This presentation was given on 17 July 2020 as part of the EPA's online Water Conference by Micheál Lehane, EPA Office of Evidence and Assessment.

1. The State of Ireland’s Water Environment
EPA Water Event 2020
17th June
Dr Micheál Lehane
Photo: Neasa McDonnell

2. Introduction
 Latest assessment on water quality 2013-2018
 2019 indicators – initial results
 Nutrient trends and agriculture
 Finding the right measures

3. Water Quality in Ireland 2013-2018
Water body type % Satisfactory
(high or good)
Change since
2015
Rivers 53% 5.5% decline
Lakes 50% 4.3% improvement
Estuaries 38% Stable
Coastal 80% Stable
Groundwater 92% 1% improvement
Canals 87% Stable
Overall only 53% of surface waterbodies were satisfactory
Our freshwaters and estuaries are in trouble

4. 12.9
43.8
27.1
14.8
1.4
10.8
44.6
26.7
16.9
1.1
8.5
44.2
28.3
17.9
1.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
High Good Moderate Poor Bad
(%)Percentage
2007-2009 (2503) 2010-2015 (2693) 2013-2018 (2703)
Trend since 2007 (surface waterbodies)
2007-2009 is WFD baseline – protect and restore

5. Rivers ecological status 2013-2018
• Overall 53% are in satisfactory status (down from 60% in 2010-2012)
• High status WBs
• Poor status WBs
• Bad sites ‘red dots’ increased from 6 to 9 sites
• Net decline of 128 RWBs since 2010-2015 (5.5%)
287
324
245
196
972
1045
1085
1051
549
560
597
656
333
338
412
443
19
11
6
9
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
2007 - 2009 River Water Bodies (n = 2160)
2010 - 2012 River Water Bodies (n = 2278)
2010 - 2015 River Water Bodies (n = 2345)
2013 - 2018 River Water Bodies (n=2355)
% number River water bodies
High Good Moderate Poor Bad

6. 13
22
2
Ecological status of 37 HSO
lake waterbodies
High
Good
Moderate
Poor
Bad
140
155
18
5 1
Ecological status of 319 HSO
river waterbodies
High status objective (HSO) waterbodies
4
6
1
Ecological status of the 11 HSO
transitional water bodies
7
9
Ecological Status of the 16 HSO
coastal waterbodies
44% at high
status
36% at
high status
35% at high
status
44% at high
status

7. Some good news – 2019 Q values
204 – improved
90 – declined
Increase in high and
good Q values since
2016-2018
River Q values 2019
NB….Q is not status and it’s only 1 year of 3 year cycle
Rate of decline in some catchments could offset improvements

8. More good news…priority areas for action
River WBs in PAAs 2013-2018
303 - no change
132 - improved
51 - declined
Net improvement of 16.7%
River Q values in PAAs 2017-2019
389 - no change
74 - improved
22 – declined
Net improvement of 10.7%
Early signs that the PAA approach
is delivering improvements

9. River nitrate changes River phosphorus changes
The bad news: nutrients 2013-2018

10. Nitrate levels in groundwater
Increasing
percentage of
groundwater
bodies with
elevated nitrate
levels – risk to
drinking water
supplies and
water quality

11. Nutrient inputs to the marine environment
Loading of Total N to the marine environment increased by 8,806
tonnes (16%) (3 year average 2016-2018 vs 2012-2014)
Loading of Total P to marine environment increased by 329
tonnes (31%) (3 year average 2016-2018 vs 2012-2014)

12. Agriculture and
wastewater
are two major pressures
and biggest source of
nutrients
Significant Pressures

13. Nitrogen emissions to water from agriculture

14. …
∙ Derogation Farms
Monitored catchments where nitrogen losses
from agriculture cause water quality problems
Catchments with excessive nitrogen losses to
estuaries and coastal waters
Monitored catchments where nitrogen losses
are not a concern
Regional nitrogen issues
South & southeast – double the losses of N
compared to west
Impact seen on groundwater & estuaries
Agriculture is the main source.

15. Targeted Agriculture Measures
Measures to reduce phosphorus
and sediment loss
On poorly draining soils - breaking the
pathway between farm runoff and the
receiving waters.
Measures to reduce nitrogen losses
On freely draining soils – improved
nutrient management, clover, reduction
of chemical N
The right measure in the right place
Tailored messaging for farmers

16. Conclusion
Our water quality is under pressure
Failing to halt declines is making the challenge of meeting
our WFD targets more difficult
Our high status waters are severely impacted and need to
be protected urgently
Early signs are that work in prioritised areas
for action is delivering improvements
We need to reverse the trends in nutrient discharges
by getting the right measure in the right place

17. Thank you
Photo: Ruth Little