Brian O'Shea
Question:594 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals to bring the water quality in the River Suir up to a satisfying standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7828/03]
Written Answers - Water Quality.
Primary responsibility among public authorities for the protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. The EPA exercises general supervision in relation to the performance of these functions by local authorities.
Eutrophication or over-enrichment of waters, caused mainly by excess inputs of phosphorus and to a lesser extent nitrates, is the main threat to Irish water quality. Since 1997 my Department has been pursuing a comprehensive national strategy to tackle all sources of eutrophication. A catchment-based approach to water quality enables all sources of pollution to be dealt with on a systematic and integrated basis. As part of this strategy, major catchment-based projects were established in respect of Loughs Derg, Ree and Leane – Killarney – and the Rivers Suir, Boyne and Liffey – the three rivers project – for the establishment of water quality monitoring and management systems. The strategy is also underpinned by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus) Regulations 1998, which set clear targets for reducing phosphorus levels in rivers and lakes by end 2007.
On 29 November 2002 I launched the final report of the three rivers project, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library. This was the culmination of this €6 million project which has put in place systematic monitoring and management systems for water quality in these three catchments.
Although water quality in the overall River Suir system deteriorated slightly over the lifetime of the project, it is considerably less polluted than the Boyne and Liffey systems and over 70% of the Suir channel length is classified as unpolluted in the EPA report on water quality in Ireland for the period 1998-2000. The report also found that major capital expenditure on the upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant at Tipperary has resulted in significant improvement in water quality in the River Suir system downstream of this plant. Completion of the major wastewater treatment plant at Cahir, has also contributed to improved water quality in the Suir catchment during the course of the project. These facilities, funded by my Department with 85% support provided by the EU Cohesion Fund, are part of a €46 million investment to date in the River Suir catchment water quality management scheme.
A new waste water treatment plant at Carrick-on-Suir is being progressed as part of the South Tipperary grouped design-build-operate, DBO, waste water treatment scheme which also covers: the design, construction and operation of new waste water treatment plants at Ballyclerihan, Ardfinnan, Clogheen and Ballyporeen; the upgrading, operation and maintenance of existing waste water treatment plants at Clonmel, Cashel, Fethard, Killenaule and Kilsheelan; and the operation and maintenance of existing waste water treatment plants at Cahir and Tipperary.
All works will be undertaken under a single contract. When completed the new and upgraded treatment plants will cater for all major current and foreseeable wastewater treatment needs and ensure high standards of water quality protection in the Suir catchment.
My Department is now promoting the establishment by local authorities of river basin management projects to address water quality and quantity in all inland and coastal waters, including groundwaters, and all sources of water pollution. These projects will facilitate implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive which requires the maintenance of high status water quality, where it exists, and the achievement of at least good water status, as defined in the directive, generally within a 15 year timeframe. Financial support at a rate of 100% will be provided by my Department for expenditure incurred by local authorities in relation to these projects.
The work of the three rivers project in the Suir catchment is being continued and expanded as part of the south east river basin management project which began in March 2002. This project, which will cost an estimated €8.25 million, is being led by Carlow County Council on behalf of the ten participating county councils, that is, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary North, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. In addition to the relevant county councils, the project will also include participation by numerous agencies and interests in relation to agriculture, fisheries, flood management and habitat protection, and will involve a programme of activities to promote public information and consultation.
The objective of the project is to establish a water quality monitoring and management system in relation to the combined river basins in the south east and to provide the bulk of the baseline information required for the development of a comprehensive river basin management plan for the area. It will identify all significant impacts on water quality and quantity, set quality objectives and identify and put in place the necessary monitoring and management measures to achieve those objectives.