Online Maps User Guide
November 2006
The format of the webmapping has changed. The three major changes are:
1) Instead of showing County datasets, only National datasets are shown.
2) There are no longer Groundwater Protection Response Maps online. It is the responsibility of the user to establish the Vulnerability, Aquifer and Source Protection Zone (if appropriate) for the site of interest, and derive the appropriate response from the published matrices.
3) The mapping can now be done stepwise. See the helpfile for details.
1) The National datasets
The National Datasets are:
|
· National Draft Generalised Bedrock Map
· National Draft Bedrock Aquifer Map
· National Draft Gravel Aquifer Map |
· National Draft Interim Vulnerability Maps
· Source Protection Areas for selected water supply sources |
A note on the Draft Interim Vulnerability maps
The Draft Interim Vulnerability Map has been completed as part of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) programme. The data comprise (i) full and interim vulnerability mapping undertaken by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) for County Councils and (ii) interim vulnerability mapping undertaken by consultants working for one or more of each of the seven River Basin Districts (RBDs). For details of the body responsible for mapping a certain area, please consult the tables here.
Before using the vulnerability maps, please read this document.
Note that the Draft Interim Vulnerability maps are shown by River Basin District (RBD) since, due to their size, displaying the entire country data would take a long time.
2) Groundwater Protection Responses
Three datasets (aquifer, vulnerability and source protection area) are merged to produce Groundwater Protection Zones. Each zone is represented by a code (e.g. Rf/H), which enables an assessment of the risk to groundwater, independent of any particular hazard or contaminant type. This assessment should be regarded as a guide in evaluating the likely suitability of an area for a proposed activity prior to site investigations.
Once the groundwater protection zone is defined for an area, the hazards posed by selected human activities can be evaluated to assess the appropriate risk management measures, or Groundwater Protection Responses, for these activities. The Groundwater Protection Responses, which are shown by a code (e.g. R2¹), indicate the likely degree of acceptability of each activity in that Groundwater Protection Zone. The full explanatory text for these response codes describes the investigations and planning or licensing conditions that may be necessary in order to make a balanced, pragmatic, scientifically defensible decision. Currently available codes cover:
A note on deriving the Groundwater Protection Response from the Online Maps
1) First, locate the site that you are interested in.
2) Then, note the Vulnerability, Aquifer and Source Protection Zone (if appropriate) from the screen or from maps printed from the screen. You will need to select a different theme (i.e. map type, such as bedrock aquifer) each time.
NOTE: If a gravel aquifer overlies the bedrock aquifer, then the gravel aquifer takes
precedence (i.e. the response is determined for the gravel aquifer).
3) Determine the Groundwater Protection Zone for your site using the table here: Groundwater Protection Zones.
4) For selected activities, there is a Response Code. Click on the links below to go to the relevant matrix:
· Groundwater Protection Responses for Landfills
· The IPC Landspreading of Organic Wastes
· The On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems for Single Houses e.g. Septic Tank Systems
Disclaimer
The entire data set is designed for general information and strategic planning usage. The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) makes no warranties on its fitness for any other purpose. The burden for determining fitness for other uses lies with the user.
Information supplied is based on the material available in GSI at the time of production and should not be regarded as complete data on the elements or areas being considered. Furthermore, uncertainty is an inherent element in drawing geological boundaries and local details are generalised to fit the original mapping and interpretation scale of 1:50,000 (for vulnerability) or 1:100,000 (for bedrock geology and bedrock aquifer). Evaluation of specific sites and circumstances will normally require further and more detailed assessments, and will often require site investigations.
It is intended that statutory authorities should apply a scheme in decision-making on the basis that the best available data are being used. The onus is then on a developer to provide new information which would enable the zonation to be altered and improved and, in certain circumstances, the planning or regulatory response to be changed.