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Groundwater Vulnerability 1:40,000 Ireland (ROI) ITM

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The Groundwater Vulnerability map shows land areas across Ireland where groundwater can be easily polluted. It also shows areas where it is well protected by the subsoil layers.

The vulnerability category given to a site or an area is based on how easy it is for water which may contain pollutants to reach the groundwater.

Geologists map and record information on the subsoils above the bedrock. They find out how deep the subsoil is and how permeable it is (how easy water can pass through it).

They use information from quarries, deep pits and from boreholes (a deep narrow round hole drilled in the ground).

Subsoil depth, type and permeability maps are combined to work out the groundwater vulnerability at that location.

Landforms found in the Irish landscape like sinkholes and sinking streams (‘karst’ landforms) are categorised as extremely vulnerable as water can pass straight through.

Where the water table is close to the surface in sand and gravel aquifers, groundwater vulnerability is also extremely vulnerable.

This Groundwater Vulnerability map is to the scale 1:40,000. This means it should be viewed at that scale. When printed at that scale 1cm on the map relates to a distance of 400m.

It is a vector dataset. Vector data portray the world using points, lines, and polygons (areas). The groundwater vulnerability data are shown as polygons. Each polygon holds information on the vulnerability category (X, E, H, M or L), a description explaining this (‘Extreme – rock at or near surface/karst’, ‘Extreme’, ‘High’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Low’) and a unique id.

Data Resources (4)

WMS
WMS
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SHP
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ESRI REST
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DATA VIEWER
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Data Resource Preview - WMS

Theme Science
Date released 2014-01-10
Date updated 2021-10-22
Dataset conforms to these standards The INSPIRE Directive or INSPIRE lays down a general framework for a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) for the purposes of European Community environmental policies and policies or activities which may have an impact on the environment.
Rights notes ['Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)', 'Data that is produced directly by the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) is free for use under the conditions of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.\n\nhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\n\nhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode\n\nUnder the CC-BY Licence, users must acknowledge the source of the Information in their product or application.\n\nPlease use this specific attribution statement: "Contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence".\n\nIn cases where it is not practical to use the statement users may include a URI or hyperlink to a resource that contains the required attribution statement.', 'license']
Update frequency Annual
Language English
Landing page https://gsi.geodata.gov.ie/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d333a8a9b6ab44378411fc0d973db4ef
Geographic coverage in GeoJSON format {"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-10.47472, 51.44555],[-10.47472, 55.37999], [-6.01306, 55.37999], [-6.01306, 51.44555], [-10.47472, 51.44555]]]}
Spatial Reference Systems (SRS) Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM, EPSG:2157)
Vertical Extent {"verticalDomainName": "sea level", "minVerticalExtent": "0", "maxVerticalExtent": "0"}
Provenance information Geologists map and record information on the composition and structure of subsoil types and the composition of these, and information from boreholes (a deep narrow round hole drilled in the ground). Areas are drawn on a map to show the distribution of subsoil types. Originally, in the 1990s, a number of counties had this information drawn by hand on paper maps. These map sheets are available in paper copy accompanied by reports, in GSI. Phase 1: These paper maps covering Ireland were digitised. Each map was manually digitised using AutoCAD 12.0 software. Several layers of data were created for each map sheet: Bedrock outcropping at surface and within 3 m of the surface, Subsoil permeability, and Depth to Bedrock. Linework and Point symbols were stored in .dwg format. The data were registered to the OSi 1:50,000 digital rasters. The data were clipped to the OSi coastline (high water mark). Water bodies such as lakes were also clipped. Irish National Grid (IG) projection. Phase 2: Field data were converted to ArcGIS coverages (2001 to 2008) IG AutoCAD layers were converted to .dxf format and imported into ArcGIS 7.x. Coding was used to attach attribute information to the data layers from the vulnerability table. A legend was generated. The ArcGIS coverages were converted to shapefiles. Phase 3: Field data were converted to ArcGIS coverages (2008 to 2016) IG Data were digitized directly into ArcGIS 8.x. Coding was used to attach attribute information to the data layers from the vulnerability table. A legend was generated. The ArcGIS coverages were converted to shapefiles. Phase 4: ArcGIS shapefiles IG (2016) were re-projected in ArcGIS from Irish National Grid (IG) to Irish transverse Mercator (ITM) projection. A legend was generated and the stylefile updated. Data topology checked. The dataset comprises 1 shapefile. 1) Groundwater Vulnerability ITM_2016.shp - A polygon shapefile that contains groundwater vulnerability information (whether ‘Extreme’, ‘High’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Low’). Errors noted and recorded in the previous version were corrected. Data topology checked. Phase 5: The Groundwater Vulnerability map data was updated on March 9th 2020. Basemap inputs were updated - Depth to Bedrock, Karst features, Sinking streams, Subsoil permeability and hence the scripts to update the Groundwater Vulnerability map needed to be re-run. Python scripts were developed making best use of the PyQGIS API. In 2021, the data structure was reviewed and a new database was created in ArcGIS Enterprise. Using ArcGIS Pro 2.6.3, the dataset was renamed as part of a GSI data standardisation process. A standardised dataset alias was added. A unique id field was added. A new unique identifier was added for each record using an attribute rule. Most fields were renamed and an alias added. Domains were created for relevant fields to ensure attribute integrity for those fields. The attribute values can only be added from pre-defined GSI tables in the form of drop-down values. Attribute rules were set up to automatically insert certain values eg unique identifier. The data was cleaned using a GSI notebook. This checked the attribute values contained valid domain values and a spell check was carried out. Some manual cleaning of obvious errors was also carried out. Data was simplified (reduction in the number of vertices) using the Simplify polygon in ArcGIS Pro 2.7.1. GSI notebook for data cleaning was re-run. Metadata was updated to new GSI standard. Credits Groundwater Section Staff, Geological Survey Ireland, 1990-2020 Ms. Monica Lee, Principal Geologist (2013-present) and Head of Groundwater Section (2008-present) Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Schemes for Counties Cavan, Laois, Roscommon and Donegal, 1999-2006 Natalya Hunter Williams, Senior Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Section, 2009-present, Hydrogeologist (2001-2009), Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Counties Fingal (Bog of the Ring Source Mapping), Louth and Tipperary (North Riding), 2001-2007 Dr. Caoimhe Hickey, Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Section, 1999-present, Karst Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Roscommon, and karstic aspects of National Groundwater Vulnerability Map, 2013-2017 Mr. Donal Daly, Senior Hydrogeologist and former Head of Groundwater Section, 1993-2006, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Schemes for Counties Cavan, Donegal, Limerick, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary (South Riding) Mr. Geoff Wright, Senior Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Section, 1993-2005, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Schemes for Counties Cork (South), Laois, Meath and Tipperary (North and South Riding) Mr. Vincent Fitzsimons, Senior Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Section, 1993-2005, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Schemes for Counties Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Monaghan Mr. Coran Kelly, Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Section 1999-2008; Tobin Consulting Engineers, Blanchardstown, 2008-present, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Counties Cavan and Kildare, and revision to Groundwater Proctection Scheme for County Meath; Project Manager for National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping for Counties Carlow, Cork (west and north), Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary (south), Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and revisions of parts of Counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary (north) and Wicklow Dr. Robert Meehan, Quaternary Section, GSI 1993-1998, Quaternary Geologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Meath, 1993-1995; Consultant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Galway, 2006-2007; consultant mapping supervisor for National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping for Counties Carlow, Cork (west and north), Dublin, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary (south), Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and revisions of parts of Counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary (north) and Wicklow. 2008-2013; Hydrogeologist for Update of (former) 2013 Groundwater Vulnerability Map, 2016-2017 Ms. Melissa Spillane, Geologist for National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping Programme 2009-2013, Geologist for Counties Carlow, Cork (west and north), Dublin, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary (south), Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and revisions of parts of Counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary (north) and Wicklow Ms. Monika Kabza, Geologist for National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping Programme 2009-2013, Geologist for Counties Carlow, Cork (west and north), Dublin, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary (south), Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and revisions of parts of Counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary (north) and Wicklow Ms. Orla Murphy, Geologist for National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping Programme 2009-2013, Geologist for Counties Carlow, Cork (west and north), Dublin, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary (south), Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and revisions of parts of Counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary (north) and Wicklow Ms. Margaret Keegan, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Tipperary South Riding, 1992 Ms. Sarah Jane Burns, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Offaly, 1993 Ms. Sara Duffy, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Waterford, 1993 Dr. Jenny Deakin, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Counties Limerick, 1993-1995, Clare, 1997-2000 and Laois 1998-2001 Dr. Clare Glanville, Quaternary Section, GSI; Quaternary Geologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Kildare, 1993-1997 Dr. Oscar Bloetjes, Quaternary Section, GSI; Quaternary Geologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Clare, 1996-1998 Ms. Louise Woods, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Meath, 1994-1996; Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Wicklow, 1996-1997 Dr. Marcel Bakker, Quaternary Section, GSI; Quaternary Geologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Wicklow, 1995-1997 Mr. Matthew Hudson, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Waterford, 1997-1998 Ms. Melissa Swartz, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Counties Laois and Monaghan, 1997-2000 Dr. Aoibheann Kilfeather, Quaternary Section, GSI; Quaternary Geologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Laois, 1996-1999 Ms. Ruth Buckley, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Kilkenny, 1998-2000 Dr. Susan Hegarty, Quaternary Section, GSI; Quaternary Geologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Kilkenny, 1998-2000 Mr. Kevin Motherway, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Tipperary (North Riding), 2001-2002 Ms. Denise Kelly, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Cork (South), 2000-2002 Ms. Sonja Masterson, Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Cavan, 2006-2008 Ms. Colette Cronin, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for Counties Laois, Offaly and Waterford, 1997-2000 Ms. Una Leader, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Cork (South), 2000-2002 Mr. Gerry Baker, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Monaghan, 1998-2001 Ms. Cecilia Gately, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Schemes for Counties Kilkenny and Laois, 1996-2000 Ms. Maeve McHugh, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Schemes for County Laois, 1996-1998 Ms. Siobhan McLaughlin, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Donegal, 2003-2005 Mr. Eamonn O'Loughlin, Assistant Hydrogeologist for Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Cavan, 2006-2007 Mr. Shane Carey, GIS developer and Data Manager Consultant, GSI 2011-2020
Period of time covered (begin) 2009-01-12
Period of time covered (end) 2019-09-11