Third of rivers polluted, says report
Around 30% of Ireland’s 13,200km (8,202 miles) of rivers are polluted, a new report has revealed.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that 22% of estuaries and coastal waters and 10% of lakes were also contaminated, with 11% of groundwater grossly affected.
A high level of fish kills – 45 instances – have also been recorded and attributed largely to activities associated with agriculture, industry and local authority services.
The report, Water Quality in Ireland 2005, is based on monitoring results for surface and groundwaters for the period 2003 – 2005.
It covered 13,200km of river and stream channels, 421 lakes, 67 tidal water and 307 groundwater sources.
It found:
:: Satisfactory water quality in 70% of rivers, 90% of lakes and 78% of estuaries and coastal waters.
:: Water quality in 68 of lakes was less than satisfactory, with 13 lakes classified as being highly polluted.
:: 30% of the 1,714 samples of groundwater showed bacteriological (faecal coliform) contamination, with some 11% of samples being grossly contaminated.
:: Approximately 23% of the groundwater locations examined exceeded the national guideline value for nitrate concentration for drinking water and 2% breaching the mandatory limit.
The EPA said groundwater is a significant source of drinking water supply, with the presence of faecal coliforms in groundwater taken as evidence of faecal contamination and indicates that pathogens (disease-causing organisms) may be present.
“Ireland’s water quality continues to be of a high standard,” said EPA programme manager Dr Jim Bowman.
“While these data are encouraging there remains an unacceptable level of polluted waterbodies in the country – 30 per cent of rivers, 10% of lakes and 22% of estuaries and coastal waters are in a condition that will require remedial measures if we are to protect our valuable water resources and comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.
“The indicators chosen reflect water quality conditions and the report shows that, for example, the number of fish kills in our rivers, and the level of bacterial contamination in our groundwaters remain at unacceptable levels.”
The report also concentrated on quality of shellfish waters, pollution-at-sea incidents and bathing water quality.
Agricultural run-off was highlighted as the main threat to the quality of the groundwater resource.
“The Government is committed to tackling water pollution from all sources“, said Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
“This report will serve as a valuable measure of progress or lack of it. My department is continuing a major programme of investment in sewage infrastructure. This will greatly reduce the inputs of nutrients from municipal sources.
“I am confident the new annual reports will indicate steady improvements in the coming years.”
