Vol. 448 No. 5
11 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for the Environment the level of pollution to rivers from domestic and industrial waste; the number of new schemes that will commence in 1995; and the planned location of these schemes. [2355/95]
Pending the publication by the Environmental Protection Agency later this year of a report for the period 1991 and 1994, the latest national overview of water quality in Ireland covers the period 1987-90. This shows that the bulk of waters remain unpolluted and suitable for the most sensitive uses such as game fishing, bathing and drinking. The main threat to continued good quality has been identified as eutrophication, and sewage and agricultural wastes are the main contributors to this phenomenon. The report shows a continuing reduction in seriously polluted river channels. For the 1 per cent of waters in this condition, some two-thirds were suspected to have been caused by point source discharges of waste from either sewage treatment plants (24 per cent) or industries (25 per cent), or from a combination of both (15 per cent).
Controls on industrial wastes have been strengthened by the integrated pollution control licensing regime established by the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, and by the Water Pollution Act, 1990.
As regards new waste water schemes, I am currently reviewing the work programme for water services investment in 1995 and I hope shortly to announce approvals for this year.
