John Bruton
Question:81 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to subject Bord na Móna to the provisions of the Water Pollution Act in the same way as other land users and commercial operators.
Written Answers. - Water Pollution.
(Wexford): The Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Act, 1990, provides for the making of regulations which may, inter alia, apply controls under the Acts to Bord na Móna operations. I intend to consider whether it would be appropriate to make such regulations.
John Bruton
Question:82 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment the local authorities which have prepared groundwater protection schemes to date and the content of such schemes.
Wexford): Under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990, protection of waters, including ground-waters, from pollution is the responsibility of the local environmental authorities concerned. Recent regulations under these Acts provide for specific controls to prevent groundwater pollution arising from the discharge of harmful substances.
Information on the quality of groundwater is being gathered by local authorities as part of the regime being put in place to implement an EC Directive concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources.
My Department does not have detailed information on particular protection measures being prepared or implemented by local authorities in this area. However, I am aware that a research study on groundwater assessment and the development of aquifer protection plans for counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon is being undertaken by Sligo Regional Technical College, the Geological Survey of Ireland and Trinity College, Dublin with assistance under the EC STRIDE programme. The study is due for completion in February 1994.