Ireland has been referred to the European Court of Justice over failings on water quality protection.
The Government was required to adopt the EU’s Water Framework Directive into national law by December 22, 2003.
Its aim was to prevent further deterioration and pollution of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater.
It requires the country to bring all inland and coastal waters to at least ‘good status’ by 2027 at the latest.
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While the country did adopt the directive, with new legislation in June and December 2022, the European Commission says it is “insufficient”.
They believe Irish authorities have not yet fully addressed their grievances and that transposing law still needs to provide for appropriate controls of water abstraction, impoundment and activities causing hydro-morphological changes such as dams, weirs and other interferences in natural water flow.
According to a 2022 report from Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency, our water quality has been declining steadily since their first ecological status assessment between 2007-2009.
Half our rivers, 31% of lakes, 64% of estuaries and 19% of coastal waters are now rated as ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’ - which means they don’t yet meet the ‘good’ status required by the EU by 2027.
The number of water bodies in satisfactory condition in our estuaries and coastal waters has declined by almost 16% and 10% respectively since the last EPA assessment (2013-2018).
EPA say the main causes are run-off nutrients, sediment and pesticides from agricultural lands, farmyards and forestry; activities like land drainage and dredging; barriers such as dams, weirs or culverts in water courses; poorly treated sewage discharges and urban wastewater.
Ireland’s Department for Housing, which oversees our waters, admits “there are still some minor concerns that may have still to be resolved to the Commission’s satisfaction”.
They said in a statement: “The European Commission issued an Additional Reasoned Opinion (ARO) in relation to its infringement case against Ireland for incorrect transposition of the EU Directive 2000/60/EC, the Water Framework Directive, in October 2020.
“Ireland initially responded to the ARO on December 30th, 2020.
“In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published regulations in the area of water policy, addressing many of the issues of concern outlined in the ARO from the Commission.
“The Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Act 2022 was signed into law by the President on December 23, 2022.
“Upon commencement, this will address a large proportion of the remainder of the concerns raised in the ARO. The Commission will be informed of the publication of this Act.
“These steps substantially respond to the issues raised by the Commission in the infringement case against Ireland.
“The Abstractions Act was one of a series of legislative changes aimed at satisfying the infringement proceedings and the concerns of the Commission.
“The government is committed to ensuring a robust legislative framework is established and in place to protect and enhance our water environment, in line with the requirements of the Directive.”
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