Calls from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase resources in order to improve water quality have been backed by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
The IFA’s Environment Chairman, Thomas Cooney, called on the government to implement the EPA’s recommendation to put in place the necessary resources to arrest any further deterioration of water status and to make necessary improvements.
“While urban areas account for the least use of land in the country, they continue to have a disproportionately negative impact on water quality.
“For example, there are 124 urban areas where improvements are required to address the adverse effects of waste water discharges, with 43 locations where waste water is being discharged and receiving little or no treatment at all.
“These include 11 areas in Cork and Donegal, 5 locations in Clare and Galway and 4 locations in Wexford.
The lack of waste water treatment and the impact of that on human health, as well as Ireland’s reputation, must be addressed.
“The disposal of raw sewage into our waters must stop,” Cooney said.
With regards to agriculture, the IFA has made a detailed submission to government calling for additional resources to deliver water quality enhancement measures.
- A progressive approach to the current review of the nitrates regulations;
- Greater focus by state agencies on working with farmers and the wider rural community to address water quality challenges, rather than mainly focusing on imposing penalties and fines;
- Increased support for locally-led initiatives, such as ‘Smart Farming’, which demonstrates clear and tangible benefits to the environment from better resource management;
- The re-opening of voluntary schemes such as GLAS, which provide targeted supports for farmers to improve water quality and future proof for environmental challenges.
In its latest national assessment of water quality in Ireland, the EPA outlined that there has been little overall change in water quality in the six years up to the end of 2015.
The planned national target of 13% improvement in water status for the 6-year period was not met.
In addition there has been a continued decline in the number of “pristine” rivers, with just 21 sites given the highest quality rating from 2013-2015. This pales especially compared to the late 1980s, when over 500 sites were awarded the rating.