Erne |
| Supplies: | 5,000 people |
| Nearest town: | Belleek, Co. Fermanagh |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture, peatland, waterbodies |
Catchment Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium and Clostridium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
18 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
6 RAMSAR sites
2 Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
3 Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
84 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)
11 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
In the Republic of Ireland:
2 Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs)
6 proposed NHAs (pNHAs)
Partnership
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Belleek catchment.
Carmoney
Carmoney catchment is a lowland river catchment.
| Catchment area: | 28,733 hectares |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 40 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | River Faughan |
| Supplies: | 35,000 people |
| Nearest town: | Eglinto, Co.Derry/Londonderry |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture, coniferious commercial forestry, peatland and heathland, transitional woodland scrub. |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Foyle Valley Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Sperrin Foothills LCA, Sperrin Mountains LCA
Burngibbagh and Drumahoe LCA
Lough Foyle Alluvial Plain LCA
Loughermore Hills LCA
5 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)
11 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
Partnerships
McQuillan Environment (Farm Chemical Disposal Scheme), The Woodland Trust, Loughs Agency
Castor Bay
Castor Bay is a lowland lough catchment and is cross-border.
| Catchment area: | 4,950 hectares direct catchment around WTWs(>500,000 hectares including Lough Neagh) |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 147 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Lough Neagh |
| Supplies: | 324,000 people |
| Nearest town: | Lurgan, Co. Armagh |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture, broadleaf forest, urban areas |
Catchment Pressures
Agriculture
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Seasonal algal blooms
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
5 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
1 Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Montiaghs Moss SAC
Montiaghs Moss Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Special Protection Area (SPA)
Lough Neagh ASSI
Lough Neagh & Lough Beg RAMSAR Site
Lurgan Park Lake Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI)
Partnerships
Forever Lough Neagh Partnership, RSPBNI (Portmore)
Caugh Hill
Caugh Hill is an upland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 2,005 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 118 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 40 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Altnaheglish reservoir (Banagher Dam), Glenedra River |
| Supplies: | 43,000 |
| Nearest town: | Dungiven, Co. Derry/Londonderry |
| Main land use: | Peat and heathland, coniferous commercial forestry, transitional woodland scrub. |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Sperrin Mountains LCA
Binevenagh LCA
Sperrin AONB
5 Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
Partnerships
DAERA Forest Service, local graziers, The Woodland Trust, Loughs Agency
Clay Lake
Clay Lake is a lowland lake catchment and is cross-border
| Catchment area: | 593 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 12 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 10 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Clay Lake, Gentle Owens |
| Supplies: | 4,000 people |
| Nearest town: | Keady, Co. Armagh |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture, peat and heathland |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
- Seasonal algal blooms
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment
Landscape Designation
Carrigatuke Hills Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Clay Lake and Gentle Owens Lake Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
Partnerships
Local farmers (farming for Water Scheme)
Derg
Derg is mostly a lowland river catchment and cross-border
| Catchment area: | 170,700 hectares (Derg and Strule) |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 27 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Derg River, Strule River |
| Supplies: | 29,000 people |
| Nearest town: | Victoria Bridge, Co. Tyrone |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture, peat and healthland, coniferious commercial forestry, transitional woodland scrub |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Grazing Animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Ammonia
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Crptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment, except for Ammonia which results in the WTW being shut down until the risk is passed.
Landscape Designations
Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
18 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
10 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
Partnerships
McQuillan Environmental (Farm Chemical Disposal Scheme), the Rivers Trust.
Dorisland
Dorisland catchment is an upland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 3,053 |
| Catchment yield: | 72 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | max 50 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Dorisland, Copeland, Lough Mourne and Woodburn North and South reservoirs and French Park course |
| Supplies: | 92,000 people |
| Nearest town | Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture, coniferous commercial forestry, transitional woodland shrub |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Carrickfergus upland pastures LCA
Carrickfergus Farmed Escarpment LCA
4 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)
12 Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
Partnerships
The Woodland Trust, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Drumaroad (Including Lough Island Reavy)
Drumaroad is an upland mountain catchment
| Catchment area: | 5,035 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 141 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 155 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Silent Valley and Lough Island Reavy reservoirs, Annalong River |
| Supplies: | 266,193 people |
| Nearest town: | Castlewellan, Co. Down |
| Main land use: | Mountains, heathland, rough pasture and peatland |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and healthland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Mourne Foothills Landscape Character Area (LCA) and Mourne Foothills LCA and the Mourne Mountains LCA
Eastern Mournes Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Eastern Mournes Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Partnerships
Mourne Heritage Trust, The National Trust, Forever Mournes Partnership, The Mourne Consdervation Graziers, DAERA NIEA, The Woodland Trust, DAERA Forest Service, Newry Mourne and Down District Council
Dungonnell
Dungonnell is an upland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 1,199 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 14.6 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | max 14 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Dungonnell reservoir, Lough Garve 1 and 2, Inver River, Colin Burn |
| Supplies: | 18,748 |
| Nearest town: | Cargan, Co. Antrim |
| Main land use: | Peatland, natural grasslands and water bodies |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
Landscape Designations
Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Garron Plateau Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Garron Plateau Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and RAMSAR.
Antrim Hills Special Protection Area (SPA)
Partnerships
RSPBNI, DAERA NIEA, Local Graziers
Dunore Point
Dunore Point is a lowland lough catchment and is cross-border
| Catchment area: | 4,950 hectares direct catchment around WTWs (>500,000 hectares including Lough Neagh) |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 200 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Lough Neagh |
| Supplies: | 300,157 people |
| Nearest town: | Antrim, Co. Antrim |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pastures, urban area, airport |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
Raw Water Quality Pressures
4 landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
1 Special Area of Conservation
Montiaghs Moss Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Special Protection Area (SPA)
Lough Neagh ASSI
Lough Neagh & Lough Beg RAMSAR Site
Rea's and Farrs Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Partnerships
The Woodland Trust, local graziers
Fofanny
Fofanny is an upland catchment
| Catchment area: | 1,271 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 51.4 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 52 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Spelga and Fofanny reservoirs, Shimna River |
| Supplies: | 60, 307 |
| Nearest town: | Kilcoo, Co. Down |
| Main land use: | Heathland, rough pasture and peatland |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Grazing animals
- Commercial forestry operations
- Wildfire risk
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Mourne Mountains LCA
Easter Mournes Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Eastern Mournes Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Western Mournes and Kilfeaghan Upper ASSI
Partnerships
Mourne Heritage Trust, DAERA Forest Service, Local Graziers, The Woodland Trust
Glenhordial
Glenhordial is a mixed upland and lowland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 25,522 hectares |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 8 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Glenhordial reservoir, Camowen River, Strule River, Crosh River |
| Supplies: | 29,756 people |
| Nearest town: | Omagh, Co. Tyrone |
| Main land use: | Agrivultural pastures, Natural grasslands, and peat bogs. |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing Animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Sperring Area of Natural Beauty (AONB)
6 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
Deroran Bog Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
6 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Edenfore and Fallaghearn Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
Partnerships
Local farmers, Protecting Shared Waters partners (PEACE+)
Killyhevlin
Killyhevlin is a lowland catchment in the Fermanagh Lakelands and is cross-border
| Catchment area: | 321,300 hectares |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 44 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: |
Upper Lough Erne |
| Supplies: | 52,517 people |
| Nearest town: | Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pastures, commercial forestry, peatland, waterbodies. |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (Cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium and Clostridium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
12 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
8 Special Areas of Conservations (SACs)
4 Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
35 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)
2 Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs)
36 proposed NHAs (pNHAs)
4 RAMSAR sites
Partnerships
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Killyhevlin catchment
Killylane
Killylane is an upland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 1,127 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 33.41 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 16.1 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Killylane reservoir, Crosswater 1 and 2 and Donaghy's sub-catchment |
| Supplies: | 23,188 people |
| Nearest town: | Ballyclare, Co. Antrim |
| Main land use: | Coniferous Forest, natural grasslands, heathland, peatland. |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Natural Beauty (AONB)
Larne Basalt Moorland Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Antrim Hills Special Protection Area (SPA)
Partnerships
DAERA Forest Service, CAFRE Hillfarm Glenwherry
Lough Bradan
Lough Bradan catchment is an upland catchment.
| Catchment Area: | 1,233 hectares |
| Catchment Yield: | 30.17 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 16 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Lough Bradan, Lough Lee |
| Supplies: | 30,304 people |
| Nearest town: | Drumquin, Co. Tyrone |
| Main land use: | Coniferous Forest, transitional woodland-shrub and peat bogs |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- These pressures/risks are removed during the water treatment.
Landscape Designations
Lough Bradan Landscape Character Assessment (LCA)
Gortnasoal Glebe and Meenadoan Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Partnerships
DAERA Forest Service, IUCN (Lough Bradan Peatland Restoration Project)
Lough Fea
Lough Fea is an upland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 1,143 heactares |
| Catchment yield: | 35.04 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 17 million litres/day |
| Water comes form: | Lough Fea, Whitewater reservoir, Sruhanaclogh and Srhanpollakeeran rivers |
| Supplies: | 21,267 people |
| Nearest town: | Cookstown, Co. Tyrone |
| Main land use: | Moors, heathland and natural grasslands |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
Landscape Designations
- Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- Slieve Gallion Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Partnerships
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Lough Fea catchment.
Lough Macrory
Lough Macrory is an upland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 1, 566 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 44.93 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 18.5 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Lough Macrory, Lough Fingrean, Lough Carn, Strawdowen Burn |
| Supplies: | 24,404 people |
| Nearest town: | Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone |
| Main land use: | Moors, heathland, peat bogs and pastures |
Catchment Pressures
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
Landscape Designations
Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Beaghmore Moors and Marsh Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Bessy Bell and Gortin LCA
Carrickmore Hills LCA
Partnerships
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Lough Macrory catchment.
Moneymore
Moneymore is a lowland groundwater catchment.
| Catchment area: | 113 hectares |
| Groundwater body yield: | 55 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Moneymore borewell, Sherwood Sandstone aquifer |
| Supplies: | 2,313 peopl |
| Nearest town: | Moneymore, Co.Derry/Londonderry |
| Main land use: | Pastures and discontinuous urban fabric |
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Nitrates
- Iron and Manganese (naturally occurring)
Landscape Designations
Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Slieve Gallion Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Magherafelt Farmland LCA
Cookstown Farmlands LCA
Knockadoo Wood Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
Moneymore Deltas SLNCI
Carndaisy Glenm SLNCI
Springhill Wood SLNCI
Partnerships
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Moneymore catchment.
Moyola
Moyola is a lowland river and lough catchment.
| Catchment area: | 34,678 hectares |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 21 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Lough Neath, Moyla River |
| Supplies: | 27, 971 people |
| Nearest town: | Magherafelt, Co.Derry/Londonderry |
| Main land use: | Agricultural pasture |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Seasonal algal blooms
- Cryptosporidium
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
Landscape Designations
Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
12 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
Ballynahone Bog RAMSAR
Lough Neagh and Lough Beg RAMSAR
Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Special Protection Area (SPA)
Carn Glenshane Pass Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Ballynahone Bog SAC
Teal Lough SAC
Curran Bog SAC
9 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)
Partnerships
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Moyola catchment.
Rathlin
Rathlin is a lowland, island groundwater catchment.
| Catchment area: | 21.5 hectares |
| Water put into distribution: | Max 0.24 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Rathlin borewell |
| Supplies: | 144 people |
| Nearest town: | Knockans |
| Main land use: | Moors, heathland |
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Cryptosporidium
Landscape Designations
Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Rathlin Island Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Rathlin Island Special Protection Area (SPA)
4 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)
5 Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)
Partnerships
Our team have not yet developed any partnerships in the Rathlin catchment.
Seagahan
Seagahan is a lowland catchment.
| Catchment area: | 1270 hectares |
| Catchment yield: | 24.8 million litres/day |
| Water put into distribution: | approx. 14 million litres/day |
| Water comes from: | Seagahan dam |
| Supplies: | 16,922 people |
| Nearest town: | Tassagh, Co. Armagh |
| Main land use: | Pastures, transitional woodland shrubs, and mineral extraction sites |
Catchment Pressures
- Agriculture
- Peat and heathland degradation
- Commercial forestry operations
- Grazing animals
Raw Water Quality Pressures
- Grassland herbicides in particular MCPA
- Turbidity (cloudiness) and colour from natural organic matter
- Cryptosporidium
Landscape Designations
Carrigatuke Hills Landscape Character Area (LCA)
Armagh Drumlins LCA
Partnerships
DAERA Forest Service, Water Catchment Partnership, local farmers (Rush Solution without Pollution projects)
