#Fresh water drivers#

We can restore rivers to Good and High status by using targeted actions and measures to reduce the impact of human activities. It also helps us identify what actions need to be taken. The WFD allows us to see where actions are needed to achieve Good status or to protect Good or High status where it already exists. Our ground waters fall into two quality classes (status) under the WFD: ' G ood ’ and ‘P oor ’. ‘High’ is when the water is unpolluted, and ‘ B ad’ is when the water is highly polluted. Our surface waters are classified into five quality classes (status) under the WFD: High, Good, Moderate, Poor and Bad. Having a single European framework to assess water quality allows us to compare our results across Europe. This EU law came into effect in December 2000. Our rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and groundwaters are assessed under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Our water quality is going in the wrong direction and any improvements we are seeing are being cancelled out by declines occurring elsewhere.įull implementation of Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan, including targeted action at the local water catchment level, is key to improving water quality. The evidence shows that the goal of restoring all waters to good status by 2027 will not be achieved. Currently, the nitrogen loads being delivered to the sea from the upstream river catchments are too high and are causing increased growth of algae and aquatic plants, and this is impacting the aquatic ecosystem health of our estuaries and coastal waters. Recent analysis by the EPA indicates the nitrogen reductions needed to meet water quality objectives in river catchments to the south, southeast and east of the country. You can also read historic reports, Article 10 report for Ireland 2012-2015 and Article 10 Report for Ireland 2008-2011. Read the most recent Article 10 report on implementation of the Nitrates Directive in Ireland. Read further information on the results of water quality monitoring in 2022, as used to support the assessment of the impact of the nitrate’s derogation on Irish waters.įind previous water quality assessments of the impact of the nitrate’s derogation on Irish waters, ND Derogation Report 2021 and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations in Irish Waters (2020).

#Fresh water drivers#

Nationally, although there have been year on year fluctuations, average nitrate concentrations have increased since 2012/2013 in all waterbody types.Ī quarter of all rivers have phosphorus concentrations which are greater than the good water quality standard. Nutrient losses from agriculture are one of the significant drivers impacting on our water quality. Nitrate concentrations remain too high in rivers, groundwater, and estuaries in the south east, south west and midlands & eastern regions. This in turn clogs up our water courses, uses up oxygen and harms other aquatic life such as insects and fish. When nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus enter our waterways they cause an increase in the growth of plants and algae. Read more about the EPA’s assessments of water quality and agriculture. The main threat to water quality is the presence of too much nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which come primarily from agriculture and waste water.

The number of estuaries and coastal water bodies in satisfactory condition has also decreased. There is a relatively small decline in water quality of our rivers and lakes. Just over half of Ireland’s surface waters are in good condition. However, overall our water quality in Ireland is getting worse. Ireland’s climate means that there is usually enough water to meet the needs of its people and the surrounding environment. Ireland has some of the best water quality and cleanest beaches in Europe. Fresh, clean water is vital for all life on earth.