Irish Waters Still Under Threat From Pollution

"Water is a very precious resource and we must do everything in our power to protect and conserve it," so said Mr John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, last week after the publication of the report - Water Quality in Ireland 2004-2006.

"We have made some progress in the area of water quality in recent years but a lot more needs to be done. Unfortunately, our rivers, lakes and water sources are still under threat  from pollution and we must  protect them.

"We need continued investment in this area and in this years budget I was successful in securing record funding  of €560m for investment in water services," added the Minister.

The report is the latest in a series of comprehensive three-year reviews of water quality in the environment undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The last such report was for the 2001 to 2003 period.  Interim indicator reports have also been published by the EPA in the intervening period.

The report assesses the quality of surface waters and groundwater in the environment. 

Overall, the water quality of rivers, streams and lakes has improved. 

Nutrient enrichment from municipal waste treatment plant discharges and agricultural run-off remains the main threat to water quality in Ireland. 

While there is evidence of an overall improvement in water quality, the rate of this improvement in surface waters is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the WFD of having good status in all waters by 2015.

Commenting on the report, the Minister welcomed the fact that water quality has improved overall. 

The Minister said:  "With the emergence of an overall improvement we may be beginning to see the impact of our huge investment in improved waste water treatment facilities and the implementation of the Nitrates Action Programme." 

Noting that the rate of improvement in surface waters is not sufficient to meet Water Framework Objectives, the Minister cautioned against any complacency. 

The Minister said:  "The assessment in this report is encouraging but we need to redouble our efforts to protect and improve this vital resource", adding, "This Government is fully committed to the challenge of improving water quality and in changed financial circumstances I have secured an increased  budget for the Water Services Investment Programme and Rural Water Programme by 19% to a record €560 million in 2009."

The Minister noted that draft River Basin Management Plans would be published shortly for each of the River Basin Districts identified under the Water Framework Directive. 

The public will be given an opportunity to comment on these draft plans during the first six months of next year. 

The Minister commented:  "A very significant technical effort has gone into preparing these plans - to identify all of the causes of our water pollution and appropriate solutions.  I look forward to their publication as a next step towards improving our water environment."