dataset · Northern Ireland

GSNI GeoIndex Bedrock Aquifer

This map layer shows the classification of bedrock, as mapped at 1:250 000 scale, into aquifer categories. This classification was initially undertaken to support groundwater assessments undertaken for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). The classification was produced on behalf of Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) (DoE, Northern Ireland) and is the standard classification currently used for assessing activities which may impact on groundwater resources. The classification compr

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Source details

Licence: ["The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in an

Evidence quality: 37.1

Listed in data.gov.uk public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).

Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z

What's in it

Data offered docs-verified: bedrock aquifer classification (six categories, based on resource productivity and flow type)
Coverage docs-verified: Northern Ireland · 2004 (dataset reference date)
Resolution docs-verified: 1:250 000 map scale
Update frequency docs-verified: continual
Formats docs-verified: HTML
Access docs-verified: Public data.gov.uk dataset page; no authentication (auth: null). Licence not set on the dataset page. BGS/NERC copyright applies: reproduction needs prior permission from the copyright holder.

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Groundwater context screening for NI site or scheme assessments using the bedrock aquifer category · Map-based bedrock aquifer baseline for NI environmental or WFD-related desk studies · Identifying bedrock aquifer categories to flag where groundwater activities need closer review
Audience llm-inferred: hydrogeologists · environmental consultants · civils engineers · planners · GIS analysts

Limitations

Constraints docs-verified: Regional classification only; not intended to identify aquifer properties or borehole yield at a specific site · Mapped at 1:250 000, so it cannot represent actual conditions at site-specific scale · Site-specific work needs more detailed GSNI geological and hydrogeological information · Should be read alongside the superficials aquifer layer · Classification differs from the 1994 published hydrogeological map · Northern Ireland only · Copyright restricts reproduction of derived materials

Evidence

Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.