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Bog restoration would improve Irish water quality, ministers told

by Karma Loveday

Restoring vast tracts of bogs in Ireland, including commercial peatlands, would significantly improve water quality in the republic, according to a report by the Water Forum, the body which advises the government.

Its latest report highlighted that 20% of Ireland is peatland, 82% of which is degraded. The impact on water is considerable, the report stressed.

“Drainage of peatlands and removal of surface vegetation releases nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen), ammonia, dissolved carbon, which gives the water a dark colour, and sediment into rivers and lakes and this reduces water quality and is a particular issue in drinking water source areas,” the forum noted.

It pointed out that healthy peatlands provide natural filtration processes which “clean water and reduce the quantity of water entering rivers and lakes”.

The forum urged better management through rewetting and restoration of peatlands to restore their natural functions.


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