dataset · Northern Ireland

GSNI GeoIndex Groundwater vulnerability screening layer

This map layer represents an assessment of the vulnerability of groundwater within the uppermost aquifer. 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. Vulnerability has been pr

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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: 42.1

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: groundwater vulnerability class (five classes, Five highest to One lowest) for the uppermost aquifer · Class 4 subdivisions 4a to 4e by pathway type (sand and gravel cover, moderate permeability cover, low permeability cover, thin soil over bedrock, superficial aquifers present) · point recharge flag: vulnerability always Five within 30 m of mapped karst features and mine shafts
Coverage docs-verified: Northern Ireland · dataset reference date (creation) 2001; original layer produced 2005
Resolution docs-verified: No numeric scale stated; regional first-pass layer, not intended for site-specific conditions
Update frequency docs-verified: continual (per dataset metadata)
Formats docs-verified: HTML
Access docs-verified: Public download from data.gov.uk; no API key or auth (ENTRY auth null); reuse restricted by BGS/NERC copyright, not an open licence. No fee stated in docs.

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: First-pass groundwater vulnerability screening for a development or activity site in Northern Ireland · Identifying high-vulnerability (class 4 to 5) areas for pollution-risk or infiltration-drainage screening · Checking for point recharge risk (karst features, mine shafts within 30 m) at early site screening · Regional context for WFD-related groundwater assessment in Northern Ireland catchments
Audience llm-inferred: hydrogeologists · environmental consultants · geotechnical engineers · drainage engineers · planners · GIS analysts

Limitations

Constraints docs-verified: regional first-pass screening only; not representative of site-specific conditions · averaged or broad-range parameters; local variation is not represented · uppermost aquifer only; receiving aquifer nature is not represented, so significance to the resource is not addressed · does not account for pollutant-specific physicochemical behaviour · generalised geological boundaries and incomplete data; GSNI gives no warranty for detailed use · some post-2005 modifications are not documented in the layer; details require GSNI hydrogeologist · intrusive investigation needed for site-specific decisions · Northern Ireland extent only; aquifer map layer at 1:250 000 should also be consulted

Evidence

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