One-third of Irish lakes and rivers still polluted
22/03/2006 - 07:34:44More than a third of Ireland's rivers and lakes are still polluted, with farmers among the prime culprits, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's latest report on water quality.
The report says the situation has improved slightly since the mid-1990s, particularly in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Westmeath.
However, it says water quality has also declined significantly in both Wicklow and Donegal.
The EPA says only 63.4% of rivers and lakes have nutrient enrichment levels that comply with the regulations.
Farming is identified as the main cause of pollution, but sewage discharges and septic tanks attached to one-off houses are also a problem.
