Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2016
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the degree to which he continues to monitor air and water pollution; if he has noticed particular trends arising from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18788/16]
View answerAir quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality. The EPA has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the 31 monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network.
The EPA publishes an annual report on air quality, primarily based on the monitoring requirements of the CAFE Directive. The most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2014 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, was published in September 2015 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2014, compared to the CAFÉ Directive standards, as well as assessments in relation to more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for the protection of human health and the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimated reference levels.
The report indicates that NO x values, arising primarily from the transport sector, are showing a slight increase over 2013 figures at some locations, and indicates a risk that growth in economic activity will lead to an increase in NO x levels. Similarly, the report indicates that levels of particulates (PM2.5 ) and compounds (PAH) have increased at some stations.
Notwithstanding these points, I welcome the fact that no levels above the EU limit value were recorded at any of the ambient air quality network monitoring sites in Ireland in 2014. Particulate matter levels are of concern, particularly during the winter heating season in some areas where the sale of smoky coal is permitted. Because of this, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns can often be similar to, or higher than, those in cities where the sale and use of smoky coal is banned. To help protect our good air quality, consumers must become more aware of their choice in home heating fuel and the potential impact that this choice can have on air quality in their locality and on human health.
In relation to the monitoring of water quality, pursuant to the Water Framework Directive, the EPA monitors surface waters, including rivers, lakes, estuarine and coastal waters, as well as groundwater. Under this monitoring programme, the EPA assesses general physico-chemical parameters (nutrients, oxygen, temperature, salinity) and biological quality elements (phytoplankton, macro -algae and angiosperms). On-the- ground sampling is conducted by local authorities, and operational and surveillance samples are then brought to EPA laboratories.
The findings from the monitoring programme are detailed in the EPA’s Water Quality in Ireland reports. The most recent report covers the period from 2010 to 2012 and is available on the EPA website at: -
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/wqr20102012
The aforementioned report contains an overview of water quality and, in summary, notes that 53% of rivers, 43% of lakes, 45% of transitional waters, 93% of coastal waters and 99% of groundwater were satisfactory at good or high status. There was a 4% increase in high or good condition (73%) river channels based on the biological Q-value assessments. Serious pollution of rivers reduced to 17 km from 53 km since the last reporting period (2007-2009). Reported fish kills declined to an all-time low of 70 recorded between 2010 and 2012. There was a 5% reduction in satisfactory quality lakes (10 lakes). Water quality in canals remains very high at over 90% satisfactory. The south and south-east of the country continue to have the greatest proportion of groundwater and rivers with nitrogen concentrations over 10 mg/l NO3. Although there was a decrease in detections of faecal coliforms in groundwater from 61% in 2008 to 51% in 2012, these levels highlight a risk for drinking water in areas where there is inadequate treatment. Approximately 35% of the designated shellfish areas were non-compliant with the guide value for Escherichia coli.
A new national update on water quality for the period from 2013 to 2015 will be available later this year.
