New project to assess quality of natural waterways
People were invited to attend the first of a series of information meetings across the south west at which details of the nationwide project which aims is to kick-start the implementation of the EU's Water Framework Directive will be outlined.
The South Western River Basin District project, which is being run in this region by Cork County Council, in association with lead consultants, Pettit Engineering, will cover all six local authorities in the area.
Project coordinator, Seán Ó Breasail, said it was an enormous piece of work.
"It involves the collection of a colossal amount of existing information on water quality from all agencies," he said.
Data will be collected on all the rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater sources and coastal waters out to one nautical mile from Kerry, Cork city and county, parts of Waterford, Limerick, and South Tipperary.
It is hoped the project will also fill certain information gaps and lead eventually to the drawing up of a draft management plan for the region's waterways.
This will then be handed over to the local authorities for implementation.
Mr Ó Breasail said research has been underway for about a year.
"A lot of our waters are of reasonable to mediocre standards," he said.
But efforts must be made to prevent the deterioration of Ireland's water quality, he said.
Some estuaries are being enriched by excessive nitrogen, he said.
The Lakes of Killarney are also under significant pressure from nutrients, he said.
"Previous studies show that measures need to be implemented to tackle this situation but none have been implemented. But there is legislative backup there now."
The project does not, however, deal with the water being supplied to consumers.
Mr Ó Breasail said there are many demands on our waters from housing development, industry, agriculture, forestry and industry.
"We draw from our waters for drinking and washing, we fish and swim in them, our industries need reliable and clean supplies, and waters are the habitat for many plants, birds and animals," he said.
"Protection and management of our water resources are not just necessary but are required by European and national legislation.
"In particular we must achieve at least good quality standard for all waters by 2015 and maintain high quality waters where they exist."
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