Irish water quality fails to improve

Water quality in the Republic of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters in 2023 showed no sign of improvement overall, according to the latest annual report published by the country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The biggest issue impacting water quality was nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater. While improvements are happening in some rivers and lakes, these are being offset by declines elsewhere, the EPA reported.

Average nitrate levels in rivers, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters were largely unchanged and remain too high in the east, southeast and south, stressed the watchdog. Average phosphorus levels in rivers and lakes were also largely unchanged and remain too high in 27% of rivers and 35% of lakes.

It warned that nutrient levels remained “too high” in a large proportion of water bodies. “The biological health of our rivers and our lakes have shown small net declines.” reported the watchdog.