I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 138 together.
The implementation of the Water Framework Directive requires the extensive monitoring of groundwater quality and the inclusion of programmes of measures in each river basin management plan to ensure continuing improvement in the quality of groundwater. In transposing the Directive, the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations 2010 give legal effect to measures for the protection of groundwater.
The Water Framework Directive classification assessments have identified that the main pressures impacting on groundwater quality include the input of nutrients from diffuse sources and, to a lesser degree, historical pollution from industrial activities. Local pollution is considered to be caused primarily by farming activities and the inputs from domestic wastewater treatment systems. Pollution from agricultural sources has been targeted through significant investment by farmers and the State under the Farm Waste Management Scheme and by the implementation of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. Pollution from domestic waste water systems is being addressed by the requirements of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.
Ongoing monitoring of groundwater quality is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency. The monitoring includes substances such as ammonium, nitrate and phosphate as well as faecal coliforms and pesticides. In the report Water Quality in Ireland 2007-2009, the EPA found that overall, in comparison to previous reporting periods, pollution of groundwater was found to have decreased somewhat over the period, with reductions in nitrate and phosphate concentrations. Regarding faecal coliforms, there has been a decrease in the proportion of samples with detections since the 1998-2000 reporting period; however, this proportion has been increasing slowly since.
The Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007-2010 provide for an authorisation system for all wastewater discharges to waters from treatment plants or collection systems owned or controlled by local authorities. The purpose of the authorisation system is to prevent and reduce pollution of waters by waste water discharges. As part of the authorisation process, the EPA can place conditions on the operation of individual plants and systems and it can set emission limit values for the discharges. In December 2011, the EPA published guidance on the technical assessments that are needed to authorise discharges to groundwater, as a means of satisfying the requirements of the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010.
Over €5.5 billion in Exchequer resources has been invested between 2000 and 2011 in water services infrastructure. In the same period, 341 waste water treatment schemes and contracts have been completed. This has led to an increase in treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of population of almost 3.9 million. Ireland is currently about 93% compliant with the 2005 deadline of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requiring secondary treatment for discharges from agglomerations above certain specified size thresholds, compared with 25% in 2000. Current investment plans under the Water Services Investment Plans 2010-2012 will see necessary infrastructure for secondary treatment in larger agglomerations in place by 2015.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 has been introduced to address a European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland in October 2009 regarding domestic waste water treatment systems. I anticipate that the implementation of the new registration and inspection system will also contribute to improvements in water quality.
