EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 7: Water Quality Table 7.3  Summary of the main measures in the National River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 SECTOR/PRESSURE MEASURE All pressures n Establishment of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) to undertake water catchment assessments and develop action plans for priority areas for action. Agriculture n Establishment of an Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) to undertake farm assessments and provide advice to farmers on what measures to take to address water quality issues. n Implementation of agri-environment schemes through the Rural Development Programme. n Implementation of the enhanced Nitrates Action Programme for 2018-2021 and the associated inspection regime. n Knowledge-transfer programmes to promote, among other things, better nutrient management and point-source pollution management. Hydromorphology n Introduction of improved assessment methods and knowledge of hydromorphological impacts. n Evaluation and removal of barriers to fish migration. n Implementation of mitigation measures to reduce the impact of river channelisation. Urban wastewater treatment n Investment by Irish Water of €1.7 billion in wastewater projects, programmes and asset maintenance. Forestry n Realignment and full implementation of forestry regulations and policy to contribute to achieving water quality objectives. n Promotion and strategic deployment of forestry funding schemes and other resources to protect and improve water quality. Domestic wastewater treatment n 1000 inspections of domestic wastewater systems to be carried out nationally by local authorities each year using a risk-based approach. Water abstraction n Risk assessment of water abstractions and licensing of large abstractions and those that put significant pressure on water resources. Other pressures n Other significant pressures including industry, peat extraction and mining are also addressed in the plan, which is available to download (see https://www.housing. gov.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-management-plans/river-basin-management- plan-2018-2021) . Implementing the Integrated Catchment Management Approach The integrated catchment-based approach has prioritised a total of 190 areas for action under the National River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021. One of the key strategies in implementing the RBMP has been the adoption of an integrated catchment- based approach. This is being led by LAWPRO, which is undertaking local catchment assessments in areas that have been prioritised for action in the RBMP. Each assessment includes a detailed desk study, field investigations and catchment walks. Public meetings are held in advance of any field work to inform the local community about the planned assessments and to seek its input. The purpose of the local catchment assessments is to determine what the water quality issues are and then to identify the activities and pressures causing them. Once these are known, the right measure can be put in place to address the water quality issue identified. When an action to improve water quality is identified, LAWPRO refers it to the relevant implementing body for follow-up. In total, 190 priority areas for action (PAAs) have been identified (see Figure 7.11). By the end of 2019, LAWPRO had progressed local catchment assessments in 90 of the 190 PAAs and identified referrals and action plans for 46 of them. 179