No progress on water quality in six years

Of the 1,459 river water bodies monitored in 2022 and 2023, the report showed a further small net decline in biological quality of 45, with more bodies declining in quality (232) than the number of improving (187).

There have been no signs yet of improvement in Irish water quality over the six years, a new report published by the EPA has revealed, as the agency warns more action is needed.

The news comes just a week after Teagasc launched its “Better Farming for Water” project, a multi-purpose action plan to support and advise farmers on practical measures to protect water.

Of the 1,459 river water bodies monitored in 2022 and 2023, the report showed a further small net decline in biological quality of 45, with more bodies declining in quality (232) than the number of improving (187).

Nitrate concentrations remain too high in 42% of river sites, mainly in the South East and Midland and Eastern regions, and a fifth of groundwater sites still have nitrate concentrations that are considered too high. 

The national annual average in 2023 was higher than in 2022, with both the South East and Midlands and East regions seeing increases.

Some 17% of Irish estuarine and coastal water bodies assessed were also in unsatisfactory condition for nitrogen, while nitrogen loads to the marine environment are largely unchanged over the past four years.

The elevated levels of nitrogen in our waters are found mainly in the east, south east and south of the country and are too high to support good water quality in our estuaries. This is primarily attributable to intensive agricultural activities on freely draining soils in these areas.

Actions by farmers to improve water quality

Irish Co-operative Organisation Society president Edward Carr highlighted that over 70% of Irish farmers now use low-emissions slurry spreading equipment — a significant leap from a standing start only a few years ago.

CSO figures also show that fertiliser sales dropped by 18% for the second year in a row from September 2022 to September 2023, bringing fertiliser use to its lowest level in over two decades, and has come alongside a stabilising in cow numbers after the post-quota growth.

“It is demonstrably clear to see across the farming and co-operative sectors that there is massive investment going on to protect water.

“Nobody can accuse farmers and their co-operatives of not taking action to protect water quality. The facts on this are unquestionable,” Mr Carr said.

“This commitment and activity will only increase in the years ahead. But the ultimate success and reward to improved water can only be achieved if all stakeholders including farmers, local authorities and other industry sectors stay focused and work together to achieve results.

“The tens of thousands of farmers who are signed up to environmentally focused schemes will be frustrated that the EPA report is not showing the fast improvement that we expect as a result of all that is being done to protect water quality but we as farmers must remain patient and continue with the good work being done to arrest a decline in water quality. We are more confident than ever that we will soon see the positive results of all of this work.”

'Relentless focus'

IFA president Francie Gorman said there was now a “relentless focus” among farmers to make changes to improve water quality.

“Only last week Teagasc’s launched a new campaign ‘Better Farming for Water’ and all farmers must play their part in this,” he said. “Our water quality is in a relatively good position compared to other EU countries. However, there is a determined and robust approach across the whole sector to minimise the impact of food production on our waterways.”

The IFA president said there is an “unprecedented level” of investment and adoption of new measures on farms. “For example, inorganic fertiliser usage on farms is down approximately 30% in two years,” he said.

However, he said that some initiatives individual farmers want to undertake on farms around slurry and nutrient storage were being frustrated by delays in DAFM grant approvals and planning delays.

“We must remove these roadblocks and ensure that farmers can move quickly to make capital investments,” he said.

“It’s about the right measures in the right places at the right time and the right rate, to ensure that nutrients are taken up by grass and crops. We are determined to reduce nutrient loss to deliver better water quality.”

“All the dairy co-ops are working closely with their farmer suppliers in making this central to everything. In fact, co-ops make part of the payment to farmers conditional on sustainability elements, including safeguarding our water quality,” he said.