Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Michael Ferris

Question:

51 Mr. Ferris. asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself with the condition of Lough Derg, County Galway; the plans, if any, he has to combat eutrophication there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19281/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

Statutory responsibility for water management and protection, including responsibility for monitoring water quality, rests primarily with local authorities. The Environmental Protection Agency is also responsible both in so far as activities licensable by the Agency are concerned and as part of its overall responsibility for the preparation and implementation of environmental monitoring programmes and the establishment and maintenance of databases of information related to the environment. The EPA report for 1991-94 indicates that the bulk of Irish surface waters are of good quality. The report draws attention, however, to a growing tendency towards eutrophication, that is, the enrichment of waters beyond natural levels by nutrients, mainly phosphorous.

Studies by the EPA and Teagasc in relation to Lough Derg indicate that the lake is eutrophic. The EPA expects to publish an updated report this year in relation to surface waters.

The relevant local authorities are involved in a Catchment Management Programme for Lough Derg which aims,inter alia, to upgrade sewerage collection and treatment systems and has established a monitoring and management system for the catchment. An application has been made for EU Cohesion Fund assistance for investment of £73 million in respect of 47 separate projects in the Lough Derg catchment. The investment programme will be developed over a number of states. Cohesion Funding of £19.9 million has been secured already in relation to ten projects in phase 1.

The monitoring and management system involves participation by a wide range of interested parties including local authorities, State and semi-State agencies and fisheries boards together with farming, industrial and angling interests. This initiative provides a mechanism to implement, in relation to Lough Derg, the catchment-based, national strategy to address eutrophication which was published by my Department in May 1997. The strategy document "Managing Ireland's Rivers and Lakes" is available in the Oireachtas Library. It sets out a systematic approach to tackle the problem of eutrophication caused by phosphorous inputs to rivers and lakes and incorporates a range of measures to protect and, where possible, restore water quality. Some of the main thrusts of the strategy address the issue of water pollution from farming activities, and discharges by local authorities and by industry. As part of the ongoing implementation of this strategy, I made Regulations last July prescribing statutory standards for phosphorous in rivers and lakes. My Department issued guidelines in August for nutrient management planning on farms. The development of a voluntary agreement with the Irish Detergents and Allied Products Association, to reduce the amount of phosphorous in household detergents is also at an advanced stage. I am committed to the full implementation of all the measures for which I am responsible in the strategy.