The recent annual report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals a worrying lack of progress in enhancing the quality of Ireland’s water bodies, including rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters. Nutrient pollution, stemming from urban wastewater and agricultural operations, has been spotlighted as the main factor impacting water quality. Sections of the Laune river in Kerry, segments of the Annagh river in Clare, the Ahavarraga stream in Limerick and the Nenagh river in Tipperary are among the areas most adversely affected.
While there were some improvements in the catchment areas of the Liffey, Slaney, Moy, and Erne rivers, the report confirmed the situation worsening in those of the Nore, Suir, Barrow, Shannon, Lee, Laune, Feale and Lough Swilly. The Erne and Shannon catchments are home to most of the lakes lacking in good biological quality. Lakes of high quality are primarily found in the west and southwest, as noted in the report.
The study also showed that out of 117 coastal and estuarine water bodies evaluated, 20 were in an unacceptable state, primarily along the eastern, southeastern and southern coastlines. Uisce Éireann’s need to hasten the enhancement of wastewater infrastructure was emphasised by the EPA, expressing disappointment at the results.
The publication of the next river basin management plan, which is overdue by over two years, is vital, according to the EPA. They warned that Ireland is not making enough progress to meet the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive by 2027.
Dr Eimear Cotter, the director of the EPA’s office of evidence and assessment, responded to the report by highlighting the essential need for full adherence to good agricultural practice regulations and targeted efforts to minimise nutrient losses from agriculture. She echoed the call for Uisce Éireann to speed up improvements to wastewater infrastructure.
Unsatisfactory levels of nitrogen contamination continue to persist in the eastern, southeastern, and southern parts of the Republic, affecting 42 per cent of river sites, 17 per cent of estuarine and coastal waters, and 20 per cent of groundwater locations, as characterised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is primarily due to the effects of intensive farming practices.
The report highlighted that there have been virtually no changes in phosphate levels, which are commonly linked with inadequately treated wastewater and runoff from soils with poor drainage, in recent years. Elevated levels of phosphorus are found at 27 per cent of river sites and 35 per cent of lakes, especially in northern and northeastern territories.
Mary Gurrie, who oversees the EPA’s program, expressed the urgent need for increased action to meet the legally imposed water quality objectives. She stressed the importance of the next river basin management plan being released without further postponement.
Importantly, she emphasized, there needs to be vast enhancements in the monitoring and documenting of measures, so as to identify and modify those measures that do not work, thus ensuring the betterment of water quality.