INSPIRE Water Framework Directive Groundwater Waterbodies

The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) establishes a framework for the protection, improvement and management of surface water and groundwater. All Groundwater Waterbodies (GWB) are represented as polygons. They are validated by scientists in the Geological Survey of Ireland and the EPA Scientists as meeting the criteria for a WFD GWB. If a groundwater is capable of serving 10m³/day of abstraction, or has other significance, it is designated as a groundwater waterbody.