Identification

Title

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ)

Alternative title(s)

AfA 169

Abstract

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) were areas within Wales that contain surface water or groundwater that is susceptible to nitrate pollution from agricultural activities. They were designated in accordance with the requirements of the European Commision's Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC, which aimed to protect water quality across Europe by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters and by promoting the use of good farming practices. The Welsh Government is responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of the aquatic environment, and carried out a review of the NVZ areas regularly. In 2021 the NVZs in Wales were revoked by the Water Resources Control of Agricultural Pollution Act, effectively making all of Wales a NVZ All Welsh farmers will have to comply the new Act over time. The NVZ dataset is still an important reference dataset.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

https://datamap.gov.wales/layers/inspire-nrw:NRW_Nitrate_Vulnerable_Zones_2013

name: Download Data and Web Service

https://datamap.gov.wales/capabilities/layer/404/?access_token=67k4GhAr91AqiAXnyngsm3l40RrZII&ows_service=wms

name: Web Mapping Service

Unique resource identifier

code

116240

codeSpace

https://naturalresources.wales

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

authority code

OGP

code identifying the spatial reference system

urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::OSGB36

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

inlandWaters

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Area management/restriction/regulation zones and reporting units

originating controlled vocabulary

title

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2023-05-16

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-5.77774100

East bounding longitude

-2.60886500

North bounding latitude

53.51306700

South bounding latitude

51.24082900

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

ISO3166 Countries

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2023-05-16

code identifying the extent

Wales (WLS)

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2008-01-01

End position

2013-01-01

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2017-01-12

Frequency of update

asNeeded

Quality and validity

Lineage

The Nitrate Vulnerable Zone boundaries were delineated using a Geographical Information System. The first step was to look at the previous NVZ boundaries and compare them with ground water body data from BGS. This information was used to produce a first draft of the new boundaries, which were then clipped to field boundaries and put out to consultation. Following responses from the consultation, amendments were made to the boundaries which also considered estimated borehole catchments. Next, boundaries were re-adjusted to field boundaries and the mean high water spring tide mark (unless fields fell below the mean high water spring tide mark).

Conformity

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Use constraints

Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and copyright of the owners. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. Attribution Statement: © CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

owner

Responsible party

organisation name

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

originator

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

organisation name

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2023-05-15

Metadata language

eng