The 2026 Northern Ireland Groundwater Classification Statistics Report has been released by the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. The report assesses the status of groundwater bodies based on monitoring data from 2020 to 2025.

Of the 75 groundwater bodies assessed, 71 achieved good quantitative status in 2026. This figure is unchanged from the previous assessment in 2021.

However, the number of groundwater bodies achieving good qualitative status fell from 53 in 2021 to 49 in 2026. This means 65% of groundwater bodies now meet good chemical standards, down from 71% five years earlier.

The report provides a statistical overview of groundwater classification across Northern Ireland. It is based on monitoring data collected over a five-year period.