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Water
51
Drivers and Pressures
There is now a very good
understanding of causes of water
pollution in Ireland, based on long-
term pollution-monitoring field
work and supported by detailed
risk assessments undertaken for
the WFD, as well as international
research. The pressures that impact
on ecological status are clear and
the corresponding remedies are also
clear.
The EPA has identified the main
suspected causes of pollution in
water quality reports published
over many years. The most recent
overview for rivers is shown in
Figure 4.7 (based on McGarrigle et al.,
2010), in which 953 polluted river
sites in catchments across Ireland
– taken from a total monitoring
programme of 2,500 sites – were
analysed in terms of their catchments
and observed sources of pollution in
the field. These sites are all on rivers,
but improving their water quality
is also the key to improving water
quality in lakes and transitional and
coastal waters.
In broad terms approximately half of
the 953 sites assessed are polluted
due to what may be termed ‘large
point sources’ such as municipal
wastewater treatment plants. The
other half are polluted as a result
of diffuse sources, particularly
agricultural activities, as well as a
range of other activities such as
forestry and peat harvesting.
Responses
Water Framework Directive
The seven River Basin Management
Plans (RBMPs) submitted to the
EU in 2010 include programmes
of measures for the restoration or
maintenance of the status of all
water bodies by 2015, 2021 or 2027.
The programmes of measures
described in the RBMPs are
effectively the application of the
generic measures, listed below, in
various combinations to some 5,500
water bodies.
1. Controlling the inputs of
phosphorus and nitrogen
to waters.
2. Controlling inputs of oxygen-
using matter (e.g. silage, milk
waste, sewage).
3. Controlling pathogens in water.
Figure 4.7
Suspected Causes of Pollution at 953 Polluted River Sites Surveyed in 2007–2009 (from a total of over
2500 monitoring sites) (Source: EPA)
Agriculture
47%
Municipal
37.5%
Forestry
4%
Industrial
4%
Miscellaneous
4.5%
Peat Harvesting
1%
Engineering works
1%
Aquaculture
1%