Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

200 Chapter 8: Water Phosphorus. Phosphorous concentrations are too high in 27% of rivers and 35% of lakes (EPA, 2024a), and this is having an impact on their ecology. Elevated phosphorous concentrations are associated with areas of poorly draining soil, for example in Limerick, Monaghan and Meath (Figure 8.9). Lakes in Cavan and Monaghan have the highest total phosphorous concentrations. Phosphate levels in rivers and lakes fluctuate from year to year but have generally been stable in recent years. Nutrient loadings to the marine environment. Loads of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged to the marine environment from our rivers have increased since the 2012–2014 period (EPA, 2024a), placing continued pressure on the ecology of our marine water bodies. The EPA reported notable declines in the ecological status of estuaries and coastal waters in 2022 (EPA, 2022), particularly along the southern seaboard. These declines are attributed to increasing nutrient concentrations as a result of agricultural losses. Figure 8.9  Average river phosphate concentrations, 2021-2023 Source: EPA, 2024a